TW: BDSM, bondage, impact play, pain, power dynamics
Her eyes begin to close as my hand squeezes harder against her neck.
“Now, once they are restrained like this and you have a good hold, be mindful of where your fingers are pressing. Always hold pressure on the side of the neck and not the center.”
I release her neck slowly, her bunny ears, once perfectly tall, now drooping to the side after the demonstration. With hazy eyes and a satisfied smile, she lets out a whispered, “Thank you, Madame Zaza.”
I grab the cup of water I had set on the side of the mat and guide her chin with my other hand for her to drink before releasing her from the rope restraint. I shrug the black veil of my nun costume away from my neck, the leather getting slippery from the sweat forming in the creeping heat of the playroom.
“I will be taking a short break, but please circle back this way a little after midnight if you’re interested in my Paddling 101.” I smile and do a prayer hand as a thank you.
A pair of sexy demons, a cheetah waiting for their bunny friend, and a very exposed Tinkerbell that may or may not have squeezed into a child’s costume, smile back at me before walking away to explore the rest of what Sapphic Sanctuary Hallow’s-eve has to offer them. I remember that excited rush and lust this event created when I first came last Halloween. Attending a Sapphic Sanctuary kink event makes you feel like you’ve traveled to an ethereal Paradise Island, but with more whips and collars. I left that first event with fun toys, a few precious marks, and future clients.
The high and thrill still hold me, but the pressure to stand out now that I’m starting demonstrations has made showing up to these events a bit more stressful. I worked my ass off all year providing beginner lessons, hoping to level up to permanent Dungeon Dom status and finally show the full extent of my pleasure services. But standing out has been tough.
Standing out against the Dungeon Dom veteran Madame Nox, of all people, has been the toughest.
As I’m clipping my garter belt back onto one of my black hosiery stockings, Madame Nox herself makes her way into my section. Goosebumps along my thigh greet her lethal stare. I clear my throat and match her glare.
I was surprised to see how competitive gaining clients for the Dungeon has been. Our community is small enough, but it feels smaller when you’re the newbie in the dungeon. When you start snatching other Dom’s clients, intentional or not, you make enemies.
“Want to learn a few things, newbie?”
Green speckles shine as Nox flips her long black box braids across her shoulder. Seeing FoxyNoxy like passive-aggressive comments on forums disparaging newbies quickly showed me that my appearance in the scene hasn’t been favorable. I try not to take it personally, but the frustration boils, and flashbacks of my last community filled with toxic, jealous members now keep me away from engaging with petty gossip, especially as a Black Fem Dom.
But I won’t let members run me out again. I know I’m as great a Dom as any others; my clients all have shared rave reviews, and I handle them with care. My focus is always on pleasure, safety, and care. Always. There can be more than one of us here, no matter how many clients we each have. I blow out a breath and stand, “What makes you think there is anything I need to learn from you?” I shoot back.
I did actually learn a few things from Nox at last year’s event. Her innovative scenes and skills with the rope are why she has the most clients out of all the Doms here, but I don’t need her to know that I was a fan. I watch as her large bat tattoo rises and falls slowly on her chest, fake green leaves hugging her smooth brown skin. She sticks her leg out, her long legs sprayed with green glitter all the way down to her shiny green stilettoes.
“I haven’t seen anything extraordinary coming from here all night, so you may want to get a few tips from a pro.” She sucks her teeth and gives a snarky smile.
“I doubt taking tips from someone repeating last year’s costume has anything extraordinary for me this year,” I snap back with a smirk. Though no one, including me, can deny that Nox’s Eve costume transforms her into a pure goddess. I just hate to be judged on something I haven’t even had the opportunity to show off yet.
Nox, arms still crossed, scowls, eyeing my own costuming, seemingly taking her time to look at each part of my body. I’ve always been confident in my body, my curves and thighs most favored by clients, but in her stare I feel myself wanting to know exactly what she sees.
If she likes what she sees.
“A fan always remembers, huh?” She chuckles, throwing her head back, her smooth, long neck decorated with sweat. I roll my eyes.
“You could only hope and pray I’m a fan.” I turn away and begin packing some of my rope into my bag. I want to check out the space and clean off a bit before my next demonstration. I hear the click of her heels creep closer to me, then feel her breath heat the leather on my neck.
“If I got you on your knees…you’re a fan.” My body freezes for a moment, remembering that exact moment she’s throwing in my face. Though I mostly position myself as dominant, I do enjoy switching when I feel up to it. So when Madame Nox asked for volunteers for her scene last Halloween, I raised my hand.
I was completely transcended into blissful pleasure as she commanded me into different positions, including kneeling on my knees in front of her. I never fully allowed myself to enjoy the other side many times, having not found many Doms that really get me going. But Nox was different.
That feeling didn’t last long once I got my own clients, some of whom were hers. A slow smile spreads across my face. I turn, eyes looking slightly down at our chest-to-chest standoff.
“My clients seem to be fans of how I get them wanting more. I can have you praying to receive the same.” Her eyebrows make the smallest of movements, but she stays stoic, only the soft sounds of our breaths buzzing between us.
“I’m ready, Madame Nox.” Nox turns around, and I see a cute, short blonde woman in a tiny ladybug costume.
“You know where I like you, I’ll be at the station in a second.”
“Yes, Madame Nox.” The woman quickly walks away, head bowed.
Nox turns back to me.“Take some notes, Zah Zah.”
She has been the only one here who says my name in this way. I never really minded, I love the breathy sound it makes on her accented tongue. She turns away, fake green leaves rustling against her ass as she struts to her station a few feet from mine. I shake my head, wiping down my station before checking out the vendors’ tables. As always, I try my hardest to resist all the fun toys and devices that I know I have no space to house in my collection. I can’t resist the pull towards a table with paddles laid out, all beautifully crafted with thick, smooth wood, leaf carvings throughout, and handles smooth to the touch. I pick one up and do a few small hits into my palm and on my thigh. I absolutely love the deep thump and slow ache it creates, and I can’t resist. I buy it.
My eyes adjust to the darkened red room of the play area when I see a crowd circling Nox’s station. I walk near, taking a peek through the heads of voyagers. I see the ladybug now completely covered in glow-in-the-dark wax, face down, arms tied to the massage table. Annie Lennox’s version of “I Put A Spell On You” blares through the Dungeon speaker as Nox moves around the table, slowly dripping the wax down the sub’s thigh. She watches the wax drip down as if she’s carefully dressing her feast. Right as the wax disappears between the woman’s legs, Nox lifts her arm and spanks her with a small leather paddle, spreading the wax on her skin, and the sub cries out in pleasure. The crowd cheers as the song closes. Nox whispers to the sub, caressing her hair before untying her hands and feet from the table.
“Thank you! Thank you, everyone,” Nox bows, smiling wide as people throw cash into a bucket being passed around for tips. I watch as Nox wraps a towel around her sub, tending to some aftercare before I finally make my way to the small vanity restroom to freshen up.
I go over my paddling demonstration in my head as I get my costume back on. I’m struggling with my leather sleeves when I look up at the vanity mirror and see Nox walk in. I try to ignore her and finish adjusting my costume when she walks straight up behind me. “Did you learn a thing or two, Zah Zah?”
I turn around, now eye level with Nox without my heels on. I shake and tilt my head, “I seem to have been too busy with my new toy to catch your show.”
She looks over at my new paddle and raises her eyebrows. “It’s a beauty.”
I nod, staring at her lips. The bass of the music shakes the walls slightly, some distant cheers echo, but all my focus is on those plumped, wet lips.
“Let me see what you can do,” she says, barely a whisper.
I chuckle, “I wouldn’t have bet on you receiving.”
She looks down at my chest, then up at my face. Her eyes are a warm honey brown, luring me in.
“Figured I should see for myself if my clients leaving my services are actually experiencing something worthwhile.” She runs a green manicured finger down my collarbone towards the see-through mesh of my top. Testing to see if I’ll bite the bait. “Keep your enemies close or whatever they say,” she says with a shrug, licking her lips, and I knew then I was hooked.
I slowly bring my hand up and trace circles around her outer thigh, “Let’s put some real leaves on you, Eve.” She gives me a small smirk, and that’s all I need for my body to press up against hers and kiss those lips. I wrap my hand around the back of her neck, pulling her in closer to me, both of us ravenous in our kiss. I push her up against the door, and she locks it with her free hand without even breaking from my lips.
I feel her moan vibrate deeply between us, and I pull back.
“Let’s see if you’re as good at listening as you are running your mouth. Turn around,” I command.
She laughs, “You think you can—” She starts to say, but I force her around, cutting her off and pressing her up against the door.
“You know, for being so gorgeous, you don’t know how to shut up.” I see her smirk, knowing I’m right. I move her braids away from her neck, bundle a handful into my hand, then pull them taut. I lick along her neck, tasting her on my tongue, then bite each spot as if I left a slippery trail for my teeth. The salty sweat of the dungeon mixed with her perfume makes me want to steal time and worship each part of her scent.
“Spread your legs.” I step back, watching as she puts on a bit of a show for me. Spreading each of her legs as slowly as possible, adjusting her body against the door. The bottom of her ass fully out below her leaf-covered panties, there’s no doubt she’s comfortable in her skin; she knows how to move her body, and I’m thoroughly enjoying watching.
“Don’t move unless I tell you,” I say.
“You know, I heard from your clients that you’re slow to build things, but I never thought it’d be this slow.” Her ass still jiggles against my palm as the echoes of my spank bounce off the walls of this small vanity room.
“And for the love of God, if you open your mouth to say something other than the club safeword, I’ll stuff that pretty mouth closed.” She nods but doesn’t say anything more. I grab my paddle and slowly run it up and down her legs. The coldness of the wood makes goosebumps rise, and I just know I’m going to have so much fun. I can finally show off what I’m all about.
There is a reason I take my time. I love to see them squirm, and it doesn’t take long to see Nox fidget for more.
“I’m going to paddle you three times, each one harder than the next. You will say Thank you Madame Zaza after each one, or I will add an extra hit. Say Yes, Madame Zaza if you understand.” I pause the stroking of the paddle against her thigh, waiting for her response. She stays quiet as I put the paddle back onto the counter. I move forward to whisper into her ear, “If you understand, say yes, Madame Zaza.”
She turns her head away from the door, our foreheads now touching, “Can we get this going? I’m sure I have clients making a line waiting for me to make them cum, unlike you are now.” I laugh softly, then yank her long braids down, pulling her head back. She yelps out from the force. Her smirk tells me it’s more out of shock than pain, but I know a little pain would do her some good, too. I look at her now backwards stare,
“You think I give a shit about your clients right now? I could take you the whole night if I wanted to. You’re mine right now.”
I release her hair and gently push her head back against the door. I run my hand down her neck, following the curve of her spine, down to her ass. Taking my time to caress each part of her, I feel her push against my hand, asking for me. I run my fingers between her thighs and lightly circle her clit. She jumps a little from my soft touch, my fingers now warm and moist. She spreads her legs some more for me as I keep my slow circles going. She moans a bit louder, pushing against my fingers.
“If you understand what I want, say Yes, Madame ZaZa .”
“Yes, Madame Zah Zah,” she says without pause.
“Good girl.” I slide my hand out and grab the paddle. She keeps her head forward, legs spread, waiting for me. This is always my favorite moment. I love that I have this sort of control, that I can make a woman feel good in this way. “Remember to say Thank you, Madame ZaZa.”
“I know I can—”
I cut off her words again with the first spank. “Fuck!” she moans out as the paddle hits her ass. I run my hand lightly over the targeted spot. “Thank you, Madame Zah Zah,” softly leaves her lips.
“Oh, love, you’re going to have to be much louder than that.”
“You never said to—” I swung the paddle and hit her ass again, her knees bending from the impact.
“That’s three more now,” I say with a smirk.
Someone bangs at the door, and Nox turns to me. I shake my head. “Keep your hands up.”
The person continues to bang on the door, but I focus on Nox. I lift the paddle again, going for the second hit. The sound of the paddle against her ass vibrates in my min,d and seeing the light lining of the carved wooden leaves begin to form on her skin makes me wet.“Thank you, Madame Zah Zah.” Nox’s head falls back, her breathing increasing.
“Two more, Madame Nox. You’re doing such a good job for me,” I say, caressing her ass again. She moans out loud when I slide my fingers down to her clit once more, her panties soaked. She groans when I move my fingers away, but doesn’t say anything. I grab my paddle and hit her ass harder than the previous two. The pounding on the door echoes her loud groan.
“Thank you, Madame Zah Zah.” I run my hand once more over her now tender ass. Her legs quiver slightly.
“It’s okay, Nox, you’re doing so good. I love the way you say my name.” I slide my fingers one last time between her legs, this time moving her panties to the side, letting my fingers glide across her warm center. She presses against my hand as my circles pick up speed, and I let her enjoy grinding against me.
“Open up!” I hear one of the dungeon monitors say on the other side of the door. She moans, soaking my fingers as I keep rubbing her clit.
My fingers keep their momentum. “One second,” I shout out quickly, moving my hand out from between her legs.
“Wait…no keep—” Nox starts to say. I pull her away from the door and turn her around to face me. She breathes hard, catching her breath. Her face, stained with pain and need, makes me want to stay here forever.
I lean forward, my lips to her ear, “Are you ready for the last one, Madame Nox?”
“Yes, Madame Zah Zah,” I hear her say. I smile and lean back to see her face. Waiting for me to make a command.
“On your knees.”
Her eyebrows raise, “I thought I was getting—”
I raise my finger, halting her from speaking, “On your knees and you will get what you want, I promise.” She rolls her eyes, and I laugh as she bends down.
“Arch your back on all fours. I want to see that ass perfectly up.” She does what I say as I grab my paddle and walk behind her, my back toward the door and hers facing away from me. I look at the perfect arch she presents to me, and seeing the large wet spot on her panties makes me ache. “Now be a good girl and say Thank you, Madame Za Za one last time.”
She wiggles her ass a bit, and as I hear her sweet voice say my name once more, I unlock the door and swing it open.
“Madame Zah Zah I’m sorry, but someone needs the vanity room now,” The Dungeon monitor says. Nox sits up quickly, turning around to see people gathered at the door looking in.
Nox shouts, “You fucking bitch!” getting up off the floor in a rage.
I laugh, crossing my arms and waving my paddle in my hand. “Send out a prayer tonight. I’ll be sure to answer,” I shrug. “Well… I’ll answer after a few of my new client sessions. Don’t forget to book your slot too.”
She throws me a perfectly manicured Fuck you with her middle finger, and I can’t help but smile.
This definitely beats last year’s Hallow-eve. •
Alina Moore (she/her) is a black lesbian writer from Chicago. The themes that fuel her work mainly center the BIPOC identity, the (L)GBT community, and feminist thought. You can find her on Instagram @alinamoorewrites & here at Alina Moore.
Edited by Cecilia Innis.