RAINER ■ POV 

I fidgited nervously with my shirt hem, staring down at my lap and swallowing hard. It was a habit Mistress Trisha always hated. She'd tried whipping me out of it, but the red welts on my hands never stopped my nervous fidgeting. 

I tugged at a few loose bits of thread, avoiding eye contact with anyone and everyone who walked past down the dark hallway. My resumé sat on the empty seat next to me along with other things I might need including my birth certificate and passport.  

Why do I need those things? I'm applying for a job. Well - a part time job. Mistress Trisha would never allow me out of the house long enough to work full time. But her own job in marketing wasn't bringing in enough money so I was inclined to help make ends meet. 

I was sat in the new BDSM club we had joined. I was an experienced sub with twenty seven years under my belt. This lifestyle was everything to me and I needed the stability of rules and punishment and praise to function properly. 

It was mostly to do with my insecure personality and my ability to worry over the smallest of things. Having a Dominant take care of me was what drove me right into the lifestyle - well, that and the fact that my brother couldn't look after me anymore.  

Anyway, Mistress Trisha got a new job and we moved house right into the city. The nearest club was this club - "Chain Haven." It was a beautiful place - truly stunning and I was suprised when Mistress Trisha first brought me here. 

The club was on the bottom floor of a sky rise building with around ten floors. The bottom three floors made up the club. The ground floor was the bar and dance floor, public scene stages and sitting area. The second floor was the VIP spot for club members and the third floor was where you could rent out or buy play rooms for the night. It was amazing, especially the lavish decor of red velvets, black marble and gold accent colours. Beautiful. 

Mistress Trisha got a membership two weeks ago and we'd been here twice ever since. Mainly for her to make some new friends. I wasn't allowed to talk to any of the other subs, but I was content to watch her have fun. 

Back to why I was here. I had noticed a few signs up for bar tending jobs going at the bar and had asked Mistress Trisha if I could apply. She'd been mad at first, claiming that I only wanted to work here so that I could play with other Doms while she wasn't there. I'd cried, heartbroken that she'd think I'd cheat. After an intense paddling and being made to stare at a wall for hours until my legs gave out, she'd finally calmed down enough to listen to my reasoning.  

If I was working at the club, at least she'd know where I was going all the time, she knew how to contact me and she could tell others to keep an eye out on me and make sure I wasn't doing anything wrong. It gave her peace of mind and it made me feel a bit more secure since I knew she was only looking out for me. 

She'd thankfully agreed. So now, I was waiting on the little black leather chairs outside the office of the owner of Chain Haven. His office was a lot higher up - on the seventh floor of the high-rise and I wondered if he owned the whole building. 

I'd never met him or heard anything about him, since I wasn't allowed to chatter with others at the club. But I was hoping he was nice. Although I was forty-seven, social interactions was still suprisingly a hardship. There were no rules for interacting with humans. No guidelines or clear grey areas. I was a confused, nervous wreck. 

If he yelled at me - I'd cry. 

The simple solution was to not give him something to yell about. But that was harder than it seemed. What if I said the wrong thing? What if I accidently offended him? What if I wasn't good enough for the job?  

I took a deep breath, smoothing out my shirt before I picked a hole in the bottom and took to bouncing my legs instead. Another bad habit. I'd only been waiting around five minutes but it seemed like a lifetime. 

Finally, the large, scary doors at the end of the corridor opened and my name was called. "Rainer Del Brace." 

I swallowed hard, feeling my chest constrict. Fuck, don't freak out. You got this Rainer. 

I walked down the corridor towards the deep voice, fretting about my appearance. Did I look okay? Did I look scruffy? I combed my hair this morning, but the salt and pepper strands always stood up in weird places. My tie was slightly crooked and I quickly fixed it over and over until it was perfect. I rubbed my sweaty hands on my slacks before wiping at my lips in case any crumbs from my toast this morning still remained. 

By the time I reached the doors and slipped inside, my arms were shaking. The first thing I noticed was the floor to ceiling windows spanning the back length of the large room. They displayed a beautiful, panoramic view of the city. That must look wonderful at night.

The next thing I noticed was the large oak desk in the middle of the room, stacked with papers and pen pots, a large, sleek looking computer and laptop as well as black folders and a coffee mug. Two leather chairs sat in front of the desk much like the one I'd sat on outside. 

I didn't have the courage to look up, but I knew I had to. Or otherwise, how would I know what to do? Do I introduce myself? Do I sit in the chair? Do I stand and shake his hand? Oh my god. I wanted to smack myself. Now was not the time to freak out. 

"Mr Brace, is something wrong?" 

The voice that spoke was deep and very mellow. It was a nice voice. Very rich and low. It made my ears happy. What a weird expression - happy ears? 

"Mr Brace, I asked you a question." 

I finally looked up from the spot on the ground I'd been staring at. That mellow voice was also too commanding and strict to ignore. The natural sub in me panicked at being scolded. 

When my eyes rose, I finally met the gaze of the man who called my name. Holy moly. The man was huge. Although he sat behind his desk, there was no doubt that he was a large man, much larger than myself. Full and bulky muscles moved beneath a crisp white shirt covering his body. The sleeves were rolled up, revealing colourful tattoos on each veiny forearm. 

The top two buttons of the shirt were undone, displaying a thick neck and a thin, gold chain. My eyes traveled further up. A lightly stubbled, strong chin, square jaw. The most... full bottom lip and a delicate top one. A strong nose with a high bridge. Glowing honey toned eyes framed in darker lashes. Perfect eyebrows. A really... sexy forehead striped on one side with black hair escaped from a slicked back hairstyle. 

The man was obviously young, maybe in his late twenties, almost half my own age. He looked mature though, and quite stern, in a classically handsome way.

He was a master piece. Really, it was just ridiculous. No wonder the rest of us normal people were so average when the universe gave all the handsome spells to people like him. The models, the movie stars, the CEOs and athletes. 

I could feel my cheeks heating up as I stared. He was probrably thinking I had no manners, but I'd never come across someone so beautiful. It was a shock to the system I needed time to recover from. 

But the man didn't have time. I could see the impatience on his face. I'd made him repeat himself twice. He was the owner of a BDSM club. Was I right in thinking the dominant wasn't happy? 

Yep. I was right. 

He stood from behind his desk, his eyes watching me, narrowed. "Mr Brace, I know you are a member of this club and have a current Mistress. Although we are meeting under circumstances different to that, I should assume you know basic training, enough to answer a dominant who is talking to you?" 

I think I died and came back to life. My face was redder than mars and I felt sick to my stomach with embarrassment. I'm such a fool. I haven't even spoken yet and I've already pissed him off. Great, now I have no chance at getting the job. 

My gaze lowered back to a spot on the carpet and I took a deep, burning breath, trying to think back to the basics and make my brain function. God, if Mistress Trisha was here right now, I'd already be black and blue for such disobedience. 

"I'm sorry sir, for disrespecting you and not answering your question," I whispered. 

"You're forgiven. I'm a very busy man and had to rearrange some appointments to see you today. Therefore, I want to make the most of our time. That means I need you to answer me when I talk to you. Do you understand?" His voice was a tad softer than before. 

"Yes sir, I understand," I quickly answered before I embarrassed myself again. 

"Come and sit down Mr Brace. You may look at me when you speak." 

I started shuffling forward, but I didn't look up at him. I couldn't. I was too flustered and eye contact made me nervous. I sat in the chair when I reached it, keeping my back straight and my hands folded in my lap. I stared at his mug instead of his face. It was large and filled with steaming black coffee that smelled delicious. 

"My name is Jaxon Taylor and I'm the Master Dom here at Chain Haven. I heard that you and your mistress, Trisha, are new members," Jaxon spoke in a friendly manor. 

I nodded slowly. "We just moved here and Mistress wanted to join your club because it's so pretty."  

"Thank you, the decor was something I personally wanted to perfect. I'm glad you like it. How are you finding it here so far?" He asked and I heard his chair move as he made himself more comfortable. 

"I've only been here twice sir, but it is really amazing," I admitted softly. I hadn't done any scenes or used a play room. I'd only knelt in a corner while Mistress went to the bar, but I'd had fun watching the other subs and doms dance and play. 

"I assume that's why you're applying as a bar tender here. May I see your resumé?" He held out a large hand. I noticed his rough and slightly calloused fingertips. His nails were neat and short and clean. He had nice hands. 

I carefully placed my documents in his hand and he took them from me. It was silent for a few moments as he read. I began to fidget again, still staring at his mug. There was a tiny little ground coffee bean on the rim that hadn't quite made it into the mug and dissolved into the hot water. It was bugging me. 

"Mr Brace...  are you certain that bar tending is the job you're looking for?" 

I looked up at the question. Jaxon was frowning as he flipped through the pages of my resumé. I swallowed hard in apprehension. My background was lacking, wasn't it? I had no experience in bar tending but I was sure I could learn. Didn't he think I could do it? 

"You have a masters degree in biological science. A bachelors in zoology and a PHD in marine wildlife," his eyebrows were raised in suprise.  

Yes, it was stupid to apply for bar tending, but... it was the only thing Mistress would allow me to do. 

"I know I have no experience in bartending sir, b-but if you'd just give me a chance," I could feel my hope withering away... into tears. 

"Mr Brace. I'm not saying you're not good enough. I'm saying you're over qualified." 

"Over qualified?" I asked. That term existed? 

"Is there a particular reason why you're sat in my office looking to bartend at a BDSM club rather than working on discovering a new species of animal, scuba diving in the Pacific ocean, hiking through the Amazon or in your own professional lab?" 

My mouth opened and closed. He'd just described my dream ever since I was little. But I was forty-seven now. If I didn't make it when I was younger, I didn't stand a chance now. Plus, Mistress Trisha wouldn't let me look for jobs in my field. She didn't want me working at all. This job was just a small opportunity I wanted to snatch up while I had the chance. I didn't have a shot at my dreams. The thought was depressing. 

"I-I just... I want to stay close to home," I got out lamely, biting at my lip. I'd never been good at lying. 

"Right," Jaxon shook his head and I had a feeling I'd somehow dissapointed him. "Well, I'm going to give you a chance at this job. You'll have induction training tomorrow morning at eight. Do you understand?" 

"Yes sir!" I gasped, beaming at him. My first job in a very long time. I felt excitement well up inside me, like a child at Christmas. 

I wasn't allowed to do most things alone so this job gave me some freedom I would cherish. 

"Thank you so much," I spoke sincerely. Jaxon chuckled, watching me closely with his amber eyes. 

He held out his hand. "May I?" 

I bit my lip. I wasn't supposed to touch anyone else but Mistress Trisha - when she gave me permission. But it wouldn't hurt right? 

I closed my eyes and leant forward. The younger master ran his fingers through my hair and I let out a content purr. "Don't let me down Mr Brace." 

"I won't sir," I whispered in reply. He stroked my head once more, making my heart spasm at the praise I didn't hear often - not even from my own Mistress. 

"Good boy, you may leave." 

Good boy. I was a good boy.

...