Soon enough though Lilith had to depart, the local police dragging her away from them like they did almost once a week. It was starting to piss everyone off, even the patrons were annoyed, many of them liked Lilith a lot. They ran a nice, upbeat, clean business. Eren had the fleeting thought that the police were just pissed off that Lilith's club was more popular, thinking there had to be drugs and shit like in their club for it to be good and keep customers coming.
What they didn't know, because they were fucking stupid, was that because they were legal they attracted more people. Some were embarrassed by their kinks, some just liked their privacy, or others just didn't like dealing with police or seeing people get high off of anything but natural pleasure. Those good people liked a nice establishment that was monitored and safe for everyone. No drugged-up play. Since no one had to worry about being busted, getting publicly embarrassed, arrested, damaging their reputation, etc. More people came to their club. Those were the costs of going to a bad place, a dirty operation running a club. You got a lot more good and honorable people if you were honorable yourself. The MP would never figure that out, would they?
A hand on his shoulder irritated Eren, they broke his thoughts and he was already in a sour mood without his mistress. Yet, still he had to be polite if it was a patron. So Eren pasted on a smile, but it was painfully awkward and out of place on his face. The attempt was a good one for Eren however.
Brown hair and cocky blue eyes immediately filled Eren with distaste. His radar was going off with this guy, something about his whole demeanor was throwing Eren off. All Eren could figure out was that he didn't like the brunette. Greasy hair, stubble, and the hand on Eren's shoulder had slithered up and disgustingly grabbed Eren's chin. He wanted to take seven showers at the touch alone.
"Hey baby, you free to play? If you're good I might be inclined to give you a nice reward. I'm sure you'll love it." The husky voice and hidden meanings that Eren could just hear in his words were creeping him out. Why did he always attract the weirdos? It was always easy to see the ones that thought BDSM was just the sex. Though not many turned out to be like this vile man. Eren was okay with most newbies or tourists. The ones that came to try it out, walk on the wild side for a night. Some enjoyed the intricacies and joined the communities, which was always welcome. Though Eren tolerated new people, never particularly liking them at first due to his trust issues and dislike of people. Some just rubbed him wrong, like this man who reeked of smoke. Though Eren felt more than just dislike for this man right now. Eren looked around for Ridley, she was here somewhere right? Unless she and Anna were off on their break, cuddling and just chatting in the alley for their five minutes. He looked to the bar, no Anna. Damn it. Eren gave the man a hard look and pulled his chin out of the man's grasp. Straightening up and looking as tough as he could while sitting cross legged on a throw pillow with a laptop on his lap. Which with his expressionless face and oddly blank eyes was actually kind of off-putting and, surprisingly enough, a little intimidating should you ask someone.
"No. I don't want to play." The man gave a smirk, as if they were playing a flirty little game. God knows why these assholes get off on harassing people and acting like they want it or playing hard to get. Douchebags.
"Why not, it's not like you're with anyone right? There's no way you're taken you pretty little brat, right?" Eren shifted his eyes into a spine shuddering glare. Venomous and enough to make the man pause for a millisecond.
"I'm not with anyone? Why not tell my mistress that when she's done with her small chat? I'd love to see you try and get a word out of those grimy lips before you're splayed out on the floor. She's very, abrasive, like that." The guy snorted, dropping his arm to grip Eren's upper arm unpleasantly. This was breaking Lilith's no touch rule. Her personal rule that no one could touch Eren. Only bendable at Eren's initiation or will. And this wasn't anything that Eren started, this was all the repulsive man in front of him. Dirty, and unwelcome skin on skin contact.
"Remove your hand now." His voice was level, despite the fact that all Eren wanted to do was rip his arm away and beat the shit out of the man that was now making him anxious and scared.
"Or what are you going to do? You're a submissive for a reason aren't you, little pet?" Eren was going to bite back with some vicious words of his own before the man could drag him to his feet, but he was surprised to hear the cracking of knuckles and an angry voice reply for him.
"And I'm a switch, but I think I could just as easily kick your ass if I were a sub or a dom." Eren and the douche looked behind them to see a man with a slicked back undercut and gunmetal silver eyes. For a moment, Eren mistook his eyes for Lilith's but the voice made Eren look again. Male, yup, not Lilith. Pale, unmarred skin, a collar was on his neck as well as a riding crop at his side. He let his eyes wander down a bit. A red band, collared not free play. Eren would never say it out loud, but by standing up, the strange man had just fallen into his mediocre graces. The fact he was also pretty damn sexy holding that riding crop in such a threatening man with that anger in his eyes helped a bit. But not much. Eren didn't think with his dick. Still. Denying it didn't mean that Eren couldn't appreciate the view.
Easy enough to say, the new Dom got scared as soon as the man made a subtle move with his crop and hightailed it out of there. Dropping Eren's arm and almost sprinting out of the club, coincidently almost hitting Anna and Ridley in his hurry. If only Ridley knew, he'd be on his way in an ambulance already… well, maybe it's good that she remained blissfully ignorant for now. They couldn't afford a lawyer or hospital bills right now. The switch looked him up and down, before respectfully taking a seat at the chair across from Eren. Cautiously avoiding the empty booth seat next to Eren. Another tally on his chart.
"You alright brat?" Eren nodded calmly, with the departure of the weirdo Eren was feeling much calmer and himself. Somehow this man calling him brat wasn't as offensive to him. Rather it suited the man's more chiseled and grumpy expression. Eren smirked to himself as the man looked down to his wristband curiously.
"Yeah. I'm fine, thank you." Eren bowed his head a bit to show respect. No longer tense in the presence of him. Eren really didn't like new people, but certain people were okay. This man was on his tolerated list. His show earlier guaranteed that. The man leaned back, crossing his legs as he relaxed. Taking the invitation that Eren silently offered.
"You here with anyone, or just looking around?" Just plain small talk, it was okay. Eren wasn't much for strangers, and honestly Lilith handled people better than he ever did. He figured it was the least he could do to actually try his best to interact with the man. Besides, he was a little socially awkward himself, Eren could just tell. Eren tapped on his computer, checking everything for a moment.
"My mistress, she had business to take care of, normally I'd go, but they requested her. So I'm taking care of the place in her absence." Understanding lit up in the man's dark eyes.
"You're an employee huh?" Eren shrugged.
"Of sorts, you could say that I'm assistant." The man just nodded at the cryptic explanation and held out his hand for Eren.
"I'm Levi." Eren stretched out his own hand to meet Levi's.
"Rouge if you please." Levi had a firm grip as he shook Eren's hand.
"Do you know when the owner will be back? We have some business to discuss actually." Eren closed his laptop shut and gave a rare smirk to the man. It looked a little more natural than his last one. Catching them both off guard. Eren shook it off.
"Come have dinner with us, we'll be grateful to have you as a guest. 3236 7th Street West. Just down the block from here." Levi nodded. Not at all confused as to why Eren was living with the owner. He guess the owner was the one he had called mistress, based on the previous context; he must be her submissive. He had heard rumors about the owner/owners of this club. Rumors saying they were a little strange, a bit of an odd couple, but well-functioning and admirable.
"May I bring my partner?" Eren nodded easily. He'd been expecting that; the switch was collared after all. Claimed, with a partner. Usually people made decisions with their business or romantic partners. Two opinions. If Lilith had business to talk with others she would make sure that Eren came with her as her partner. He was always at her side. No matter what. So Eren had expected that request.
"Of course, come by at six?" Levi nodded, giving him a look. What was the weird glint in his eyes for?
"You're awfully dictating for a submissive aren't you." Ah, confusion. Most subs in this club carried those traits into out of scene play. Eren personally didn't, he had to take charge to help his mistress in every way possible. It wasn't rude for the switch to ask, so Eren bowed his head a bit.
"I'm a sub for my mistress, and for playtime, no time other than that. Not to mention I'm the responsible one, taking charge is my job in running this operation." A crash resounded through the club, Eren sighed, getting up. Now was one of those times it was a bit of a pain to be the one in charge.
"Sometimes it is a bit strange and foreign to be the one in charge, but I love this place. I'll do anything for it." With that, Eren got up and walked away. Laptop in hand, a turquoise wristband bouncing. Levi was stuck watching after him, there was just something there. Something about him. The way his hips swayed, the lean muscles in his exposed arms. The power that Levi could sense in his abs, the cold turquoise eyes, the hand that went on his hip as he scolded someone without saying a word. Issuing warnings and orchestrating a smooth clean up and making sure everything was in order.
"Fuck, this is punishment for something. I know it fucking is. Damn brat."