Judy lays the card on the counter between us. “And there you are, Ms. Payne,” she says.

I pick up the card. It’s still a little warm from her laminating machine. I admire the scarlet-branded logo and smile at the one word glistening in its corner.

Member.

“Thanks, Judy,” I say as I slide it into my clutch along with my debit card.

She smirks at me with a hand on her hip. “I knew I had a good feeling about you.”

I hide my clutch in the pocket of my trench coat. “Well, when you’re right…”

Her hand falls beneath the counter and she unlocks the door. “Enjoy your stay,” she says.

I walk in. My eyes adjust quickly to the darker lighting and I stop by the bar for a bottle of water before heading right to the stairs.

A dark form passes me halfway up.

I flash a quick wink at him. “Hey, Roger.”

He gestures at me with his black latex hand. “Ms. Payne,” he greets.

I continue on without stopping. It’s what I was told to do.

The second floor is crowded, making goosebumps raise on my skin. It’ll be all right, though. He’ll make me feel safe. He always does.

I head toward the St. Andrew’s cross in the corner and stand in front of it. My reflection stares back at me and I smile into it as I open my trench coat.

The blood red corset hugs me so tightly I can barely breathe. I suppose that’s the point but I have a bit of a history with not breathing on crosses. I would like to not repeat it.

But I have my instructions.

I slide the coat off and let it fall to the floor. I step up to the X-shaped cross, my feet feeling twice as heavy in these thigh-high leather boots.

“Oh—”

I step down and bend over to fish into my coat pocket for my blindfold. Wouldn’t want to forget that.

I return to the cross, take one last look at myself in the mirror, and place the blindfold over my eyes. It blocks out every sliver of light around me, plunging me into an epic darkness that sets my nerves on fire.

I place my palms on the cross and wait.

My hearing piques and I listen to the sound of feet and voices behind me. I focus on my breathing, counting each inhale and exhale until I lose count. I feel eyes on me but I can’t tell whether or not they’re his. Is he here already? Standing behind me and staring this whole time… just to see if I’ll break?

Finally, a flogger tickles my bare shoulders.

I smile. “Mr. Snow?”

“Hello, Ms. Payne,” he says, his voice so close. He moves in behind me and kisses the back of my neck. “You look beautiful.”

I roll my head back and his lips graze my ear. “Thank you.”

Clive reaches around me and pinches my chin. He draws me toward him for a kiss but I don’t dare move my hands from the arms of the cross. I feel his skin on my back and his body heat blends with mine. He’s not wearing a shirt.

His fingers move down my shoulder, traveling up my arm to my wrist. “Are you ready?” he asks.

I tremble, unsure. “I think so.”

“Tell me when it’s a yes.”

I take a deep breath, holding it in as it nourishes me, but it’s his capable hands on my body that brings me home.

“Yes,” I say. “I’m ready.”

He steps back but his presence never leaves my side. He takes my hand and wraps a thin rope around my wrist before binding me to the fasteners on the cross. I smile, enjoying the thought of submission. I’m in no danger. He’ll take care of me.

Clive ties up my other hand and fixes the rope to the cross. “How does that feel?” he asks.

“Good,” I answer.

He presses in behind me again, unable to resist a few nibbles on my neck. I sure as hell don’t mind. I let out a quiet moan as he feels up my curves.

“We shouldn’t stay too late,” I remind him. “You have an early meeting tomorrow.”

He laughs and drops his hands. “Don’t you ever clock off?”

“It’s important for the new app! I am your boss…” I tease.

“Only from nine-to-five.” He curls his arm around my waist and draws me closer to him. “In here, I’m the boss,” he says into my ear. “Say it.”

“I’m the boss.”

“No…” He scoffs. “Say that I’m—”

I giggle. “You’re the boss, Mr. Snow.”

His fingers twist my hair. “Bad girls don’t get rewarded, Ms. Payne,” he growls. “Bad girls get punished. Do you understand?”

I quiver in his grip. “Yes,” I sigh.

“Do you remember your safe word?”

“Yes.”

He runs his mouth between my shoulder blades. “Do you want me… to make you use it?”

I shudder as I squeeze the ropes above me. “Yes, Mr. Snow.”

He kisses my back. “Good girl.” I feel his lips curl into a smile. “I have something for you.”

His hands move out in front of me and he lays something around my neck and fastens it. He pinches my blindfold and pulls it over my head to show me.

I look at our reflection in the mirrored wall. It’s a thin, black choker just like the one he gave me before. Simple and classy with that shiny, dangling—

My jaw drops. “Wait, is that real?”

He smiles. “Yes, it is. Figured I’d put my first good paycheck to decent use.”

“Wow…” I admire it for another second before my gaze finds its way to his bright, blue eyes. “Thank you.”

“I want you all to myself, Ms. Payne,” he says. “If you’ll let me. Again.”

I turn my head to kiss him and he wraps his loving arms around me.

“Yes, Mr. Snow.”