At the club’s reception, the lovely girl behind the desk was on a phone call. Covering the mouthpiece briefly, she asked for our names, then gestured for us to take a seat.

We caught her side of the conversation, clearly speaking to a prospective member enquiring about the services on offer. She reassured them that their kinks were well catered for, whether by active, restrained, or passive subjects. As she spoke, she glanced towards us now and again, offering a knowing smile.

After she completed the call, she entered our details into her computer and thanked us for coming and joining as submissive subjects. Having already reviewed our completed red flag lists, she commented that it was good to see a couple so open-minded, adding that we would be very much appreciated by members at the club.

She explained clearly and deliberately, so there was no ambiguity; every option was laid out, every choice ours.

We were told there were three distinct states we could choose from for our initiation.

The first was full awareness and control. We would experience and feel everything as it happened, remain completely present, and could stop the scene at any time using a safe word.

The second lowers inhibitions and heightens responsiveness. We would remain aware and engaged, but more open and more reactive, while still able to use the safe word if needed.

The third was a deeper level of surrender. We would remain conscious and aware of everything happening, feeling every interaction, but give ourselves over to the experience, allowing it to unfold though the safe word would be there as a backstop.

Sue’s hand crept over to rest on mine during this, and we shared nervous but excited glances with each other.

There was also a choice about proximity, whether we remained together in the same space, sharing the experience side by side, or were separated, each undergoing our own version of it. We could also choose to be blindfolded or restrained, at least at the start of our experience.

We were also told how the experience could conclude. We could choose to be left exactly as we were when it ended, bearing the full evidence of what had happened, or to be meticulously bathed and cleansed and laid on freshly made beds. Of course, any aches from the sexual intrusions could not be dulled.

Finally, the scale was made clear. Depending on what we chose, our experiences could involve a handful of participants or extend to as many as thirty men, women, or couples. We were reminded that all members were thoroughly tested and that no condoms would be used.

Preparation was emphasised, being thoroughly cleansed, outside and in, after which we would have some time to put on whatever clothing we had brought for the evening. Sue’s hand gripped mine at this point, emphasising, if that were needed, the matching outfits that lay in our overnight bag.

Everything was framed around one point: this was an experience we stepped into, knowing exactly what each level entailed, even if we chose to have no control, placing ourselves entirely at the mercy of our clientele’s desires.

Then the receptionist simply looked at us both and said, “Your options, please?”