My “prior engagement” was the WeHo Halloween Carnaval. Brandon and I went together every year. Last year we’d even won second prize in the costume competition, in identical blue dresses as the creepy hallway sisters fromThe Shining.
I definitely couldn’t break that tradition, not without some serious pouting from Brandon. But what Zee was offering soundedsoamazing. “You know—if it’d help, I could come just for a weekend,” I offered. “I have Saturday and Sunday off the week after next, and I don’t have to be at work until Monday afternoon.”
Her eyes brightened, and I felt pleased that I had pleased her. “Actually, that could workverywell. I have a friend arriving from England that weekend, and he’s rather demanding, so far as domestic service goes. Ezra tells me you’re well known for dealing with some of the most demanding Doms around LA.”
I laughed at that. “That’s me, the Dom Whisperer.”
“And I can see you have a knack for service,” she said, her smile becoming more serious. “I saw how you offered to help out behind the bar. That was very good of you, Oliver.”
Was I blushing? Ifelthot in the face. “Um, thanks. It wasn’t a big deal.”
“Doyou enjoy domestic service? That’s what we’d be asking from you for the weekend.”
Service kink? That was something that Brandon and I tended to joke about.Need your toilet cleaned? Call a service sub!And Zee Dubois’s reputation was a little darker than something as fluffy as service kink. “I’m more of a pain slut, actually,” I told her. “But you know, never say never. I’m down for service, but I’d be a newbie.”
She nodded slowly and then said, as if warning me, “For most of our household staff, the pleasure lies merely in the act of service itself.”
I couldn’t help it. I grinned. “You mean you’renotguaranteeing sexy interludes or a good whipping?”
“That isexactlywhat I mean,” she laughed. Your visit would be primarily intended as a weekend of domestic service, although there might be opportunities for other activities, if you indicated an interest. But of course, we would never ask you to do anything outside your comfort zone.”
“Service, huh?” I said, thinking it over.
“Service.”
“It sounds like…work.”
Zee gave a tiny shrug. “And so it is. But perhaps you’ll find something in service that you haven’t found before.”
She had a point. Every new kink I tried, I learned something. Even if it was just thatthatkink wasn’t for me. “And this friend of yours, the demanding Dom you mentioned?”
“I could assign you to different duties if—”
“No, no,” I said quickly. “The demanding Dom is the real draw for me.”
She laughed again. “If youcouldcome and stay with us for that weekend, I would very much appreciate your time, Oliver. I think my friend would appreciate your time as well.”
Whowasthis guy? It was so tempting.
“I’m afraid there would be very dull things attached, such as nondisclosure agreements and contracts,” she went on lightly, but she watched me closely to take in my reaction.
NDAs and sexy contracts? That soundedhot. “I’m in.”
She gave my hand a patient pat. She really did have a great bedside manner. “Well, before you sign your life away, I’ll go through our expectations with you more thoroughly. I want you to understand exactly what you’re getting into.”
That was Zee all over, or at least, that was her reputation. Very safe. Very sane. And very sadistic, to hear told, although that seemed like less of a priority forthisevent.
Still, it made me wonder about this friend of hers. When I’d told Zee I was a pain slut, I wasn’t kidding. I was a masochist down to the bones, and I was always interested in new experiences. If this guy’s tastesweresimilar to hers…
“Lay it on me,” I told her.
CHAPTER4
Oliver
Iheard alotfrom Zee that night. And then there was a whole week of signing agreements and an air-tight NDA, answering a lot of questionnaires, submitting my most recent test results and undergoing a full medical checkup by Dr. Cooper Kincaid, Jon’s fiancé, who also worked at Zee’s clinic.
But after that? I wasin.
