As my taxi pulls up, I know I'm in the right place.
The delectable Sam Byron is outside awaiting my arrival. He leans in and pays the fare before I have a chance to protest then opens my door and helps me out.
'Miss Amber', he smiles, 'You look stunning.'
'Thank you, Mr Byron', I reply, taking his hand, finding it hard to disguise how delighted I am to see him as the taxi drives off.
'So, what do you think?' he asks, gesturing to the building with his free arm.
The 'warehouse' is in fact a beautiful four storey building, with attractive red brick work and arched windows. The front entrance has been landscaped with lots of lush greenery and delicate glass lanterns.
'It's gorgeous!' I reply. 'Which floor is yours?'
'All of them!' he replies with a grin, 'Come, I want to show you inside.'
He guides me through the impressive archway and into the main entrance hall. It's utterly beautiful, double height ceiling and bright white walls decked out with hundreds of mismatched vintage picture frames containing photographs, art prints, paintings and other ephemera.
'This', he says, guiding me into a large room off the main hallway, 'is what my aunt would call my "reception hall". Personally, I just wanted plenty of space and somewhere to display all my favourite things.'
It looks as though the whole ground floor has been knocked into one huge room. There's a generous round sofa formation in the middle, a small but well stocked bar area towards the back and the walls are full of more framed art and photos, plus shelves and shelves of iconic collectables and trinkets, curated into various themed collections.
There's a section dedicated to tiny toy cars, a whole case full of retro action figures through the ages, and so much more to look at. It's like a miniature museum, and it's beautiful. I'm drawn to one shelf in particular, full of kitsch and vintage glassware. I spot an original 60's Babycham glass -- just like the one I have on my dresser at home, I smile to myself.
'I had no idea you were such a collector!' I smile at him, 'I love it though.', I add, and I genuinely do. He grins widely at me.
'And over here', he continues, leading me across the stripped wooden floor, 'Is my great glass elevator!' It's exactly that, and very striking. 'It's made entirely from reclaimed vintage components, and what's even better,' he continues, stepping inside, 'is it's two-way glass -- so you can see out, but not in.' He demonstrates his point by effectively 'disappearing' behind the glass panel.
'Impressive!' I reply, quite enjoying this playful new facet to his personality. Much as he's proven to be every inch an accomplished, powerful Dominant, and I don't deny I like that part of him very much, it's nice to see there's a more carefree side to him too.
'And useful, too,' He adds, stepping back out and circling his arms around my waist, 'Because I fully intend to fuck you in there at some point, and I don't want anyone else catching sight of your delicious body.'
He ends his announcement with a firm kiss on my lips and a smack to my bottom. Ah. There's the deviant Dominant I recognise.
I stare at him, open mouthed as pleasure rushes through me.
I hate that I've been craving his touch so badly. He just gazes at me with that infuriating lopsided smile he wears so well when he knows he's being presumptuous. I find my voice at last.
'Who else is likely to be around?' I ask.
'Well, Harvey comes and goes. And my housekeeper might be a bit shocked.'
'Housekeeper?' He nods
'Mrs White -- Harvey's wife.'
Harvey's married? I feel a bit guilty for having written him off as an eternal bachelor who'd sacrificed love to cater to his rich boss' every whim.
'My Aunt insisted -- apparently once I get to work at Byron Enterprises, I'll need the help to keep the place in order. She's visiting her sister while the renovation's been ongoing, but she'll be back soon. She used to work for my parents too, before -- well.' He trails off. I'm wracking my brains for a change of subject to lighten the mood but he beats me to it.
'Drink?' he asks, taking me by the hand and crossing to the bar area. I nod. He helps me onto one of the retro bar stools before heading to the other side and starts throwing bottles and glasses around with his usual easy grace.
I allow myself to gaze at him from behind, entranced by the way his muscles flex beneath his slim fitting t-shirt and how his dark jeans hang on his hips, clinging to his perfect behind.
'Voila!' I'm certain I'm blushing as he turns to face me, placing two perfectly prepared Palomas on the polished bar. I lean forward to take a sip through the straw nearest me.
'Delicious.' My voice is unintentionally breathless.
'My thoughts exactly.' He smiles, watching me intently. I try not to think about how much I'd like him to strip me and take me right here on his bar. I don't care how unprofessional it is, I'm desperate to feel his hands on me again.
'I wanted to thank you, again, for last night.' I start before I get too distracted, 'I don't know what I'd have done if you hadn't been there.'
'It's not a big deal', he deflects casually, 'I'm just glad Ruby wasn't too badly hurt.'
'Me too.' I reply, chickening out of telling him the real reason I'm so glad he was there was that he made me feel so safe when it all felt like chaos. 'And thank you again for the book, too. It was an incredibly thoughtful gift.'
'I'm glad you liked it.' He replies warmly. He takes a long sip of his own cocktail and I scan the collection of shot glasses behind the bar; looking for anything to distract me from staring at his mouth.
'You really do love your vintage trinkets, huh?' I ask, aiming for a safe topic of conversation as I sip probably the best Paloma I've ever had. He nods.
'I do. Life's far too consumable these days; we're too quick to throw things away. I'm a great believer that precious, beautiful things should be looked after; cherished.' He replies, fixing me with an intense gaze again that makes me think I'd very much like to be cherished by this man.
I mentally shake myself back into reality and change the subject again.
'So, Mr Byron, if you just wanted to show off your beautiful new home, why bother making a formal booking?' I ask coquettishly, looking up at him with as much wide-eyed innocence as I can muster.
'I'm so glad you asked Miss Amber.' He replies, rounding the bar and moving toward me with purpose, 'I made the booking because I want to christen my playroom, and I can't think of anyone I'd rather do that with than you.' He kisses me again.
Oh, now you're talking Byron. The ache between my legs turns up a notch.
'I'm very flattered Mr Byron.' I try to keep the lust out of my voice, but I'm pretty sure I fail. I toy with the straw in my glass and take another long sip, trying to get a hold of myself as he sits on the stool next to mine, facing me, his knees grazing mine as he regards me intently.
'I have to admit though, seeing you sitting here, I'm tempted to christen my bar first.' He purrs seductively and my breath catches in my throat as his hand moves up my thigh.
'Well, you're in charge, Mr Byron.' I smile, my voice a breathless whisper before I drain my glass and set it back on the polished surface. He smirks a little and his eyes narrow a fraction as if weighing up his options.
'Another time.' He states, finishing his own drink and standing.
He takes me by the hand, guides me into the glass elevator and inserts a small gold key rather than pressing a button. I look at him quizzically.
'We're going down' he says, with a smile.
Oh. Make that a five-storey building then.
As we reach our destination it becomes very clear why the basement has its own key; to make sure that not just anyone can come down here. Turns out, vintage treasures aren't the only thing that Sam collects.
The elevator doors open out into a large open plan space, decorated beautifully in soft greys and glossy whites.
Against the farthest wall, there's an oversized ornate four poster bed draped in silver grey satin sheets. To the left of it, there's a plush sofa upholstered in a rich charcoal velvet and a matching foot stool.
To the right, stands a beautiful wooden table, stained in a cool slate colour to tie in with the rest of the decor, plus a dark grey high backed leather arm chair with beautifully carved wooden legs.
Behind it, there's a delicate iron work lattice panel, maybe ten feet square, incorporating wall mounted restraints with endless possibilities.
There are two doors on the other side, leading to who knows where, and on the remaining walls, well.
The walls display a different sort of collection altogether.
There are racks full of various different riding crops, floggers, paddles and whips. There's an extensive section devoted entirely to an impressive array of restraints and blindfolds, and there are elegant glass cabinets displaying so many different dildos, clamps, plugs and other toys, they'd make the best stocked sex shop in the world feel inferior.
It occurs to me that Sam's been working with very limited resources at the hotel and our previous meetings were probably just the tip of the iceberg of what he's capable of. I can't wait to experience the rest.