Chapter 3

The bus lurched to a stop just as the first fat raindrops began pelting the windows. I groaned, looking out at what had been a perfectly clear sky just twenty minutes ago. Summer storms around here could be brutal and sudden, and I had a feeling this was going to be one of those. Just my luck.

"Fuck it," I muttered, making a run for it the moment the doors hissed open.

The rain hit me like a wall of water, instantly soaking through my shirt and running down my back. I sprinted down the sidewalk, dodging other unfortunate pedestrians who were equally unprepared for the sudden downpour. By the time I reached the bar, I was drenched, tired, and mildly annoyed, but still riding the high from this morning's news about Collapsed Star Interactive.

The Cliffhanger dominated the corner of Fifth and Main, its brick facade painted in subtle rainbow hues that caught the light from the vintage-style street lamps. Large windows faced the street, though they were tinted enough to provide privacy for the patrons inside. A simple neon sign spelled out the bar's name in elegant script, flanked by smaller signs advertising upcoming events and community meetings.

Standing just inside the covered entrance was a woman I recognized but couldn't quite place the name of. Twenty-five, , short-cropped hair dyed in subtle ombre shades and wearing a fitted vest over ripped jeans. Her style screamed queer without falling into any particular stereotype, confident and authentic in a way that made her immediately stand out.

As I approached, she was checking IDs for a couple who looked to be in their thirties. "You here for the munch?" she asked them cheerfully.

"Yes, first time," the woman replied nervously.

"Awesome! Welcome. Food's in the back room, and don't worry, everyone's super friendly."

She waved them through and turned to me as I squeezed water from the hem of my shirt.

"Owner!" she said brightly, recognizing me immediately. "Good to see you again. Claudia's already inside with two friends of yours. Poor things look like they're attending their own execution." She chuckled. "First time here, I'm guessing?"

I winced internally at the title but **** a smile. "Yeah, newbies... Please, just call me Oliver."

"Right, Oliver. Sorry," she replied, not sounding very sorry. It wasn't the first time we'd had this conversation, but I suspected it was more about her being bad with names than anything else. She pulled open the heavy wooden door. "Go on in, they're toward the back."

The interior of The Cliffhanger was a mix of cozy and eclectic. The lighting was warm but not dim, creating an atmosphere that was welcoming rather than mysterious. The bar itself ran along one wall, staffed by a bartender with intricate tattoos covering both arms. Scattered throughout the space were conversation areas with mismatched but comfortable furniture, and the walls were decorated with local art that ranged from abstract to explicitly queer themes.

The crowd was diverse, exactly what you'd expect at a BDSM munch. Some people wore subtle hints of their kinks, leather bracelets or collars that could pass for fashion accessories. Others were more obvious, sporting harnesses over their clothes or elaborate boots that definitely weren't chosen for comfort. But nothing was shocking or over-the-top.

I navigated through the crowd, scanning faces until I spotted Claudia sitting at a table in the corner, her animated gestures visible even from across the room. She was with Zoe and Marcus, both of whom looked like they'd accidentally wandered into an alien spacecraft and were trying desperately to act like they belonged.

Zoe caught sight of me first, her relief palpable as she waved me over. She looked exactly as she always had since college: long black hair twisted into that perpetually messy bun, oversized glasses that somehow made her dark eyes look even bigger, and a nerdy t-shirt (today featuring the periodic table reimagined with fantasy elements) that hugged her curves in all the right places. She'd been my only real friend for years, the one person who'd stuck with me through my gaming obsessions and social awkwardness.

Beside her sat Marcus, his muscular frame looking uncomfortably large for the small wooden chair he was perched on. He'd maintained his quarterback physique from high school, all broad shoulders and thick arms, but now paired it with fashionable thick-rimmed glasses and a button-up shirt featuring tiny Star Wars ships. The same guy who'd once stuffed me into a locker now spent his weekends rolling dice as a dungeon master, using different voices for NPCs and painting miniatures with surprising delicacy. Zoe's influence had transformed him completely, though he still carried himself with that easy confidence that came from years of being the popular jock.

"Thank god," Zoe said as I approached. "Please tell me what I'm supposed to do with this." She pointed to a checklist on the table, some kind of kink interest form that was clearly making her nervous.

Marcus nodded at me, a gesture that had evolved from grudging acknowledgment to genuine friendship over the past year. "Hey man. Your girlfriend is trying to convince us that 'predicament bondage' is something we should be considering."

Claudia grinned, looking completely in her element among the leather and collars. "I'm just saying you should keep an open mind." She scooted over to make room for me, giving me a quick kiss as I sat down. "You're soaked."

"Storm hit right as I got off the bus," I explained, still dripping slightly. "Where's the Porsche?"

"Parked in the lot around the corner," she replied, handing me a stack of napkins to dry off with.

"I see you've been corrupting our favorite couple," I teased, nodding toward Zoe and Marcus, who were now engaged in a hushed debate about what exactly 'flogging' entailed.

"Attempting to," she corrected. "It's crazy how vanilla they are for people who spend so much time pretending to be wizards and rogues."

Zoe rolled her eyes. "Just because we like role playing around a table doesn't mean we want to do it in the bedroom. That's a whole other kind of game."

I looked at my girlfriend and my friends with a smirk, excited about sharing the news about Collapsed Star Interactive with them.

Claudia raised an eyebrow, studying my expression. "What's got you so chipper? You look like Chairman Meow when we drop fish on the floor."

"Actually, we got some amazing news today about—"

"So I told her, 'If you're gonna be my pony girl, you better be ready for me to ride you until you're foaming at the mouth,'" a man at the next table said loudly, causing heads at our table to swivel.

Marcus choked on his beer while Zoe's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates.

I chuckled despite my annoyance at the interruption, noting the bright red creeping up Marcus's neck. "You guys didn't have to come, you know. I told you what kind of place this was."

Marcus straightened his shoulders, summoning his old quarterback confidence. "And miss a chance to explore the native habitat of you kinksters? No way. I'm an anthropologist venturing into uncharted territory." His attempt at bravado was undermined by how desperately he was avoiding looking at a nearby woman in a corset.

A woman with purple hair and multiple facial piercings walked past our table, her gaze lingering appreciatively on Zoe's chest. Zoe immediately crossed her arms over her breasts, shifting uncomfortably in her seat.

"When you invited us," she said distractedly, "I thought it would be… I don't know, milder?"

Claudia laughed, her eyes dancing with amusement. "This is mild! It's just a social gathering. A munch is basically kinky people having coffee and chatting about their interests. No actual play happens here." She gestured around the room. "Everyone's fully clothed, see? You should see what goes on at actual play parties."

"Obviously I wouldn't have invited you to an orgy," I added quickly, seeing the color drain from Marcus's face.

"As if Mr. Cautious here would even go to one," Claudia teased, nudging me with her elbow. "Regular bar hours and munchies hiding below a hoodie are the only times I've managed to drag him here. He talks a big game, but he gets all shy and proper in public."

Marcus's eyebrows shot up, a grin slowly replacing his uncomfortable grimace. "Wait, seriously? The Owner of all women, the guy who used to get my girlfriend to blow him in front of me, who casually fucked whoever he wanted before he inexplicably decided to reduce his own rights, is shy about a little public kink?"

"Right?" Zoe chimed in, still eyeing the room warily. "I never understood that. I mean, Oliver, it's perfectly normal for you to use any woman however you want. You literally own us. What reason could you possibly have to hold back?" She asked this with such genuine confusion that it was clear the concept of me not exercising my ownership powers was as baffling to her as quantum physics would be to a dog.

"That's what I keep telling him," Claudia said, grinning. "He's got this whole unnecessary guilt complex."

Marcus scratched his head, still looking confused. "Besides, aren't you guys in an open relationship?"

"We are," Claudia confirmed, twirling the straw in her drink. "Technically, I can sleep with whoever I want, and so can he. I already was with Renee when we met, and he was busy enjoying his new ownership. But since he gave women the choice not to obey him and removed their compulsion to please him, he hasn't really tried dating anyone else." She gave me a pointed look. "Despite my encouragement."

I opened my mouth to protest when I noticed Zoe had slid so far down in her chair she was practically under the table. Her eyes darted nervously toward a group of women at the bar who were looking in our direction and whispering.

"Hey," Claudia said gently, reaching across to touch Zoe's arm. "It's fine. They're not looking at you. They're looking at Oliver."

"Me?" I asked, genuinely surprised, turning around. They didn't seem just mildly curious like most, they were devouring me with their eyes. "Why would they—"

Claudia snorted. "Are you serious? Because you're the Owner, dummy. They might not have to obey you anymore, or be compelled to please you, but they know you can still command them. And if they want to obey, they will—completely." She winked at me. "Just like when you command me to wake you up with a blowjob believing I'm an alarm clock."

"Weird," Marcus snorted, finding Claudia's example amusing.

I sighed, feeling a conflicting mix of arousal and discomfort at the attention. It was flattering, sure, but also not the kind of reminder I needed at the moment.

Zoe was practically vibrating with anxiety now, her fingers gripping the edge of the table. "I don't think I can stay here," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. Marcus tried to look unfazed, but the tightness around his eyes betrayed his own discomfort.

"Relax," I said to Zoe, frustration seeping into my voice. "No one is going to eat you."

The change was immediate and startling. Her shoulders dropped, her breathing slowed, and a serene expression washed over her face. She sat up straight, no longer trying to make herself invisible, and smiled.

"That's better," she said, suddenly sounding calm and content.

I stared at her for a moment, confusion turning to realization. I'd given her a command—"relax"—and she'd chosen to obey it, grabbing onto the order like a lifeline.

Claudia got it too, her eyes lighting up. "See? That's exactly what I'm talking about. You've still got the power, Oliver. Women can choose to let you control them even now."

Marcus laughed nervously, adjusting his glasses. "Hey, can you do that to me? Command me to feel comfortable in a room full of people discussing which knots leave the best marks?"

I rolled my eyes, grateful for the tension breaker. "Sorry, but unless the universe suddenly decides to make me the owner of men too, there's not much I can do for you."

"Shame," he replied with a smirk, taking a long swig of his beer.

"Anyway," Claudia said, steering the conversation back on track, "what were you going to tell us earlier? You looked like you were about to burst."

"Let me grab a drink first," I replied, suddenly realizing how thirsty I was. "I think I'll wait for everyone to be here."

"Wait, who else is coming?" Zoe asked, her newfound relaxation making her almost enthusiastic about the situation.

Claudia smirked, taking a sip of her colorful cocktail. "Today's guest of honor. The one who insisted we all meet here. You'll see."

I made my way to the bar, aware of the stares following me but trying my best to ignore them. It was the usual mix of curiosity, desire, and that weird reverence that never failed to make me uncomfortable. As I waited for the bartender to notice me, my eyes locked with a woman sitting at the closest extremity of the bar.

She was in her late thirties with piercing blue eyes that seemed to catalog everything they saw. Her natural blonde hair was pulled back into a neat bun that somehow managed to look both strict and sensual. She wore a crisp white button-up shirt under a fitted waistcoat, and horn-rimmed glasses perched on a straight nose. She looked like a librarian, yet somehow she didn't seem out of place in the kinky atmosphere. If anything, she seemed to own it.

What struck me most was how she looked at me: not with the usual recognition or desire, but with a cool intellectual curiosity, as though I were a particularly interesting specimen under a microscope. My heart raced as I passed by her, and I did my best not to stare too long before turning to the bartender.

"Mojito, please," I said, leaning against the bar and trying to look casual despite feeling like I was being dissected by the blonde's gaze.

As I waited for my drink, I glanced toward the entrance, just in time to see a familiar silhouette approaching through the rain. A flash of lightning illuminated her for a brief moment: tall, confident, with an unmistakable swagger that told me exactly who it was before she even stepped inside.

I smiled and tilted my head, watching as Renee entered the bar. Her short, asymmetrically cut hair was dyed a deep burgundy that stood out starkly against her pale skin, raindrops glistening in the strands. She wore a leather jacket over a white t-shirt, black jeans, and combat boots that added another inch to her lean, athletic frame. Multiple ear piercings caught the light as she scanned the room, the small silver hoop in her nostril giving her sharp features an edge, while her striking pale green eyes missed nothing. A hint of the geometric tattoo on her side peeked when she shifted her stance, subtle but deliberate. Everything about her screamed dominance, from her posture to the way she surveyed the room with ownership.

She spotted me immediately and headed over, not bothering with a greeting as she slung an arm around my shoulders in a familiar gesture.

"This fucking weather," she complained, signaling to the bartender. "I just had my hair done yesterday."

"Whiskey, neat," she told the bartender before turning back to me. "Has my pet been behaving herself?"

"I'm glad you're here," I said, genuinely meaning it. "Claudia's been talking about your visit for weeks."

Renee chuckled, a deep sound that carried both warmth and danger. "That's what happens when you leave your pet with someone else for too long." She winked at me. "No offense, of course. I know you take good care of what's mine."

I snorted. That was as absurd as it was a nice change of pace.

Our drinks arrived, and we made our way back to the table. Claudia's face lit up the moment she saw Renee, her entire body language shifting. She remained seated but straightened her posture, hands folded neatly in her lap.

"Ma'am," Claudia said softly, her voice dropping an octave.

Renee slid into the seat beside her, opposite from me, and casually placed a hand on the back of Claudia's neck. "Hello, pet," she said, giving Claudia a brief but passionate kiss that ended with a playful bite on her lower lip. Claudia flushed, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment before opening to look at Renee adoringly.

The three of us formed a line, Renee and I flanking her, both clearly marking our respective claims, while Claudia practically glowed with happiness at being caught between her two owners.

"Renee, these are my friends," I said, gesturing across the table. "This is Zoe, my best friend since college, and her boyfriend Marcus."

"Pleasure to meet you," Renee said, her eyes traveling over both of them with undisguised appreciation. "I must say, Oliver didn't tell me as much as I would have liked about you, so I thought this could be the right place and time to meet."

Zoe giggled, completely at ease. "Well we've certainly heard a lot about you! Claudia talks about your hypnosis skills all the time."

Marcus blushed but extended his hand for a shake. "Nice to finally put a face to the name. Claudia's told us some, uh, interesting stories."

"All true, I assure you," Renee purred, clearly enjoying his discomfort.

"It was Renee's idea for us all to meet here tonight," I explained.

Renee smiled, her hand still resting casually on Claudia's thigh. "Of course. I figured it would be fun to have a little reunion before I leave tomorrow, and what better place than a munch?"

"Of course," Marcus echoed, sounding less than convinced. Zoe just grinned, her eyes darting between Renee and Claudia with unbridled curiosity, eager to unravel their dynamic.

Claudia turned to me, her eyes bright with curiosity. "So, are you finally going to tell us what had you smiling like an idiot earlier?"

I took a deep breath, feeling the excitement bubbling up again. "We got an email from Collapsed Star Interactive today, a big publisher. They loved our prototype for Paradox Proof and want to talk about a publishing deal. They're setting up a video call for Monday."

For a moment, there was stunned silence. Then the table erupted.

"Holy shit!" Zoe exclaimed, bouncing in her seat.

"That's fucking awesome, man!" Marcus reached across to clap me on the shoulder.

Claudia threw her arms around me, planting a kiss on my cheek. "I knew it! I knew they'd love it!"

I raised my hands. "Nothing's set in stone yet. We're just having a first call. But it's still huge."

Even Renee looked impressed, raising her glass in a toast. "To Paradox Proof and its brilliant creator."

We clinked glasses, and for a moment, sitting there surrounded by friends with Claudia pressed against my side, I felt like the luckiest guy in the world, and this time it felt deserved.

We spent the next few minutes discussing the potential of the Collapsed Star deal—how it could help with marketing, what it might mean for distribution, whether it would come with additional funding. I felt lighter than I had in months, surrounded by people who genuinely cared about my success.

As Marcus began explaining some accounting minutiae to a very bored Renee (who clearly regretted asking him about his job), my eyes drifted back to the bar, where the blonde woman was still sitting. As if she could sense my attention, she turned, caught my gaze, and raised one perfect eyebrow, her lips curving into a knowing smirk. My heart did that stupid racing thing again, and I quickly looked away.

"See something you like?" Claudia asked, her voice low enough that only I could hear.

"What? No, I was just… looking around."

"Uh-huh." She followed my gaze. "The blonde at the bar? The one who looks like she could either explain quantum physics or bend you over her knee?"

I cleared my throat, shifting uncomfortably. "I don't know who she is."

"But you'd like to," Claudia said, not a question but a statement. Her smile was playful, but her eyes were sharp.

"I mean… I wasn't…" I mumbled, suddenly very interested in my drink. It felt weird admitting attraction to another woman to my own girlfriend.

Claudia sighed dramatically and stood up. "Excuse me for a minute," she said to the table.

Everyone fell silent, watching with confusion as Claudia walked directly to the blonde woman at the bar. The two began chatting, Claudia gesturing animatedly while the blonde listened with that same analytical intensity I'd noticed earlier. After a brief conversation, Claudia pulled out her phone, typed on it, turned it around, then the blonde nodded.

Claudia returned to our table with a satisfied expression and handed me her phone. On the screen was a new contact entry: "Sonia" with a number.

"Write it down," Claudia said, her tone playfully stern. "She'll be expecting a call, or at least a text."

My mouth fell open. "You didn't—"

"Oh yes, I did," she replied, sliding back into her seat. "She's a philosophy professor at the local university. She'd love to meet you."

"And maybe discuss the philosophical implications of your unique status, under the sheets," Zoe teased, waggling her eyebrows.

Marcus snorted into his beer. "Man, most guys can't even get a date on Tinder, and women are literally handing their numbers to you through your girlfriend."

"The privileges of ownership," Renee commented, raising her glass in a mock toast. "Though I must say, our Claudia is quite the matchmaker. Perhaps I should have her play wingwoman for me next time."

"I'd be happy to, Ma'am" Claudia replied cheerfully, leaning into Renee.

I snorted too, glancing one last time at the enigmatic woman at the bar. She winked at me, and my cock twitched.

Hey there! This was chapter 3 of 4 Billion Toys 2. I'll be posting chapters here regularly, but if you want early access to the next chapters, feel free to support me on Patreon!

In the meantime, I'd be happy to hear your feedback and ideas for where to push the story. I've got the main storylines established already, but I've got more than enough room for suggestions ;)