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Category: Erotica/BDSM Erotica
Description: She Learned to Love It! When Amber accepts a new job, she doesn't dream she will end up chained to the company in a whole new way. Or that she is the kind of young woman who might learn to love to submit! But soon Amber will experience collaring, spanking, whipping, and good-old-fashioned humiliation. From the author of Slave to Fortune! A Hot Flashes Novelette.
eBook Publisher: Renaissance E Books/Sizzler Editions,
eBookwise Release Date: May 2007

6 Reader Ratings:

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Available eBook Formats: OEBFF Format (IMP) [55 KB]
Words: 10871
Reading time: 31-43 min.

The interior of the tent was dark, a little claustrophobic, lit only by a few small candles in glass holders. Amber shivered. Although her head told her that she was being silly, instinct informed her that the tarot card lady channeled a powerful force. The strangely illustrated cards were briskly dealt onto the crimson tablecloth. Amber tried to follow what Madame Fortune was saying but it seemed rather vague and she almost wished she had saved her ten dollars to spend on something else at the Fair. Like one of those pretty turquoise bead bracelets. She shifted uneasily on the folding chair and tried to concentrate on what the reader was saying.

"The Knight of Swords. A determined young man. Do you have a boyfriend?"

Amber fidgeted with the silver ring on her right index finger.

"Not now. I did have until recently. We split up."

She felt slightly annoyed at having to disclose her personal life but, after all, that was why she was there. She had asked the cards what life held in store for her. Madame Fortune turned over a few more cards and looked triumphant.

"Aha! The Eight of Wands. Things will happen very swiftly, my dear. You may even be swept off your feet. I see romance and travel in your future. Have fun but try to keep your feet on the ground and your head out of the clouds."

Amber smiled. Travel? That seemed highly unlikely in her present financial situation. Thanking Madame Fortune, she left the tiny striped tent and continued wandering around the stalls, browsing the cheap and colorful clothes and assorted home-baked goodies. Travel. Well, she'd certainly jump at the chance if it was offered. It was a long time since she'd had a break. The split with Jake had left her poorer in many ways. Her job as a veterinary nurse was very satisfying but not well paid, alas. She was only twenty-five. The future loomed large and uncertain.

The Eight of Wands. Things will happen very swiftly.

Madame Fortune's words echoed in Amber's mind. She caught sight of herself in a clothes stall mirror. She was an attractive girl, quite tall with a curvy, womanly figure which she liked to clothe in feminine garments like swirling calf-length Indian skirts. Her black hair was thick and glossy, waving naturally to her shoulders. Amber smiled at her reflection.

OK, Mr Knight of Swords. I'm ready. Make your appearance!

"Call for you, Amber. On line two."

Megan, the receptionist at the veterinary hospital, stood aside to let Amber take the call. Slightly irritated, as she was very busy, Amber almost snapped into the receiver.

"This is Amber Shaw."

There was a pause then a male voice came onto the line.

"Hi, Ms Shaw. This is Jon Fox from Foxtrotters Travel Agency."

Amber listened, astonished, as the man proceeded to tell her that her name had been drawn in a raffle and had won first prize. The prize was a return flight to anywhere in the continental United States, plus three nights hotel accommodation.

"Are you still there, Ms Shaw?"

Amber was speechless. She was always entering competitions and raffles but had never won anything other than trifles like mugs and hats.

"I'm here. What a shock! I don't know what to say."

"Well, congratulations. If you'd like to stop by the travel agency as soon as is convenient, we can look at the options with you. The world is your oyster. A big part of it, anyway."

"Thank you. I'll drop by as soon as I can."

Amber replaced the phone and stared at it as if she might have been hallucinating. Megan raised an eyebrow.

"Good news? Bad news?"

Amber smiled broadly.

"I won, Megan. I've won a trip to almost anywhere! Isn't that wonderful?!"

The plane banked over the city and began its descent. Amber watched nervously as the runway lights steadily approached. She hadn't counted on arriving in San Francisco after dark but an unfortunate series of delays had held up her flight by several hours. She should have been at her hotel by now.

Help!

Amber had not done a lot of traveling and the idea of arriving in a strange city where she knew no one was beginning to seem worrying rather than exciting. Yet it was the kind of adventure she had dreamed of...

The terminal was relatively quiet as Amber walked through the automatic doors and out into the damp night, trailing her case behind her. She looked around for a cab and spotted one immediately but a hurrying businessman beat her to it. It seemed to be the last one.

Typical.

Amber stood beneath the sign, regretting that she had worn high-heeled shoes to travel in. She was showing her inexperience. Her feet felt slightly swollen from hours of sitting on a plane and standing in airport line-ups. She also felt vulnerable. She had expected more people, more light, more comforting noise. She seemed to have arrived during a quiet time. Where was everyone? A small group of laughing youths lounged nearby and Amber began to feel paranoid, certain that they had to be mocking her and her unsuitable footwear. She began to feel very uncomfortable.

Thank goodness!

A yellow cab approached the curb and Amber waved at it in relief.

"Where to, miss?"

The driver was of East Indian heritage and wore a turban. Amber's heart lurched and she rummaged in her purse for the hotel confirmation she'd printed out from her computer. How silly of her not to remember the name. Lipstick, keys and her lucky pebble spilled out onto her lap as she searched.

"I'll find it in a moment! Sorry to keep you waiting."

"It's OK. The meter is running." answered the driver and Amber blushed in the darkness. Finally, she found the sheet of paper and held it up to the light from the terminal entrance.

"Hotel Raimonda, Hyde Street. Do you know where it is?"

For one moment, Amber thought she saw the driver give her an odd, searching look in his mirror, then he nodded and the cab pulled out from the curb.

I hope the hotel is in a good area.

The photos on the hotel website had certainly looked nice but then they always did, didn't they? Amber found that she was clutching her purse as the cab passed through a series of streets that looked less than glamorous. Every city had its poor, rundown areas, even San Francisco. Gradually, she watched the procession of graffiti-covered and derelict looking buildings give way to the taller blocks of the downtown core. A mist seemed to be blowing in from the bay. Well, it was autumn, not summer. The cab turned left then drove uphill and into a more residential area. Amber recognized the fine architecture and parks from her pre-trip reading. They were in the Nob Hill district. The hotel had to be close.

"Hotel Raimonda."

Amber stepped out of the cab, one high-heeled pump catching on the curb. She waited for the driver to retrieve her case from the trunk, paid him carefully, remembering to tip, and walked bravely into the hotel lobby. Again, she had the strange sensation that the driver had shot her an odd look as she counted out her fare. Was it so obvious she'd come from a small town? Anyway, the hotel was just as lovely as the pictures, a tall, narrow building dating back to the early twentieth century. Furnished in an opulent Victorian style, it gave the impression of a lush, sensual boudoir, all heavy velvety drapes and Persian rugs. Amber began to relax. She was definitely in the best part of town. Feeling more confident, she held her chin up and began to walk purposefully across the lobby to the front desk. It was at that moment that the same spiked heel which had caught the curb outside, snagged on the fringe of a thick rug. Crying out in surprise, Amber tripped and fell to her knees on the rug.