Trust me when I tell you I've kept my kinky alternate life style a closely guarded secret from my family and friends. If you've ever encountered me at my workplace, or socializing with my friends, you'd judge me to be on the conservative side. I never dress provocatively. Blouses buttoned up to my neck. Skirt hems that reach below my knees, or failing that, slacks. Minimal, tasteful makeup. As much of a 'Miss Goody Two Shoes' as you've ever met.
My D/s activities, along with occasional light BDSM, are performed in the confines of a special members-only club quite distant from my home. Early on, I'd learned that I had a streak of dominance in my psyche, and the submissives at the club have allowed me to express it and develop it to a fine art. In this, I was aided by thoughtful suggestions offered by other dominant members, plus searches of the Internet that displayed images that piqued my interest and imagination. Of course, I was quite careful to completely erase my browser history after each use.
Add to this the fact that my ex-sister-in-law, Kathy, lives far enough away that we see each other infrequently. Holidays, of course, such as Thanksgiving and New Years Eve, are times we usually gather the families together. Even though she and my brother had divorced, it had been amicable, and she was still considered part of the family, so to speak. And she and I had made a veritable ritual out of spending a week during the summer together at a well-appointed lodge that we rented. It was our version of 'independence day' albeit a week long event. Located deep in the woods, with no cell phone reception, TV or WiFi, and far from other habitation, it was our chance to unplug and unwind. A chance to recharge our spirits, with a little wine, and good books. The place was large enough that we often invited like-minded friends to join us there, as long as they understood about the ban on electronics, and would pitch in with cooking and cleaning.
This particular year, Kathy told me that she had three good friends that would be attending our 'retreat' from the world. I always enjoy meeting new people, since they usually have interesting new perspectives to bring to intelligent conversation. So I was quite looking forward to our special week.
When I arrived, I found two cars already parked nearby, one of which was a Bentley, and the other of which belonged to Kathy. Inside, I found her speaking to a rather haughty looking woman - an impeccably dressed, well coiffed ebony haired woman with deep brown eyes. If she wasn't the president of the PTA, she must surely be a runner-up for the title. Kathy introduced us. "Suzie, I'd like you to meet Joyce Larkin."
Joyce barely made eye contact as she offered me a wet, clammy hand to shake. I felt as if I'd been sized up and dismissed, but I tried to make nice for Kathy's sake. As we were making a desultory attempt at conversation, we heard two other cars pulling up. My heart sank a little more as I looked out and saw a Mercedes and another Bentley. "Oh great," I moaned mentally to myself. Any more 'upper crust' and we can make a pie!"
Sure enough, out from each car stepped a woman similar in bearing to Joyce. Beautiful, long legs, skirts that would not dare wrinkle, perfect torso, perfect bust, perfect hair, regal demeanor. I actually saw them greet each other with air kisses, for god's sake! At least I'd be able to tell them apart. One was a blonde, while the other's dark hair glinted with auburn tones.
As they entered, Kathy performed the introductions. The blonde was Lauren Jefferys, and the auburn-haired woman was Greta VanHorn. They also barely glanced at me, and I was apparently deemed unworthy of air kisses - I got the same cold, damp handshakes as Joyce had given me. I had horrible misgivings about a week in their presence. I now expected a week hearing about various complaints that occur in wealthy people's lives.
I could easily imagine Greta saying, "It's so hard to get good help these days," while the others nodded.
In my mind, I heard Joyce bitching, "My gardening crew put in the wrong shade of petunias! Can you imagine the sight?" And the others nodding their heads sagely.
Perhaps Lauren would complain, "The butcher sent 7 & 1/2 ounce filet mignons, but I clearly ordered 8 ounce ones!"
One of them was bound to state how they were letting the 'wrong sort' of people into their neighborhood. And so on. These women were perhaps in their mid-40s. All of them were vivacious (at least with each other) and upper middle class - most definitely not supermodels at all, but they were used to dressing to the hilt. As Kathy explained more about them, by way of introduction, I learned they were married, but their children were grown and leaving the nest, or had left it already. It sounded like they had very proper, normal lives. In other words, hum-drum and boring.
I decided that since they were Kathy's friends, she could entertain them, once the introductions were complete. As they arranged themselves around the room, and they started a light conversation about people unknown to me, I quietly picked up the book I'd been reading, tacitly excusing myself from the conversation. I braced myself for some catty remark about ignoring my betters.
Surprisingly, the three women were quite demure, although Kathy, ever the bubbly redhead, was her usual animated self. As I went back to reading my book, I could swear I felt eyes on me. Whenever I'd look up, one of the trio would be looking at me, but she'd immediately look away. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out what was going on. Did I have spinach in my teeth or something? I went into my room, to check in my bathroom mirror. Kathy trailed in after me, which was not normal behavior for her.
"Sis, what the heck is going on?" I asked. "Did I grow another head or something? Your friends seem to all be staring at me. Am I imagining that?"
"No, Suzie. You're not imagining it. They're all feeling shy, I imagine. And maybe a little fearful."
"Fearful? Of what?" I asked.
"To be honest, of you, my dear." Kathy smiled. "I'm glad I have a chance to tell you in private." She moved in closer, to whisper. "I've been seeing this new guy lately."
"Seeing him?" I said, probably with one eyebrow raise skeptically.
She giggled. "OK. Sleeping with him. Anyway, one fateful evening, he asked me if I wanted to try something a little kinky, and produced a set of handcuffs. Of course, I was of two minds about it, but he showed me that these cuffs, while metal, also had a quick release lever, which even I could reach in an emergency. Since the idea was now getting me wet downstairs, I told him I'd try it."
I tried to look shocked, holding my pose as a straight-laced person. "Did you like it?"
Kathy winked. "I loved it! He cuffed me to a bedpost, and fucked me until I came like a string of firecrackers! Afterward, during pillow talk, I told him how great that new experience was for me. And that's when he looked at me rather quizzically. He said something like 'a new experience for you? I thought you'd be an old hand at stuff like that, since your sister-in-law has such a wonderful reputation as a Domme' - or maybe he used the word 'Dominatrix' - I'm not certain because I was thrown into such confusion!"
I'm sure my face must've blanched with shock, hearing my secret being outed by Kathy's friend like that - and to my sister-in-law, no less!
She continued, "That led to a longer, more focused discussion, wherein I learned that not only was he truly talking about you, he was glowing in his praise for your abilities, even mentioning a few sessions he'd observed, and noting your ease and skill."
"But Kathy... you can't... you mustn't... I mean..." I babbled, swallowing hard and feeling my armpits dampen nervously.
"Sis! Don't worry! I think this is all pretty cool. You're playing with consenting adults, and doing nothing illegal," she assured me. "Many people have such needs, desires, and fantasies, I've learned. And... since you come so highly recommended..." She let her voice trail off, inviting a response from me.