Perhaps at another time or in another place, I would have done things differently. Certainly another person might have done things differently. Or the same. Depending.

In any case, I had three days to arrange one of the biggest and best parties Gardner and Hammerstein had ever seen, and I was running out of options. Cost wasn't a problem. An open cheque book from the Partners took care of that. But after spending the first two hours on the phone just trying to track down a suitable and available venue, I was beginning to rue opening my big mouth. By my calculations, I had to book a venue that night, organise catering and alcohol by tomorrow, then I'd have Friday off.

Sylvia Harper from Accounting was the nasty bitch who took great delight in putting me in this position, while effectively washing her hands of the whole project. Being the head of the unofficial social committee, as well as the Manager of Accounting, Sylvia was an expert in doing things on time and on budget, and was the logical choice as head of the social committee. A loose coalition of women in the office joined her in discussions, but in the end, it was usually Sylvia's ideas that won out. Men didn't rate a mention in Sylvia's book, unless you were a top lawyer or one of the two partners.

This elitist attitude fostered rumours around the office concerning Sylvia and her two assistants, Annie Wilkinson and Georgia Price. Of course there was no proof for any of them. Which didn't stop me, or many others I am sure, spending fitful nights masturbating to the thought of Mean Goddess Sylvia "mistreating" her two lovely assistants. I mean who wouldn't! Right there you had the full gamut of womanhood to choose from. Gorgeous, tall, dark-haired, blue-eyed bitch Sylvia; tiny, shy, slim, blonde-haired waif Annie; and full-figured, outspoken, sexy, fiery red-head Georgia.

Then there was me. My name, Roger Moore, had of course drawn all the logical and tittering jokes and asides one gets with the name of a celebrity, and being a lowly article clerk, Sylvia Harper took great delight in making fun of me at every opportunity. There was little I could do about it except smile and laugh along with the jokes.

On this particular Wednesday, I was feeling quite good. VideoMax had been a tough nut to crack. Wholesale restructuring and an intense buying spree by the company had landed them in an envious position in the wholesale and retail video markets, along with a burgeoning production house that specialised in small camera documentaries and was leading the way in cutting-edge camera technology. Along with the massive expansion came a legal and ethical minefield regarding existing contractual arrangements, stake holders, franchisees, shareholders and the previous owners of parts of the business. It was a gold mine.

I was exhausted after sleepless nights and full bore days doing a hell of a lot of the leg work in gaining the VideoMax account, work for which I would never be thanked. The lawyer I worked for, Mike Constanti, had been passing cases to other clerks for researching, while I worked on the VideoMax account. Of course Mike would get the credit. That was ok. Part of the job. All of which meant that now the account was Gardner and Hammerstein's, I was at a loose end until Mike started passing me cases again. I was thinking of renting a beach house for a few days and getting away.

I was contemplating all this as I filled my cup at the water cooler around eleven A.M. I was also looking sideways at three sets of slim shapely calves. Sylvia, Annie and Georgia were standing right by the cooler, discussing the options for a big party to celebrate landing the very account I had worked so hard on.

I'd overheard a few ideas being discussed, and I stupidly interjected.

"Excuse me?"

Sylvia stopped speaking mid-sentence and turned to me.

"Something to contribute 'James'?" Georgia and Annie giggled to each other.

"Well I know I'm not part of the 'Social Committee', but I couldn't help but overhear you all talking and... well... we can't have another party here on the premises! It's too staid and boring. There's nowhere to dance, and the sound system is atrocious. I mean, the last party here was over by midnight. Oh and no more karaoke! That was a BIG mistake!" I had the terrible thought that I sounded like I was a whining teenager.

"I suppose you have a better idea 007?" said Sylvia. "Maybe you could arrange Frank Sinatra at the Hilton!" Sylvia and Georgia thought Sylvia's comment was so amusing they actually high-fived over that one. I rolled my eyes.

"It would just be nice to have a bit of excitement around here. Remember the 'Bastards and Bitches Christmas Party' in '99? That was great, everyone got plastered, let their hair down, and with a fun theme, everyone could relax and have fun with it."

"He's got a point Sylvia," said Georgia the red-head.

"Yeah and we've got three days. So I have to get back on the phone and get this show on the road or there won't be anything organised."

"Oh c'mon, three days? That's plenty of time."

"You think so smart ass? Then why don't YOU organise the God-damned party, or go back to your little Law clerk's office and mind your business." She was giving me her best bitch stare.

Well, talk about a red rag. I fancied myself as a high-powered lawyer one of these days. A "Go Getter", a "Mover and a Shaker". At least, that was what I tried to convince myself each morning as I looked in the mirror. Two more years of study and my transformation would be complete. Manager on construction sites to Law Clerk to Lawyer in four years. And my ex-wife said it couldn't be done. Actually, she said it couldn't be done as she walked out the door.

"I'll do it!"

"You're a fool Roger."

"Just wait and see Sylvia, this party will be talked about for years to come."

"Well I sure hope for your sake you can pull it off. I'd hate to have to be the one to tell Mr. Hammerstein or even worse, Mr. Gardner, that you were the one responsible for a disastrous celebration of the landing of the biggest account in this firm's history. No I take that back, I'd be delighted to do exactly that!"

"I'll need a copy of the budget and authorities on my desk pronto."

"Roger, it's in three days, money is no object, and nothing has been done. You have my authority and you can pick up the company credit card from Annie upstairs." With that she turned on her spiked heels and walked confidently away, with her two cohorts scrambling behind her, giggling to themselves and looking back at me.

I turned back to the water cooler and refilled my cup. What had I just done?

I spent the next couple of hours becoming more and more desperate as I worked my way through the phone book listings of conference venues, halls and was calling numbers under "Clubs" when one of the listings caught my eye, and my imagination.

"You want to do what?" She asked.

"I want to hold a big party for a high-powered law firm on your premises if you have the space, and availability."

"In a dungeon?"

"Yeah if that's what you have."

"It's a pretty big dungeon."

"It would have to be."

"Look I don't know about this."

"In and out, one night, Saturday night. This Saturday night."

"I have people coming around."

"They can come too."

"I don't think you understand..."

"I'll pay you ten thousand dollars."

"Deal."

"I need to see the place first."

"Be here in thirty minutes. Ask for Mistress Chantelle."

"Oh, ah ok." Click.

I wrote down the address from the phone-book and left a message on Mike's desk. I headed out after copping an eyeful of Annie's perky cleavage and picking up the company credit card.

I arrived with a few minutes to spare and I stood out the front of the renovated residential building and looked around. Across the two-way street was a small park with a few children playing and riding bikes. Various shoe and fashion stores lined the street level on either side of the "Domina Flagrante". Similar unrenovated buildings in the vicinity looked as though they were still being used as residences. In other words, it was a typical city street.

Looking up at the facade of the building, its glossy black paint made it stand out somewhat from the buildings nearby, despite the minimal neon signage advertising the "Domina Flagrante" and "Members Only". My first thought was, I hope people will be able to find it when it's dark. I looked around and noticed it would be unlikely for other places to be open and lit at night in the area, and my concerns were allayed.

I walked up to the front entranceway and rapped loudly on the solid wood door. Looking to my side, I rolled my eyes when I noticed the intercom. I took the step toward it and pressed the call button and waited for a reply.

"Domina Flagrante, how may I help you?" Was that an English accent? And was it male or female?

"Yes thank you, Roger Moore here, to see Mrs. Chantelle."

"Greetings Mr. Moore, Mistress Chantelle is expecting you. The entrance door will open now." Ah, "Mistress", ok I get it.

Sure enough it did. As I turned the large, ornate, faux gold handle, it clicked and whirred and the door opened widely on its own. Inside I was immediately met by "English accent". A rather small man at least a half a head shorter than myself (though I am six foot two), he offered me champagne on an ornate silver tray, and after checking my watch, I took the offered glass and thanked the weedy Englishman.

"Always a pleasure to serve Sir," he bowed.

"Hmmm" I thought, "exceptional manners at least."

"I am Adrian, Sir, and I will escort you to Mistress Chantelle's chambers now."

"Thank you Adrian."

"You are too kind Sir... If i may be so bold Sir, would it please you to know a little about the building while W/we walk?"

"That would be helpful yes..."

"Certainly Sir. The building was originally a residence and was gifted to Mistress when her father died in 1975. After living here a few years and finding a couple of powerful backers, renovations began in 1982 and were completed in 1983."

As Adrian gave me the guided tour, I was looking around and assessing the decor. Very impressive. Late Victorian with a few modern twists here and there complimenting the ornate ceilings and the red carpets laid over polished floorboards. A lot of the trimmings were black, giving a slightly Gothic feel to the place, and combined with the relatively low lighting, it had a somewhat intimidating "air". I thought it was perfect. Adrian continued.

"In 1985 Mistress opened her first club, 'Club Domina', a very successful club that catered for the clientele one would expect at a club of its type. Thirteen years later, in 1998, a full renovation of the premises were carried out, resulting in the look W/we have today. Upon re-opening, 'Domina Flagrante' was established. We now cater to clients of the highest caliber and their guests. We cover 3 stories of the building, while Mistress still resides on the top floor. There is a Grand Hall, which doubles as a dance floor, 4 bars, 4 exhibition rooms, and 14 private rooms. Of course excellent bathrooms and amenities came with the latest renovations, and if you would kindly follow me for just a moment, you may cast your eye over the Grand Hall."

Adrian pushed open one of the sets of double doors and I was immediately assaulted by pounding techno music bursting from the room! Adrian, seeing my horror, quickly withdrew a small remote control from his breast pocket and pointing it at the sound, pressed a button. The noise became a murmur in the background instantly and he apologised profusely.

"Please forgive me Sir, I forgot I left in on so loud!"

"It's all right Adrian, as a demonstration of the sound system it was impressive!"

"Thank you Sir, please don't mention it to Mistress."

"Um sure, no problem, though I wouldn't be surprised if she heard it."

"Not likely Sir, all the doors and walls are double sound-proofed for privacy, Mistress would have it no other way."

I poked my head in the door. Wow. What fun this could be. A huge canopy of black rope netting hung from the ceiling like billowing storm clouds. The walls were adorned with massive erotic paintings that would likely make the partner's wives blush. Four enormous pillars divided the room. As I focused my eyes I could make out huge steel rings embedded in the concrete pillars. Apparently rolled away were 4 sets of stocks against the far wall between two massive black cabinets. Bars in alcoves where waiters could restock their trays were situated in the corners of the huge room.

"Well, this is impressive... Adrian, can I ask you something?"

"Certainly Sir, but you need not ask if you may ask."

"Um, yeah, ok... well, what I was wondering was, where are all the whips and chains and stuff?"

"Er, well Sir, are you familiar at all with the lifestyle?"

"Lifestyle?"

"Oh goodness... um, Sir, would it please you to have Mistress Chantelle answer your questions? Adrian does not wish to overstep his responsibilities."

"Yeah sure... no problem," I replied.

"Thank you Sir, I will show you to Mistress Chantelle's chambers now."

"Thanks Adrian."

"My pleasure Sir." I stepped back into the hallway and he closed the double doors to the Grand Hall. He turned on his heels and began walking briskly toward a huge, wide staircase that reminded me of 'Gone With the Wind'.

I followed this strange person to the top of the staircase and turned down a fairly long hallway. Looking side to side I noticed signs on each of the doors "Exhibition Room 1" and "Exhibition Room 2" etc.

I was about to ask Adrian what the exhibition rooms were for, when we reached the end of the hallway and he stepped aside and pressed on another intercom beside a large oak door.

"Enter!" Crackled a firm female voice and Adrian turned to me.

"You may go in now Sir."

"Thank you for your help Adrian. And thank you for the guided tour."

"Again, you are much too kind Sir."

I smiled and he turned and scurried away. I turned the door handle and it clicked and whirred again, and again the door opened of its own accord.

I stepped inside the cavernous office and was addressed by a small petite woman of about 35 with black hair and strong feminine features. She was decked out in a PVC catsuit that showed off her curves nicely.

"Come in, take a load off, you can hang your jacket there," she waved her hand in the general direction of a series of hooks on the wall with a couple of hangers dangling from them.

"I really can't stay too long. Will I be seeing Chantelle soon?"

"It's 'Mistress Chantelle' and you are speaking to her."

"Oh I'm terribly sorry Ma'am, I was expecting you to be older, perhaps ten years older or so." I have an annoying habit of putting my foot in it. "I didn't mean to be rude."

"It's ok, people always think I'm younger. Good genes I guess."

"Well your establishment is impressive to say the least, and would be perfect for what I had in mind."

"And what exactly did you have in mind Roger?"

"Well let's see, 150 to 180 people including wives and clients. Full catering and bar access, I could provide the liquor, but I imagine you could get it a lot cheaper."

"True, but it's going to cost you."

"I'll put down an extra five."

"Right, nothing but the best then. You'll make up any shortfall?"

"Done."

"I can't believe I'm doing this."

"Sorry?"

"Well, this is a BDSM club. We don't usually do this kind of thing."

"I'm not following you."

"Look, it's a complicated story. Suffice to say your offer comes at a time that is helpful to me."

"Money talks huh?"

"Yes... something like that."

"Glad to be of service Ma'am." I echoed my friend Adrian. She looked at me funny and I smiled back.

"Don't try to humour me by making fun of our lifestyle Roger."

Just like that the whole tone of the conversation changed. Something happened. I felt self-conscious and I thought I might blush.

"Chantelle... please, I meant no offense."

"I know Roger."

"Look, I really just want to organise a decent party."

She eyed me curiously for another moment, then, "What about food?" And the whole tone changed again. Remarkable.

"I thought I might get 'Jeremy's' to cater it."

"Oh, I love their food!"

"I know one of the owners, Claudio Terrazzo."

"Small world." She picked up the phone and dialed. "Claudio, Chantelle here."

My mouth was hanging open.

"We're having a "do" at the club for about 200 people. Can you help?"

She was so in control. It was quite attractive. I imagined she liked being on top.

"Oh you are such a dear. Just a minute." She put her hand over the phone and addressed me. "Finger food? Canapes? That sort of thing?"

I nodded.

"Anything one can eat standing up Claudio." She nodded to herself, "yes I know it's short notice... yes that should be ok... oh that's a wonderful idea... let me see..." She looked at me again, "one thousand for basic, two for the works."

I held up two fingers.

"Good boy," she smiled at me and returned to her conversation.

"No not you Claudio... just a client... Roger Moore... no no, 'vanilla' I'd guess... " she listened for a few moments. "Waiting staff? I hadn't thought of that... another thousand?" She looked for my agreement.

I nodded again. I did some quick sums. I was still under my assumed budget. Eighteen. I knew they spent fifty on last years Christmas Party. And that party was crap. I figured half that was acceptable, even commendable.

"I think between you and I, we can take care of that. Yes they can change here... oh you are wonderful... you will? That's great! Oh I can't wait now!"

A few moments later she hung up the phone and turned to face me.

"He remembered you. You did some legal work for him."

"Yes, something to do with a greedy employee."

"I see... so you are a lawyer then."

"Nope, just given the job of providing a party for lawyers. I will be a lawyer one day though. A good lawyer."

"I take it you are studying."

"Yes, mid-life change of career and all that. I'm two years in."

"Well, look me up when you are qualified, 'lawyer boy', " she winked, "one never knows when one may need the services of one like you."

I smiled and agreed that I would.

"So tell me Roger, what made you call?"

"Honestly?"

She nodded.

"Well... I was running my finger down the page in the directory under 'Clubs', looking for a place to hold this shindig, when I saw the name of your establishment and I went into imagination overdrive," I said.

"What went through your mind Roger..." Her voice had a hypnotic feel to it.

"Whips and chains mostly, you know, the stuff you are into, play-acting and all that."

"Oh really... do go on..."

"I sat back in my chair at work and considered the possibilities... seeing some of my co-workers getting drunk and pretending to be slaves and masters and such. I assumed there would be stuff hanging from the walls and ceilings and I imagined Sylvia from Accounting whipping her servant girls and them liking it. I was getting a hard-on just thinking about it..."

I blushed and stared at my hands. What made me open up like that?

"Sorry Chantelle. I didn't intend to tell you that."

"Roger... it's ok. Everyone has their fantasies, and some of us get to live them."

"But then the myth is exploded and reality returns and boredom resumes its relentless consumption of everything in its path."

"Stuck in a rut Roger?"

"Yeah, something like that."

"Good looking man like yourself should be getting what he wants Roger, not slowly dying of old age at... what are you? Forty-two?"

"Forty-three actually."

"You are in decent shape and reasonably well toned for your age. Stand up."

It wasn't a request.

"I don't think it's necess..."

"Just do it Roger, consider it a complimentary appraisal."

"A compli what?"

"Just stand up." I stood.

Chantelle sat in her chair and looked me up and down, carefully, slowly, for what seemed like minutes but was probably less than sixty seconds.

"Turn around."

"Oh c'mon is this really nece..."

"Just turn the fuck around Roger or this party could get a whole lot more expensive."

"Ok, ok, I've just never done catwalk work before..." I smirked.

"Don't like being on display Roger?" She said, rising from behind her desk.

"Not particularly."

She walked around her desk and up to me, leaning into me and pressing her breasts into the side of my chest and my arm. I thought for a moment she was going to kiss me. She whispered instead.

"I think there is a lot you aren't telling me Roger. And that's ok... But you should know that nothing is accomplished of any meaning by lying. Not that you are lying you understand Roger, but that you are refusing to acknowledge something."

Jesus, how could she tell. I'd had a raging erection in my pants since I entered Chantelle's office, and looking down it looked pretty prominent to me. I figured I better get out of there before I screwed anything up. Besides, I wanted to drop by Jeremy's and thank Claudio.

"I... I really should be going..."

"Now, now Roger, we are not done here yet." She smiled and traced a fingernail across my back as she walked around me and I stood there practically trembling. "What do you know of what might go on here?"

"Here? You mean in your club?"

"Yes of course Roger, whatever else could I have meant?"

"Umm... well I guess you have an expensive clientele that has a hankering for some rather kinky and extreme fun. Something like that. You know, people dress up and pretend. Kind of like a fancy dress party every night."

"Hmmmm..."

"Look I really ought to get going."

"Do you want to fuck me Roger?"

"I... I... did I hear you right? I though you just asked if I wanted to... um... you know... have relations with you."

"It's called fucking Roger and that's exactly what I asked. I wasn't offering, I was just interested."

"Well er... you do look pretty good."

"Thank you Roger. But do you want to fuck me?"

The hair was prickling on my neck. God I was so out of practice at this. I must have been blushing more than I realised.

"You do don't you!"

"Yes Chantelle, y... you are an attractive woman."

"Say it."

"You want me to say I wa..."

"Yes say it."

"I want to fuck you."

"There now, that wasn't so hard was it." She giggled behind her hand as her eyes dropped to the tent in my pants. Oh god does it get any more humiliating? "Now, we have a number of things to discuss." She moved around her desk and sat down in her large leather high-backed chair.

"Is it ok if I sit down now?"

"Sure, I'm not stopping you."

This was fast becoming the weirdest conversation I had had in my entire life. I slipped into the hard chair in front of Chantelle's desk.

"What did you wish to discuss?"

"Well Roger, I think you and I should get a few things straight."

"Umm ok."

"Relax Roger. I am talking about perceptions, believing what you see, what you know to be true, and what you don't know to be true."

"I'm lost again."

"Do you think I am acting?"

"Acting?"

"Play-acting I believe you called it."

"No. I think you are an intense and perhaps firm person who is used to getting her own way."

"That is true."

"I like to think I am a good judge of people."

"How else do you like to think of yourself?"

"Um..." I was on the spot again, how did this keep happening? "Well, I have been in charge of over seventy men on construction sites, I have hired and fired over five hundred during my career... I've been a successful father of one son and an unsuccessful husband."

"You are unmarried?"

"Yes, divorced... been over a year now."

"And you don't have a girlfriend either?"

"Well, like I said, I've been in a bit of a rut."

"Ok. How about I tell you what I see."

"All right."

"Roger... I see a good looking man who is wasting precious time trying to conform to society's expectations of him. I see a man who desperately craves respect and acknowledgement for his achievements. I see someone who is naive in many ways but who sees himself as a man of the world."

"Jeez... and I thought I was a good judge. You could see all that?"

"Sure."

"So what are you saying?"

"I am saying that everything you have heard is probably true. The whip is swung lustily. The pain felt is real... I have not met someone who is play-acting in several years, and if I did, they would not be a member of this club, that's for sure."

"How could anyone do that to someone for real?"

"Easy. One does it because it can be done."

"I'm not following you again." I was leaning forward, elbows on knees, very interested... it was a world I'd never seen up close before.

"One casts a whip across another's body only if that person agrees to that mode of punishment or play. No one forces anyone to do anything without some kind of agreement being in place first."

"But what about the blood?"

"Blood?" She actually licked her lips.

"From the whipping..."

"You've been watching too many movies Roger. If the skin is broken it is tended to immediately. I won't have wanton violence in my club either."

"I see," I said. "So no one is given fifty lashes?"

"Certainly not with a single-tailed whip. With a flogger perhaps."

"A flogger?"

"A soft, multiple-tailed, short handled whip... just a moment, I'll get one." She arose and skirted around the end of the desk and over to the wall. She reached up and turned a key already in the lock of a wall-mounted cabinet. She took down from its mount exactly what she described. She stood beside me and handed it to me handle first. "Stand up. Swing it, feel it in your hand." I did.

"It's heavy."

"Yes that is a heavy duty flogger, more weight in the tails means less effort for the person swinging it." She smiled.

"I can understand that."

"Use the edge of the desk. Whip the desk." She swept an area clear with her forearm.

I lifted the flogger up high and WHAPPED it on the desk. The sound echoed around the office and Chantelle rolled her eyes.

"Try it like this..." She took the flogger from me, handle in one hand and the tails in the other. Drawing the tails toward her chest and aiming the flogger at her target, she simultaneously flicked her wrist and let go of the tails.

ffPAP! The tails struck the desk sweetly.

"Wow."

"Not so hard right?" She handed it back to me. "Try again."

"Okay..." ffPAP! ffPAP! ffPAP! For a moment there was silence in the room as we just stood there side by side grinning at each other.

"Pretty good..." She said.

"It's not too hard."

"You're a quick study."

She nodded at the flogger and I handed it back to her. She walked back over to the cabinet and replaced it there, closing the double doors, and turning the key. She walked back behind her desk and sat down, leaning forward with her hands clasped together.

"So what do you think?" She pointed at my chair and I sat.

"About what?" God, a million things were going through my head.

"About the venue Roger." She smiled. "Are we going to do this?"

"I think it would be great fun."

"I'm inclined to think so too. Only because of you though Roger."

"Me?"

"Yes. You are an interesting man Roger. I'm sold on the idea. We only have the grubby job of finances to deal with. And..."

"And?"

"I mentioned something before... about previous bookings... people who are coming in, some from out of town. I can't renege on those bookings Roger."

"Well, as long as they don't dominate proceedings, it shouldn't be a problem should it?"

"Interesting choice of words... I'll need to rope off a couple of the exhibition rooms. And I'll warn them of the presence of a large vanilla gathering of course."

"Vanilla?"

"Not of the lifestyle."

"Oh. Yes that would probably be wise."

"I'm sure. I'll take care of everything. In fact, if you sweeten the deal, I'll coordinate things and perhaps provide a little entertainment for your guests... something that would make the night memorable perhaps. Frankly I'd rather be mingling than sitting up here. That way I can keep control over what goes on."

"That also makes sense. What if we say twenty thousand for the full deal. And you can make things square with Claudio."

"That sounds completely acceptable."

"I think we have a deal then."

"Me too." Just then she stood and extended her hand to me.

"It's been a pleasure doing business with you Roger."

"The pleasure is all mine Chantelle." I brought the back of her hand to my lips and kissed it gently.

"Aren't you the gentleman." Now it was Chantelle blushing. I dropped her hand and smiled at her.

"I'm really looking forward to this." I said.

"I still have a few concerns. But nothing you need worry about. Actually Roger, perhaps you'd like to come back later... maybe take a look around while the club is in full swing. Well, it's Wednesday so it won't be too busy, but I'm sure there will be enough going on for you to continue your education."

"Are you sure that would be ok?" My heart started beating faster at the prospect.

"Sure, you can be my personal guest."

"Thank you Chantelle." I couldn't wipe the huge grin I had off my face.

"Go on... I'm sure you have a few things still to attend to."

"Yes. Invitations." I rolled my eyes.

"Oh, oh! I actually have some! I don't know if there is enough though but there's over a hundred. We actually have similar get togethers about once a month for select clientele... it might just work..." She was rummaging through one of her desk drawers.

"I could email any I don't have written invitations for... if they're suitable."

"They'll be perfect if I can... just... find them... yes! Here they are!"

She dropped a whole lot of invitations on her desk and they spread out. Wow.

The photo on the front was of a couple, one kneeling and one standing. Both looking directly at the camera. Against a shadowy backdrop stood a man dressed in a designer suit with his arms crossed over his chest and his feet planted slightly apart. His eyes gazed with intensity at the camera. Kneeling to his left and leaning against him with an arm wrapped around his leg was a woman. She wore a simple silky shift-type garment, that was so sheer one could see the smudges of her intimate parts. Tasteful but provocative. In her free hand hanging loosely was a red rose, providing the only colour in the photo.

I opened the card and inside it said:

"You and your partner are cordially invited to a celebration of our success. Dress appropriately for a night of Domination and submission. Please provide your slave with a collar so he or she will be known to be owned. Free slaves are welcome."

There was a space for time and date to be entered and the address was at the bottom. I re-read the invitation.

"This would be perfect," I said finally.

"They are yours then."

"Thank you for all your help Chantelle." I gathered up the invitations into a pile and picked them up.

"It's been a pleasure Roger," she said, coming around her desk again. "About ten o'clock then?"

I looked at my watch. "God where did the time go?" It was ten past seven. "I have some work to do. But yes ten should be fine."

"Let's make it ten thirty. But don't turn up if you are a minute late Roger. I insist on punctuality."

"Funny, so do I."

"I have a feeling we are going to get on famously Roger." She slipped her arm into mine and walked me to the door. "Come back later and I'll show you all we have to offer here Roger, you won't be disappointed."

"I'm looking forward to it."

She glanced down at the still prominent bulge in my slacks. "I can tell." She said simply.

I blushed for about the fourth time in two hours.

"I'll page Adrian and have him meet you at the bottom of the staircase, you can arrange payment with him. I take it you have some sort of corporate credit card or something? A check perhaps?"

"Credit."

"That will be fine."

"I've really enjoyed meeting you Chantelle. Thank you for all your help, and for opening your doors for us. We've really helped each other out here. I hope you know how appreciative I am."

"I'm sure I'll find out." She winked, and ushered me out her office door into the corridor.

"I'll see you in a few hours then."

"I'll be looking forward to it."

I smiled and turned around, striding as confidently away as I could muster. I didn't look back, but I just knew she was watching my ass as I walked away. I even smiled to myself.

At the bottom of the stairs I was met by Adrian.

"I trust everything went well Sir?"

"Yes Adrian. Splendidly in fact."

"Wonderful Sir. If you would follow me, I will help finalise arrangements for you."

And that was that. A few minutes later I was standing outside in the cool breeze, the Domina Flagrante behind me, looking up and down the street and wondering where I parked my car.

I returned to my office and sat behind my desk and relaxed for a moment. I ticked off the things in my mind. Venue. Alcohol. Catering. I couldn't believe how well everything came together. Everyone was going to be so surprised. I sat and wrote out invitations for the next hour or so until I was done. Fortunately Annie had taken pity on me and provided me with the guest list. Little blonde waifish Annie. Now there was a slave if ever I saw one. Chuckling, I shook my head and tidied my desk. There was just enough time to get home, shower, change and get back to the club.

I had no idea what I was getting into, but I had a feeling this was going to be one hell of a party...