The following evening, Jonathan picked me up from the Mission District apartment I shared with my friend, Lacey, a nurse who worked nights. She was gone by the time he arrived wearing something more casual, a blue-grey shirt and jeans that were tailored to fit him. If I’d known he had planned for a more casual affair, I would have skipped the high heels. Still, what I wore would pass inspection, a fitted dress with a skirt that flared at the hips. Flirty and yet not too innocent. Feminine.

Dinner was at a popular restaurant in Divisadero known for its amazing view over the water, its cocktails, and seafood. We were seated by the window overlooking the dark seafront and other than a rowdy group of men at the opposite end of the restaurant, it was relatively quiet. I could have sworn I’d heard Sebastian’s voice but I told myself to stop being so paranoid. Ever since I left him, every stranger’s voice became his about to call me names and every dark-haired man in a crowd was him following me. It had been six weeks and I needed to stop being afraid.

For dinner, Jonathan and I settled on what the place was known for other than their seafood–burgers. While we ate, we talked about the difference in the weather between Northern and Southern California, trips to the wine country, and everything else except the obvious–ourselves. Then he reached his hand toward me to dab the side of my mouth with his napkin.

“Ketchup,” he said and the reason why we were having dinner finally came to the fore. This was no instant Dominant/submissive dynamic in the making but it was a good start. The gesture had been so natural, so effortless. Yet the ease of how I’d accepted the change so quickly caught me off guard and I excused myself to go the bathroom. Jonathan was handsome, intelligent, and witty, while I was simply someone with only her looks to offer him. I’d been born beautiful, my father used to tell me, not smart.

As I stood in front of the bathroom mirror next to a woman telling her friend over the phone how her first date was going, I realized that I was on one as well, only this one was no ordinary date. It felt more like an audition and in a way, it was, or Debbie wouldn’t have recommended me. Did I pass Jonathan’s criteria? What exactly was he looking for?

I took a deep breath and reminded myself to enjoy the rest of the evening. Then I stepped out of the bathroom and made my way back to the table.

“Sharon, I knew it was you.” Sebastian had been standing by the door as I stepped out of the bathroom and before I could get away from him, he grabbed my arm, pulling me backward.

“Seb!” I stared at him. He wasn’t supposed to be within 50 yards of me yet there he was, acting like he’d never been served a restraining order. I’d been seeing him for three months after meeting him at a local munch. I hadn’t really been looking for a Dominant at that time, but after a few dinners, he charmed me right into his bed. Two months later, I could barely get out of it, chained by my ankle to the bed frame and released only when he could confirm that I had a photo shoot that day. To him, I’d become property who didn’t have a right to a safe word. He didn’t know when to stop and I didn’t know how to get away from him without leaving everything behind–my apartment, my possessions, and everything I thought valuable. But I finally did leave him. My life was more valuable than any designer dress or purse I owned. The moment he felt he could trust me enough not to lock the chain as he slept, I fled with just my phone and whatever I had in my purse. I was grateful that Lacey didn’t ask too many questions when I showed up during her shift at the hospital looking the way I did.

“Please let me go,” I said, prying my arm away from him. I smelled alcohol on his breath.

“I’m still your Dom,” he said, pulling me toward him. “I never released you.”

“You don’t know the first thing about being a Dom. A good Dom,” I said, wincing as his hand tightened around my arm. At least, he decided to confront me in public where I’d have witnesses. “Please let me go. You’re hurting me.”

“Isn’t that what you like? Or have you forgotten? A good sub always obeys her–”

“You heard the lady. Let her go,” said a low voice behind me. It had an edge of danger to it, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

“This is none of your business,” Sebastian said though he let me go when Jonathan took a step toward him. His hands were in his jeans pockets like nothing was amiss, my light coat draped over his forearm. He looked like a man in control of everything around him.

“Oh, it is my business when a lady is being assaulted?” Jonathan said before turning to look at me. “Are you all right, Sharon?”

Sebastian glared at Jonathan and then at me. “Why am I not surprised you’d move on so quickly? Is he your new Dom?”

“Please, just leave,” I said, wishing my voice didn’t tremble like it did.

“You heard her,” Jonathan said, the steely edge in his voice in full force.

Sebastian’s eyes narrowed as he studied Jonathan, as if placing him somewhere in his mind. I wondered if their paths had crossed before tonight. San Francisco was small and Sebastian’s nonprofit was known for shaming and chasing landlords out of the city for the smallest infarction. And wasn’t Jonathan, technically, a landlord? Would Sebastian be stupid enough to go after someone as powerful as Jonathan?

Sebastian took a step toward Jonathan but stopped when someone from the rowdy table called his name. Then he laughed nervously. “Whatever, man,” he said, stepping away from Jonathan before dismissing me with a wave of his hand and walking away.

Jonathan was next to me in an instant. “Are you all right?”

“I’m okay. I’m fine, really.”

“No, you’re not. You’re trembling,” Jonathan said as he draped my coat over my shoulders.

“It’s just the cold,” I said but he cast me a look that said he wasn’t buying it. My heart sank then. This was not the way to make a good first impression.

“Where’d you meet him anyway?” Jonathan asked, his hand resting on the small of my back. “Not through Debbie, I hope.”

“No, definitely not through Debbie,” I replied as we stepped out of the restaurant and he handed the ticket to the valet. “I met him at a local munch,” I said and Jonathan raised an eyebrow. “It’s when people from the kink community get together in normal places like this one. Well, actually, more like IHOP.” I tried to make light of the situation but he didn’t smile.

“How long were you with him?”

“Three months. I ended it six weeks ago.” I would have stopped there but Jonathan was still looking at me, as if waiting for me to continue. “He hasn’t gotten the hint though. I heard he’s been asking photographers where my next photoshoot is going to be. And he’s been seen around my apartment but I haven’t been back there…not since I left.”

“So he is stalking you,” Jonathan said, frowning. When I didn’t answer right away, his expression hardened. “Sharon, is he stalking you or not?”

I nodded and he exhaled, running his fingers through his hair. I could almost imagine what he was thinking–he’d just been paired with someone with baggage he didn’t need. But it wasn’t Debbie’s fault. I never told anyone. It was bad enough I’d chosen this lifestyle and I didn’t need anyone’s judgment over my sexual preferences.

“What about the apartment in the Mission District? Does he know you’re staying there?”

“I don’t think so,” I replied, touching his arm. “I’m so sorry, Jonathan.”

He didn’t say anything for a few minutes as we stood there waiting for the car. When it arrived, he opened the door for me, not waiting for the valet. I got in and Jonathan slipped behind the wheel, not speaking. He looked thoughtful for a moment before he shifted the car into gear.

“Sebastian Lowery. That’s his name, isn’t it?” I nodded before he continued. “I knew I recognized him. He heads the tenant advocacy group I’m meeting with tomorrow over one of my latest developments. He’s also a fucking ass.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“It’s not your fault that he is what he is, Sharon. I just hope you don’t plan on seeing him again,” Jonathan said.

I scoffed. “I don’t plan on it, ever.”

“Good.”

We drove in silence for the next few minutes and as the streets flew past me, I realized he was driving me back home. So much for Debbie’s recommendation that I’d be perfect for him. I hadn’t expected Jonathan to take me back to his hotel room but the night was still young. Clearly, I’d assumed too much. “I’m so sorry this didn’t work out. Thank you for the lovely dinner. I had a wonderful time.”

“It’s not what you think, Sharon,” he said, reaching for my hand on my lap and squeezing it. “I like you. I do. And Debbie’s hardly ever wrong.”

“But…?”

He shrugged, turning right at the intersection. Five more lights and the night would be officially over. “I’ve got a meeting tomorrow morning with your ex-boyfriend and he’s one of many people who’ve wanted my head on a stick.”

“I’m so sorry, Jonathan.”

“Stop apologizing,” Jonathan said sternly. “And definitely not on his account.”

“Yes, Sir.” The honorific slipped from my lips before I could stop myself. As Jonathan looked at me, frowning, I panicked. “Oh, god, I’m so sorry.”

Then he laughed and I laughed, too. He had a smile that could light up the night sky, a perfect row of teeth set against a handsome face. Suddenly I didn’t feel like such a loser for failing to impress him enough. Like Debbie said, even if we didn’t hit it off, he’d be a valuable friend, and I believed her.

Already, I could tell. Jonathan Drazen wasn’t like all the others.