Jake filled the silence, staring into her eyes in a way that felt like he was reaching in to grab her soul. "I want to take care of you, Hannah. Is that so terrible? You've worked so hard for so many years, but you have to be getting tired. Working so many jobs while going to school. Wouldn't it be nice to have some help financially? How about some help growing your career in business?" He paused to make sure she was listening before finishing. "Help exploring your submissive desires—the ones you try to deny exist?"
The pounding of her pulse echoed in her ears. She didn't trust herself to respond and Jake took advantage of her silence, reaching into the pocket of his suit jacket and coming out with a small, wrapped present that looked suspiciously like a jewelry box.
"Open it. It's only the first of many gifts I look forward to giving you while you are under my... care." The way he hesitated made her wonder what word he had wanted to use instead of care.
She slowly ripped the silver wrapping paper off, uncovering the name of an exclusive West Coast jeweler. She peeked inside before slamming the hinged box closed and dropping the velvet-lined container to the table as if it were burning her fingers. It was too much.
Jake sighed, reaching for the box and opening it wide to expose the four large sparkling diamonds inside. She had never seen such extravagant jewels in person before, let alone held them. She wasn't even sure what type of jewelry it was, but was pretty sure they were real diamonds. There were two small rings and two long posts. She only had her ears pierced once, so she couldn't wear them all together.
"Are they real?" Her voice sounded shaky.
It doesn't matter if they're real. You need to say no.
"Of course. Nothing but the best for you, Hannah."
"Why?"
His impatience at her questioning him shone in his eyes. His answer was clipped. "Because I can. Because I want you to wear them and think of me."
"But I only have my ears pierced. I can't even wear them all."
Jake's blue eyes danced with mischief, lightening the mood. He picked up one of the rings, holding it out for her to touch. Once she held it in her hand, he clarified. "This ring will be pierced through your left tit," he explained. "Its mate through your right nipple. I like to mark what's mine."
A gush of moisture escaped to her panties at his naughty promise. Her mind told her to jump up and run out of the restaurant, but her damn body sat frozen in her seat while she watched him pick up a curved post with the largest of all of the diamonds on it. He held it out to her and she silently took it from him. It felt heavy in her fingers.
"This diamond will pierce your belly button. It's the largest because it will be on display most often." He then lifted the smallest and only remaining diamond, holding it up for her inspection before leaning in to whisper intimately against her ear. "This one will pierce your clit hood and rub you throughout the day, keeping you on the edge so you're ready for me when I see you. I promise, it will bring us both great pleasure, Hannah."
She trembled so much, she dropped the nipple rings to the tabletop. Jake didn't seem to mind, reaching to pluck the expensive jewelry up and return it to the box it came in. He left the box open in front of her, not allowing her to shut it out.
The idea of being pierced for his pleasure was ludicrous. They barely knew each other. Her brain knew it, but her body was betraying her. It had been so long since she'd had anyone show any interest in her romantically. It felt good to be the center of this handsome, successful man's attention. It felt even better to think of Jake helping her professionally and, if she was honest with herself, personally as well.
Jake was good at reading body language and must have known how close she was to finally agreeing to take the next step with him. He upped the ante. "Why don't you give me one night? Let me take you to my home office where you can see where you'd be working most often. We can take the next step to making you mine, and you can decide if you like where things are headed before you close the door. Can't you give me a chance?"
She was unprepared for Jake to sound vulnerable, yet that was the word that came to mind. She knew in that minute that the ball was in her court, and she suspected the dominant man sitting across from her didn't allow that to happen often. He was asking for her to trust him. Surely, she could give him one chance, right?
"Okay. One night. I'd like to learn more about the work if I could," she said.
"You've made me a happy man, Hannah. Let's get out of here and go back to my place to iron out the details of your employment contract."
Hannah
Thirty minutes later, Hannah was zooming along the Pacific Coast Highway in Jake Davenport's Corvette Stingray. The plush leather interior of the sports car felt luxurious against her bare thighs, her short skirt exposing more skin than she should have allowed. The night was clear. The light of the full moon reflected off the ocean, bringing an eerie calm to the silent drive.
She'd tried to convince Jake to let her drive herself, but he wouldn't hear of it.
"You've had several drinks, Hannah. It's not safe for you to drink and drive. You'll ride with me. I'll bring you
