TheDungeon (13 page)

Chapter Twenty-Two

“Since the guys are out on the town tonight, we might as
well go out and have a couple of drinks,” Sydnee suggested as she and Kendall
were talking on the phone.

“That sounds good. And thanks, Syd, for understanding why I
didn’t want a bachelorette party.”

“Of course I understand. You’ve told me countless times that
you’re not into the usual pomp and circumstance of weddings, so I assumed that
that included pre-wedding activities as well.”

“You’re right. Besides, I have enough lingerie to open up a
boutique,” Kendall chuckled.

“You and me both. Why don’t we meet at the Royalton in an
hour?” Sydnee said.

“Okay, see you there.”

When Kendall hung up, she went into her walk-in closet,
gathered her Dominatrix drag—latex catsuit, long auburn wig, platform boots,
whip and sunglasses—and put them into her oversized Prada purse. Since this was
going to be her unofficial bachelorette outing, she planned on stopping by The
Dungeon one last time before getting hitched in a few weeks.

The Royalton, one of New York’s first boutique hotels, with
its plush, expansive lobby, lounge, restaurant and bar was a favorite watering
hole in midtown Manhattan. The hotel had withstood the test of time and was
still the place to see and be seen. When Kendall arrived, Sydnee was already
seated at a choice banquette.

“I took the liberty of ordering some appetizers and drinks,”
Sydnee said, once Kendall arrived at their table.

“Hmm, looks good,” she commented, looking at the figs
wrapped in prosciutto, Mediterranean olives, and foie gras with toast points.

“Here’s to a marriage filled with happiness, health and
plenty of sex,” Sydnee said, raising her martini glass.

Kendall took a sip of her sidecar. “Thanks, Syd.”

“So, have you guys nailed down a venue?”

“Yes, we decided to have the wedding at Lavender@ACES, since
that’s what brought us together. If it weren’t for Magnus building a new
restaurant, we would’ve never met.”

“How apropos.”

“I know it’s last minute, but will you be my maid of honor
and sole bridesmaid? The wedding will be small, just close friends and family.”

“I would love nothing more than to stand up for you.” Sydnee
reached across the table and hugged her best friend. “So…what are you going to
miss about the single life?”

Kendall put her hand to her chin, pondering the question.
“Nothing really, Magnus has everything in a man that I could ever want and then
some.”

“Aw, isn’t that sweet? Sounds as if it’s true love. Now tell
me the
real
truth. Aren’t you going to miss having different sexual
partners?” Sydnee asked, now in reporter mode.

“I’m not going to miss sleeping with different men, that
thrill wore off a while ago, but I am going to miss…” Kendall trailed off, trying
to decide if she should tell Sydnee about The Dungeon.
Why not, since after
tonight I’m canceling my membership and hanging up the whip.
“The Dungeon,”
she said and waited for Sydnee’s response.

“The what?” she asked, looking puzzled.

“The Dungeon, the club that guy Rob told us about.”

“You mean that decadent sex club that he and his wife go to
on date night?”

“Yep!”

“What a minute, are you saying that you’ve been there?”
Sydnee asked with her mouth hanging open in surprise.

“Yep!”

“Okay, stop with the ‘yep’s, and tell me the full story.
Don’t leave anything out. When did you first go? How long have you been going?
What was it like? Does Magnus know?” she asked, all at once.

“I went shortly after we met Rob. I’ve been going on a
regular basis. It’s totally uninhibited. And, no, Magnus doesn’t know,” Kendall
replied, answering Sydnee’s questions in order.

“Oh my god! I can’t believe that you didn’t tell me this
before! Why were you holding out on me?” she asked, poking Kendall on the arm.

“Remember your reaction to The Dungeon when Rob told us
about the club?”

“Of course I remember. I thought the idea of dressing up in
leather and engaging in sadomasochism activities was a bit too freaky for me,”
she said, sounding prudish.

“Well, that’s why I never said anything. I didn’t want you
to judge me for going to a place like The Dungeon.”

“I wouldn’t have judged you. To each his own, I just knew
that The Dungeon was too out of the box for me personally. So tell me, what was
it like?”

“I loved it! I dressed up as a Dominatrix, met a sub and—”

“What’s a sub?” Sydnee asked.

“Sub is short for submissive, and a submissive is a person
who agrees to be dominated and humiliated by a Dominatrix or top,” she
explained.

“Okay, so go on, you met a sub and then what?”

“I took him to a private room and beat the shit out of him
with my whip.”

Sydnee put her hand over her open mouth. She was in shock.
“Girl, I can’t believe you actually engaged in BDSM. Was it fun?”

“Fun is an understatement. It was exhilarating!”

“Did you have sex with the sub?”

“No, BDSM isn’t all about intercourse.”

“If you don’t have sex, then why go?” Sydnee wanted to know.

“It’s a power trip. The thrill of dominating a willing
participant is beyond satisfying. I guess the control freak in me wanted to try
something new and I’m glad I did, now that I’m getting married and I’m retiring
my Dominatrix persona.”

“Oh, okay. I get it,” she said, shaking her head. “Are you
going to tell Magnus about The Dungeon?”

“No way.”

“Even though sex isn’t involved, don’t you feel as if you’re
cheating on your man?”

“No, I don’t. I watched this documentary on BDSM, and the
Dominatrix being interviewed stated that some people choose not to impose their
fetishes on their partners. Instead they frequent BDSM clubs or seek out a
Dominatrix to fulfill their kinky fantasies. Magnus is such a strong Italian
man’s man, I don’t think he’d understand how a guy could enjoy being humiliated
by a woman for pleasure. Besides, after tonight, I’m canceling my membership. I
joined The Dungeon before I met Magnus, so I’d prefer to keep the secrets from
my single life a secret!”

“You’re going there tonight?” Sydnee seemed surprised.

“Why do you sound so shocked?”

“Because you’re getting married in a few weeks.”

“That’s why I’m going tonight. My last visit will be my
quote, unquote, bachelorette party,” she mused.

“I don’t mean to rain on your parade, but do you think
that’s smart?”

Kendall took a sip of her martini. “What’s the problem? I’m
still single, and besides, what happens at The Dungeon stays at The Dungeon.
Magnus will never know, and like I said, this will be my last visit, so my
secret is safe. Okay, enough talk about The Dungeon. What’s happening between
you and Kevin? You guys looked great at the grand opening.” Kendall quickly
changed the subject. She didn’t want Sydnee trying to talk her out of going.
Her mind was made up.

“We’re so good! He’s a great guy and because he’s been
married before, he gets what a committed relationship is all about. He’s not
trying to sleep with me and three other women at the same time. It’s so
refreshing to meet a man who acts like a man instead of a boy wanting to play
with every doll in the store.”

“That’s great to hear, I’m happy for you. Maybe you guys
will be getting hitched next.”

“Here’s to hoping,” Sydnee toasted.

After another hour of eating, drinking and talking, Kendall
was ready to go. She was itching to get to The Dungeon and get her freak on.
“Let’s call it a night. I have a date with a whip.” She laughed.

“Okay. I don’t mean to be preachy and sound like a prude,
but maybe you should go home instead of going to The Dungeon. That club just
seems so sleazy,” she said, shaking her head, looking disgusted.

Kendall rolled her eyes. “Not that again. I told you it’s
not sleazy. It’s exhilarating,” she retorted, irritated.

Sydnee called the waitress over and as she was settling the
tab, Kendall said, “I’ll meet you outside.” She excused herself and went to the
ladies’ room.

Five minutes later, Kendall met her friend curbside as
Sydnee was trying to wave down two taxis for them. “Wow! Get a look at you!”
Syd exclaimed, taking in Kendall’s drastic transformation into a latex and wig
wearing Dominatrix.

“You like?” Kendall asked, putting on her face-concealing
dark shades.

“I almost didn’t recognize you. You really do look as if
you’re a different person. I just have one final piece of advice. Be careful
tonight,” she said, hugging her friend.

“Don’t worry, Syd. It’s totally safe. I’m only going for a
little while.”

The taxis arrived and the friends parted ways. Fueled with
alcohol and the excitement of what was to be her last night at The Dungeon,
Kendall couldn’t wait to get to the club so that she could let her whip loose.
Ten minutes later when the taxi pulled up at the club, she paid and eagerly
stepped out.

“Hey, Cholé, how are you doing?” Kendall asked, greeting the
receptionist.

“I’m good, and you?”

“Excellent.”

“I would put your things in the locker room, but I can’t
leave the desk right now. The phone lines are hot tonight.”

“No problem. I know the way.”

“Okay, have a good time,” Cholé responded before answering
the ringing line.

Kendall made her way down the darkened hallway toward the
locker room. She couldn’t wait to put away her belongings, head to the lounge
and find a sub so that she could experience her last BDSM thrill before getting
married.

As she was strutting down the dimly lit hallway, Kendall saw
a man coming toward her in sexy black leather pants and shirt. She stopped
mid-stride when she saw his face… It was Magnus!
Oh shit!

He stopped for a second when he saw her and then proceeded
walking her way. “Hey there.”

Kendall quickly turned around and headed in the other
direction as fast as she could.

“Wait,” he called out and quickly caught up to her.

How the hell does he know it’s me?
she thought,
walking even faster.

“Hey, I just wanted to tell you that I won’t be coming back
after tonight.”

Kendall then realized that Magnus didn’t know it was her
underneath the wig, makeup and oversized shades. She held her head down as he
spoke.

“You don’t recognize me without my hood. Do you? I was the
sub you picked up in the—”

Oh shit! Magnus is the man underneath the hood that I’ve
been whipping.

When Kendall came to that realization, she put her left hand
up to her head, trying to further conceal her face so that he couldn’t
recognize her.

Magnus stopped talking mid-sentence. “That ring looks
familiar.
Kendall?
”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Kendall had cried her eyes out all night and half the day.
Being busted at The Dungeon by Magnus had rendered her an emotional mess. She
had run out of the club, hopped into a taxi, headed home, and had been there
ever since. Kendall was too much of a wreck to even work. Her emotions were all
over the place. After composing herself, Kendall felt it was time to face
Magnus. The mere fact that he hadn’t called her all day spoke volumes. Kendall
showered, dressed, called a car service and headed to Atlantic City.

Magnus was probably at work, so her first stop was the
casino.

“You can wait for me in the parking garage. I’ll call you
when I’m ready,” she told the driver.

Kendall’s underarms perspired as she made her way through
the crowded casino floor toward Lavender@ACES. She was nervous to face Magnus,
and didn’t know exactly what she was going to say. At this point only the truth
would suffice.

She walked in and the restaurant was packed with people
drinking at the bar, dining and having a good time.

“Hey, Melissa, is Magnus here?” she asked the hostess.

“You just missed him. I think he went upstairs to his
office.”

“Okay, thanks.”

Before Kendall left, she took another look around. The
restaurant, even though it was new, held fond memories for her. Lavender@ACES
was the site of their first argument as a couple, where Magnus had proposed,
and the venue for their impending wedding. Kendall exhaled, left, and made her
way upstairs.

“Hi, Jan, how are you?”

“Fine, Ms. Hall, and you?”

“I’ve seen better days. Is your boss in?”

“Yes, but he’s in a meeting. Would you care to wait?”

“Sure.”

“Mr. Richards gave me your telephone number and asked me to
call regarding the wedding details.”

Maybe he’s not mad after all.
“When did he talk to
you about our wedding?”

“The other day.”

“Oh, it wasn’t this morning?” Kendall asked hopefully.

“No. It was the other day.”

“Oh, okay.” Kendall slumped her shoulders, crossed the
reception area, and took a seat on the ivory leather sofa.

Twenty minutes later, Magnus was still behind closed doors.
“Do you know how much longer he’ll be?”

“His meeting will be over shortly.”

Ten minutes passed, and two men in navy suits came out of
Magnus’ office. Kendall stood up and walked back to Jan’s desk. “Can I go in
now?”

“Let me buzz him first. I would have called when you
arrived, but he told me not to interrupt his meeting.”

“I understand.”

Jan picked up the receiver and hit the intercom button. “Mr.
Richards, Ms. Hall is here to see you.”

Kendall waited as Jan spoke to Magnus. She nervously
smoothed down the front of her blouse and tugged at her skirt.

“I see. Yes, Mr. Richards, I’ll let her know,” Jan said into
the phone.

“Ms. Hall, he asked me to tell you that he’ll be in meetings
for the rest of the day and he’ll call you later.”

“Oh okay.” Kendall felt as if she were an outsider instead
of Magnus’ fiancée. She thought about storming past Jan and into his office
anyway, but she didn’t want to make a scene. Obviously he wasn’t ready to talk
to her yet, and Kendall had to respect his decision.

* * * * *

Later that evening, Kendall tried to eat dinner but she
didn’t have an appetite. Her stomach was tied up in knots as she waited for
Magnus to call. By eleven o’clock, he still hadn’t called. Kendall couldn’t
take the waiting any longer, so she reached for her cell phone and called him.

“Hi, Magnus. How are you?” she said sheepishly, trying to
feel him out.

“Hello, Kendall.”

“We need to talk, but I really don’t want to do it over the
phone.”

“Why not? You didn’t want to see my face the other night at
The Dungeon, so why do you want to see me now?”

Kendall exhaled. “It’s true, I ran out, but it’s not as if I
was the only one at fault. You were there too, remember?”

“How could I forget seeing my woman dressed up as a
Dominatrix?”

“You were in your leather getup—obviously you’re a
card-carrying member as well.”

“It’s not the same, I’m a man. Do you know what it was like
finding out that you were my Domme?”

“No.”

“Well, I’ll tell you. I felt emasculated. Obviously we both
held the same secret, and it’s clear that we don’t know each other as well as
two people on the verge of marriage should, so I suggest we postpone the
wedding.”

Kendall’s stomach dropped. This was the last thing she
expected to hear. “Postpone it for how long?”

“Indefinitely.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“Why would I kid about something like that? I think we need
some time apart. This whole Dungeon revelation has really taken me by surprise.
And it’s got me thinking what other secrets you might be hiding.”

“I’m not hiding anything else. I realize now that concealing
my membership was a huge mistake and I’m sorry for that. Magnus, don’t do this
to us. We’re good together.”

“I thought so too, but now I don’t know. Look, Kendall, I
need time to digest this. I don’t mean to be rude, but I have to go now.
Goodbye.”
Click.

Kendall was numb. She couldn’t believe that Magnus was so
cold toward her. His voice was stern and he seemed removed emotionally. She
didn’t know what to do. He had stated his case clearly and she didn’t have any
other recourse but to abide by his wishes. As she sat on the sofa, Kendall
could feel her insides welling up. She began heaving, trying to stop the tears,
but it was too late. The waterworks poured out of her, as she grieved for her
once-promising future with the man of her dreams.