Chapter IV: An Interesting Offer

Mr. Masen leads me toward a dimly lit dining room that is decorated in dark oaks and burgundy. He holds my hand, rubs circles on its back with his thumb. Something about his touch is so tender.

“Would you care for another drink Isabella?”

His tone is so formal, so businesslike.

“If it will please you sir,” I answer meekly.

He gives me a smile of approval. I have pleased him; knowing that pleases me. He pours me a small glass of Hendrick’s over ice and gestures me to sit down. I ease into my seat at the dining room table and place my hands flat on the table’s surface. He watches me with a wolfish grin before pouring a glass of Hendrick’s for himself.

Mr. Masen sits across the table from me and I frown at the distance. He smirks and takes a long drink of his gin, gesturing for me to do the same. Taking one hand off the table’s smooth surface, I reach for my drink and take a long and relaxing sip. The liquid stings as it goes down, but I relish in the discomfort.

“I invited you home with me because I would like to help you.”

This surprises me.

“Sir,” I ask, my brows knitted together in confusion.

“I’ve had my eye on you for some time Isabella; I’ve seen how you live. You are circling the drain as we speak.”

Tears prick my eyes at his words, but I know he is right. I remain silent.

“You could benefit from having someone like me in your life.”

My mind is reeling but I say nothing.

“You may speak freely Isabella. Tell me what is going on in that pretty little head of yours.”

“I’m sorry sir, what do you mean you have been watching me? Have you been coming to the club? I am sure I would have recognized you if that were the case.”

Without so much as a pause, Mr. Masen says, “I saw you leaving a bookstore two weeks ago, you captivated me. I wanted to know more, so I kept an eye on you. I was shocked, to say the least, when I found where you worked. Your life needs structure Isabella. You need discipline, before you cross too many lines leaving you unable to come back.”

This mysterious stranger has been watching me? How could his watchful eye go unnoticed?

“So you would discipline me?”

“Yes,” he says with a wicked gleam in his eyes.

“How would you do that,” I ask shyly.

“You would willingly surrender yourself to me. In return, I shall be completely devoted to you Isabella. You must trust me to know what is in your best interest.”

Everything I have been taught growing up tells me that I should be offended by his words. My mother had expressed her wishes for me to be independent and willful, but something inside me finds the ideas he presents to be desirable. He is right about me, in the short time he has known me he has seen through the façade. I am left feeling exposed and unnerved.

“What are you thinking,” he commands.

“How can I surrender myself to you?”

“You will allow me to control which aspects of your life I see fit, sexual and otherwise. I will train you to please me. Your life will transform Isabella, I assure you.”

The idea of him controlling me is arousing. I need his guidance, for guidance is something I so utterly lack. I have no one to find comfort in, no one to seek advice and answers from. With no family and no friends, I feel lost in this world. Mr. Masen has presented me with so much in such a short matter of time. His offer gives me hope. I can’t remember the last time I felt hopeful about anything because hope has always lead to disappointment.

“You want to help me,” I ask quietly.

“Helping you would please me very much Isabella,” his voice promises, “You have such potential. I would hate to see it go to waste.”

I blush. This stranger believes in me more than I believe in myself.

“What will I need to do?”

“I’m a dominant Isabella. Do you know what that means?”

I have some idea. Working at a club, I am very aware of some men’s sadomasochistic fantasies. I’ve had customers who enjoy the feeling of leather against their skin and the harsh sting of a whip against their backs. I’ve never participated in such acts, but that does not keep the curious men from asking. Mr. Masen see’s the confusion on my face and explains.

“You will submit control to me Isabella. We will have a formal set of rules and rituals that you will learn to abide. I will use your body as I see fit. You will trust me and put your faith in me. As your dominant I will be completely devoted to you.”

“You will punish me?” My cheeks flush with desire.

“I will punish you because I respect you Isabella. You will be punished because I know you can perform better.”

The thought of giving up my power is arousing. I’m so unfamiliar with the feelings Mr. Masen conjures up, but they feel wonderful. I’m at a loss for what to say. It feels dangerous for me to want something so badly.

“You are a natural submissive Isabella.” I can hear the smile in his voice.

This peaks my interest. I have never thought of myself as submissive. But perhaps I don’t know myself as well as I think I do.

“How do you know?”

“You are very respectful, very eager to please me. When you sat down tonight, you placed your palms on the table without instruction to do so. You will be a joy to train Isabella.”

I sit up straighter in my chair, happy with his assessment. Mr. Masen believes in me.

“You want me as your submissive?”

“I’ve wanted you from the moment I saw you. Before we even spoke, I knew you would be perfect.”

I flush and Mr. Masen reaches his hand across the oak table to place it atop of mine. His touch is soft and my heart warms. It is the most comforting touch I have felt in a long time.  

A/N: I think one wonderful thing about this lifestyle is the structure it can provide. Bella definitely does not have anyone in her life to guide her and is left to make poor choices. I know she is a stripper, but she is in no way a bad person. She has just had a pretty hard life…which you will soon find out. What do you guys think about Edward following her? He is definitely not the type of man to frequent strip clubs.