Chapter 1
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting an orange and pink glow over the city skyline. Marta stood in front of her mirror, adjusting the neckline of her red dress. She had opted for a conservative number that hinted at her cleavage without being overly revealing. She looked at herself and she hated the dress.
Throwing it off and standing in only her black satin bra and panty set she was determined to look her best. The pile of her clothes was growing as nothing that she picked seemed to look good enough. She sighed, her reflection looking back at her with frustration. She had been out of the dating game for so long, she barely remembered the rules.
Instead of dating in college she was focused on her grades. Instead of dating in medical school, she was focused on honing her hands, and nerves. Instead of dating during her residency she was dedicated to becoming a cardio thoracic surgeon. The sudden knock on her door startled her, making her jump and squeal.
The door opened and her mother's head popped around the edge of the door. Her darkly made up face a wash with concern, before her eyes open and take in her daughters near nudity. She rounds the corner and almost closes the door behind her as she takes in the disarray of the room. She strides across the clothing spattered floor with a look of concern on her face.
"Marta, honey, you're making quite the mess." Teases Lizzy trying to calm her obviously upset daughter. "You haven't been back five hours yet and I think every outfit you own is on the floor."
Marta blushed, sitting on the end of her bed and causing a dozen tops to fall to the floor. "I'm just having a bit of trouble deciding what to wear. I want to make a good impression. I have no idea why it's so hard, but I can't let Hex down."
Her mother's eyes softened, and she smiled. "Oh, honey, Raven is a lovely young woman." Lizzy sat down beside her, her arm wrapping around her daughter's shoulders. "But, if you want my advice, dress in something dark to enhance your eyes."
Marta leaned into her mother's embrace, a small smile playing on her lips. "I don't have much dark clothing. My only black dress is way to frilly. And Hex didn't tell me much about Raven."
Lizzy chuckled, standing up and helping Marta to her feet. "Well, lucky for you, I happen to have something that might work. Come with me."
Lizzy led Marta down the hallway to the master bedroom. As soon as the door is open, Marta is hit with a heady mixture of incense and weed. Marta used to hate such intense scents, but for some reason she stands and breathes in the thick mixture. Her nerves seem to fade away a bit as her mother pulls her towards the closet.
Lizzy opens the closet doors and begins to rummage through the hangers, as Marta sits on her mother and Hex's bed. She looks around the room and instead of feeling saddened at the loss of any memories of her father, she revels in the new and modern design of things. Marta is a bit taken aback as she spots a number of black leather toys dangling out in the open on the far wall of the room. Lizzy continues to search until she found what she was looking for.
"Here," she said, holding out a sleek, black latex dress. "This is perfect for you."
Marta took the dress and held it up against her body. The fabric was cool and smooth, the dress looked simple yet elegant. With a deep V-neck and a subtle shine that made it look like liquid night. She had never seen a dress like it before let alone worn anything like it.
"Mom, are you sure? This looks expensive." Asks Marta wanting desperately to just feel the shiny material on her skin.
Lizzy waves her hand dismissively. "It was the first dress that Hex insisted I buy after we started dating. It was a freeing night for me when I first wore it. I'm sure that Raven will love you in it." Lizzy said, smiling.
Marta slipped the dress on, feeling the cool material glide along her skin. Slowly she zipped it up at the side. The latex hugged her curves, making her feel both empowered and vulnerable. She turned to her mother, who had a hungry smile on her face.
"You look stunning, Marta." Gasps out Lizzy running her black tipped fingers through her electric blue locks.
Marta smiled, smoothing down the dress. "Thanks, Mom. I feel like whole new woman right now."
Marta beamed, spinning around in front of the full-length mirror. The latex dress hugged her curves perfectly, creating a sleek silhouette that accentuated her hourglass figure. She couldn't believe how confident she felt in it. Or how excited she was feeling looking at herself, if she didn't have a bra on, she would see her nipples poking through the dress.
Lizzy laughed, her eyes sparkling. "That's the power of a good outfit, honey. Now, let's get you downstairs before Raven arrives. Don't want to keep her waiting do we?"
Marta stood for a long moment looking at herself, before grinning to her mother. "Yes we do. I can't let her think I'm too eager can I?" Marta smirked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Lizzy laughed, ruffling Marta's hair as she walked past her towards the door. "Alright, but don't be too late. She'll be here any minute." Lizzy called over her shoulder as she walked out of the room.
Marta took one last look at herself in the mirror, her heart pounding in her chest. She took a deep breath and walked out of the room. Her heels clicking on the hardwood floor as she approached the stairs. She hears the doorbell, and stops just out of sight of the door waiting an appropriate amount of time for her date to get healthily nervous.
The doorbell rings again, and she can hear the muffled voice of her mother greeting her date. Marta can't help but smile as she hears her mother's voice brighten as she speaks to Raven.
"Oh, Raven, it's so nice to see you again." Lizzy greets as Hex chuckles joining the other two. "You look stunning, Raven. I don't know how you do it."
Raven laughs, her voice a sultry, melodic sound that sends a shiver down Marta's spine. "Well, thank you, Lizzy. Always a pleasure to see you both. Is Marta ready?"
Marta's heart skips a beat at the sound of her name. She never felt like this before a date before. She takes a deep breath, her fingers trembling slightly as she clutches the railing. She perched herself on the edge of the stairs, leaning enough to peak around the corner.
Her eyes landed on her mother and Hex, both greeting Raven with warm smiles. Her breath hitched as she finally caught sight of Raven. She was breathtaking, even from this distance. Dressed in a fitted black corset that accentuated her waist, paired with a long, flowing skirt that seemed to dance around her ankles with every step.
A black jacket draped over her strong arm. Her black hair with emerald streaks cascades down her back. She catches a glimpse of Raven's crimson contacts, standing out against her soft pale skin. Marta felt a jolt of excitement coursing through her, god she couldn't wait to feel those black lips against her own.
"Marta?" Her mother called out, breaking her from her trance.
Marta takes one last deep breath before setting down the stairs. She refuses to look Raven in the eyes yet, instead making her appearance speak for her. Only once she reaches the floor, and uses her sisters old go too move, does she lock eyes with her date. She runs her right hand back over her shoulder and tosses her long brown hair back.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Raven." Marta said, her voice holding a hint of sultriness. She extended her hand, her eyes never leaving Raven's gaze.
Raven smiled, a slow, predatory grin that made Marta's heart race. "The pleasure is all mine, my dear Marta." She took Marta's hand in her own, her grip firm and confident. "You look absolutely stunning in that dress. It was a wise choice."
Marta felt her cheeks flush with warmth, but she managed to maintain her composure. "Thank you."
Raven's gaze flicked to Lizzy, who was watching the exchange with a satisfied smile. "Your daughter has impeccable taste, Lizzy. I'm surprised Hex let this one get away."
Hex chuckles at Lizzy's side, her hands gliding over the older woman's hips. "I have all the woman i need right here." Hex replied, pulling Lizzy closer. The two women shared a quick kiss, before Hex turned back to Marta and Raven. "But, I'm glad that you two are finally meeting. Marta, Raven is the owner of our town's most unique nightclub, The Crimson Veil. She's also been a great help to me with my... projects."
Raven's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Hex is being modest. She's designed some of my most popular costumes and accessories for the club. And now, I'm hoping to give something back." She turned her gaze back to Marta, her expression softening.
"I've heard so much about you, Marta. Hex and Lizzy speak very highly of you. And I must say, you're even more beautiful than they described."
Marta felt a blush creep up her cheeks, and she looked down for a moment before meeting Raven's gaze again. "Thank you, Raven. I haven't heard much of you, so I'm looking foreword to hearing everything about you."
Raven chuckled, a low, throaty sound that sent a shiver down Marta's spine. "Now, shall we? I've made reservations at Le Coeur Noir, a little place downtown with a fantastic atmosphere." Raven said, gesturing towards the door. Marta nods, following Raven out the door, with Hex and Lizzy waving them off.
The ride to the restaurant was filled with small talk, Raven asking about Marta's journey to becoming a doctor, and Marta inquiring about Raven's life as a club owner. Marta found herself drawn to Raven's infectious laughter and the way her eyes lit up when she spoke about her passions.
She felt at ease with her, as if they had known each other for years rather than just minutes. The drive seemed to fly by, and before she knew it, they were pulling up to a quaint, dimly-lit restaurant nestled between two towering buildings. "Le Coeur Noir," Raven said, reading the sign aloud as she stepped out of the car. "It means 'The Black Heart' in French. The food here is exquisite, and the atmosphere is perfect for getting to know someone."
Marta followed Raven inside, the host greeting them with a warm smile. "Welcome to Le Coeur Noir. Right this way, please." the host said, leading them through the dimly lit restaurant.
