Shades of Scarlet

2. Rules Are For Fools

~ Alina’s POV ~

I check my reflection in the mirrored wall of the hotel elevator. My usually untameable auburn ringlets are piled into a chic up-do at the client's request, my eyeliner is perfectly winged, my lips are glossed and a respectable black shift dress is clinging to my curves nicely, concealing elegantly simple black silk lingerie underneath.

Tonight's client is a newbie, which is always equal parts exciting and daunting. Jade, my boss, provides a brief "fact-file" when I'm meeting someone for the first time and I like to think I've become something of an expert at building up a picture of the man each one describes.

However, there's not a lot to go on this time. "Sorry Darling, his approval came through later than I'd hoped!" was Jade's only explanation. Not to worry, the important things are covered.

His preferences are listed as "Traditional, Compliant Sub, B D S M, Bóndage, Anal" (nothing out of the ordinary there) and I noted he'd opted for Platinum Verification, meaning he'd agreed to private health screening to allow him not to use condoms during his bookings. (At the agency, we girls all use our own choice of birth control, but condoms are still non-negotiable without a PV - safety always come first and I can't fault Jade on that front.)

The extra verification usually means they're at the higher end of the wealth scale too. All of our clients are wealthy, (the standard agency rate is $2,000 an hour) but a PV carries an extra five figure fee, albeit as a one-off charge. A lot of Doms, especially those with "old school" tastes prefer to skip condoms because they feel they can ruin the "flow" of a scene -- personally, I'm just a fan of the fact they're happy to go to such extra lengths and expense to have their way with me. Sort of makes a gal feel special, you know? Anyway. I digress.

The elevator stops on the top floor and I take a deep breath. Goodbye Alina, Hello Scarlet. I make my way to the penthouse suite entrance and knock on the door. It's opened quickly by a dark-haired man, who takes me completely by surprise.

As a rule, my clients are in at least their forties, not unattractive by any means, (save for the occasional silver fox), but their appeal lies mostly in their presence and character as opposed to traditional good looks. They're usually dressed in business suits (as they're generally fitting me in after work, or between meetings) and they're always enthusiastic to see me, though in a restrained and refined way that suits their Dominant character. But this guy right here... he's breaking ALL of the rules!

He's a little over 6 ft tall, I'd guess in his late twenties at most, dressed casually in a tight black t-shirt and soft dark denim jeans clinging snugly to his toned muscular frame. He's very, very attractive, wearing a sexy, confident smile set in a strong, square jaw line.

His bright blue eyes are twinkling, full of deviant mischief beneath a forest of dark lashes, all topped off with a generous mop of ruffled dark hair that would give my own a run for its money in terms of unruliness. Standing barefoot in the doorway, he's relaxed, aloof almost, self-assured to the edge of arrogance and frankly, hot as hell with it.

"Mr..." I fumble, checking my paperwork. s**t. That's never happened before.

"Dominic," he interrupts politely, "Carter Dominic,"

He watches me intently, an amused smile playing on his mouth as I push the papers back into my bag.

"Yes!" I smile back, trying to regain some composure, "That's who I'm looking for, Mr. Dominic,"

I'm still half expecting him to tell me I've got the wrong room.

"Well, you've found him," He replies plainly. His sky-blue eyes twinkle playfully as he c***s his head slightly, regarding me attentively and all I can think about is how much I want to see him naked.

Geez! Scarlet, pull yourself together, woman!

"Oh, uh, hi, I'm Scarlet," I smile, "From the agency,"

"Excellent, I've been expecting you, Scarlet. Please come in," He straightens up and gestures into the room with an open palm that I'd very much like to feel on my behind.

Oh, boy.

As I step inside the suite, it's hard not to be impressed. It's huge and immaculately decorated, with a massive balcony offering a stunning view over the city.

"You like it?" he asks, reading my thoughts.

"Very much," I answer, appreciating more than the view as I continue taking him in, letting my gaze linger a little too long on his pert behind while he pours himself a drink at his fully stocked mini bar area. I smile a little when I see he's adding grapefruit juice and lime wedges to Tequila. I guess I'm not the only person who knows there's more to Mexican booze than Margaritas.

"Can I offer you something - a drink?" he clarifies as he turns to face me holding his own, the ghost of a smile twitching in the corner of his mouth. I'm almost certain he caught me staring. That's never happened before either. I really need to pull myself together!

"Paperwork!" I blurt, ignoring his question and trying to get things back on track. I hand him the rules for our meeting to sign. "Standard procedure for first time clients, I'm sure the agency already explained it when you booked?"

"They did," He starts reciting the rules from memory as he crosses to a desk on the other side of the room, picking up a pen to sign the document, "Hourly rates are non-negotiable. Extras are to be booked in advance. No marks are to be left on the submissive. No photography of any kind is permitted. No third parties are to be involved. Exchanging of personal details is to be avoided. The submissive's safe word is 'Summer'. And lasltly, cash up front. Right?" He walks as he talks so that when he finishes, he's back in front of me, close enough for me to breathe in the citrus tang of the lime wedges in his glass.

"Perfect," I breathe, taking the signed paper and $2,000 cash from him and slipping them into my bag.

"I couldn't agree more," He replies, taking a sip and fixing me with a determined gaze and a smile so full of sensual confidence that I'm struggling to not fixate on his mouth.

I can't help wondering how much experience he has as a Dominant though. The agency isn't exactly easy to come by, new business is generally through discreet word of mouth and personal referrals, but he's so much younger than my other clients, how could he be connected? And although he's confident to the point of arrogance, and already doing a good job of controlling me, he seems much too casual to have a Dominant alter ego.

So far... I'm intrigued.

"Now that I've signed my life away, what can I get you to drink?" he asks, making no effort to move away.

I usually try to avoid drinking with clients. It's not a rule as such, more a personal preference. Everything else is going out the window though right now and I figure a drink might help steady the effect he's having on me.

"Your Paloma looks delicious," I reply, working hard to maintain eye contact. His brief smile makes me think he's vaguely impressed for a moment, but it slips quickly back to self-confidence as he moves back to the bar.

"One Paloma coming up. Take a seat, Scarlet," He adds, gesturing to one of the plush arm chairs by the bar.

Gratefully, I sit down, relieved to be free from his watch for a moment. I notice there's some soft bluesy music coming from a sound system and as he pours my drink, I try to focus on that as I inwardly steady myself.

"I assume your agency has already briefed you on my rules and preferences?" he asks as he hands me my drink.

Oh, we're back to business. Okay, this I can handle.

"Of course," I nod, taking a sip. It's delicious.

He sits down opposite me and I'm back in his powerful gaze, doing all I can not to notice the way his body moves so effortlessly as he leans back confidently to regard me.

"And is there anything you'd like to clarify or discuss beforehand?" He asks.

I decide against letting him know that his preferences are fairly standard issue, or that I'm delighted he's as much a fan of b*****e as I am, and instead I reply, "I just need to know how you prefer to be addressed,"

Subconsciously, I run the tip of my tongue across my bottom lip. He takes another long sip before standing and moving towards me.

"You may call me Mr. Dominic or Sir, whichever you prefer," He smiles, tilting my chin up lightly and running the tip of his thumb across my bottom lip. My eyes flutter closed at his touch. It's electrifying and I'm completely thrown by how he affects me with such a small effort.

Then correcting himself, he takes a step back and gestures to my drink. I take another long sip and place the glass on a side table. I'm tempted to down what's left but I need my wits about me. Mustering all the serenity I can, I lift my eyes back to meet his.

"Perfect. Then, if there's nothing else, Mr. Dominic, your hour begins when you give me my first instruction,"

He smiles lasciviously, unhurriedly finishes his drink, and moves closer to me. My pulse starts racing of its own accord as his whole demeanour changes almost in a heartbeat. His relaxed smile becomes a self-assured smirk across beautifully sculpted lips and those sky-blue eyes visibly darken, not just simply with desire, but with danger and intent. They lock on mine and I can feel every inch of myself being drawn to him as he orders,

"Scarlet, I need you to kneel,"

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- - - - - To be continued - - - - -