Cassie felt a surge of determination. She couldn't let Emily and Sarah win this bet. She needed to prove to them that she wasn't as innocent as they thought. She was a virgin yesterday, but she could find a man to break it. It was not like she was going to propose to him right away. If she could finish her PHD and present her thesis to a bunch of no-nonsense lecturers, then she could find a man to fuck her. It was not rocket science, she reasoned.
She was tired of carrying the virginity badge. She needed to set it down and let others carry it. But where to start? She couldn't just ask a random guy for sex. She was not comfortable with going to clubs, she only went because her friends insisted. She was also not brave like Emily and Sarah. She had met Emily when she joined for her PHD. Sarah had been her friend from when she was doing her Masters. She admired Emily's brazen nature. The way she was not afraid to speak her mind, the way she went for anything she wanted, that was what Cassie wished for. Emily was an extrovert, she was loud and funny. Sarah was an introverted extrovert who was also rarely afraid of speaking her mind. Cassie needed a place where people were open to casual encounters. She did not want to have small chats or exchange numbers. In fact she wanted a one night stand with a stranger, no names, or personal information. A thought struck her: Sex clubs. She'd heard rumors about them, places where people went to explore their desires without judgment. She pulled out her phone and started searching online. After a few minutes, she found one: 'The Forbidden'- a BDSM club, known for its intense encounters and open-minded clientele. A shiver ran down her spine as she read the reviews. It was a world she knew nothing about, a world of whips, chains, and dominance. She had always pictured her first time as beautiful and romantic. In all her fantasies, her lover was gentle, romantic and cared about her. He took her on a date first, serenaded her with music and got her flowers. Now was not the time for all that romance ideas. She was desperate and desperation was a powerful motivator. She decided to take the plunge. What was the worst that could happen? The club was located in a discreet part of the city, a nondescript building that blended seamlessly with the surrounding architecture. As she stepped inside, she was greeted by a dim, dimly lit room, filled with the soft hum of conversation and the subtle scent of leather. A host, a tall, imposing figure with a piercing gaze, approached her. "Welcome to The Forbidden," he said, his voice low and seductive. "Are you here alone?" Cassie nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and fear. He made her choose a mask from one of the collections hanging by the door. "No face, no case. Right?" He teased. Cassie nodded. Her throat was clogged and she could only nod. "Well then, let's get you acquainted," he said, leading her through a maze of corridors. She found herself in a dimly lit room, the walls adorned with erotic artwork. A man sat in a leather chair, his body muscular and his expression intense. He was wearing a mask, his identity hidden. "This is Dominus," the host introduced. "He's our resident Dom. He'll be your guide tonight." Dominus removed his mask, revealing a handsome face with piercing blue eyes. "Ready to explore your darkest desires?" he asked, his voice sweet. Cassie hesitated, but she nodded. She was here, and she was determined to see it through. Dominus took him to a room that had a masked man seated on the bed. The light was dim and she could not figure out the colour of his eyes no matter how much she tried. "He is all yours. Enjoy yourself," Dominus said before closing the door and leaving Cassie with the broody man. Cassie stood in the middle of the room, not knowing what to do. She knew she was inexperienced, but she was embarrassed that he had to see her like that. "You can come sit," the man said. His voice, a baritone, captivating, mysterious and luring. It caressed her ears and sent a shiver down her spine. She was in for a ride,she thought as she sat on the furthest corner of the bed. The man moved close to her and she flinched, not from being afraid of him but from being scared of what was to come. She had plunged in to this world with both feet instead of one like the conserved woman she was. She was out of her depth here and the man had sensed that. "Relax, we are not going to do anything you do not want to do. We can start simple," the man said. "Okay," Cassie managed to say. Her throat was dry and she was almost starting to sweat. Why couldn't she be bold like Emily? She wanted this but did not want the intensity that came with it. The man was looking at her like she was the best thing he had ever seen. "Why did you come here?" he asked. "I...I want to break my virginity. I am twenty five and I have never had sex," Cassie said. That was embarrassing. She waited for the laugh to come. Silence. "There is nothing embarrassing about it. That can be arranged, but only if you are relaxed and really ready. Do not let anyone put pressure on you,' the man comforted. She felt tension leave her body. "Perhaps we could start with something simpler," he suggested. "We could talk, get to know each other, only in the confines of this place. No pressure, no expectations." "They talked about the current state of things in the country. Despite the long talk, none of them revealed any personal detail about themselves. "Can I come back tomorrow?" Cassie asked. "Sure, I will be here, waiting. Just tell Dominis to bring you toe when you get her," the man said. "Thank you," Cassie said. She was grateful. They had not had sex but he had opened her eyes on different ways that she could get pleasure. Cassie promised to be more open. The next day, Cassie met up with Emily and Sarah for breakfast. She was feeling confident and excited. "Looks like someone had a wild night," Emily said, raising an eyebrow. Cassie smirked. "Not exactly wild, but definitely interesting." "So, did you manage to find someone to, you know, take care of business?" Sarah asked, her voice dripping with curiosity. "Just say fuck Sarah," Emily chimed in. "Emily!" Cassie chided. "What?" Emily countered. "Nothing. Anyway, I did find someone," Cassie said. Emily and Sarah exchanged a surprised look. They couldn't believe their eyes. Cassie, the quiet, innocent girl, had actually done it. "Well, well, well," Emily said again, this time with a hint of admiration. "I guess we underestimated you. We are going dancing in the evening." "I can't. I am meeting my mysterious man tonight," Cassie said. "Again?" Sarah asked, shocked. "Ah,Cassie has unlocked the sex genie," Emily said in a sing-song voice. Cassie smiled. "Don't underestimate me again." It was false bravado, if only they knew what had happened. "I have learn my lesson. We are going dancing tomorrow then. And I want all the deets," Emily said. As her cab drove away, she couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. She had won the bet despite her not revealing the details about her sexapades.Cassie paused at the doorway to the bathroom. The walls were pale and crisp white towels were neatly folded on a cream rack. It felt homely, an invitation she was hesitant about, yet she needed to shower. Her fingers brushed along the soft cotton. The bathtub gleamed in the corner, a soothing promise beckoning.She turned the faucets on with a flicker of nerves-hot water spills and her own thoughts mixing in a steam-drenched haze. Forty minutes later, she emerged from the bathroom, a towel wrapped around her body, another one covering her damp hair. Her bags were still not here. She wondered what Reggie was upto and if he had forgotten to help her with the bags. Lucky for her, she had dragged one of the suitcases up so she rummaged through it to find something decent to wear. She found a pair of clean sweatpants. It was red with black flowers. She paired it with a faded baggy top that Emily had gotten her. It was from her favorite actor.A soft knock on the door made her jump.“Cassie
Cassie stood in the center of the living room, her duffel bag slipping from her shoulder and landing with a soft thud on the polished hardwood floor. Ken had just dropped her off and helped her get her bags inside before leaving for an errand. Asher had already shipped her car but she had decided against driving it here. Besides, her place of work was just five minutes away; she could do with walks to and fro. She also did not want to crowd Reggie's garage. He was already charging her low rent.The apartment was stunning; airy, modern, and filled with warm light that filtered through sheer curtains. The scent of sandalwood lingered faintly in the air, mingling with the smell of fresh linen.She wandered through the open-kitchen, her fingers trailing along the cool granite countertops. The stainless-steel appliances gleamed. There was not even a fickle of dirt. Dishes were well stored, except for a bowl of fruits which sat prettily on the kitchen counter. Moving to the living area, she
Cassie stirred awake to the soft hum of bird-song filtering through her window. The morning sun cast a golden hue across her room, signaling the start of a new day. She reached for her phone, noting the time; 5:30 AM. A sticky note on her bedside table caught her eye: "Had to leave early. See you tonight. – Asher."She stretched, feeling the remnants of sleep fade away. The thought of the previous day's conversation with Asher about Reggie's apartment offer lingered in her mind. The prospect of a shorter commute was really tempting.After a quick shower and breakfast, Cassie dressed in a crisp white blouse and navy slacks, opting for comfort and professionalism. She tied her hair into a neat bun and applied minimal makeup, ready to face the day.At the office, the atmosphere buzzed with activity. Cassie settled at her desk, reviewing her tasks for the day. The day's assignment was to draft and send emails to all stakeholders regarding the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) and what
The pub was warm with low amber lighting and the familiar clink of glasses as patrons laughed and shared stories over drinks. Asher slid into a booth by the window, moments before Reggie appeared with two cold beers in hand.“Welcome back, man,” Reggie said, handing one over.“Thanks,” Asher replied, lifting the glass. “To surviving another business trip.”Reggie laughed, taking a sip. “No rest for the wicked, I tell you," Reggie joked."Indeed.""Onto serious matters; I owe you an apology," "For?" Asher asked. He had known Reggie since college and he had never been a man of many words. When he first met with him, Reggie had no friends: He was a loner who kept to himself and his books. He bloomed after college."I’m really sorry I missed your mom’s memorial. I wanted to be there, but that last-minute supplier situation in Chicago blew up.”Asher waved him off. “Don’t worry about it. You sent flowers and a note. That meant a lot to me.” The two friends were not overly sensitive, but t
The night air pressed gently against the window panes as Cassie curled up on her bed in an oversized T-shirt and fuzzy socks. Her room, softly lit by a warm bedside lamp, felt peaceful, a quiet contrast to the nerves and adrenaline that had carried her through her first day at work. The laptop hummed quietly on her duvet, waiting for her to join the call.She took a sip of her now-lukewarm tea and smiled when the screen lit up with the faces of her best friends.“Cassie!” Emily squealed the moment her camera turned on. Her blonde curls were piled high in a messy bun, and she was chewing on a straw from what looked like an enormous iced latte. “You look amazing! Tired, but amazing.”“I am wearing my Winnieh the Pooh t-shirt Em, but thanks,” Cassie laughed. “It was a long day.”Sarah leaned in, her straight dark hair tucked behind one ear. “Tell us everything. Don’t hold back. How was the first day?”Cassie stretched her legs and sighed. “Actually... it went better than I expected. Ever
Wednesday morning arrived with a clear sky and a gentle breeze that fluttered through the curtains of Cassie’s room. She lay awake for a moment longer than usual, staring at the ceiling, thoughts swirling like leaves caught in a restless wind. Today was the first real step toward building the life she wanted, a fresh start in a place she hadn’t quite called home for a long time.She pushed back the covers and sat on the edge of the bed, breathing deeply. “You’ve got this,” she whispered to herself, straightening her shoulders. After her morning routine, Cassie carefully chose her outfit. She wanted to appear polished and confident but also comfortable enough to breathe through any nervousness. She settled on a soft cream blouse with a ruffle at the collar, paired with a charcoal-gray pencil skirt that hugged her curves without being restrictive. Black flats completed the look; practical for walking around the office, yet sleek enough to feel professional. She glanced at her reflectio