Beth wrapped her fingers around the metal bars of the cage. Tensing her arms, she lifted her body weight off her ass and right leg, which was curled under her. When she couldn’t hold herself up any more, she relaxed, the crosshatched bars that made up the bottom of the cage settling painfully into her flesh.
Though she’d been careful, the slight movement was enough to set the cage rocking from side to side, the ground of the dimly lit playroom five feet below her shifting dizzyingly. Beth closed her eyes until the cage stilled again.
Madame Cat had said that today they were going to play the checklist game. Since she was collared, Beth had known who her partner would be, but she’d harbored a small hope that whatever her letter was would include things that might be more interesting and pleasurable than her normal play with Madame Cat.
Those hopes had been dashed when Madame Cat had put her into this uncomfortable contraption. Shaped like an old-fashioned domed birdcage, it was just tall enough that Beth was able to sit upright, but the diameter kept her legs bent at awkward angles. Currently she had her right leg half under her, foot sticking out between the bars, her left leg folded up so her thigh was against her bare breast.
Beth sighed and laid her cheek against her knee. The cage meant Madame Cat had drawn the letter C in the game. Beth had a very good memory and was fairly certain she knew exactly what lay in store. The rules of the game, and of the club, meant that Madame Cat couldn’t do anything that Beth had indicated was a hard “no” on her checklist, but Madame Cat was creative—she could probably find a way to come close without crossing the line.
Whatever anticipation and hope Beth had when her Mistress had announced that this weekend was devoted to the game died as she sat curled in the cage repeating the “C” section of the BDSM Checklist in her head.
Cages
Caning
Cattle Prod
Cells
Chains
Chastity Belts
Choking
Chores
Clothespins
Clamps
Cock Rings
Cock Worship
Collar
Corset
Cuffs
*****
“James, darling, how are you?”
James stood as Madame Cat, a lovely African American woman, breezed into the Den. She wore slacks and a silk blouse, which was far from her normal leather and chains Domme wear.
His confusion must have shown on his face, because she smiled as she leaned in to kiss his cheek in greeting.
“I know, not the ideal attire, but I can’t stay long.”
James frowned. He’d assumed that he and his partners would spend the weekend playing the game. It was slightly annoying to know he’d come all this way for essentially nothing.
Cat shook her wrist until the slim gold watch was perfectly positioned for her to check the time. “I want to be out of here by three. Hopefully I can beat the traffic headed south.”
“I was unaware we were operating under a time limitation.” James kept his voice as mild as he could. The weekend did not have to be a total loss—there would be plenty of people here to play with later, and he never had trouble picking up a willing sub for the weekend.
Madame Cat frowned. “Didn’t Master Leo talk to you?”
“I spoke with Master Mikael earlier.”
“And he didn’t explain?” Now Madame Cat’s voice held the same hint of irritation that his did.
“He gave me this.” James held up the envelope. “All it has is your name and a checklist for your sub. He said the rest of it was up to you to explain.”
“Ah, well.” Cat settled back in her chair. “I’m afraid today is my last day at Las Palmas.”
“Oh?”
“I’m moving to DC. Given my new position, it’s best to cut ties with Las Palmas.”
James nodded. He’d heard that Madame Cat did something involving politics, which had always seemed incredibly dangerous to him—a secret life as a Domme would be a wonderful political scandal.
“I’d thought to have more time,” she continued, “but my flight leaves at 7. I’m only here to uncollar Beth.”
James stiffened. “You’re ending your relationship?”
“Yes, which is sad because Beth is so delicious. She’s quiet and obedient. Everything I could want.” True regret pinched the corners of Cat’s eyes.
James tapped two fingers on the arm of the leather and wood chair. “And my role is to play therapist to your sub and distract her for the weekend?”
Cat’s face showed her displeasure with his tone, but James didn’t care. He had no desire to spend his time dealing with the emotional messes other Doms made of their subs.