Chapter 7 Mira
Mira
Why hadn't I accepted the offer of a car?
Because you always drive yourself on a first date.
Except this wasn’t a date.
I'd agree to let a complete stranger train me in the art of submission. A stranger that would remain one.
Sanctum’s Mistress had assured me they handled anonymous arrangements all the time. Something about surrender—about giving up control in a way the outside world didn’t allow. Sanctum gave people room to explore safely, behind walls designed for boundaries, not risks.
I’d almost talked myself out of it, but then she’d hit a nerve:
Were you willing to let how the stranger made you feel lead you?
To silence the voices in your head?
The same voices screaming at me now:
You’re insane. You’re letting a strange man tie you up and whip you.
Micah had recommended I do my research, using an incognito browser of course, to help me in filling out the ten-page questionnaire. Sure, it hadn't all been only about my limits; the first half had been history. Who I was. What shaped me? What scared me?
Porn had always seemed fake to me, a little stupid, too exaggerated to mean anything. But what I’d watched at the club wasn’t fake. It had been raw. Real. And those images hadn’t left me since.
Bondage—never experimented. But the girl I’d seen that night at Sanctum had stirred something I couldn’t ignore.
Impact—floggers and paddles seemed manageable, and my body’s reaction had startled me. The cane? Looked like it would hurt like hell.
Fisting—absolutely not.
Anal—same… except curiosity had me marking maybe later, not to begin with.
Virgin? No.
Partners? Three. I’d wanted to round the number up, make myself sound more experienced, but honesty mattered here.
I’d been shocked when I heard back from him.
From Sir.
"Miss, strip and put your things in the locker behind you."
I blinked, forcing myself to focus on the small, delicate woman in front of me. The one who wore a full burlesque skirt but tassels over her nipples on her exposed breasts. I guess they hadn't been kidding when they'd said clothing was optional.
"Excuse me?"
She pursed her lips right before Mistress Vivienne swept into the room wearing an exquisite ball gown. Even fully dressed, she was sexy as hell. She commanded the room.
Mistress Vivienne tapped her fan against her palm, and the room stilled. “I’ll see to this part of Ms. Rhodes’ preparation, Candy. She’ll meet you in hair and makeup. Milly will assist.”
I glanced down and the simple black dress I'd carefully chosen and frowned. "I don't understand."
"You don't want to keep your Master waiting. You're already late."
"But it wasn't—"
The sharp snap of her fan cut through the air silencing me. No words left my mouth. How had she done that?
“Strip, then shower,” she ordered.
"I took a—"
“Now.” She gestured toward the tiled stall off to the side.
I’d already waxed, prepped and made myself neat. But I stripped quickly, heart hammering, and stepped under the spray. There were small containers of body wash, shampoo and conditioner, all peach scented.
How had he known?
Because you had your body pressed against his. He was attentive if he'd remembered the scent of my perfume.
It made no sense to wash again, but I obeyed. Afterward, the Mistress led me through the hall, not waiting for my objections to the fact that my hair was dripping and I was in nothing but a towel. The softest towel I'd ever had the pleasure of running my fingers across, but still.
I was ushered into a stylist’s chair, and as I opened my mouth to asked what was going on, I was cut off.
“Your Master has seen to everything,” Mistress said. “He’s not a man to leave a detail undone. You can sit silently and be prepped to his specifications, or I can send you back for your clothes. The choice is yours, my dear. Yours alone.”
Fear prickled through me, but I'd never been so turned on in my life. What the hell was that all about?
Her gaze softened, just a little. “Remember, my dear, you can stop everything with just one word.”
She cupped my cheek, and her gaze met mine. I diverted my eyes downward, knowing it was frowned on to make eye contact.
“Your body already leans toward submission,” she murmured. “What would happen if you allowed yourself to let go? To just… be?”
A stylist stepped behind me and began drying my hair.
"Yes, Mistress."
Her lips curved as she squeezed my hand. "That's a good girl."
Heat rushed up my throat. She turned and left me with Candy and the other woman—Milly, I assumed. Micah had told me to trust the process. So had Sir.
Mistress Vivienne had called him Master. He hadn't said anything other than signing his emails, Sir. Did he have a different preference?
I wanted to ask questions, but as they fussed with my hair and makeup, none of them made eye contact. The message was clear. I was to remain silent.
Candy kept my makeup minimal, just enough to sharpen my cheekbones and darken my lashes. Milly dried and curled my hair as Candy started massaging lotion into my feet and calves, I tensed.
“Relax,” she whispered with a wink. “Enjoy this part.”
So I tried. I closed my eyes, inhaled peach and baby powder, reminding myself I was doing this for me.
When Milly finished my hair, Candy took my hand and guided me to stand.
Before I could catch my breath, the towel slipped from my body, pooling at my feet.
Together they worked methodically, smoothing lotion over every place the towel had covered.
My skin tingled under their hands. I couldn’t tell if I was more embarrassed or more aroused. Maybe both.
Mistress Vivienne returned just as Milly slid a white lace lingerie over my head. Candy crouched, holding out the matching panties for me to step into.
The fact that it wasn’t a thong nearly made me laugh in relief. I was grateful for that small mercy. Already, the anticipation was unbearable.
Mistress Vivienne’s eyes swept over me, appraising me in a way. She didn’t smile, but the faintest nod of approval to the girls settled my nerves a micro.
“Good,” she said softly, almost as if talking to herself. “He’ll like this.”
I exhaled slowly, keeping my shoulders back.
He’ll like this.
Was I dressing for him? Or was this for me? Did I even know right now?
She motioned for me to turn in front of her, which I did without delay, slowly so she could finish her examination.
As I turned, the lace brushed against my thighs. The cool air kissed my skin as my heart thudded against my chest. The white fabric made my skin look tanner than I was, even my breasts as they gave the fabric a run for its money. I’d never worn anything like this, there had never been a reason.
Until now.
Milly bent down and gathered the towel while Candy picked up the rest of the lotions, and they both disappeared without a word, leaving me alone with Mistress Vivienne.
I gulped.
She stepped up to me, adjusting the strap that had fallen down my shoulder.
“Remember, my dear,” she whispered. “One word stops everything.”
I nodded. “Yes, Mistress.”
“Good girl.” She ran her fingers down my arm before she turned toward the door. “Follow.”
Mistress Vivienne opened the door and stepped into the corridor without looking back to see if I followed. The wood floor was cold on my bare feet as I shuffled behind her.
The hall was dim, lit only by the sconces on the wall casting soft amber light. A faint trace of incense drifted in the air. Spice, smoke, and something I couldn’t quite place.
We passed several closed doors, each marked only with a number. Behind some came the muted sounds of music, a gasp, a low voice. I couldn’t tell if they were real or just my imagination feeding on my nerves.
At the far end of the corridor, a single door stood ajar. Mistress Vivienne stopped in front of it and turned to me.
“This is as far as I go.” Her voice softened. “He’s waiting.”
I stared at the door. My fingers tightened on the hem of the fabric.
“Remember why you’re here.”
I nodded, not trusting my voice.
Mistress Vivienne held out a black blindfold. I hadn’t even noticed it until now.
“You read his rules?” she asked.
I swallowed. “Yes.”
Her eyes searched mine. “Then you know this part is his first request.” She lifted the blindfold a little higher. “You may refuse. Or you can choose to submit, and I’ll put it on you.”
I stared at the silk as if it would lash out and bite me.
“This is the time to ask questions before you cross the threshold.”
I exhaled slowly and stood a little taller. “One word?”
Her lips curved up in the corner for a split second before she pursed them together again. “Yes. You are in control here.”
I nodded. “I’m sure.”
We stood in silence for a heartbeat before she turned me to the door and slipped the blindfold over my eyes, dropping me into darkness.
“Through the door, eight steps forward, then stop and wait for directions.”
“Yes, Mistress.”
Her hands slipped from my shoulders.
The door opened with a soft creak as I flexed my fingers at my sides.
I crossed the threshold. One step. Two. My core tightened as the door clicked shut behind me. There was no going back now.
Three. Four. My legs shook, but I forced them on.
Five. Six.
Seven. Eight.
I stopped as the silence surrounded me.
The voices in my head took hold.
Why was I here?
This was the stupidest thing I’d ever done in my life.
Why did this man want me in this way?
I tugged at the edge of my negligee when I heard it.
“Are you lost, pet?”
A shiver ran through me. I pushed the voices down, squared my shoulders.
If I could stand up to my boss after what I’d done, I could do this. This night was going to change everything.
“No, Sir.”