Author's note: This story recently received 1
st
place in the Clitoride Awards for BDSM. If you voted, thanks for your support.
If you have not read it, this is a romance in the sense of 50 Shades of Grey. One of the nicest comments I get is that it shows BDSM participants with real lives.
My thanks on the editing to clairegerm, who likes it vanilla.
*
Prologue: 25th Anniversary 20_6
Cindy:
"I would like to make a toast, to my parents." [giggles] "This is almost like my valedictorian speech: 'I would like to thank Principal Rogers, Mrs. Cotting, Mr. Wright, the list is too long to manage. Yatta Yatta.' All the teachers and councilors contributed something.
But, I wanted to talk about my parents: Sheila and Sean Richards. They are the ones that taught me that perfect is barely good enough, that nothing substitutes for work, and that while dreams are important, they need to change as we change. Most of all, they taught me that to protect and serve is the highest calling. Their marriage is an example.
Many people think that it was love at first sight for my parents. That may be because both were older when they met, if 30-something is older; Mom was 28. I think it is just that they were engaged before most people knew they were seeing each other.
As you may know, Mom had a bit of a name as a fitness instructor. A business associate of Dad's introduced him to Mom, as a possible client for her.
Chapter 1 -- First Positions
Sean:
It was a lunch date for business. I was meeting Chuck, a.k.a. Charles, Blanding at Cianfrani's. All that I needed were some approvals and a signature, which could have been done by messenger. Chuck had insisted on getting together for lunch. Considering with whom I was meeting, I should have expected something. I may be a bit gullible. However, not that many people are willing to try me, so it may have been complacency. Chuck always did have more balls than brains.
After the soup had been served, an attractive woman stopped by the table and greeted Chuck. I could see him nod in my direction. She turned to me and introduced herself as Cynthia, giving no last name. She was moderately tall, brown hair and dark eyes. The hair was done up with an attractive black comb. Her makeup was subtle and sufficiently understated that one had to look closely to see it. She had pearl studs and a simple pearl necklace as her only jewelry. No watch, which was interesting, though these days many people use their phones for that purpose. The suit was brown worsted wool, cut below the knee, and accurately tailored. The top was cream colored, and appeared to be linen. The heels were a shade or two lighter than the suit, and of a practical height. In short, she was every inch the understated professional that Chuck was not.
We shook hands and she offered me her card: "Cynthia" in 16 point Arial bold, and "Executive Performance Training" in 12 point standard. The card was like her tailoring, simple, clean, elegant without frills. Intriguing. The address on the card was not close to my business, but also not far, about 10 minutes away. I accepted the card, thanked her and she went to be seated.
Chuck was desperately trying to look unconcerned. I decided to let him have his joke. I asked, "What kind of training?"
He thought for a moment, "Mostly in the area of focus and concentration. It's amazing how she can get you to remember the slightest little detail."
At that Chuck looked decidedly pleased with himself, so I let it drop. He gave me the signature I needed, which was the point of the lunch after all. It wasn't till late that afternoon that I wondered what he could have considered amusing. I dialed the number on the card and made an appointment.
Sheila:
It was a lunch date for business. Charles promised to introduce me to a potential client. Considering with whom I was meeting, I should have expected something. I must be a bit gullible. Besides, not that many people are willing to try me. Charles always did leap before he looked.
I arrived just as they were receiving soup and salad. The soup was an aromatic butternut, which looked perfect. I would have to try some later. I looked over G. Sean Richards. About 40, middle tall, fair, dark haired, blue eyes. Not handsome, but dignified, self-assured. Charles suggested that he might be a candidate for my clientele. I had my doubts. Mr. Richards was almost everything Charles was notβconfident, controlled, professional. Charles had his own virtues, but it was clear that Mr. Richards was only there for business, not for Charles' company.
Still, business is business, so I introduced myself and left a card. I gave it only a one in three chance, which was a pity. Mr. Richards came across as someone I would like to meet. His eyes did not seem to miss any detail, so I was glad my grooming was beyond reproach. In a way it was odd. I already thought of him as Mr. Richards. Charles had always been Charles.
Well, the bait was in the water. Time would tell. At least the soup looked promising. Cianfrani's soup and salad lunches are a staple for the business community. Over the last ten years, I had closed many deals there. Mentally toasting Mr. Richards, I wished for one more.
Mr. Richards' call came in just before closing. Normally, I prefer to do introductory things early, before the regular clients start to populate the changing area. It is easier to make a good impression in their absence. Mr. Richards, however, received the last slot on Tuesday. I do not know why. Perhaps I wanted extra time if I needed it, as though I already knew that this client would be different.
Sean:
The appointment was for 4:00 PM, so I closed early and drove over. The building was a converted warehouse, the front half of which was a franchise of a well known gym chain: XTreme Fitness. The address was on a side street, next to two apparently empty offices. Opening the door, I found a small, and rather sterile, waiting area. As I intended, I was precisely on time. It was a small but agreeable surprise that Cynthia was also.
She came right to the point. "Good afternoon, Mr. Richards. Did Charles tell you much about our business?"
"Almost nothing. He mentioned that you were good at getting him to remember details."
She laughed. "That is Charles. A number of my clients need help in that area. I have some sharp methods when required."
She handed me a contract and fee schedule. "This first interview is gratis. All I need is a waiver, and we can begin."
"Waiver?"
It was for unspecified mental and physical distress and not for medical or defamation. Waiving those would not be legal anyway. Cynthia expanded, "Some of my methods can be um... uncomfortable. The waiver says that you agree in advance not to hold it against me. As with any waiver the real intent is never to use to it."
I didn't know what to think. I still had not agreed, or for that matter figured out exactly what she intended to do. But, it was clear she expected me to sign on the spot. Complicating things, I could not help but notice her physically.
She was about 5' 6", but seemed taller. Her heels were high, though not unreasonably so. The appearance of height came from her very erect posture and confident bearing. Her brown hair, was long, and done up. She had brown eyes, big brown eyes accented with only a touch of liner. Her figure was trim, athletic even, and she was obviously fit and healthy. Her gray suit was sharp but conservatively cut, just as in the restaurant.
There was one discordant element and it was understandable. While her manner was professional and attentive, there was an edge of unease. She appeared to be taking refuge in her prepared remarks, which is what I teach my sales people to do. No one is perfect, but preparation can cover a lot of weaknesses. Again, very professional, with just a touch of humanity. I was pleased
As I processed this, I realized that she had been subtly coming on to me the entire time. Her suit was conservative, but her shirt was silk and open just enough to reveal the lace beneath. Except for the handshake we had not touched, but her distance was intimate rather than formal. Her perfume was discrete, but definitely in the air. She scratched her leg with a foot, which brought attention to her well turned calves and elegant pumps. Those were not your usual business suit kind of shoe. One of my clients would be trying to kiss that black leather as we spoke.
It was impressive. My business requires me to deal with a lot of salespeople, my own and vendors. She was doing a first-rate selling job, and I still did not know what the product was. This was not a fitness trainer, obviously, especially not at these rates. What exactly she was, remained elusive.
I extemporized, "Could we have a tour first?"
Smiling, she responded, "Of course."
Was there a bit of shark in that grin? Hmmm. She led me to the changing rooms, and the canned sales pitch kicked into high gear. I would be expected to arrive early enough to change before the appointment time. There were two doors. Behind one she showed me a spotlessly clean sensory deprivation tank. This could be rented only on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and she would not personally monitor the sessions, just the in and out points. A number of other details rolled out, particularly concerning the security system. Finally, she paused dramatically and laid her hand on my elbow; then she opened the other door.
It was a gym of sorts, the latex and leather sorts. There was a vaulting horse, which had manacles dangling from each end. An entire wall was given over to hooks, rings and straps, up to 12 feet above the floor. There were benches and blocks, armed chairs and sofas, and everywhere were convenient restraints. I shook my head. I had not had a clear idea of what to expect, but this was not what I would have guessed. I walked up to an equipment cart and ran my fingers over a pair of handcuffs. They looked like police issue to me.
She gave me a heartbeat to take it in, and then asked "Want to give it a try?"