"Okay, before we agree to anything, we should probably get to know each other?" I asked, because hell yes, I was curious. Who were these men who wanted to dominate me?

The guys gave each other a look.

"That's a good point. Sorry we didn't think of it before we even suggested this arrangement. Tell us about yourself." Mateo smiled easily, looking so relaxed like this was an everyday event for him. I really hoped it wasn't. A shred of jealousy gripped me at the thought that they often did this with other women.

"To be honest, I don't really have an exciting life. I'm an only child and grew up with loving parents in Greenport, and I moved to the city two years ago."

They all listened while I talked about my hobbies, which included reading and... that was about it. I was boring, what could I say? I told them about Kevin–basically my only friend, and how I'd always wanted a dog. Yeah... I told them pretty much my entire life story and only realized how long I had spoken until I finally stopped.

"Sorry, I really didn't mean to talk so much. What about you guys?" They hadn't said a word since I started talking, and the truth was, they didn't need to ask anything to keep me going– I babbled when I was nervous.

"I didn't mind," Mateo smiled and bumped me on my shoulder with his own. "I'm a professor, something my father hates. He's this successful businessman and wanted me to follow in his footsteps, but fuck that. I always wanted to teach, so that's what I chose to do. I have a younger sister, and I'd do anything for her." I smiled at that, I wished I had that kind of bond with someone, but Mom couldn't conceive any more children; I was their miracle baby, at least, that was what they'd called me.

Mateo told me some about his childhood; about all the nannies growing up, and the women parading from his father's bedroom. It sounded like a sad childhood, but I was happy he had his sister, Rebecca, at the very least. He didn't turn out bad, which was kind of surprising considering his father sounded like a dick.

"Gideon owns a nightclub, and he hates to talk," Mateo informed me about his friend, earning a scowl from said friend. But he didn't say anything more about him.

"What about you?" I asked Callan.

"Not much to say." I mentally rolled my eyes at that; I was sure there was much to say. "I like vintage cars–"

"Like?" Mateo laughed. "Dude has like fifty vintage cars, and he doesn't use any of them. They just sit in his garage collecting dust."

"Shut up, man, they're for appreciation, not for driving," Callan stated. "Anyways, most of my life is Desire's Den. That's mostly where I am from the moment I wake up to when I go to sleep."

That sounded... tragic. I mean, I wasn't one to talk, seeing as I'd pushed aside friends and opportunities to make new memories for the sake of school. But I didn't want to do that anymore.

Talking with them about their lives and mine... it got me thinking about the age divide. They sounded so much more experienced than me, and yeah, we should probably discuss that.

"We haven't really talked about my age, or yours for that matter. I–" Fuck, it was hard to tell them how young I was. I was afraid they thought I was older than I actually was. How awkward would that be if I admitted to my age and they backed down?

"I'm twenty-two," I confessed and was met with silence. Shit, we should have started with this before we'd even made it this far. "Is... is that a problem for you guys?"

Now, when I could fuck it up before we even began, I realized how much I wanted this; them, as my dominants. They seemed like the perfect practice. They had to be trustworthy given Callan owned the damn club. I'd also seen how people respected them at DD– the way people couldn't help but look at them with admiration.

They could teach me how to be the perfect submissive before I found my dom. But if my age would be a problem...

"Not at all, unless you think me and Callan being thirty-four and Gideon being thirty-five is too old for you? For us, it doesn't matter," Mateo assured me.

It didn't come as a shock to me that they were in their thirties; I'd guessed as much given their owned businesses. Not to mention, they looked nothing like the guys I went to school with– those were boys, these were men.

I shook my head. "I don't mind the age difference either."

"Something tells me you like the age difference, isn't that right, Bella?" Callan smirked, and fuck me, but he was right. I found older men sexier and more attractive than silly little boys my age. There was this kind of power they held, the authority, boys lacked. Not to mention what they might have learned in bed... they'd already proved they knew more than any I'd ever slept with. Hell, they got me off, which no one else–but me– could brag about.

My cheeks grew red, which often happened whenever I was around these guys.

"Say it," Callan demanded.

"Yes–" I hesitated, "Sir."

Callan's eyes lit with hunger at the word, as if he knew I'd made my decision already, even if I hadn't said it out loud yet– even if I hadn't admitted it to myself. The tension in the room went up a notch, turning the easy atmosphere into something... more.

Mateo put his hand on my thigh and squeezed slightly. The movement brought me back to that night, and I shivered.

"Have you decided, Bella?" Callan's voice was rougher than his normal silky tone. I wish I could peek inside his mind for just one second; I wondered what he was thinking about now.

Mateo's grip on me tightened at Callan's question. The air in the room grew tense as if they were holding their breath– waiting for me to either say yes or no.

The day I stepped foot in Desire's Den, I made a choice to go after what I wanted, no matter how scary it might be. I didn't want a boring life– hell, I didn't want to be boring. I wanted excitement and change, and the thrill of waking up each morning to something new.

"I have," I answered, my heart pounded like crazy.

"Will you be our submissive, gorgeous?" Mateo asked calmly as if he had known the answer all along.

With two words, I jumped headfirst instead of dipping my toe in the water. With two words, I was ready to live.

"Yes, sirs."