Tricked

Callie groaned inwardly, hoping this wasn’t going to be some kind of weird match-making type of situation. Having broken up with her boyfriend of four years just before moving to Chicago, she was so not interested in hooking up with someone new right now.

“Um,” she hedged, trying to think of a polite way to say no.

Perhaps sensing her hesitation, Diana rushed on, “Don’t worry, I’m not trying to fix you up or anything.” She laughed. “I wouldn’t even suggest he join us, except that he offered to take me to this super exclusive, members-only BDSM club after dinner, and I’ve been dying to go. It’s got a real dungeon in it, and he says you can come, too, if you want. Not to mention, he’s like this total gentleman who always insists on picking up the dinner tab.”

Callie felt herself wavering. She’d looked up the restaurant Diana had suggested, and had already decided she could only afford to get an appetizer as her main course, and maybe one drink. But if Mr. Total Gentleman Cousin was going to insist on picking up the bill… Besides, a private BDSM club sounded pretty sweet, and less skeevy than she imagined the public clubs might be.

“Okay,” she agreed. She would play it by ear. If things went well over dinner, she might go with them to that cool club. She could just observe. It wasn’t like anyone was going to force her to do anything she didn’t want to do. “I guess that would be fine. I look forward to meeting you both.”

“Great. See you tonight.”

After they disconnected, Callie fell back onto the couch and stared at the cell phone in her hand, thinking about tonight. Did she have the nerve to go to a BDSM club with two virtual strangers? Fooling around online was one thing, but to actually go to a dungeon? What if she freaked out or something?

And what did one wear to a BDSM club? Stiletto heels with a leather minidress? She didn’t own anything like that. She could at least wear something a little sexy. Not that she had much that could be called sexy. Aside from the tailored suits and dresses she wore for work, she was mainly a flannel shirt and jeans kind of girl. At least, she had been back in Wisconsin.

But this was the new Callie, right? The city girl with a new career as assistant curator at an esteemed Chicago museum. And anyway, she could always take a pass on the club, if it didn’t feel right.

Even as she thought this, the idea of going to a bona fide BDSM dungeon sent bubbles of excitement fizzing through her veins. If the vibe felt right, why not? She’d never have the nerve to go to one of those places on her own. This was an ideal way to check out the scene without any risk.

She still had three hours before she had to meet Diana at the restaurant. Was there time to go shopping for something sexy?

Time, maybe. But money, no. Even with the help her parents had given her, she’d used every bit of her savings to make the move. Until she started the new job at the end of the month, she had no business buying frivolous outfits. If Diana and her cousin arrived at the restaurant decked out in leather gear, so be it.

After trying on various outfits, Callie finally settled on a simple cream-colored button-down blouse tucked into a navy pencil skirt. Examining herself in the mirror, she undid four of the buttons on her blouse to reveal some cleavage. Deciding that was a bit much, she buttoned the blouse again. She didn’t want to send the wrong message.

But, wait. These two people she was about to meet were into BDSM. They were sophisticated and comfortable with their sexuality. Why shouldn’t she be, too? Lifting her chin, she unbuttoned the blouse again, revealing the tops of her breasts, which were pressed together by the pretty lace pushup bra she wore underneath.

“To the new Callie,” she said to her image in the mirror. “Let the adventure begin.”Chapter 2Callie had just disembarked from the L train at the station closest to the restaurant when her cell phone dinged. Digging it from her purse, she saw it was a text from Diana.

“Hey, Callie. I’m sooooo sorry this is such short notice, but I’ve been called in for an emergency shift at the hospital. I’m absolutely furious, but I can’t say no. There have been layoffs recently and I don’t want to be the next one because I didn’t step up. Damon’s already at the restaurant. He said he’s happy to meet you, if you still want to. If you’re not up for that, I totally get it. We can figure out something soon. Just let me know.”