The man took a step back, allowing my back to leave the wall. He gave me a grin and pulled up his phone.

"Derek, bring the car around."

I wasn't sure I liked the sound of that, but what choice did I have? It was natural to leave the bar with a car, and I certainly didn't want to spend time with him in an alley.

He put the phone in the inner pocket of his coat while cupping my cheek with his left hand. "You're quite stunning," he said, letting his eyes roam over my figure. "You look young, but your eyes are old."

"I'm old enough."

"Good. They'll ask you for ID once we get to the place we're going."

I wanted to ask where, but figured that it didn't matter. He could take me anywhere he wanted as long as I got paid.

The moon was full, resting behind thin layers of clouds that swept across the sky. One naïve part of me hoped it would watch over me tonight-a big bright eye surveying the world to keep the dark at bay. I thought it quite strange that mythology depicted full moon as the darkest of nights when in fact it was the brightest of each month.

Two headlights appeared around the corner, illuminating the long street with a harsh glow. The car stopped at the curb, waiting for us to get inside. It was a large black Hummer, intimidating as hell, but again, what choice did I have?

The man led me toward the car, his grip tight on my arm but not too tight.

The car smelled of new leather, but I didn't have time to see more of the interior until the man took hold of my cheek and forced another kiss from my reluctant lips.

He paused, leaning back so he could pierce me with his intense stare. "You'll call me Master tonight."

A shiver ran down my spine, but I gulped it down. "Yes, Master."

"Good boy."

He gave me a wicked smile that I tried my best to return.

"We're going to have a great night. Just do as I say, little one, and I won't have to punish you."

A soft gasp left my dry lips. It wasn't a good gasp, but he must have interpreted it as one because he leaned over to kiss me again. This time he didn't hold back and a faint metallic taste landed on my tongue as my lips started to bleed.

When the car finally stopped again, the man let his hand run down my clothed chest. "You won't need this shirt inside. Might as well leave it in the car."

I swallowed down my unease, told myself that I'd be fine and started to unbutton it. The man leaned back in his seat, clearly enjoying my forced striptease. His eyes darkened and a bulge formed at the front of his slacks. Maybe, at one point, I could have been turned on by him, but something in the back of my mind screamed at me which made it impossible.

His hand went to another of his pockets and he withdrew a thin leather collar. "This is yours tonight."

Schooling my expression, I tried my best to not let it show how disturbed I was by it. He grinned and fastened it around my neck.

"Fits perfectly," he said, giving me another bruising kiss.

The driver opened the door for us and we escaped out into the freezing night. My skin stung as small crystals of snow landed on my bare torso. However, I forgot about it as soon as I saw where we were. I should have realized.

"Come," the man ordered. "Keep your eyes downcast when we're inside unless I ask you to."

My insides crawled with unease as he led me up the short stairs, bypassing the queue and the bouncer without a single word.

"Welcome, Master Olsen," the bouncer greeted, not sparing me a single glance.

I considered my predicament. If Matthews saw me here, he would most likely ruin the only chance at income I had left. It was his club, so it was entirely possible. Out of every place in town, he had to pick this one?

I let out a defeated sigh, but followed the man inside, hoping that Matthews did something else this particular night.

The club was crowded, filled with people in various stages of undress or decked in leather. It was strange that a BDSM club attracted this amount of people on a Wednesday night, but perhaps the community still rode on the 50 Shades of Grey wave.

My Master for tonight gripped my hand and tugged me through the throng of people. Taking his advice, I kept my eyes on the ground, trying my best not to step on people while a thousand thoughts flitted through my mind. I was worried, nervous and not excited in the least even if I had wanted something like this at one point.

How many times hadn't I dreamed of hitting it up with a rich Master who would take care of me?

When reality hit, the dream lost its appeal. I was scared, not thrilled.

The red lights spiraled around me and the bass vibrated in my chest just like last time. Heavy artificial smoke danced around moving bodies as they grinded in beat with the music.

His hand squeezed around mine, and he leaned down to whisper in my ear. "Do you like to dance?" His voice was suggestive, and I realized that he wanted me to say yes. Afraid to lose my grip on him, I nodded.

"Say it," he corrected.

"I like dancing, Master."

"Did someone already train you, little one?" He squeezed my butt and bit into my earlobe.

I knew he wanted a response. I wasn't stupid. I let out a soft moan, fake as hell, but it did the trick.

"Go dance for me."

I had no wish to mingle with the sweaty crowd, but I listened and made my way to the dance floor, aware of the eyes following every move I made.

Closing my eyes, I started to sway my hips, getting lost in the music thundering from the speakers. The sound was deep, suggestive. It pulled on my body and for a while it felt like I was flying even if I wasn't high. Bodies moved against mine, but I was left to dance on my own without filthy hands feeling me up. No one would dare in a place like this. Not when I was already spoken for.

I opened my eyes, searching for the man who paid me for this. He had told me to please him, and those words had held a promise. If I didn't, things could turn nasty, and I desperately wanted to avoid that. If he wanted seduction, he would get it.

The man gripped the railing around the dance floor, staring at me with hungry eyes. I rolled my hips and let my hands caress the bare skin on my chest. It seemed to work because he leaned forward and beckoned me to his side.

That was quick, I thought. One part of me wanted to keep the distance between us, but another part just wanted to get it over with. Steeling myself, I took a step toward him, then another until someone grabbed my shoulder from behind. Heart speeding, I turned my head and felt how my vision turned into a black tunnel.

No.

"Ethan, what are you doing here?" Matthews asked, his eyes betraying what his voice didn't. He was angry.

Unable to speak, I remained in place, my feet planted on the ground while I swayed like frail tree in the wind.

"Is there a problem here?" Master Olsen said, latching his hand on my older shoulder. My gaze shifted from one Master to the other. This was a complete disaster and the last thing I wanted.

"How do you know Ethan?" Matthews asked, his voice hard and accusatory.

"We go way back," Master Olsen lied.

"I doubt it." Matthews squeezed my shoulder. "Ethan, what's going on?"

Clenching my fists and my jaw, I thought of something to say-something to get me out of the mess.

"I'm here with him," I said. It was my only choice. Sam wanted his money, and if I didn't give it to him on Friday, I would end up far worse than I was at the moment.

"Master Olsen, I'm stealing Ethan for a while," Matthews said, indicating that Olsen didn't have anything to say on the matter. Without waiting for a reply, he steered me away, leading me to his office.

I walked in a trance, barely seeing a thing as he guided me forward. My heart raced, my breaths quickened and the panic boiling beneath the surface seemed to gain ground with every step I took.

A door opened and clicked close. Sounds muffled, and I was allowed to stop. Matthews hand never left my shoulder, but his hold shifted, and then I was wrapped up in his embrace.

"Ethan, what's going on?" he asked, but the question was so soft that I doubted he expected an instant reply.

It all came crashing down on me. Everything at once. I was out of control. I was everything and nothing. I was lost. So very lost.

"I don't know," I replied, burying my face in his firm chest while tears started to slip from the corners of my eyes.

His hold around me tightened, and for the first time in days, I felt like I was safe.

A/N Finally an update! hah. sorry that it took ages.