*Author's note: this is my first story, it was a pleasure to write and I hope it is a pleasure to read! Any constructive feedback is most welcome...*
*****
Martha was inexperienced. Her friends told her that she needed to get out there and try new things. On top of that, her budget for London life had been severely underestimated and she needed money. It was for these reasons that she was currently sitting nervously at a table in a hotel reception on Baker Street, hands in her lap, wearing a fitted skirt and a business-like blouse underneath her newly purchased blazer.
"Ms. Bridges?" A woman popped her head out from the main office door. Martha sat up a little straighter and nodded. The woman beckoned her inside.
The office was lavishly decorated with heavy emerald green curtains, an Art Deco fireplace and countless pieces of beautiful artwork lining the walls and shelves. The woman herself suited her surroundings perfectly, wearing a black tailored catsuit paired only with a pair of beautiful antique emerald earrings that dangled almost to her collarbones. She had grey hair that had been swept back into a simple bun. Martha would have guessed the woman to be in her early sixties, yet her skin was flawless and her eyes betrayed a playful and youthful personality that could not be quelled by age.
"My name is Valerie, and I am the Rooms Division Manager here at the Electra," the woman offered her hand to Martha and indicated that she sit down in one of the ornate armchairs that faced the desk. "Though the Electra is certainly an unusual hotel, we still require many similar job roles to that of other hotels." Valerie paused to sit down at her desk and pursed her lips, "What I mean to say is that we require a night agent to attend the reception desk."
Martha nodded enthusiastically, "Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to interview, I haven't had a full time job before but I've always had an interest in hospitality and I'm a fast learner. This place seems so unique, I can imagine anyone would feel lucky to work here."
"Let's just say that some of our employees have extremely high job satisfaction." Valerie smiled knowingly. "I am more than willing to give you a trial shift; your studies and your extra curricular activities are impressive and judging by the recommendation that Alanna gave us, I think you could fit in well here."
Martha was secretly thrilled. Alanna was a senior member of her dance team and Martha valued her opinion highly, "When can I start?" she almost sang.
"Can you come back tonight at 11pm?"
"I'll be there."
***
Martha returned to the hotel later that evening, dressed in smart but comfortable clothing as she had been instructed. The building's exterior was much like any other building on the street, Valerie had told Martha that guests of the Electra valued discretion. The only indication of the hotel's existence was a simple panel mounted above the doorframe: 'The Electra: HΓ΄tel des Jeux'.
Her hotel induction was carried out by the outgoing night agent, Luca. Luca was half Italian, half Scottish and spoke with a deep, lilting voice. He was a few years younger than Martha, tall and athletic with a natural tan and dark hair, somewhat unsuited to his Scottish accent "Each room has a different theme," he explained as they walked through the corridors, "you'll soon learn, there are twenty bedrooms over four floors, but as a night agent there won't be much requirement to enter the rooms."
Martha paused at one of the doors, it was cushioned with leather the same shade of green as Valerie's earrings. She was fascinated by it and was only jarred from her enrapture by Luca calling her to keep up.
"You're going to have plenty of time to look around on the night shifts." Luca laughed,
"It's an interesting place to work to say the least, I'll be sad to leave but maybe I'll just have to visit as a guest." They walked together back towards the reception office, Luca with a playful smile on his face, probably imagining his own Electra experience.
They settled into the corner of the ornate-looking reception office whilst Luca showed Martha the computer systems, paperwork and security monitors. "This stuff can be learnt later," he turned to face her directly and locked eyes with her, "what Val really wants you to get a feel for tonight is the hotel itself."
"That sounds great," Martha grinned, "so what's next?"
In reply, Luca got up and led her out to the corridor. They turned away from the guest rooms towards the bar, and ducked into a small alcove that led to the staff areas and storerooms. Luca retrieved some keys from his pocket and unlocked the storeroom marked simply as 'X'. Luca glanced back with a mischievous grin and stepped inside the storeroom. Martha followed hesitantly, unsure of what to expect.
"Welcome to possibly the most important room in the Electra!" Luca gestured around the room with an air of both pride and showmanship. "Not all staff have access to this area on their first shift but Val specifically asked me to show you, I think she has her eye on you," Luca winked at Martha, who was no longer paying any attention to her dutiful guide, but was staring open-mouthed at the contents of the storeroom.
The 'X' room was much longer than it was wide, with shelves lining both sides of the room by the entrance and a type of lounge space at the opposite end. Instead of couches or armchairs, the lounge was an open space covered with cushions and velvet throws. Suspended from the ceiling in the centre of the lounge space was what looked like a full body harness with four stirrups for the upper arms and feet. Despite her immediate curiosity regarding the harness, Martha's eyes now studied the shelving units in more detail.
From bottom to top the shelves were filled with all manner of sex toys and BDSM gear. It was all neatly arranged, and on the bottom shelves Martha could see some familiar objects; various lengths of dildos and anal plugs, vibrating eggs and cock rings. A mini cooler appeared to contain an array of lubricants and oils. The higher levels of shelving were less familiar, but Martha could recognise the silken restraints, handcuffs and various types of rope. There were spank paddles and an impressive collection of what Martha presumed were nipple clamps. There were other objects clearly meant for bondage, though she was unsure of their exact purpose. The shelves above this were a complete mystery to Martha, who was now experiencing quivering sensation in her cunt and quickening of her heart rate. She could feel a moistening in between her thighs.
As she once again became aware of Luca's presence she tried to compose her facial expression in order to mask her excitement. Luca laughed, "Honestly Martha, I've seen some people have much more extreme reactions to the 'X' room than yours!" He leant against the doorframe and gestured to her to explore further.
"I knew the Electra was a hook-up hotel but I didn't realise the hotel itself was so heavily involved!" Martha exclaimed somewhat breathily, once again betraying her earlier unprecedented reaction. Luca shrugged, moved over to the cushions and sat down, "Supply and demand." He said simply. Martha stepped onto her tiptoes to eye the upper shelves in more detail, she was keenly aware of Luca watching her every move, possibility making mental notes of her reactions in order to report back to Val.