Maya collected the dirty drink glasses, fighting the urge to pinch herself. She couldn’t believe how lucky she was to have this job fall right into her lap, and at the perfect time. A month ago, she had been laid off from her waitressing job, and had panicked about making rent. Now she was making amazing money at the exclusive club known as Dark. Granted, working at a club that catered to sexual fetishes and exploration wasn’t for everyone, but Maya couldn’t have been happier. Although, she’d be the first to admit that when her friend and roommate, Jamie, first told her about the opening at the club, she baulked.

“I don’t know,” Maya said. “Working at a place like that, don’t you feel, um, dirty?’

Jamie laughed. “Are you kidding me? The money’s fantastic, and everyone there is engaging in sex or whatever with other members, so no one is hitting on me.” Maya nodded, remembering how many jackasses she’d had to put up with at her previous job. Slapping hands off one’s ass should have been a prerequisite.

“And,” Jamie continued. “We’re not hustling for tips; we’re salaried. The members pay dues each month and a guaranteed amount is for waitstaff, so even if it’s a slow night, we still make good money. Although they’re not supposed to, sometimes the members slip you a little extra, and that’s nothing to complain about.”

“But what about, the, you know, the sex and stuff?”

“Maya, hon, it’s not exactly like you’ll be joining in, that is, unless you want to, of course!”

“What!”

“I’m only kidding,” Jamie said. But there was a flash in her eyes that led Maya to believe she wasn’t.

“Anyway,” Jamie continued. “Whatever the patrons do have no bearing on us, or our job. We’re not hookers. We’re cocktail waitresses. You see me every day, and have I ever been upset or uncomfortable about this job?”

Maya bit her lower lips, thinking. It did sound like a good job, and it was true, Jamie was happy, enjoying her work and making good money.

“Why don’t you just go to the interview, and if you still don’t like the idea of it, no harm done. I’ll admit that when I first started there, it was a bit disconcerting to see so many people walking around half naked, or completely naked in some cases. And some of the members were engaging in sexual acts right there at the main bar. But after a while, you hardly notice it. It’s like if you worked at BBQ restaurant. After a while, you don’t even notice the smell of food cooking.”

“Yeah.” Maya smiled. “But looking at people having sex is not exactly the same as the smell of roasting pigs.”

“Okay, bad analogy. Just go for the interview.”

Graham, Dark’s manager, had answered every question she’d had candidly and honestly. He explained that everyone who was a member of the club had gone through a rigorous selection process, including a medical history check. The dues were high and anonymity was assured. They would never violate any of the rules of the club, which ensured Maya’s safety in working there. In the end, she accepted the job and was thankful she had.

When she’d arrived for her first shift, she’d felt practically naked in Dark’s tasteful, but skimpy, uniform. Maya had always considered herself a “curvy girl” with round hips and full breasts, but the tight, black shorts and cream-colored silk blouse looked pretty good on her. The outfit showed off her curves in just the right way. She had a full head of dark, untamable curls cascading down her back, but it was her unique gray eyes that always got the most attention. With her hair pinned up, and her make-up done for work, she felt pretty, and even a little sexy. Of course, it was no comparison to what many of the members sported on a regular basis.

During her first few shifts, she had to control the urge not to openly stare. At twenty-four, Maya didn’t consider herself prudish or naïve, but seeing what went on in the club, right in the open, did cause her jaw to drop more than once.

On her first night of training, she dropped a glass, shattering it when she saw a man, bare-chested, wearing only leather pants and a dog collar. A beautiful woman in a rubber bodysuit and stilettos was leading him around. That in itself wasn’t shocking, but when he got on his knees in front of his “mistress,” unzipped the strategically placed zipper between her legs, and began to lick her pussy, the glass slipped right through Maya’s fingers. Luckily, Jamie was close by to help her clean up.

Now a month into the job, Jamie was partially right. While she didn’t shatter glasses anymore or openly stare, she did find herself sneaking glances at some of the more intimate activities when she was sure no one would notice. She was mesmerized and turned on by much of what she saw. It was hard not to be. When a Dom was being pleasured, they’d moan and writhe from being licked, suckled, or even fucked. Maya would snap back to reality to find her skin scorching and her pussy dripping. She needed to gain control of her reactions, or she’d be out of a job before long.

“Looks like you have an admirer,” Jamie said one night.

“Huh?” Maya was clearing a table and didn’t bother to look up.

“The gorgeous guy at the end of the bar, he can’t take his eyes off of you.”

“What are you talking—” The words died on her tongue when she looked up and saw him.

Jamie laughed under her breath. “Yeah, him. Careful there, girlfriend.” Jamie grabbed a glass from Maya’s hand before it went toppling. Maya barely noticed when Jamie scooped up the tray of drinks and carried them away. Then the most handsome man she’d ever seen in real life walked toward her. He couldn’t possibly be coming to talk to her. She looked around, but there was no one else nearby.

“You’re new here,” he stated. He was tall with a voice that was deep and commanding. She nodded, smelling his musky scent. He sat down. “I’ve been watching you.”

She said nothing, staring dumbfounded into his amber-colored eyes. God, he was even more beautiful up close. Thick black lashes surrounded light eyes that matched his wavy hair. He looked to be in his thirties. He smiled at her, and there were little lines near his eyes. He’s only going to get better looking as he ages, Maya thought, and then snapped back to reality. Her face heated with a full-blown blush. She let out a breath she didn’t realized she was holding. “I’m sorry. Would you like a drink?” she managed to ask calmly, while her insides were anything but.

“No.”

“No?”

“No. I want you.”

“What?” Did she just hear him right?

“I said I want you.”

Maya let out a nervous giggle. He must be joking, of course, but when she dared to look him in the eye, she saw he was not. “You’re not serious. This is a joke, right? I mean, look at me. Look at you. I…” She let the words die on her lips.

He looked at her, his eyes dark, filled with promise, then took a strand of hair that had come loose and placed it behind her ear. He ran a finger over her cheek, and her skin burned. Maya swallowed. She struggled to find a coherent thought she could actually verbalize, but his incredible eyes drank her in, distracting her.

“You’re very beautiful. If you allow me the privilege of being with you, I could show you just how beautiful you are.” He leaned in and Maya held on to the table to keep steady. “I’ve seen you looking at the members. When you’re turned on, your skin becomes flushed, and your breathing changes. What I wouldn’t give to be the one to do that to you.”

Maya was sure she was turning a shade of red than hadn’t existed before that moment. “I, um, I—”

“Don’t be embarrassed.” He brushed his hand along the side of her breasts and her nipples hardened.