With This Collar by Sierra Cartwright

clouded.”
    “Another glass of wine is hardly going to hurt. And a Merlot would be even better.”
    “I’m not negotiable,” he said. “Certain rules are for your safety. If you can’t follow those, we will not proceed.”
    She sighed, recognising a battle she couldn’t win. “I’d love an orange juice.” Anything to occupy her hands and make this seem more normal. “Thank you.”
    “Stay right here.”
    She obeyed, even though it tested all her resolve. Part of her wanted to dash for the door.
    Damien joined Marcus at the bar, and the two exchanged a few words. They both glanced over at her, and she forced herself not to cover up.
    The bald man she’d seen upstairs was talking to a Dom. As she watched, the Dom moved aside and the other man moved behind the sub, who was also male. Nothing here was surprising her anymore. The bald man took the sub’s wrists in one hand and apparently applied pressure to the man’s shoulder. The sub slowly lowered to his knees.
    A few minutes later, Marcus rejoined her, and she gratefully accepted the beverage. “Do you see what’s going on over there?” she demanded.
    “That’s Gregorio,” he said. “For lack of a better term, Gregorio is the property’s caretaker. He lives here full-time and keeps the dungeon ready for entertaining. Damien is generous. Others can lease his space and, in fact, a production company does film here from time to time. But Gregorio is always here to make sure the house rules are enforced. He’s also available to scene with people.”
    “He just made that man get on his knees.”
    “It doesn’t take a lot of pressure,” Marcus assured her. “Gregorio is an expert at controlling recalcitrant submissives.”
    As they watched, Gregorio helped the sub to his feet. The Dom moved into the place where Gregorio had stood. The Dom touched his sub. Gregorio repositioned the man’s touch then nodded.
    Moments later, the sub was on his knees again.
    “Gregorio is a switch,” Marcus explained. “That means he is able to dominate or fill the role of a submissive, though he generally only subs if Damien is on site to ensure things are run correctly. We will be observed periodically while we’re here,” he continued. “Damien and Gregorio ensure the safety of the house’s submissives.”
    “Do…uhm… I mean… They don’t participate, do they?”
    “They don’t, unless invited. And, before you ask, the decision as to whether they will participate or not is mine, not yours.”
    She shivered.
    She watched Gregorio supervise the Dom one more time. Finally, Gregorio nodded his approval then moved away.
    “There are a few private rooms down here,” Marcus told her. “But mostly there are screens to divide the space.”
    So maybe people were chained to the walls elsewhere.
    “Shall we watch a scene?”
    Her heart suddenly thundered. She was saved from answering when Damien joined them.
    “I like to meet my guests,” he said, offering his hand. “Damien Lowell.”
    She had no idea how to behave. What did you say to a man when you were standing in his basement…dungeon…naked, especially when he was fully dressed in a grey suit and a tie?
    Even under normal circumstances, she would find him disarming. She looked at his hand as if she were in a foreign country and didn’t know the customs. If she were truly a sub, she would probably kneel or curtsey. But since she was just a guest and had twice sworn she would never kneel, she wasn’t sure what to do.
    Without questioning her instincts, she looked to Marcus for guidance.
    “Shake Master Damien’s hand.”
    “Master Marcus and Lana tell me this is your first exposure to our lifestyle.”
    His grip was firm, but not overbearing. This man wore authority as easily as he did the tailored suit. “Uh… Yes.” She wished she understood how to properly address him.
    “Welcome. I hope you’ll find us hospitable.” He unclasped her hand, and she had that same odd feeling that she’d had