My Addiction (Club Desire #2)(86)
Chapter 28
FOUR MONTHS LATER…
Kate took the elevator down to Basement 4, adjusting her little black dress and hoping her feet lasted all night in the stilettos Dex loved to see her wear.
She had finally fully healed and felt like her life was back on track. Tonight, Dex was throwing a housewarming party for the two of them. Except it was being held in Basement 4 since their new house was still being built.
They had been living together since she’d come home from the hospital anyway, so when Dex found some vacant land nearby that had come up for sale, he had proposed they build a house together, and she had jumped at the chance.
The elevator doors opened, and she gasped. The last time she’d seen Basement 4, all the normal play areas had been removed. There had been only a stage with stocks like the ones they used in the medieval era to punish lawbreakers, and hundreds of cushions scattered around on the floor.
She had watched the event-turned-orgy from Basement 3 in Dex’s private alcove, and they had celebrated on their own.
She smiled at the memory.
The stage was still set up, but surrounding it were several round tables, reminding her of a ballroom in a high-priced resort.
“It’s about time you made an appearance.” Kate gasped as she recognized Uncle Carl’s voice. He enveloped her in a tight bear hug that she returned with equal gusto. She had seen him several times since she’d been released from the hospital, but it was great to see him here at the party.
“How are you feeling?”
He winked at her. “I feel great. I’m still young enough to bounce right back. How about you?”
Kate sighed with contentment. “I’m great, actually. Happier than I’ve ever been.” She smiled as memories of him over the years came back to her. “I’m glad you’re here—I’m just surprised.”
“Surprised I would show up at a kinky sex club?” He laughed. “My only problem now is that Gloria wants to tour the place, and I think she might pressure me to try it out.” He smiled. “I survived the alligator attack, but I’m not sure I would survive a membership here. I guess we’ll find out.” He shrugged. “I never could say no to my wonderful wife.”
“Let me know if you guys do want to join. I can introduce you to the owner.”
He nodded and patted her shoulder. “Brent and I already met, but I appreciate the offer. I don’t want to monopolize you. I know there are several people wanting to meet you.” He pointed toward a table at the front of the stage, where a stunning black woman was openly studying her.
“Thanks, Uncle Carl. I love you.”
“Love you back, my girl.” He gave her a quick hug and then let her go.
Kate’s mind was swirling as she tried to come to terms with the idea of Carl and Gloria diving into the fetish lifestyle. She knew everyone had their kink; she just didn’t want to think about theirs, let alone accidentally see it one day on the dungeon floor.
She laughed and moved toward the front table.
Before she reached it, the woman met her halfway. “Kate, I’m Lily, Dex’s mother. He can’t hide you from us any longer.” Her wide smile made Kate feel welcome and instantly put her at ease. “How are you feeling after your ordeal?”
Dex had told his family only that Kate had been in a bad car accident, and then was in physical therapy, so wasn’t up to having visitors yet. The excuse had started to wear thin under his family’s persistence, but Kate could tell they loved him and were merely curious about the new woman in his life.
“I’m much better. Finally back to normal, and driving again.”
“I’m so glad. We’ve been dying to meet you. Dex has been positively glowing every time we’ve seen him over the last several months. And I know that’s because of you.” She gave Kate a quick hug, and Kate couldn’t help but hug her back. The woman’s happiness was infectious. “You and I will have to set up lunch or Starbucks very soon so we can talk. Dex can give you my number.”
“That sounds terrific,” she said, and meant it.
“Come meet the rest of the family.” Lily smiled, making her even more stunning. Now Kate knew where Dex had gotten his beautiful brown eyes.
She was whisked away by his mother’s exuberant energy to meet Dex’s father and two sisters, who seemed much more laid back than his mother. But all of them seemed very happy to meet her, and very welcoming.
Lily laid a gentle hand on Kate’s arm to get her attention. “We met your father over by the other side of the stage. He seems like a very nice man.”
Kate pasted a smile on her face and nodded. She and her father had forged the beginnings of a new, closer relationship since the hospital, but it was still in the fledgling stages, and she wasn’t quite used to him being pleasant and open with everyone yet.
After a few more minutes of small talk with the Alexanders, Sandra and Brent came by and there were hugs and greetings all around. They had obviously met Dex’s family many times, and they all seemed like old friends.
Kate drifted away and found Min and Sherri, two of Dex’s old subs. He no longer played scenes with them, but they’d all remained good friends. Min seemed to have recovered from her ordeal, but she still seemed a bit skittish, not that Kate blamed her.