Chapter 2 Unfamiliar Territory

Cassie felt a surge of determination. She couldn't let Emily and Sarah win this bet. She needed to prove to them that she wasn't as innocent as they thought. She was a virgin yesterday, but she could find a man to break it. It was not like she was going to propose to him right away. If she could finish her PHD and present her thesis to a bunch of no-nonsense lecturers, then she could find a man to fuck her. It was not rocket science, she reasoned.

She was tired of carrying the virginity badge. She needed to set it down and let others carry it. But where to start? She couldn't just ask a random guy for sex. She was not comfortable with going to clubs, she only went because her friends insisted. She was also not brave like Emily and Sarah. She had met Emily when she joined for her PHD. Sarah had been her friend from when she was doing her Masters. She admired Emily's brazen nature. The way she was not afraid to speak her mind, the way she went for anything she wanted, that was what Cassie wished for. Emily was an extrovert, she was loud and funny. Sarah was an introverted extrovert who was also rarely afraid of speaking her mind.

Cassie needed a place where people were open to casual encounters. She did not want to have small chats or exchange numbers. In fact she wanted a one night stand with a stranger, no names, or personal information.

A thought struck her: Sex clubs. She'd heard rumors about them, places where people went to explore their desires without judgment. She pulled out her phone and started searching online. After a few minutes, she found one: 'The Forbidden'- a BDSM club, known for its intense encounters and open-minded clientele.

A shiver ran down her spine as she read the reviews. It was a world she knew nothing about, a world of whips, chains, and dominance. She had always pictured her first time as beautiful and romantic. In all her fantasies, her lover was gentle, romantic and cared about her. He took her on a date first, serenaded her with music and got her flowers. Now was not the time for all that romance ideas. She was desperate and desperation was a powerful motivator. She decided to take the plunge. What was the worst that could happen?

The club was located in a discreet part of the city, a nondescript building that blended seamlessly with the surrounding architecture. As she stepped inside, she was greeted by a dim, dimly lit room, filled with the soft hum of conversation and the subtle scent of leather.

A host, a tall, imposing figure with a piercing gaze, approached her. "Welcome to The Forbidden," he said, his voice low and seductive. "Are you here alone?"

Cassie nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and fear. He made her choose a mask from one of the collections hanging by the door.

"No face, no case. Right?" He teased.

Cassie nodded. Her throat was clogged and she could only nod.

"Well then, let's get you acquainted," he said, leading her through a maze of corridors.

She found herself in a dimly lit room, the walls adorned with erotic artwork. A man sat in a leather chair, his body muscular and his expression intense. He was wearing a mask, his identity hidden.

"This is Dominus," the host introduced. "He's our resident Dom. He'll be your guide tonight."

Dominus removed his mask, revealing a handsome face with piercing blue eyes. "Ready to explore your darkest desires?" he asked, his voice sweet.

Cassie hesitated, but she nodded. She was here, and she was determined to see it through. Dominus took him to a room that had a masked man seated on the bed. The light was dim and she could not figure out the colour of his eyes no matter how much she tried.

"He is all yours. Enjoy yourself," Dominus said before closing the door and leaving Cassie with the broody man.

Cassie stood in the middle of the room, not knowing what to do. She knew she was inexperienced, but she was embarrassed that he had to see her like that.

"You can come sit," the man said. His voice, a baritone, captivating, mysterious and luring. It caressed her ears and sent a shiver down her spine. She was in for a ride,she thought as she sat on the furthest corner of the bed.

The man moved close to her and she flinched, not from being afraid of him but from being scared of what was to come. She had plunged in to this world with both feet instead of one like the conserved woman she was. She was out of her depth here and the man had sensed that.

"Relax, we are not going to do anything you do not want to do. We can start simple," the man said.

"Okay," Cassie managed to say. Her throat was dry and she was almost starting to sweat.

Why couldn't she be bold like Emily? She wanted this but did not want the intensity that came with it. The man was looking at her like she was the best thing he had ever seen.

"Why did you come here?" he asked.

"I...I want to break my virginity. I am twenty five and I have never had sex," Cassie said. That was embarrassing. She waited for the laugh to come. Silence.

"There is nothing embarrassing about it. That can be arranged, but only if you are relaxed and really ready. Do not let anyone put pressure on you,' the man comforted.

She felt tension leave her body.

"Perhaps we could start with something simpler," he suggested. "We could talk, get to know each other, only in the confines of this place. No pressure, no expectations."

"They talked about the current state of things in the country. Despite the long talk, none of them revealed any personal detail about themselves.

"Can I come back tomorrow?" Cassie asked.

"Sure, I will be here, waiting. Just tell Dominis to bring you toe when you get her," the man said.

"Thank you," Cassie said. She was grateful.

They had not had sex but he had opened her eyes on different ways that she could get pleasure. Cassie promised to be more open.

The next day, Cassie met up with Emily and Sarah for breakfast. She was feeling confident and excited.

"Looks like someone had a wild night," Emily said, raising an eyebrow.

Cassie smirked. "Not exactly wild, but definitely interesting."

"So, did you manage to find someone to, you know, take care of business?" Sarah asked, her voice dripping with curiosity.

"Just say fuck Sarah," Emily chimed in.

"Emily!" Cassie chided.

"What?" Emily countered.

"Nothing. Anyway, I did find someone," Cassie said.

Emily and Sarah exchanged a surprised look. They couldn't believe their eyes. Cassie, the quiet, innocent girl, had actually done it.

"Well, well, well," Emily said again, this time with a hint of admiration. "I guess we underestimated you. We are going dancing in the evening."

"I can't. I am meeting my mysterious man tonight," Cassie said.

"Again?" Sarah asked, shocked.

"Ah,Cassie has unlocked the sex genie," Emily said in a sing-song voice.

Cassie smiled. "Don't underestimate me again." It was false bravado, if only they knew what had happened.

"I have learn my lesson. We are going dancing tomorrow then. And I want all the deets," Emily said.

As her cab drove away, she couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. She had won the bet despite her not revealing the details about her sexapades.