PART 1 THE INITIATION
Elizabeth had never met a man like Roger. After ten years of childless marriage to a wishy-washy, indecisive man she was enthralled by Roger's take charge attitude. He was so different from the loser who allowed himself to be buffeted by life's blows like an outclassed boxer. Roger was Elizabeth's divorce attorney, and from the very first meeting he had orchestrated her every move in getting her freedom under very generous terms.
Now she was single, and so was he. At first she did not let herself even fantasize about a possible romantic relationship. Roger was handsome and successful, and she knew that he had many female clients who were younger and prettier than she. In her early forties, Elizabeth was not expecting to have another man in her life any time soon, in spite of the fact that she was reasonably attractive with a trim figure. Not that she was opposed. On the contrary, her sexual fantasies had been raging for years. "Well, Elizabeth, it's all finished," Roger said during their wrap-up meeting. "You have enough money to live for a couple of years, which should give you time to get a job and secure your future. Our professional relationship is now over."
"I can't thank you enough, Roger. You have made a difficult situation almost easy."
He looked at her in a way she had never seen before. "You can thank me by letting me take you out to dinner. Come back to my office at seven o'clock tonight. Now, I'm afraid I have another appointment. My secretary will show you out."
Elizabeth was speechless. Not only had he asked her for a date, he had not given her a chance to answer. Before she could think of what to say, he was gone, and the secretary was there holding her coat. This guy has some nerve, she thought. He virtually ordered me to go out with him, like I owed him as payment for his services. What else is he going to order me to do?
That last thought sent a tingle down her spine. Being forced into becoming a submissive was one of her strongest fantasies, and Roger clearly had the strength of personality to dominate her. Had he seen something in her demeanor to encourage him in this direction? Was this what he wanted? Did she want it? Or did he not allow her to answer because he was afraid she would decline? No, that did not seem in keeping with his super-confident personality. Maybe he did have an urgent appointment and just didn't have time to extend their conversation.
All these questions raced through her mind as she got on the elevator.
**
Roger did not have another appointment. Deliberately he had decided to test his hunch that Elizabeth was a latent submissive. If she had reacted negatively to his arrogance he would have thought he was wrong. On the other hand, if she didn't respond, he would take that to mean that there was something appealing in his approach, in spite of her surprise.
He had used this ploy with women before. It was a kind of game to him, and it was a shortcut to finding the kind of woman he liked. Sometimes, if the woman was an overt submissive, she would respond immediately with 'yes sir', or 'yes master'. He did not like that. It meant she was too easy. Roger got his most satisfaction from bringing out the suppressed desires in women, breaking them in, as he called it. Afterward they were often disappointed when he made it clear he was not interested in an exclusive relationship, but usually they were grateful for the experience, and knew they would never again be content with vanilla sex. Many of them were still his friends, good friends, 'with benefits'.
Elizabeth intrigued him. She was an introvert, very prim and proper, but approached life with an intensity and curiosity that suggested there was immense passion just below the surface. He also liked her appearance, her dark hair and emerald green eyes, and her slender figure, especially her shapely ass, evident in spite of her ultra conservative clothing. If things worked out, that ass would feature prominently in their relationship.
No doubt an attractive woman like Elizabeth would quickly attract male attention now that she was single and open and receptive. But he had the advantage of having the first shot. He knew from his questions related to the divorce that she had never cheated on her husband; she was too shy and conservative for that. There was probably a lot of pent up frustration and lust buried in this newly liberated woman, and he was determined to go exploring.
**
Elizabeth fretted all the way home about what she should do. To just show up at seven o'clock at his office as ordered would be humiliating. The proper thing would be just to call his secretary and leave a message that he should call her when he had time to finish their conversation. But what if he never called? Their business with the divorce was finished, and she might never see him again.
There was no doubt that she was attracted to him. She liked tall men, and he was well over six feet. She liked men with dark hair and eyes, and he definitely had that 'Italian' look. She liked men who were intelligent and thoughtful, and in her experience working with him he had clearly demonstrated that quality. Then there was the way he had looked at her when he asked her to dinner. She had seen a smoldering sexuality and lust that made her feel like a desirable woman for the first time in a long while. By the time she let herself into her house she had decided.
Oh screw it. I'm going to do it. What do I have to lose? Now the question is what am I going to wear? Fortunately it's only eleven o'clock in the morning and I've got all day to get ready. I'd better be prepared for anything.
He didn't tell me where he was going to take me to dinner. Will it be somewhere casual or formal? Knowing Roger it will probably be somewhere quiet and elegant. I have time to get a manicure and pedicure and maybe even a bikini wax. I'm excited about what might happen tonight and nervous too. I haven't been with any other man but my ex. I don't want to disappoint Roger.
**
At 7:00 Elizabeth arrived at Roger's office building. She was apprehensive and excited, and still agonizing about her choice of clothing. Nervously she ran her hands down the simple black dress. Am I overdressed or underdressed? Having her hair and nails done had made her feel pretty, and to top it off she had splurged on a Brazilian wax, with a landing strip no less! She knew that whatever happened that night would be the beginning of a new her; there would be no looking back.
The building security guard opened the door. He gave her a big smile, as if he had been expecting a lady in fancy clothes to present herself.
"Hello, I'm Ms. Woods, to see Mr. Carlton," she said with more assurance than she felt.
The smile stayed on his face. "Good evening, Ms. Woods. You look very nice. Mr. Carlton is expecting you. Please come in. He's on the eleventh floor, and the elevators are just down the hall. If you wish you can leave your outside coat with me."
She returned his smile, handed him her coat, and headed to the elevator. There had been something in his manner that told her this wasn't the first time a woman arrived after work to see Roger. Oh well, she thought, What should I expect? He's an attractive single man.
The elevator jerked upward, and the upheaval in her stomach from the rapid motion merged with the butterflies from her nervousness to make her take deep breaths. Suddenly the doors opened and there standing right in front of her was Roger. She gasped as he reached out a strong hand and took hers. He smiled, but his voice was stern.
"You're late. You should have been here five minutes ago. Your punishment will have to wait until after dinner; we have reservations. You look very nice. Now get back in the elevator."
Once again Elizabeth was speechless. Punishment? What did that mean? Maybe she had misunderstood what he said. I'll just ignore it, she thought.
He kept holding her hand as the elevator started down. "I think you will like the restaurant. I picked for dinner," he said. "It's elegant, the food is good, and even though it's cold out, we can walk from here."
"I'm sure it will be fine," she managed.
His hand gripped her tighter, as if she might try to get away. "They also have private booths where we can talk. I want to know all about you."
"Oh," she said. "There's not much to know. I've led a pretty uneventful life."
"That's about to change," he said just as the elevator doors opened.
For the first time since seeing him she smiled. "Yes, I have that feeling," she said.
He led her down the hall and past the doorman, still keeping her hand in a tight grip. "Good evening Mr. Carlton," said the man with a slight bow. "You have a very lovely companion tonight."
Elizabeth blushed, and a warm feeling pervaded her chest. She began to relax. High adventure seemed to be just around the corner.
"Thank you George," said Roger. "She is indeed lovely. I am looking forward to getting to know her this evening. Please bring us our coats."
George retrieved the garments from a closet. "Here you are madam, just slip your arms in here. And now you sir. It's going to be bitterly cold tonight."
"Yes indeed," Roger agreed. "We are not going far. We'll be back later."
"Very good Sir. Stay warm." he said, closing the door behind them.
"George does an excellent job," Roger observed. "And he appreciates beauty when he sees it. You look absolutely stunning."
The words sounded sincere, and Elizabeth warmed again. She was liking Roger more every minute. "I appreciate your saying that," she said. "It has been a long time since I dressed to please a man." What did I just say? she thought. I hardly know this man, and I'm telling him I want to please him? How is he going to interrupt that? I've got to get myself under control.
"I am pleased, and I expect to be pleased even more as the evening progresses," he said. "Ah, here we are already. I told you it was close by."
The restaurant was small. A carved wooden door and one window faced the sidewalk. A tasteful sign announced the name, 'Roberto's'. The maître d in a tuxedo greeted them in the foyer. "Mr. Carlson. It is a pleasure. Your table is ready. What a lovely companion you have."
This could go to my head, thought Elizabeth. But I don't mind at all!
They were seated in a plush booth in the back corner of the darkened room. There were maybe a dozen other tables, most of them occupied by couples or groups of four. Thick carpet and tapestries on the wall muted the sounds. As soon as they had settled into the cushioned seats a waiter placed martinis on the linen-covered table in front of them. Elizabeth felt like a queen being entertained at court.
Roger raised his glass. "A toast to the beginning of our non-business relationship," he said. "May we both get the pleasure from it that we seek and deserve."
Oh my
, she thought. But she lifted her glass and smiled. "I'll drink to that," she said.
"I have already ordered for both of us," Roger said. "A Caesar salad to start, followed by the wonderful white fish that is the specialty of the house. Their best Chardonnay will be served with the dinner. Now tell me all about you. Start with your first boyfriend, and don't leave anything out. I'll know if you do, and that will add to your punishment."
