Chapter 1

BPOV

“Jake please, it’s taken me three months to get up enough courage to even go”

“But tell me again, why do I have to go?” The voice on the other end of the phone was questioning.

“I told you, no females are allowed without an escort. Please, you said you would go. If you don’t, then I will have to find someone else, and they only have an open door once a month. Please, I’ll owe you forever.”

I tried to put on my best pout knowing that it lost strength over the phone. Somehow, miraculously it must have worked, because Jake’s next statement made me at least have hope that he was going to accompany me to New Moon, Seattle’s exclusive power exchange club.

“I’m not wearing leather chaps and carrying a dog lease.” I rolled my eyes at the wall, “Just wear jeans and a button down shirt and pick me up at 8:30.” His heavy sigh, made me smile. “Ok, Ok, but I’m telling you, if I see one person barking like a dog, being beat with a belt, or locked in a cage, we are so out of there. You hear me?”

I smiled, knowing that stuff like that went on, but not on the main floor and not during open door night. “Love you Jake, you’re the best, see you at 8:30"

“I love you too Bells”

It was 1:00 Thursday afternoon, I was just heading back for my last class and then I had to get home, feed Seth and be ready by the time Jake arrived. To say I was nervous is an understatement. I had first heard about New Moon, when I moved to Seattle four years ago. I had enrolled in UW for my Masters in Psychology. Coming back home - well as close to home and my ex-husband as I wanted to be - On those days when I went to Forks to visit my dad, I dreaded running into James and very rarely left my father’s house alone.

Jake and Leah usually went along so that they could visit their family. Jake has been my best friend since I came to live with my father when I was eight... He and Leah have been married two years now, she is six months pregnant with their first child, which is why Leah is not going with us. Teaching Psych 101 to freshman is not the best part of my job, but it’s a good way to wind down for the weekend. So with finals coming up next week, and summer break looming, it’s a good time to go see what happens in this mysterious night spot.

After getting Seth his dinner and eating mine, I showered and started the task of drying my hair. I applied some face powder, mascara and eye shadow, having decided on black skinny jeans, sleeveless light blue shirt and simple black jewelry; I was just about ready when the back door opened up.

“Why isn’t your door locked?” I scowled at him

“I just unlocked it because I knew you would be here any minute.” He raised an eyebrow at me “I know the code Bella, and you need to be safe.” He looked down at Seth, rubbing his head “Some watch dog you are buddy”

I groaned “I didn’t get him to be a watch dog, I got him for company” I replied as I was bending over putting on my high heeled boots. “Are you ready?” Jake looked at me, shaking his head “Damn Bells, how the hell am I suppose to get you out of there tonight when you look like a pervert’s wet dream?”

I turned, shaking my ass at him and giggled “Do you like?” Jake scowled again “Fuck, let’s go.” I grab my purse off the table by the door, checked the alarm system and said good bye to Seth.

Looking up at Jake and taking in his appearance “You look handsome tonight. Did Leah get you dressed?” He smiled, so I knew I had it right. “She told me I had to look Dominant” he said with a smirk.

He did too, dark black denim jeans cut to emphasize his muscular thighs as the gray silk shirt clung to his broad shoulders. He had the sleeves rolled and cuffed half way up his russet forearms. His face showing just a touch of five o’clock shadow, while his long thick black hair was pulled securely in a leather band at the base of his neck. Holding the car door open for me, I got in and watched him walk in the front of the car. He had a tense look of concentration on his face and I could tell that before we got to the club there was going to be some sort of discussion.

Jake started the car and backed out of my driveway, I turned on the radio, trying to find a song I knew. Grabbing my hand, he switched it back off and sighed loudly - here it comes - three, two, one, “I don’t understand” he sounded exasperated. “You divorced James, because he was an abusive fuck. Which, thank god you did, so I didn’t have to kill that Motherfucker. Although sometimes I still think about it” he shook his head before continuing. “Now I am driving you to a place so you can meet someone, who you are hoping will beat you on a regular basis as some strange sort of foreplay. I just don’t get it!”

Closing my eyes, reining in my temper “I don’t want someone to beat me.” I said through clench teeth. Letting out a heavy breath I turned to look at him, “Jake, you read my Thesis, you know there are different aspects to this lifestyle, I just feel like I am a submissive woman, and I want to meet other people, real people- not from an inter-net chat room-to explore this side of my personality. Does that make sense? It’s like you and Leah taking part in your tribal customs, it’s who you are.”

He eyed me with a sideward glance. Rolling my eyes at him “I know, it’s not completely the same thing, but let’s just say that someone said you could never again take part in the customs. Wouldn’t you feel like there was a part of you missing?”

He relaxed a little, sighing again “Ok, I get it, sort of” his lips twitched in a small smile. “Besides I promised my wife I would go with you, make sure you got home safe and no perverts or want-to-bes would fuck with you. And she would kick my ass if I don’t do that.” I laughed, “Are you sure you’re not submissive? Does Leah have a cat-o-nine tails hiding under the bed for when you are naughty” I purred out the naughty.

Jake snorted and pulled into the parking space. He turned off the car, looking at me with a raised eyebrow. “Oh, my wife got me whipped, she just used a different type of pussy to do it.” he said with a devilish smile and a wink.

Discussion was over; we walked across the street, as I pulled out the VIP card that was given to me over a year ago. Jake went to get in line, but I grabbed his arm and showed the card to the man at the door. He smiled at me, eyeing Jake as he pressed a button by the door. Just as I was about to step inside a man walking out collided into me. He reached out and grabbed a hold of both my forearms as I stumbled backwards into Jake’s chest. I could feel warm tingles radiate down my arms from his hands on my skin.

“Sorry, I should have been paying more attention” his velvet voice echoed through my ears. Jake grabbed my waist, helping me to get my balance, damn heels. I looked up into the most beautiful face I have ever seen. His eyes were like a rolling sea of piercing green, with a head full of unruly bronze hair. Blinking several times before I found my voice “That’s ok, you didn’t hurt me.” he grinned at me, shaking his head.

“Tyler, what is it?” He asked the door man. “Mr. Cullen, the young lady has a VIP gold card” he replied. I looked at my card it was indeedly gold, but I didn’t realize that meant anything. Jake was looking over my shoulder and whispered in my ear “What does that mean?” Shaking my head whispering back “I don’t know, but I guess we are going to find out.”

EPOV

I hate open door nights; thank the lord they only happen the first Thursday of the month. This is the night when all the want-to-bes come out in full force. I shake my head as I think of all men who go into chat rooms or read BDSM library and think they can come here to find themselves a “slut” to dominate. The women are not much better; they come dressed in all kinds of strangeness, thinking that the more naked they are the better. Unfortunately for them there is a strict dress code on the main floor. Shoes, shirts, pants, skirts must be worn at all times.

The club is basically shut down except for the main floor. No private room access or public scenes happen tonight. All the members that will be here, come for a night of drinking and laughter or possibly to meet a new partner. The only part of the club that is sectioned off is the VIP area. This area is reserved for the owners, board members and their guest. Basically, that means family. Yes, New Moon is a family owned business.

My Uncles Aro and Marcus opened it twenty-five years ago, in five weeks on June 9^th, is the Silver Anniversary Ball. Aro is always trying to get me to join him in the day to day operations of the club, but I enjoy teaching Anatomy at UW. I help out when I can, usually my bother Emmet does open door night, but tonight he and his wife Rose are hosting a gathering to celebrate the news of their pregnancy in the VIP section, so I’m filling in.

The doors open at 8:00, so I left my last class at 4:00, ran home to shower and change, before heading to the club. Walking into the back office, Laurent was there giving out assignments for the bouncers, bartenders and waitress. I listened to the assignments while eating a plate of Chicken Alfredo that I had delivered from the restaurant across the street.

Tyler would be manning the front door, Mike and Eric would be in the main area. Two bartenders to man each bar and one for the VIP area, Laurent looked to me, “Anything to add Mr. Cullen?”

I swallowed the last bite of my food and reminded them that if anything was to happen that needed my attention ring the buzzer and my phone would alert me. Other than that, watch out for assholes who think they are Doms and little girls who think they can come here to instantly gratify some fantasy. They all smiled and nodded before going to man their post.

Emmet was coming in a half hour and I had to set up the area for him. There wasn’t much to do, but the doors were just opening and the band was beginning to set up. We always had local bands play, tonight was Twilight, and they did a good show and played a variety from classic rock to hip hop. The crowd usually liked them and everyone always had a good time.

I was just finishing when someone tapped me on the shoulder. Turning around Jessica was standing there, sighing “What is it Jess?” I had done a few scenes with her, but we just didn’t have the right dynamics to be together. I liked her, she was pretty, submissive and dumb as hell.

“Umm...Edward, do you think I could help out with the Ball. I mean, I know that you looking for a partner for a scene. I could do it with you.” I eyed her speculatively, “Who told you that?” she didn’t answer, so I asked another question “Who are you here with?”

No unaccompanied females are allowed - sexist, I know, but that’s the rule - for this reason, so Doms are not bothered. Jess looked at me like a deer caught in the headlights. “Umm...I’m here with my friend Roger and I heard it through club talk.”

Ohhh...I hate that damn web blog. I rubbed my hand over my face blowing out a long breath. “Well, you heard wrong! And I suggest you get back over to Roger, Now!” She looked at the ground immediately with a “yes Sir” and walked away.

I stood there pinching the bridge of my nose, when I heard a loud laugh. “Trouble with a wee lass, little brother?” I shook my head and opened my eyes to see Emmet and Rose standing there with a few friends. Most I knew. The ones I didn’t Rose introduced to me.

Emmet said there were two more couples coming and they had VIP cards they should be here by 9:00. I nodded and told him that I would be close to the door and usher them back when they arrived. My phone buzzed, alerting me to the front door.

Tyler had two couples with a silver VIP cards, must be Emmet’s friends. “Good evening welcome to New Moon, follow me I will escort you back to Emmet and Rose.” The four followed behind me, once they were in the area my brother thanked me and said that the only other ones coming was our sister Alice and her husband Jasper. They could get here on their own.

With that task done, I figured that I would inform Tyler that Emmet’s party was complete. As I was just about to open the door, my phone buzzed. Grabbing into my pocket I swung open the door and ran into a petite frame knocking it backwards into a large man. On instinct I grab a hold of both bare arms, feeling a tingle in my hands, “Sorry, I should have been paying more attention”

The man behind her grab a hold of her waist and I stood there staring into the deepest brown eyes I have ever seen. Her face was heart shaped with a full plump lower lip. She had long wavy chestnut brown hair that hung mid way down her back. The light blue silk blouse cris-crossed over her breast and hugged every curve. Her breathing calmed as she blinked a few times trying to get her balance.

My dick twitched when she answered “That’s ok, you didn’t hurt me.” Evil thoughts came to my mind, thoughts of how I would love to see her round soft ass all pink from my flogging.

I addressed Tyler, and looked at the Gold VIP pass. Aro’s? My eyes moved back to her face as the male that was behind her leaned down and whispered in her ears, she turned her head to the side and whispered back.

I did a quick process of them. He had on a wedding ring, she did not, hmmm. He held her protectively but not in a provocative way. And she had Aro’s card, she must be someone real special to have that. I gave them my best smile “Follow me I’ll show you the way back to the VIP area.” The male released her and they followed. “Thank you.” She replied

As I lead the way back through the club I was intrigued, who could these people be and what was their story. One thing for sure I had to at least find out her name. As I opened the smoky mirror door that lead into the VIP area, I stepped up unto the raised floor. I took the liberty to offer my hand to the lady. I figured if I was over stepping my bounds the male would call me on it. I was happy to see that he didn’t and even happier when I felt that tingle again as she took the hand I offered her.

I looked down at our clasped hand and realized she was looking also. She feels that, I don’t know what the hell that is, but I sure as fuck like it.

“So” I smiled at her, again unsure of the male. “How do you know Aro?” She looked at me with speculation “What makes you think I do?” I chuckled, “That is his card you are holding, Miss?”

Please God, let me get her name. I could see her mind working as she pulled her bottom lip in between her teeth. My dick did the Mexican Hat Dance and I had to suppress the moan that wanted to escape. “Actually it’s Ms, Swan.” I smiled, “And your friend?” yes I called him friend; let him call me on it. His hand came out to take Ms Swans arm “Jacob Black, come on Bella.” he grumbled.

I guided them to the tables and was about to begin introductions. I felt a hand clasp my shoulder “Edward my boy, allow me”

Aro was grinning like a boy who just saw Santa Clause. He clapped his hands together and literally beamed “Isabella, my, my, my, you look absolutely beautiful, I didn’t think you were ever going to take me up on my offer.”

I stood there stunned as I watched Isabella grab Aro’s hands, “It’s very nice to see you again, and I figured since classes were coming to an end, it would be a good night to come see your club. May I introduce my friend? Jacob Black. Jacob, this is Aro Volturi, he and his bother own this club.”

Aro took Isabella by the arm and had Jacob follow “Come my dear, meet my family.” I shook my head and walked behind the three of them, Emmet shot me a look and I just shrugged, because I had no clue.

Aro stood at the head of the table and began talking to Isabella, and then he turned to make introductions. “This is my nephew Emmet and his lovely wife Rosalie, these are their friends. They are here tonight to celebrate the expected birth of their first child.” Aro looked at Isabella and smiled “As you know my dear, family is very important to me.”

She smiled up at him “Yes Sir, I remember.” Aro turned and put his hand on my shoulder “And this young man is my Nephew Edward. “He turned back to the group “May I all introduce you all to Ms Isabella Swan and her escort Mr. Jacob Black”

Everyone spoke a hello and nice to meet you. Aro turned to me “Edward do you remember the Graduate student who was writing her Thesis on alternative lifestyles?” I nodded; he had asked me if I knew her, because she was a student where I taught.

“Well, that was Isabella. She did a wonderful job. Had her Thesis published, earned her Master’s degree and is now a Professor of Psychology at UW.” Aro left go of her arm “Sit my dear, sit. You also Mr. Black, relax, converse and enjoy yourselves. I have some more people to see, but I will leave you in very capable hands.”

He turned to look at me “Edward, you take very good care of Isabella and Mr. Black.” I smiled at him; because boy would I like to take care of Isabella.