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  “I’ve heard the initials SRE around the office but I wasn’t sure of what the acronym stood for.”

  “The Satin Rose Experience is a very exclusive division here at Rosebud Resorts. There are only a select few employees who understand the full nature of the division. I would like to offer you the position of Vice President of Client Experience.”

  “V-Vice President? I think you’ve made a mistake. I’m a Vice President’s assistant. I don’t have the qualifications for a VP job. You’re kidding me.”

  “I make very few mistakes and—” He paused for a moment and waited for her to look at him. “I rarely kid, Mia.”

  He raised his eyebrows slightly and watched her jaw drop. They stared at each other for a few seconds before she rose from her chair.

  “I-I have to go. You must have the wrong person,” she stammered and left his office as quietly as she’d arrived.

  Chapter Four

  Mia’s Twitter handle was silent during the evening after their meeting. Asher had the feeling she was waiting for him to make the first move.

  Good evening, Mia.

  Hello.

  How was your day?

  It was interesting.

  How so?

  Don’t you know?

  Should I know?

  Please don’t play games with me.

  I think you like games, Ms. Lavender.

  ****

  Mia’s suspicions were answered: M&A Guy was Asher Cane. Her body trembled so hard she had to close her laptop. Many thoughts rushed through her head. Asher. The same man who’d invaded her dreams since the day she walked into his office. The same man who intimidated her to the point where she couldn’t even maintain eye contact with him for more than a few seconds. The same man who made her panties damp in three seconds flat. The fact that M&A and Asher were one and the same explained why the DM exchange with M&A left her hot and bothered. She’d never engaged anyone else in such an intimate exchange before but he hooked and pulled her in with an inexplicable force.

  After she signed off, she reread the DMs from the previous nights and couldn’t help but to fill her tiny bathtub and pour in a little baby oil she found in her small bathroom vanity. Sure, it wasn’t the large soaking tub and exotic oils Asher described but she improvised by turning off the lights and lighting a candle. A towel wedged under her neck softened the hard porcelain tub where she rested her head. She closed her eyes and thought of Asher’s strong hands washing her with the cloth. Her skin tingled as she rubbed the cloth against her arms and breasts. She held the edge of the tub with her hand as the other swept the cloth down her torso. She couldn’t stretch out so she pressed her legs against both sides of the tub with bent knees as she purposely brushed the cloth up and down the insides of her thighs. Abandoning the washcloth, she raised her hips to the water’s surface and slid her fingers over her folds that were slick from baby oil mixed with her own heated juices. Her fingers traveled back and forth and then circled her sensitive clit. Asher.

  After her bath, Mia’s body buzzed with a combination of excitement and trepidation. She opened her laptop before she lost her nerve.

  What do you want from me, Asher?

  I want you to explore your curiosity.

  I can help you.

  We can help each other.

  Ok, I’ll listen to the proposition.

  It’s easier to talk to you here,

  you intimidate me in person.

  I don’t mean to intimidate you.

  What made you change your mind?

  Mia smiled and typed:

  A bath.

  That must have been some

  bathing experience.

  Oh, it was.

  Good night, Asher.

  Good night, Ms. Lavender.

  Bring your iPad to work tomorrow.

  Chapter Five

  Mia arrived early to work dressed in a black pencil skirt and a fitted black cashmere sweater. A pearl choker, matching earrings, black thigh-high stockings and black platform stilettos completed the outfit. She turned on her computer and opened the browser of her iPad. As soon as she logged into her Twitter account, a DM appeared on her screen.

  Are you ready to hear more

  about the position?

  Yes

  Before we talk about the specifics of

  the job, we need to go through

  some preliminary details.

  Details?

  Open your email.

  Mia signed onto the company’s system to find an email from Asher Cane with the words “Next Steps” in the subject line.

  Mia,

  You’ll need to sign the attached document that states you will not tell anyone about our meeting, the job offer, or about the place I’m going to take you this afternoon. I also want to mention that if you choose to not to take the position, your job is safe and you will receive a bonus in your next check for your discretion.

  Please read it over, sign if you are in agreement and bring it to my assistant, Margaret, before noon today. Margaret will give you an access card. At one o’clock board an elevator, slide the access card in the slot and select the button for the 20th floor. I will meet you there.

  Asher

  Mia read the instructions twice and printed the attached document. Her heart pounded and she swallowed hard as she carefully read and signed her name in loopy letters at the bottom of the non-disclosure agreement. She placed the signed contract into a folder and walked toward Asher’s office. Relieved his door was closed, she handed the folder to his assistant. Margaret smiled at Mia and pulled the agreement out of the file.

  “Everything looks in order, Ms. Lavender. Here’s the access card.”

  “Thank you.”

  She returned to her desk to another Twitter direct message.

  You followed the instructions

  perfectly. See you at one.

  Mia’s heart and mind raced in unison as she approached the bank of elevators. Thankful to be alone, her trembling fingers inserted the card in the slot next to the buttons and pushed 20 as instructed. The doors opened and she stepped out into a sanctuary. Dim lighting and soft, tantalizing music embraced her senses. The butterflies in her stomach worked overtime as she scanned the floor and her eyes met Asher’s. His dark hair hung loosely to his shoulders and a hint of stubble peppered his chiseled cheeks and strong jaw. His broad, squared shoulders filled his perfectly tailored suit jacket. Mia’s gaze traveled from his deep chocolate eyes to linger on his mouth.

  Asher approached her and held out his arm. She hooked her hand around his forearm and he guided her to what she assumed to be the reservation area. A beautiful young woman dressed in black sat behind the large oak desk. Her platinum blonde hair was pulled tight into a low ponytail and she gave Asher a warm smile as he approached. She turned her computer monitor toward him. Asher scanned the screen and nodded.

  “Another busy day at SRE. Please confirm the special reservation for the Rose Room tonight.”

  “The reservation is all set, Mr. Cane.”

  “Fantastic. Thank you, Courtney.”

  Asher gestured to the lounge. “Let’s relax a little and talk. I’m sure you have quite a few questions.”

  Mia smiled at the woman as they left and walked toward a plush lounge. There were low, upholstered chairs and dark tables in the middle of the room and what appeared to be cushioned beds separated by flowing crimson curtains along the wall opposite the expansive bar. Mia’s heels sank into the plush mocha colored carpet as Asher led her to the far side of the bar.

  “Take a seat,” he said.

  It was early in the afternoon and the lounge already contained a number of patrons. Mia sat next to Asher on a high stool. The bartender, a man that would pass for an ex-marine with huge biceps and cropped hair, shook Asher’s hand.

  “Jake, this is Mia,” Asher said and turned toward her. “Jake keeps this lounge working like a well-oiled machine.”

  Jake chuckled. “Nice to meet you, Mia
. What may I get for you?”

  “Water with lemon, thank you.”

  “I think you’ll need something a little stronger for this meeting. Do you drink?” asked Asher.

  “Yes, but not during working hours.”

  “Order a drink.”

  Mia looked into the deep brown eyes that seemed to grow darker as he waited for her response.

  “I’ll have a vodka and tonic. Thank you.”

  “The usual for me, Jake.”

  Jake served their drinks as Mia looked around the lounge. There was something peculiar about the place and the patrons. Since it was the middle of the week, she expected either tourists or businessmen and women. The people at the lounge didn’t seem to fit either category.

  “You’re curious about this place, aren’t you?” Asher asked softly.

  Mia chose her words carefully. “I get the feeling there is more to The Satin Rose Experience than meets the eye.”

  “That’s an understatement.”

  Asher proceeded to explain the inner workings of The Satin Rose Experience. “You see, it’s an exclusive club. One cannot simply come in off the street. You must be pre-qualified to even walk onto the twentieth floor. We have received so many applications that two staff members are dedicated to the screening process. Prospective club members must pass a credit check and health assessment, which includes a psychological profile. There’s a steep membership fee so the majority of our patrons are successful business people, professional athletes, and entertainers.”

  “It seems like a lot to go through to join. Why do people do it?”

  “Because we offer something here you cannot get anywhere else. We fulfill fantasy. We quench the curious.”

  Mia’s hand shook as she brought her drink to her mouth.

  “The curious?”

  “Yes. That’s where this job offer comes in. I want you to help the curious satisfy their curiosity.”

  Jake brought Mia another drink just as she finished the first one. “I’m not sure I understand what you mean.”

  Asher moved closer and took her hand. While rubbing his thumb across the inside of her palm, he leaned over so that his breath tickled at her ear.

  “You understand exactly what I’m talking about and as I told you last night, I rarely kid, Missive Mia.”

  Mia felt the heat rise in her face. Asher let go of her hand and sat back in his stool. She stared into his dancing chocolate eyes. The same eyes she fantasized about staring into as she came at his touch. Sheer and utter attraction took over her body and she almost forgot her question. The question that had bothered her all day.

  “Why me?” She looked away as she asked the question.

  “Because you are the perfect candidate.”

  Candidate. That’s what she wanted to know. He didn’t want her for her. He wanted her for the position and that was it, just an employment agreement. Tears welled in her eyes. She slid off the stool. She had to get away from Asher Cane. His hand gripped her forearm.

  “I don’t think you understand. You may go only after you hear the whole proposition. Come with me.”

  “Let go of me. I need to leave,” she hissed through her clenched teeth. Tears of humiliation streamed down her face.

  Asher took a handkerchief from the inside pocket of his suit jacket and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks. He cupped her cheeks in his palms and guided her face upward so she had no choice but to look him in the eyes.

  “Listen to me. I would never hurt you. Please, hear me out.”

  Mia tensed but shook her head in the affirmative.

  Chapter Six

  Asher closed the door of the company limousine he’d summoned for Mia. He watched in sadness as the car drove off into the sea of taxicab yellow on Fifth Avenue. He’d pushed her too far or maybe it was too fast. She’d listened to his pitch. The position was hers but he had a request. She would need to be trained and he wanted to be the man for the job. He even took her on a tour of the Rose Room. The room he had reserved for what he hoped to be their first evening of training. The Rose Room contained a large soaking tub and a huge four-poster carved wood bed as he’d described to her on Twitter. He had even had the silk restraints tied to the bed and a silky crimson robe neatly folded on the pillow. He’d watched as Mia walked up to the bed and fingered the material of the robe. She’d picked up the restraint tie and let it run through her hand and drop onto the mattress. He had been filled with promise as she turned to him but instead of the small grin he’d expected to form on her lips he’d seen fear in her eyes. She’d shaken her head and whispered, “I’m sorry,” as she rushed out of the room.

  Asher replayed his actions in his head as he headed back to his office. He slammed his office door and hit his fist on his desk. What an ass. He scared her off. Not only did he frightened her but he also looked like a stalker. God, what was his life coming to? He was really fucked in the head. Why couldn’t he have a plain vanilla relationship? These rare insecurities flooded his mind as he packed his briefcase for the day. He was going to have a quick drink to drown his sorrows at the SRE lounge before retiring to his suite for the evening.

  “Bad day, boss?”

  “You can say that, Jake. Give me a double, please.”

  Asher finished his drink when he heard the chime on his phone indicating he’d received an email. He was about to ignore it but instinctively glanced at the sender. It was a direct message notification from Twitter. He quickly logged into his account from his smart phone.

  Why are you pushing me?

  Damn it, Mia. I think we could be great

  together. I also think you would be

  great for SRE

  Is this just about SRE?

  Then it hit him. Why didn’t he see it before? She thought he was using her for business. Fuck The Satin Rose Experience. He wanted her. Period.

  No. SRE was a convenient

  way for me to get close to you.

  I want YOU. With or without SRE.

  Forgive me. I’m relationship challenged.

  I’m ready to play in the sandbox.

  Chapter Seven

  Asher had one eye on his watch and the other on the bank of elevators as he nursed his drink in the lounge. She was late and a fleeting thought entered his mind that she’d had a change of heart. Glancing back to the lobby, his breath hitched in his throat when he saw her. His heart raced with anticipation when he realized she’d followed his instructions perfectly. Her dark hair hung loose down her back and ended in curls right above her ass. It was the first time he had seen her without her hair tied in a bun. She wore a short, fitted black dress and patent leather platform stiletto pumps.

  He approached her, took her hand in his and brought it to his lips. “You look amazing. I assume you followed all instructions?”

  He slid his hand under her hair and grazed his fingers down her back. His cock instantly swelled when he felt the absence of undergarments. Yes, she’d followed his directions exactly.

  “Would you like a drink?”

  “No. I’m ready for you.” Instead of looking nervously at him with childlike glances as she had in the past, she stared him right in the eye.

  He nodded and led her to suite number eight, The Rose Room. Asher ensured the room was set exactly to his specifications. Tea light candles and deep red rose bouquets were placed throughout the suite. Candlelight flickered across the room casting a cozy oasis appearance. All of the suites in The Satin Rose Experience were insulated so once the door was closed, all sounds from the outside world disappeared. Asher led Mia to a small sofa in the corner.

  “Before we get started we need to go over a couple of things. First, I want to make sure you are onboard and have no reservations.” He searched her eyes, afraid to detect any sign of ambivalence.

  “Absolutely, no reservations.”

  Asher’s erection strained against his suit pants. He wasn’t sure how he was going to keep control.

  “Second. This is important becau
se we haven’t talked about it yet. In every Dom/sub relationship the couple agrees to a safe word. If either person speaks that word, all actions cease. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, I’ve heard of that before. What’s our safe word?”

  “Thorn.”

  “Okay, thorn it is.”

  “Last order of business. Every suite in The Satin Rose Experience is outfitted with surveillance equipment. There are a few reasons for this. Some couples want to be recorded with either audio, video or both and we provide that service, but there’s also a security reason for it. The couple can give us their safe word and the session is monitored. If the safe word is spoken but the other party does not stop, our security team intervenes. It’s a part of our service to ensure our clients can explore in a safe environment. That service is usually elected for a first time experience. It’s your choice. If you would like this, say yes now and security will continue monitoring the suite. If you prefer privacy I will have them disable the audio/video feed.”