(Payton pictured above)

Chapter 7 Through the Looking Glass

Tommy

"I'm fine Tommy, I promise," Payton says as we walk through campus back to the dorms.

"You've been quiet all week and you haven't made one goofy joke," I tease gently. "Ever since we had the training with Master Giovanni and Jacobi. Are you having any second thoughts about the club? If you are, it's no big deal."

"No, I'm not having second thoughts, if anything the opposite after seeing them together."

"Yeah, they're pretty much what it's all about don't you think?"

"Mhm."

"Payton, do you think this is something you'd want to do long-term, like years and years, or just something to try for a shorter amount of time, like 1 or 2 years?" I ask since I've been thinking about this a lot lately. It's definitely something I want to try and experience, with the right Dom maybe for a few years, but when I look like 10 or 20 years down the road, I'm not sure.

"I really don't know Tommy. I guess it depends on how it feels and who I'm with, if I'm getting something out of it or not. People change and maybe at some point it doesn't work for you anymore. I'm just trying to live in the present, sometimes I get really stressed if I look to far in the future, it gives me angst."

"I hear ya Pay, let's get through college first, everything will fall into place Aunt Camille always says. Did Ashton tell you what happened with him and that Dom?"

"Not really, his name is Master Zion, but I think all he did was watch a scene with him, he didn't really seem to want to talk about it."

"Why does that not surprise me," I chuckle.

"Maybe there was just nothing to tell?" Payton replies and I watch him closely as we head inside the building and up two flights to where our room is. He definitely seems a bit off, distracted or something, I hope it doesn't have to do with Master Matthias. I decide to let him be, maybe he just has a lot on his mind with everything going on. I'll give him a few days and if he still seems off I'll try talking to him again.

"Pay, I'm going over to the gym. I have an appointment with Casey at 4:30 and I need to do my cardio first. Do you want to come?"

"I can't today. I have to cover part of a shift for someone at the library who had to go out of town at the last minute."

"We have a training session with Master Matthias tonight at 7:00, how long is your shift?"

"I told them I had to leave by 6, it's working the front desk so they got another person to cover the last part of the shift, they have a class until 5:45 so should get there in time."

"Okay, we need to leave by 6:15 at the latest to get there in enough time to find a parking spot and get inside."

"I know, how 'bout you just pick me up at the library at 6, we can go straight from there."

"Okay, I'll be waiting out front right at 6."

"Great. Thanks. I'd better head over there. I'll see you later T."

"See ya Pay."

I picked out something to wear to the gym, my goal was to look good without looking like I was trying to look good. When you had a personal trainer that looked like Casey Savage you had to make some effort. I grabbed a scrunchie and put my hair up so I wouldn't get too hot doing the running program on the treadmill that Casey suggested I do to warm up before my strength training.

Normally I don't like running, especially on a treadmill, it's just too boring unless I'm with someone to talk to. Luckily the machine in the personal training area was free because being able to look across the room and see Casey working with the appointment before mine, a pretty redhead, made the task manageable. Not that it was the girl I was looking at, obviously. I'd probably even be a little jealous if I hadn't been told that he was 100% gay, but in any case, Casey's been totally professional with her and I didn't even see a hint of flirting, not even from her which surprises me. The man is a god; I can't imagine not being enamored with his looks. He has his hair down all wavy and slightly messy, which on Casey just makes him look even sexier.

I make sure I look away when turns his head in my direction; I'd already been caught staring a few times, but quickly just pretended I was zoning out listening to the music on my iPod. The thing is, he only caught me when he looked over at me, which was several times, so he's as much at fault as me. 'Yeah, I'll go with that,' I say to myself with a smile. He's checking me out as much as I'm checking him out.

"What has you looking so happy?" A deep voice says as suddenly Casey, the man himself, is barely two feet in front of me leaning on the front of the treadmill. Even with him standing on the floor and leaning down, he's right at my eye level. I pull out my ear buds.

"Excuse me?" I say, slightly out of breath, from the running of course, "sorry, I laugh," holding up the iPod. I'd heard what he said since my music wasn't that loud, but it gives me a few minutes to get my thoughts together.

"The big smile on your face," he replies, "what has you looking so cheery?"

"Oh, nothing in particular, just...um, life in general." He doesn't look too convinced, "and something funny that my roommate was doing earlier." That works, Payton is always making me laugh.

"Thanks Casey," the redhead calls over once she's finished a few stretches and stands up to leave.

"You're welcome Beth, good job today. Don't forget what I told you about the next few weeks, stop by the front desk and they'll book you with one of the trainers that's covering for me until I get back."

"Okay, will do." Once the girl was gone I looked over at Casey. The treadmill program started the cool down setting and was slowing down to a brisk walk.

"Are you going somewhere?" I ask, my mood suddenly dropping.

"I have to go to L.A. for a few weeks. I'm opening another gym there and it's just about ready, so I'll be training the new managers and overseeing the start-up, I'll be back once it's up and running. Don't worry, the other trainers here are all just as good as me, they'll follow the program I wrote up, so you won't even notice."

I'll notice. None of them are you. I look down at the small screen to see how many more minutes of treadmill hell I have. It's suddenly not fun anymore. And yes, I'm being dramatic, but I reserve the right to be troubled when I hear Casey's leaving town. He makes working out bearable. More than bearable of course, but without him it will be torture.

"Hey, it's just a few weeks," he says when I don't respond and I feel a finger under my chin lifting up my face until I'm looking right into his beautiful eyes. "What can I do to get that smile back?"

Kiss me, ask me to dinner, take me to bed, take me with you. Lots of ideas run through my head.

"It's fine...sorry, I'm just bored of running," I laugh. "You know I told you how much I hate it."

"Yes, and I'm proud of you for taking my suggestion anyway and coming in early to do it. Here, I'll slow it down some more, just walk for a minute or two and then I'll help you stretch out before we start strength training. I want to get your heart rate back down before we move to the floor."

The machine slows down and I'm doing a very slow walk.

"Did you know this was the very first gym I opened," he says as he sets up a mat nearby and grabs some clean towels.

"No, I didn't," I say when he looks up, waiting for my response.

"Five years ago. It's also my favorite. I've opened four others and the new one in L.A. is the sixth. Two others here in Chicago, one in San Francisco, one in Portland and now one in L.A."

"Wow, I didn't realize you had other gyms, do you think you'll ever move to one of the other locations?"

"I don't know. I'm a Chicago boy. It'd have to take something pretty important to make me leave. I don't mind spending time in any of those places when I check on my gyms, but Chicago is home, and this gym is my baby. I've got great people managing the other sites, they do fine without me."

When the treadmill stops I step off. There's always that slight loss of balance when you first step off the treadmill, but Casey is at my side within seconds and takes my hand, lifting it up so my forearm is against his chest. I'm not sure what he's doing until I feel two fingertips on my wrist and I see he's looking at his watch. He's checking my pulse.

Once he's finished he steps behind me and puts his hands on my shoulders, kneading them lightly. "Okay, take a few deep breaths for me and exhale slowly." He leads me through a few cleansing breaths before he has me sit down on the mat. We do a few stretches together and I'm glad I did go running first because my face is already a bit red from the exertion, so hopefully he doesn't see me blush when he places his hands on my legs or arms checking to make sure my muscles are warmed up.

"You're making good progress already Tommy," he says, "Have you noticed a change?" I shrug and murmur an 'I guess'.

"You guess? Check out these biceps, here bend your arm." He smiles as he shows me the muscle which has started developing there. "And let me see your abs," he says as he lifts up my shirt. "Those are some class 'A' abs, Tommy." Casey pats my stomach and I'm about ready to melt at his feet, or, better yet, get down on all fours and beg him to take me. "You should be proud of your hard work, I am," he states firmly.

"I..I am, Sir," I manage to get out in as normal a voice as I can muster. I don't know why I called him Sir and I blush again in embarrassment. I must be spending too much time at the Red Door; soon I'll be blushing as much as Payton. "I mean Casey," I say while forcing a chuckle, and look away.

Casey takes a strand of hair that's fallen out of the elastic holding my hair up and tucks it into the rest. "Okay, Tommy." His voice seems deeper and huskier. "Let's get to work. I have a pretty intense workout planned for you," he says as he stands up.

"Lead the way," I reply and take his outstretched hand and let him pull me up, "my body is yours." He lets out a deep chuckle. "I mean...well, you know what I mean." I let out a laugh and slap a palm on my forehead.

"There's that smile again," he says sounding pleased and I have to look away for a second to keep my cool.

Casey leads me through the workout and he seems more friendly and attentive than normal. Well, he's always friendly and attentive, but just extra today, and more touchy as well. Lots of pats on the backs, rubbing my sore muscles and lingering looks. It does seem confusing that up until now he's been strictly professional and now that he's about to leave town, he's suddenly Mr. Affectionate.

When we're finished I go to shower while he makes some notes in my chart for the trainer who'll take his place. This time I use one of the private showers. If I saw him naked today, I don't think I could be held responsible for my actions. When I get back to my locker with a towel wrapped around my waist, I only see other gym members, but there's no sign of Casey. I get dressed, leave my sneakers on the shelf and throw the towel in the hamper by the door. On my way out I spot Casey talking to one of the other trainers, so I keep going towards the exit. Just when I go to open the door I hear his voice call out.

"Tommy, hold up," his deep voice commands and I feel a shiver of excitement go down my spine. I turn around just as he walks up. "I'll be tracking your progress, all of our sessions get logged into our software, but I'd really like to get some feedback from you as well while I'm gone."

"Sure...um, I can email or text you," I suggest, holding up my cellphone that I was just checking.

"Great idea. Here, let me put in my number." I hand him my phone and he quickly enters his contact info and then I see him clicking the message icon next to his name. "I'll send myself a text so I have yours too. If I don't hear from you, I'll text you to make sure everything's going okay. The first few weeks of a new exercise program are critical, we either get a convert for life, or they get frustrated and quit. I don't want to see that happen to you."

"Oh, I won't quit. I really like working with you, and you're right, I feel better already. I even have much more energy even though my activity level is much higher than it was before."

"That's great Tommy. So, keep me posted and I'll see you in about 4 to 6 weeks. Four if everything goes smoothly," he hands back my phone and his eyes lock on mine. Up close, his they're almost indescribable. I'd originally thought they were like a steel blue, but up close I could see different tones of green and hazel mixed into the blue tone. I'd never seen a color like them and I felt like I could spend hours looking to come up with the right description.

"Well good luck then, I hope it goes well," I finally say when I realize we've been standing there for more than a few seconds saying nothing. "I'll send you a text right after my next workout."

"Text me any time Tommy," he replies, and I'm not sure how to take it so I just nod 'Okay' and head out the door.

"Well that was interesting," I say out loud to no one in particular when I'm far enough that no one will hear. I have 45 minutes until I need to meet Payton, so I hurry back to the dorm to get changed and ready.

Payton

"I'm sorry I'm late," the short brunette calls out as she comes running in the door of the library, I had to talk to my professor after and there was a line-up."

I'm about ready to burst, so rather than say something out of anger, I just nod as I pick up my backpack and, after clocking out at 6:15, I run out of the building. Tommy had already texted me, so he knew I was just waiting for Sarah, my replacement to show up. He's waiting at the curb so I quickly jump in.

"I'm so sorry Tommy, if we're late I'll tell Master Matthias it was my fault." I put on my seatbelt and let out a frustrated sigh. I hate being late and I feel stressed and tense.

"Don't worry, we should be okay, just not 15 minutes early which you like to be." He looks over and grins at me, no, it's more like a smirk. Rat bastard.

"Yeah, yeah. I just like a few minutes to clear my head before we start. You know how intense Master Matthias can be. I'm just really annoyed at Sarah right now, she knew she had to be there by 6 and she gets in line to talk to her professor after her class when she could have just gone to see him during his next office hours."

"I get it, no worries. Take a few deep breaths and start clearing your head. I'll get us there in time." Tommy's voice is calm and soothing and I know he'll do his best. Other than that, it's out of my control so I will myself to calm down. I sit back and close my eyes, the shift at the library was busy and I don't usually work the front desk so I was a bit frazzled from that, and then Sarah being late on top of it. I take a few deep breaths like Tommy suggested and try to let the stress drain out with each exhale.

By the time we arrive at the club I feel much calmer and ready to focus. We check in at the front desk and find Cindy training a young, skinny twinky looking guy. Well, it's not fair of me to call him a twink, I've been called that before even though I'm not. I'm wiry, not skinny. Ask anyone I sail with and they'll tell you I can grind a mainsail up faster than guys twice my size. My muscles are just unobtrusive. I'm also not effeminiate. I'm gay, and probably a bottom. Okay, more than probably a bottom, but I'm still masculine...and tough. Not twinkish at all. Not that there is anything wrong with being a twink, it's just not my style.

"Hi Tommy and Payton," Cindy says greeting us. "This is Ian. He's taking over for Ivy." She looks at Ian who's staring blankly at us. When he makes no move to do...well, anything, she picks up the sign-in sheet, which is on a clipboard and hands it to him.

"Have the guys sign in, they already know the drill, by signing they agree to all the rules of the club, blah, blah, blah. All the stuff I've gone over with you like 20 times," she adds stifling annoyance.

"Where's Ivy?" I ask, since I was finally getting used to her.

"She had to move back to Kansas. I guess her parents found out she had quit school and didn't approve. They probably wouldn't have been much happier finding out where she was working. I guess they drove up last weekend and packed her up. Pretty crazy, huh?"

"How old is she?" Tommy asks.

"Twenty-one, but they pay all her bills and she wasn't ready to give that up I assume."

"Strings," I murmur.

"What?" Cindy asks.

"Oh? Nothing...it's just why I don't ask my parents for money. There's always strings attached."

"Yeah, well, you guys better hurry up and get in the training room, my phone says it's 7:00 on the dot," Cindy says.

My face blanches and I grab my backpack which I'd dropped on the floor to sign in before I speed walk toward the training room with Tommy right behind me. When we walk in the door Master Matthias is leaning against the wall with his arms crossed over his massive chest.

"I'm sorry Master Matthias," I blurt out while I run to the chair where I place my stuff. I quickly pull my shirt over my head and unbuckle my jeans. Tommy is doing the same a few feet away while Master Matthias is silent. "It's completely my fault. I had to cover a shift at the library and the girl who was relieving me was late, she...she said she'd be there by 6, stayed late at her class to talk to her professor and didn't get to the library until 6:15," I ramble on. As soon as I was down to my boxers I dove to the spot where we're supposed to kneel and wait for the steely eyed Dom. "Tommy'd been waiting for me since 6, and I ran out to the car and he drove as fast as he could...well, without speeding, because he knows you wouldn't want him speeding." Master Matthias is still silent and I have this feeling it's time for me to shut up. I look over at Tommy and he's about to say something in my defense and I just shake my head.

"Tommy was right not to speed," Master Matthias says, "if you're ever in a situation like that again, you can call the front desk and let Cindy know, who will let me know, though I will expect a valid reason. Communication is the key in this lifestyle Payton, remember that. Now get out your notebook and let's begin."

My heart suddenly stops and I feel my lungs constrict. Oh my god...I don't think I put the notebook I use for training in my backpack when I left to go to work...shit, fuck, crap. I slowly stand up and walk to my things, hoping with all that is good in the world that somehow I'm wrong and it's sitting inside the bag. I'm breathing shallow breaths as I slowly pull the zipper open.

"Sometime this century Payton," Master Matthias growls.

I look inside, moving the textbooks I had brought with me to the library so I could study if it was quiet and it's not there. I get more frantic and check the other zippered compartment. Then I just pull everything out of the backpack and pile it on the chair hoping its hiding under something. When everything is out, except my notebook, I turn it upside down and shake it out, lint and a couple of pens falling to the floor.

Finally, my heart banging against my chest and a light sheen of nervous perspiration covering my skin, I turn around and look at the large man who's eyes are bearing down on me so hard I can feel it.

"Sir...Master Matthias...I seem to have left my notebook at...in my dorm room." I try not to let my voice sound as shaky as I feel, I know enough about Master Matthias that he doesn't respect weakness. "I'm very sorry Sir. I can...umm." I don't know what I can do other than ask to borrow a few pieces of paper, but I'm hesitant to ask for that kind of favor. I look over at Tommy who's looking down at the floor with a pained look on his face.

"Can you tell me the first 10 things you wrote down last week?" he asks, "my ten basic rules."

I open my mouth to speak, because I had studied everything several times, but my head is pounding from the tension and my nerves and my mind goes completely blank. I see Tommy look up at me with imploring eyes, he knows I know it too because I'd recited it all for him a few times to show off how well I knew it. My mouth is completely dry and my tongue feels like it has swollen to twice its size as I swallow in hopes of creating some saliva. Even if I could find the words that were swirling around my head, a jumbled cacophony of refusing to make any sense, I doubt I could speak them at this point. I look down, my shoulders slumping in defeat.

"He does know them, he knows them all," Tommy says. "He's been reciting them for days, he was even testing me, helping me make sure I remembered everything."

"Tommy, tell me the first 10 rules we went over, the very basics of being a submissive," Master Matthias directs and my mind wanders as Tommy begins speaking, listing each off one by one. I can hear the sadness in his voice and I want to tell him it's okay, it's my fault and I'm okay with whatever the repercussions.

"Be patient, be humble, be open, communicate, be honest, be vulnerable, be realistic, be submissive, be healthy, have fun."

"Good job Tommy," Master Matthias says, though my mind is still wandering somewhere else. "Payton you know as part of your training I need to treat you just like your Dom would, If you do something wrong you need to be punished, you need to get used to it so that you can make sure you can handle this lifestyle."

"Yes, Sir. I understand," I say with a confidence that surprises myself, because I do want to be a part of this lifestyle and I am just as prepared to deal with punishments as I am all the rest and I want to show Master Matthias that I'm not afraid.

He looks at me for a few minutes as if evaluating me. "Payton, since you're unprepared today, you're not going to be able to participate in the training, you'll have to make it up another time without Tommy so you don't waste his time. For today, you will go over to the corner," he says, pointing to a corner of the room, "take off your boxers and you'll spend the whole session standing up facing the corner. You're not to turn or look around and you're not to speak until I tell you that you can. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir." My stomach does a few flips, but it honestly could be worse so when he nods I take off my boxers and place them on my other clothes before I walk to the corner.

"Tommy, I just have to go check on something and I'll be right back. I'll be working with you for a while and Master Kyle and his sub Terry have offered to allow you to join them for a simple scene that they're performing in their playroom, they are going to teach you scene etiquette and you will be allowed to ask questions throughout. This would have been a good opportunity for Payton as well, so he'll have to ask them if he can reschedule a repeat of the session with him. Hopefully they won't feel too inconvenienced."

"Yes, Sir," Tommy says quietly and I know he feels bad for me, but he shouldn't, it's my own fault.

Master Matthias leaves the room and after a few minutes Tommy whispers. "Are you okay Pay?"

I'm not supposed to speak, but I feel like I need to reassure my friend. "I'm fine Tommy, it's no big deal, but don't talk to me because I don't want you to get in trouble."

"Okay Pay."

Master Matthias comes back a few minutes later and I listen as he works with Tommy for about half an hour I estimate. Standing in the corner makes me tired and I have the urge to just lean forward and rest my head on the wall. I'm surprisingly okay with the punishment, but then the training room turns into Grand Central Station. The Chef comes in to ask Master Matthias about some things for the new menu, someone comes in to have a delivery invoice signed, a bouncer stops by to ask about something and then Cindy comes in to tell Master Matthias that his lawyer is on his way over with some papers to be signed about the club. Each time I feel like all eyes are on me, on my bare ass to be specific.

Tommy goes off with Terry who has come to bring him to the playroom for his next lesson and Master Matthias sits down at a desk that's against the wall and goes through some papers I assume because that's what it sounds like and pen scratching across a surface as if he's signing things. I don't even know how long it's been because I can't see the clock that's mounted on the opposite wall.

"Matthias," a deep voice calls out and I hear yet another set of footsteps enter the room. In none of the other training sessions were we ever disturbed and I can't help but wonder if this is part of the punishment since I'm standing here buck naked. Did Master Matthias go and tell Cindy to send people in when he left the room earlier? All I can do is shake it off, because I'll be doing things in the future where I'll be far more exposed.

"Kael, come on in. I'm catching up on paperwork in here as you can see." I hear a deep chuckle from the man named Kael.

"I see that, here are those contracts I needed you to sign, if you want to read them through, I'm not in a rush, I can wait."

"Great." I hear more papers getting shuffled and footsteps coming closer.

"What do we have here," the voice suddenly says just maybe a foot behind me. "What have you done boy to warrant corner time?"

I stay silent since I was told not to speak.

"What's your name boy?" he tries again, but I don't move a muscle. I feel his breath on my neck as he leans closer. "Haven't you been taught to be respectful of other Doms," he says. Now I'm really nervous because that was definitely one of the first things Master Matthias taught us. Be respectful, answer when spoken too.

"Kael, leave the boy alone, I've instructed him not to speak until I tell him it's okay," Master Matthias calls over, stressing the word 'I'.

"You must have been a very naughty boy. I love naughty boys, you know," he says quietly in my ear and I feel the hairs on my neck stand straight up. "You are a very pretty boy too," he says and I feel his eyes taking me in from head to toe, front and back and I get a slight glimpse of him. My cheeks heat up at the inspection, but I don't move my eyes from the spot on the wall I've been staring at.

"Look, but don't touch," Master Matthias growls.

"Yes Matthias," this man Kael replies loudly, chuckling. "Though someday I wouldn't mind touching." Again, his voice is quiet and seductive and his mouth is inches from my ear. "I can show you what punishments are really all about." He lets out another chuckle and I feel his breath on my bare shoulder. "I'd start by making your ass as red as your hair, and then..."

"Enough Kael, leave the poor boy alone," Matthias yells, his voice stern and commanding.

"Yes, yes Matthias. Always spoiling the fun." I feel then hear the man step away, returning to Matthias and soon he has gotten whatever paperwork signed and is on his way. I let out a quiet sigh of relief and will the semi that snuck up on me to go away. I hear Master Matthias chuckle and I have no doubt he has seen my wayward appendage and my whole body turns a deep shade of scarlet.

Ashton

I pull my shirt up over my head and fold it neatly before placing it in the locker. My hearing picks up muffled whispers but I ignore it while unbuckling my belt and letting my jeans drop around my ankles. Having already taken off my shoes, I simply kick my jeans off and pick them up before folding them as well. Grabbing my shorts from the bag I brought with me I let my underwear drop to the ground as well. I bend over to pick them up and it's suddenly quiet and I can feel their rapt attention making me roll my eyes as I step into my shorts. Pulling them up slowly, I look over my shoulder and see a few subs watching me from across the locker room.

"Can I help you?" I ask slightly annoyed by their blatant staring.

"You're really beautiful Ashton," a small twink whose name I think is Eddie says with a blush and I blink in surprise.

"Thank you," I reply awkwardly before stepping in my boots.

"Ashton you missed all the excitement," another one of them calls over when I turn back to my locker. I glance back raising one eyebrow. "Some guy was getting all mouthy with Master Matthias and he got himself paddled."

"Who was it?"

"I don't know, not a member, I didn't see who he came in with."

"I guess he freaked out and Master Matthias took him to his private room for aftercare, neither of them have been seen since."

I leave the locker room quickly after locking up my things and hear them giggling to themselves. Well that was awkward. I shake my head and forget about it as I step into the showroom which is already packed, not surprising since I came a little later than usual today. Pushing my way through the crowd of dancing twinks I make my way towards our table and see only Tai sitting there. When I arrive at the table he looks up and smiles as I sit in my seat that lets me rest against the wall.

"Hey Ash!" He greets excitedly but I notice the nervous undertone in his voice that has me raising a brow.

"What's wrong Tai?" I ask curiously while grabbing my typical order of soda from Jacobi when he walks over with a tray of drinks.

"Nothing's wrong, why do you ask?" He chuckles while looking down at his drink and I resist the urge to roll my eyes at his horrible acting, and he's going to school for this shit isn't he?

"Oh I don't know. Maybe because you look nervous or because your leg is bouncing which is a tell that you're nervous or upset. But, maybe it's just me thinking too much into it." I say with a shrug and he looks at me with a glare as I sip my soda casually.

"Master Nathan and I are doing a scene tonight," he states as an explanation and I look at him blankly.

"And...?" I trail off because I'm sure they've done scenes before.

"A public scene, on left stage," he adds and I hide my surprise with a nod.

"Your first public scene with him," I say making him nod.

"Yeah, I just don't want to mess up. Do you think you can watch?" He asks and I shrug one shoulder while nodding.

"If I get invited I'll watch." I agree knowing he just wants the support and he beams.

"Ugh, you're the best. I'll have Master Nathan invite you to watch," he says before jumping out of his seat and disappearing into the crowd.

It doesn't take long for Tai to come back with Master Nathan. He lets me know that the scene is actually starting in a few minutes so I stand up when he motions for me to and I follow them towards the door within the showroom which leads us to a darker room. The main showroom itself is like another club, equipped with a dance floor, bar, sitting area, VIP area and restrooms. The main showroom allows trainees to view mild scenes but beyond this door, only members with complete training can pass where the more...fulfilling scenes take place. My eyes scan the faces of the occupants quickly when we reach the sitting area for the left stage and I recognize Master Zion who catches my eye. He nods but doesn't make a move to approach me which I'm thankful for as I sit two couches down from him. I give Tai an encouraging nod before he gets led away and disappears behind the stage. My eyes stay trained on the stage waiting even though I can feel a few eyes from single Doms watching me hungrily. The couch dips next to me and I look over from the corner of my eye to see Master Zion sitting next to me before feeling him put his arm around the back of the couch. He doesn't say anything or even look at me so I don't bother to comment on it. The lights in the area dim even more and the light over the stage turns on as Master Nathan leads a naked Tai onto the stage.

Tai gets led to the cross and Master Nathan cuffs him to it with his back facing us. My eyes drift down his naked back to his plump tight looking ass before drifting down to his beautifully toned legs due to all the dancing he does. Master Nathan walks towards the small supply table that has a few things I can't see waiting to be used. He lifts a flogger from the table and walks back over to Tai after also grabbing a blindfold and a ball gag. My eyes narrow on Tai's hands which are clenching and unclenching, another sign that he's nervous and I'm not the only one who picks up on it as Master Nathan whispers something in his ear that has Tai's hands relaxing.

He gets gagged and blindfolded with Master Nathan whispering things to him that I can't hear although I see his mouth moving and Tai nodding slightly. The scene progresses with Master Nathan trailing his hands lightly over Tai's back, his ass, his upper thighs and calves. He makes sure to get every inch of Tai's exposed backside heated under his hands before he lets the flogger gently connect with Tai's ass. The unexpected hit makes Tai jump and I hear his muffled moan from my seat. Each swing of the flogger comes down harder, faster and in a different spot. Soon, Tai's back, ass and thighs are red from the blows and his body is glistening under the light with sweat.

Master Nathan steps back, pushing the small table aside and out of the way before he goes back to a heaving and waiting Tai. He gets uncuffed from the cross and doesn't go far as Master Nathan bends him over the bench placed smack in the middle of the stage. Once again, Tai's ankles and wrists are cuffed down. His head hangs over the edge of the short in length bench as Master Nathan simply unbuttons his leathers and pushes them down slightly letting his erection spring free. I lick my lips in silent appreciation of his large and thick cock as he rolls on a condom before pouring lube over his long shaft.

His hand starts stroking himself as his lube covered fingers disappear from view and by the way Tai's head shoots up we all know where they disappeared too. Tai's head drops back down as his muffled moans drift through the air. My shorts become uncomfortable the longer I watch but my eyes are glued to the scene before me as Master Nathan removes his fingers and grips Tai's red tinted hips. I bite my lip as he grabs Tai's hair in his fist and pulls his head up until we all have a clear view of his face as Master Nathan slowly sinks into him.

Tai's eyes widen as drool escapes his gagged mouth and drips to the floor. I shift to help ease the discomfort as Tai's eyes roll back and Master Nathan starts thrusting in and out slowly, all the while keeping a tight looking grip on Tai's hair so we see his expression. It doesn't take long for his loud muffled moans and screams fill the secluded room as Master Nathan hammers into him from behind. My hand drifts down to my crotch and I press down, feeling my cock basically pulsing in need through my shorts. Sweat is rolling down both Tai and Master Nathan's face as the thick heated air full of the smell of sex makes the room hotter than before.

"Shit," Master Zion mumbles the curse next to me and I quickly glance over before looking back towards the stage just in time for Master Nathan's final order.

"Come for me Tai!" He barks out and I watch as Tai's eyes roll back and he lets out a loud scream that even the gag can't muffle completely.

Master Nathan lets out a string of curses as he continues thrusting before he slams all the way into Tai and holds himself there rigid. My toes curl in my boots as I squeeze my needy cock through my shorts. Master Nathan pulls out of a spaced out Tai and quickly uncuffs him before he carries Tai backstage where he'll take him to their playroom to perform aftercare. Employees step onto the stage and start cleaning up for what I'm guessing will be the next scenes. I stay seated, waiting to relax and hoping for my erection to calm down a bit. I look around and see a few Doms getting up with their subs but what catches my eye is Chris darting across the room with a Dom, I think it's Master Clark on his heels, but they're gone before I can tell for sure though I did notice a glare on the man's face. Damn it Chris, what did you do now?

"Hello Ashton," Master Zion says quietly in his deep, steady voice and I feel his hand touch my bare shoulder.

"Master Zion, hello. If you'll excuse me, I have to go to the restroom," I reply and he sighs before nodding so I stand up and make my leave before he can even make a suggestion.

----------------------

Tommy

Payton and I had just arrived when I see Ashton emerging from the private showroom, the place we won't be allowed into for a few weeks, until we finish our training. I wonder what he has just seen and the blank look on his face gives nothing away, though his face is flushed and I can see a light coating of perspiration on his brow. When he sits down at the table he gives us a slightly strained smile.

"Where's Tai?" Payton asks.

"He just did a scene in there," he says gesturing the way he just came, "he was pretty out of it so Master Nathan took him back to his playroom for aftercare."

"You watched?" Payton asks, looking surprised. "Was it like...a," Payton hesitates trying to find the right words, "real scene?"

"By saying real, if you mean did they fuck, then yes," Ashton replies, "he was nervous since it was his first scene in front of an audience and he asked me to be there for moral support." Payton's eyes widen and I hold in a small chuckle.

"Was it weird? Watching one of your best friends...do that?"

"No, it wasn't weird."

"Was it hot?" I ask.

"It was pretty intense," Ashton replies, not exactly answering my question, but that's okay. Payton looks thoughtful as if he's working it out for himself, probably whether he would want to watch one of us or be watched by us. After a few seconds he makes this face that if it were verbalized would be something like, 'huh, okay, that's cool'.

"Do you guys want anything to drink?" Scott asks, one of the subs serving tonight along with Jacobi. Payton orders an iced tea and I get the same thing while Ashton just asks for a water. "You should have been here earlier," Scott says when he returns with our drinks.

"Yeah? Why?" I ask.

"Some guy came in with Mike and Denny, I think I heard it was Denny's cousin. He got all mouthy with Master Matthias so he got paddled good."

"He wasn't a member?" I ask.

"Nope."

"So he got paddled without being a member?"

"Of course, you guys have read the rules when you sign in. It's pretty clear, member or guest, if you're disrespectful, you will get punished, and of course, if you disrespect the head Dom, watch out."

"Where's Denny and Mike?" Payton asks, "Was Denny upset? Did they take him home?"

"Jay just brought a tray of fruit and snacks to Master Matthias' playroom, the guy kind of lost it after so he's giving him aftercare. Denny got really upset, well, because it was his cousin of course, Mike had to drag him crying to their playroom before it even got started."

"Wow," I muse, "Payton, see what we miss out on when we come late?."

Just then there's a ruckus from across the room and when we look over one of the Doms Chris often interacts with is standing in front of him with his arms crossed. The Dom, I think his name is Master Clark, looks quite angry as he speaks to Chris, who is rolling his eyes and looking like he could care less.

"I wonder what's happening over there," I say to no one in particular. Master Clark looks over at two other Doms and says something causing them to nod and walk over to the main stage where a paddling bench is set up. Probably the same one used on Denny's cousin.

"Uh oh," Ashton says under his breath as Master Clark leads Chris over to the stage. "Why can't he ever stay out of trouble."

Just then Master Giovanni comes up behind Payton and I, he's carrying 2 drinks and I assume he's just come from the bar. "See boys, this is what happens when you misbehave."

"Yes, Sir," I say turning around. Payton repeats it a little more quietly and Master Giovanni nods and returns to where he was seated with Jacobi before he had gone up to get some drinks.

Master Clark walks over to the bench and unbuttons, then pulls down Chris' leather shorts. I raise my eyebrows when his erect cock pops out. I guess he liked whatever he was doing that got him in trouble. Master Clark whispers to another Dom who walks away, only to return a few seconds later handing something to Master Clark.

It doesn't take too long to realize what it was when we see Master Clark slip a cock ring over his shaft, securing it in place at the base. He then turns Chris around and has him bend over the bench and secures him with cuffs. Since he's no longer facing us, I can't tell what's going through his mind. He looked pretty resigned when he was being led over.

"Round 2?" Jay asks, sitting down at our table. Another sub we met through Tai last weekend. "I'm on break, but I won't be surprised if I'm asked to bring another tray of fruit to Master Clark's playroom after this is over. Is Chris Master Clark's sub now?" I shrug and he looks over at Ashton.

"No, I think he's been playing with him casually on and off lately, but no contract," Ashton supplies.

Master Clark walks around the table and crouches down so they are face to face. We can see him speaking quietly to our friend, but Chris turns away. Master Clark sighs, standing up and walks over to a table selecting a paddle from several that are laid out.

"This is like déjà vu all over again," Jay says. "First Master Matthias and this Lane guy, and now Chris."

"Wait, who?" All three of us say at once causing us to look at each other scrunching our eyebrows.

"Denny's cousin, Lane. Master Rowan came and asked me to put together some fruit, cracker's and snacks for Denny's cousin Lane, the guy that Master Matthias paddled."

"Was he tall and buff?" I ask.

"Brown hair, dark tan, greenish/gray eyes?" Ashton asks.

"Totally hot?" Payton asks and we all look at him, making him blush of course.

"Yeah, that's him," Jay says.

"Oh my god," I whisper.

"Poor Lane," Ashton sighs, looking down.

"I hope you brought him lots of food," Payton mutters. I look over at him confused. "He eats a lot, has a high metabolism," he says defensively and I just shake my head.

Before we can continue, we're startled by a loud slap and a muffled "One." I look over and see that Master Clark has begun Chris' punishment.

We watched in silence as Master Clark paddled Chris 40 times. It seemed to last forever and we could hear our friend's voice go from confident bordering on smug, to disbelief, then strained with sad acceptance and finally counting the last 10 in tears.

"Poor Chris," I say.

"He needs to learn to stop being an obnoxious punk if he wants to be in this lifestyle," Ashton says.

"He does it to himself," Payton adds, "he's his own worst enemy."

Master Clark runs his hand over Chris' bright red ass before uncuffing him and carefully helps him stand up, turning him around to face the crowd. Another Dom walks up with a small bowl and Master Clark picks out an ice cube. Master Clark runs the ice cube over Chris' still erect cock, making the boy shake, until finally he slowly starts to get soft. When he's completely soft, the Dom slides the ring of easily and puts it in his pocket.

I look over at Ashton. "He didn't want Chris to enjoy the punishment," he explains in a whisper.

Master Clark then leads a shaky Chris off the stage headed towards his playroom. Jay stands up, "well, my break is over," he says, "and I have a feeling I have to deliver another snack tray."

"See you later Jay," I say while Ashton and Payton just nod at him.

"We've been here less than an hour and it's been the weirdest night," Payton states.

"I still can't believe Lane came and ended up getting paddled," I say shaking my head. "Actually, scratch that. I can believe it. It's Lane after all."

"I can't believe we didn't know he was Denny's cousin. I know he'd mentioned having a cousin that he lived with before he got his apartment, but that's just a crazy coincidence," Payton adds.

"Do you think we should go see if he's okay?" I ask.

"No, Master Matthias will take care of him," Ashton replies reassuringly, "And Denny and Master Mike will make sure he gets home I'm sure. I don't think us going back to the private playrooms and butting in is a good idea."

"We'll see him at lunch on Monday," Payton says. "Or we can text him tomorrow if you're worried."

The rest of the evening was pretty tame compared to the events we'd missed and Chris' punishment scene. A few Doms came over and introduced themselves and I noticed one who was watching Ashton for most of the rest of the evening. When I asked who he was, Ashton said he was Master Zion, a Dom he'd watched a few scenes with. I asked him if he was interested in him, but Ashton just shrugged his shoulders noncommittally.

Payton

We didn't see Lane all the next week and he didn't reply to any of our texts, so finally Ashton called Denny. All he said was that Lane wasn't feeling well and was taking a few days off, but he was sure he'd be back to classes soon. I wondered if it had anything to do with Master Matthias paddling him. I mean, he wasn't in the lifestyle and wasn't prepared for something like that happening. We couldn't help but worry about our friend, despite Denny's assurances that he would be fine. I missed him at lunch even though I finally got to eat all my own fries. I'd rather share them and have his company.

The weirdest thing was when Drew showed up when we were sitting out on the green together between classes. He invited us to some party off campus, saying we could bring Lane. Basically he couldn't find Lane to invite him so was trying to use us to get him there. We told him we'd think about it, but once he left all agreed that we really had no interest. Drew could suck up to us all he wanted, it wasn't going to change our opinion of him and probably not Lane's either.

I had called the club to find out when my make-up training session was. Cindy had to check with Master Matthias and said she'd get back to me, when she finally called back and gave me the day and time, I showed up 15 minutes early and I made sure a dozen times before I left to catch the bus, that I had my notebook with me.

"Go right in the training room," Cindy says when I arrive. "Make sure you're ready and in position." I nod and hustle into the room, quickly undressing down to my boxers and neatly placing my clothing on a chair. I take my notebook and a pen out of my backpack and also place them on a chair, handy for when Master Matthias wants me to take down notes. I go to the center of the room and kneel down facing away from the door, just as we've been instructed. And I wait. And wait. I peek at the clock on the wall and see that I've been there for 30 minutes. Master Matthias is 20 minutes late and I figure it's his way of teaching me how it feels when someone isn't on time. Though, it wasn't a lesson I really needed because I did know and 99% of the time I'm early. I let out a sigh and tried to relax by body which was getting stiff from kneeling in the same position.

"This is just great," I hear a voice boom from the door, "my best friend hates me."

I recognize the voice, but I don't dare turn to confirm his identity because Master Matthias has always told us we were not allowed to move from our position until instructed. I hear footsteps come up behind me and finally a hand takes my hair and pulls my head back so I'm looking up into the upside down and very annoyed face of Master Rowan.

"The guy asks me to cover for him. He's busy with something, but won't tell me what. You know what I really think?" He asks. I don't know if he wants me to answer or if it's a rhetorical question. But he stares down at me, a frown accented by glaring eyes.

"What Sir?" I ask.

"I think this is his clever little way of punishing me. Rowan, do me a favor, Edmund's managing the club, but he doesn't have time to see to all that and handle the training. Can you cover for me just for a few days? A week at the most?" He lets go of my hair and my face falls back forward. "Clever, real clever asshole. With friends like Matty, who needs enemies," he grumbles and I feel my shoulders sag as I look down at the floor. This is probably more punishment for me after overhearing Master Rowan talking about me. I just didn't think Master Matthias was that cruel.

Master Rowan is walking around the room muttering and grumbling. I hear some cabinets open. I close my eyes. All I want to do now is go home, get into my bed, my cozy nest as Tommy teases and pull all my blankets over me. Maybe sleep for a few days as I'm suddenly overwhelmed with an exhaustive fatigue.

"Don't slouch," Master Rowan bites out as he smacks my stomach with the end of a riding crop.

"Sorry Sir. Um..." I look up at him and he looks even more perturbed. "If you...um, don't want to do this, I can just reschedule with Cindy for when Master Matthias is back." Please say yes, please say yes.

"No," he barks out, "If Matthias wants me to train you today, I'm going to train you, just don't think I'm going to go easy on you. It's all about making the best of the situation and I think I actually may enjoy this. He walks around behind me and I feel the sting of the crop on my ass just above where my heels are digging into it. "Wait, boxers off, I don't coddle my trainees, then up on your knees while I ask you some questions, if you get 5 in a row right, you can sit back down on your heels." I quickly stand up and remove my boxers with a silent sigh. I made it through last time, I'm sure I can handle this. I get back down on my knees and wait for my questions.

Thank god I'd been studying my ass off because surprisingly I didn't get tongue tied this time and answer all his questions perfectly. Then he embarrasses me by naming different kinks and asking me to define them. Some I knew and some I'd never heard of and couldn't believe existed. He also explained different punishments, many of which Master Matthias had already taught us, but I didn't dare tell Master Rowan that.

He was strict. Even more strict than Master Matthias, but it was manageable and I just did my best. Luckily, this time, it was good enough, though my ass did end up being pretty red by the end of the session and my nipples were sore from Master Rowan showing me all the different types of nipple clamps. For some reason, I have exceptionally sensitive nipples and he seemed to enjoy the way I reacted to the several different devices.

Finally, when my time was over I did manage to get a "Good Job," out of Master Rowan so I left feeling a mild sense of accomplishment.

"Thank you Master Rowan," I said on my way out and received a brief nod in return, though I'm pretty sure I saw a hint of a smile. I gave him a grin in reply before slipping out of the door and heading home.