Amber stepped out of the shower and wrapped the towelling robe around her body. Her long blonde hair, darkened by the water hung down her back like a curtain of damp silk. In the mirror deep blue, almost violet, eyes looked at her, out of a lean, high cheek boned face. Her long fingers combed through the wet tresses, the action of lifting her arms pressing her full breasts provocatively against the absorbent material.
She crossed the bathroom and opened the door to the bedroom of the hotel suite. On the bed, carefully laid out, were the clothes she would be wearing tonight. A maid stood by the foot of the bed, waiting to help Amber to dress.
Amber shrugged out of the robe and the maid scurried over, eyes fixed on the floor a few feet ahead of her, to collect the garment and fold it neatly. Amber reached for a tub of scented powder and dusted her almost dry skin. Then she crossed over to the bed and picked up the first item of clothing. The maid dashed around behind her and helped her into the garment, a firmly boned, white, corset laced down the back. The maid teased Amber’s breasts into the cups and then began to tighten the laces. Her fingers were long and cool, their touch as impersonal as a surgeon’s. The corset tightened as the maid pulled smoothly on the laces and Amber breathed out a little. The maid pressed her knee into the curve of Amber’s back, tightening the lacing as she did so. Amber could feel the clutch of the fabric, shortening her breath into a series of gasps, as the maid tied the lace in a secure bow.
Amber sat, carefully on the edge of the bed and the maid slowly rolled a silk stocking up each leg, clipping the top to the suspenders fastened to the lower hem of Amber’s corset. There were no panties and the corset left Amber’s shaven pussy and bottom bare.
Amber stood and slipped her arms into the long black dress, made of silk, with a high Chinese collar. The maid deftly fastened the row of tiny black buttons down her spine, each made from a perfect black pearl. The high neck and narrow waist gave her a severe look, almost like an old-fashioned governess. The maid knelt in front of Amber and guided her feet into a pair of high-heeled pumps that laced around her ankles.
Amber stood obediently while the maid dressed her, even though her lover, Andrew, had not yet arrived. The maid carefully brushed Amber’s silky hair, and plaited it tightly. The brushing and tight plaiting was rough enough to bring tears of pain to her eyes but she bore the discomfort silently. Once the maid had prepared her, she withdrew, not a word passed between them, even changing her position was accomplished with a hand gestures and signals. Amber stood, trying to relax. Andrew had played this sort of game with her in the past and she knew that he expected her to be stood, waiting upon his entry. Amber enjoyed these small submissions but tonight Andrew had hinted at a new development between them.
The door opened and Andrew stepped inside the suite. He was, as ever, impeccably dressed. The maid curtseyed before him and then stretched her hand out for his coat. She took it, folding it carefully, to hang in the tiny closet. Beneath his coat Andrew wore an evening suit in jet-black silk, with a vermillion cummerbund and matching bow tie. In his left hand he carried a small aluminum attaché case, which he set, carefully, on the tabletop. The catches sprang open with a ‘crack!’ that made Amber flinch. Andrew took out a long, narrow box and withdrew a string of black freshwater pearls. Crossing the room he stood behind her and fastened the pearls around her neck. Then he closed the case and slowly walked around Amber, looking over every inch of her.
“Exquisite,” he breathed, “Tonight will be truly memorable.”
Offering her his arm, Andrew escorted Amber from the suite to the elevator. He still had the attaché case in his hand as they rode down to the ground floor. Andrew led her through the foyer and into the hotel restaurant. The Maitre’d spotted him and hurried over. There were a few seconds of murmured conversation between him and Andrew, and then he ushered them respectfully into a small, private dining room. As the door closed behind them, Amber almost gaped in shock. Rising from comfortable armchairs were her parents. Amber was torn between speech and silence but knew that Andrew would expect her to wait until he signalled that she could speak.
Andrew and her father shook hands and then he turned to her mother and took her hand in his, raising it briefly to his lips, bowing a little. Amber could not understand how he had even met her parents; let alone how, or why, he could be inviting them to dinner. Andrew turned towards her and she watched his lips as he spoke to her.
“Amber, I’ll leave you with your parents for a moment. They have something that they need to discuss with you.” Andrew told her, softly, as he walked over to the door.
Amber sat, carefully, in a high-backed chair, opposite her parents. Her father seemed nervous and moistened his lips a couple of times, with the tip of his tongue. His voice, when it came, was dry and reedy, the voice of an old man. Her mother just sat holding his hand, her eyes fixed on their linked fingers.
Her father began, “Ally, we haven’t told you this before, but the business, we, are in serious debt. The banks won’t extend our credit any further and, frankly, I think we’re nearly bust. Andrew contacted us and suggested a way he might help us.”
“Oh Daddy, “ Amber gasped, ” I hadn’t realised it was that bad. Can I help, I know Andrew has offered, but I have some savings put by. How much do you need?”
“To keep going, one and a quarter of a million. Just to pay off our creditors three quarter of a million. Andrew has offered two million. But he wants something in return. And we can’t give it to him.” Her father continued.
