Safeword LLC 1
The First Order
Becca Schuler has always fantasized about bondage, but does that really make her depraved? According to an ex-boyfriend, it does.
After losing her job, and with no way to pay her rent, Becca hits a local bar to drown her sorrows. The last thing she expects is to meet a mysterious woman who assures that she can make Becca’s dream a reality. Is there really a company called Safeword LLC that places submissive women with dominant men per their preferences on a simple application?
Knowing she has nothing to lose, Becca fills out the form on www.safewordllc.com. Her placement lands her in the sensual and strict hands of Lane and Ross Ellison, who train her to be their ideal submissive. But when Becca’s fear of not being perfect weaves its way into their lives, she sets out to be just that and unknowingly risks losing it all.
Note: There is no sexual relationship or touching for titillation between or among siblings.
Genre: BDSM, Contemporary, Ménage a Trois/Quatre
Length: 58,205 words
THE FIRST ORDER
Safeword LLC 1
Peyton Elizabeth
SIREN SENSATIONS
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK
IMPRINT: Siren Sensations
THE FIRST ORDER
Copyright © 2013 by Peyton Elizabeth
E-book ISBN: 978-1-62242-932-5
First E-book Publication: April 2013
Cover design by Siren Publishing
All art and logo copyright © 2013 by Siren Publishing, Inc.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
PUBLISHER
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
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DEDICATION
Jeffrey – without you, this book would not have been possible. With you, my life is an open book ready to be filled with stories of our future. I love you more than words could ever express.
THE FIRST ORDER
Safeword LLC 1
PEYTON ELIZABETH
Copyright © 2013
Chapter One
“What are you going to do?”
Becca sat in the dim lighting of the bar, pondering over those words. She was on her third mojito and would likely down another one before heading back to her lonely apartment. Glancing at her watch, Becca saw that it was only going on nine o’clock at night.
“I’m not sure, Sally.” Becca lifted her drink and swallowed what was left of the mint-flavored alcohol. She placed the empty glass back on the table with a thud. Becca stared at it, thinking her life held the same void. “As of this afternoon, my best friend left town, I have no job and no money to pay my rent.”
“I can’t believe they let you go,” Sally said, shaking her head. “I mean, I knew some layoffs were coming, but not that they were closing down the homeowner’s division.”
“Tell me about it.” Becca hadn’t seen the downsizing approaching, either. The last thing she’d expected when she went into work this morning was a pink slip. “At least you were safe in the auto branch.”
Becca and Sally worked at an insurance company, but with the economy being the way it was, times were tough. And now, only Sally was still employed there. Mother Nature had administered enough tornadoes and hurricanes last year that it wasn’t feasible for their company to continue offering new policies. Becca’s goal of climbing up the corporate ladder had disintegrated.
“What about David? Can you move in with him?”
“We broke up months ago,” Becca said, not in the least bit saddened by that statement. In fact, her dejection had turned into anger at the amount of time she had spent grieving over a man who she would no longer look twice at now. Lessons were learned the hard way. “He wasn’t the right one.”
The waitress, wearing a tight white T-shirt with the bar’s name printed across her breasts, stopped by their table. Becca ordered her fourth drink, while Sally shook her head. Becca mentally shrugged, not really caring if Sally didn’t want to drink. They were ex-coworkers, not best friends. Becca’s best friend, Lily, was off enjoying her honeymoon in Italy. That was just salt rubbed into a fresh wound. The previous feeling of loneliness returned and Becca was now wishing that her parents lived closer.
“Oh, Becca, I’m sorry. At the Christmas party, you two seemed to be perfect for one another.”
Becca wasn’t going to go into the fact that Christmas had been seven months ago or the fact that the party was where she’d found David feeling up one of the secretaries. Apparently, appearances could be deceiving.
“Yeah, well, there were a lot of things wrong in our relationship.” Becca looked over at the bar. A man held his hand on the back of a beautiful woman as he helped her onto an empty barstool. When she was situated, he also assisted in placing her purse by her feet. Why couldn’t all men be like that? “See that couple over there by the bar? David never once treated me with respect like that.”
“That’s because she probably gives a great blowjob,” Sally replied, rolling her eyes. “Just look at her. She’s stick thin and looks like one of those runway models that you see on the covers of magazines. She probably read “Ten Ways to Give Great Head” in Cosmo.”
The fictiti
ous title got Becca to smile. It was something that Lily would have said. So maybe Sally wasn’t that bad, Becca thought, if she had a sense of humor like her best friend. She looked back over at the woman sitting at the bar. Becca wasn’t stick thin, but she wasn’t overweight, either. Her mother always referred to her as a petite Marilyn Monroe, with curves in just the right places. As for the sex, Becca was always willing to try new things. It was David who had had issues with anything other than the missionary position.
“I don’t think it has to do with great sex,” Becca said. “It’s how a man is raised by his mother. And let me tell you, men aren’t raised that way anymore. I want a man who’s confident and oozes virility. I need someone who can protect me, even if it’s from myself. Stability in his life and career wouldn’t hurt either. I need a man who will take the time to know me, from the inside out.”
The waitress returned and placed Becca’s drink in front of her. Sally was still nursing her fuzzy navel. Becca knew that she should order some food, but she didn’t think her stomach could handle it. Hell, she shouldn’t be having alcohol either, but Becca still lifted up her fresh drink and took a sip.
“I would take any man at this point,” Sally said, twirling a strand of her dark hair that had frizzed due to the rain. “I’m rather shy when it comes to meeting men, though. It makes it hard to find one.”
“See? That’s what I’m talking about. Is it so wrong to want a man to take charge, especially in the bedroom?” Becca asked. “I once asked David to tie me up and have his way with me. Do you know what he said? He called me depraved and asked how was I going to get him off if my hands were tied.”
Sally choked a little on what must be a lukewarm drink by now. She grabbed a napkin and wiped up some droplets that had spilled on the table. Becca thought about what she said and realized that maybe it was too much personal information to share with an ex-coworker. The alcohol was loosening up her lips a little too much and suddenly, Becca missed Lily.
Becca felt her booth move a bit as the person behind her shifted. They were probably leaving, which was what Becca needed to do before she said anything else that would embarrass her. She pushed aside her drink that she’d barely touched. Before Becca grabbed her purse, something was set on the table before her. It was a business card.
Becca glanced up to see who had placed it there. A tall woman, wearing a tailored gray suit with a white button-down blouse, stood looking down at her. She was classically beautiful, although seemed to hide behind her elegance by wearing her red hair in a severe bun. The hairstyle accentuated her cheekbones and green eyes. The red lipstick that painted her full lips was perfectly applied. Becca reconsidered her initial impression and now thought that this woman exuded confidence in her beauty.
“I overheard your conversation. My company may be in a position to help you. If you wish to improve your situation, this is something you might want to consider.” The woman turned to go, but then stopped. She looked back over her shoulder. “And you definitely won’t be disappointed.”
The woman’s red lips lifted in one corner, exposing a smirk as she walked away. Becca looked down at the business card.
Safeword LLC
Kennedy Van Camp
[email protected]
In the top left-hand corner was a black-and-white picture of a woman’s hands tied together in a sash. The strap was the only thing on the card with color, and was a sensual red shade similar to Kenney Van Camp’s full lips. A quote beside the picture read: Release is only obtained after first being restrained…
Becca felt her heart flutter at the word restrained. Who was Kenney Van Camp and what type of business did she run? She picked up the card and turned it over, seeking more info but seeing nothing. Flipping it back, Becca stared at the picture and felt a stirring within herself. On one hand, she wondered what satin would feel like on her skin. Would it be tight enough to restrain her in the way she needed? On the other hand, Becca wasn’t certain about what the company was offering or what it could have to do with her past relationship. That type of relationship must require a lot of trust. Could there be a way to ensure that? Was that her business—insurance for relationships?
“Becca?” Sally’s voice cut through the images that were flashing through Becca’s mind. “You’re in la-la land. I asked you what that was about. Who is she and what is on the card?”
“Nothing,” Becca replied, taking the card and stuffing it into her purse. For some reason, Becca didn’t want to share the information. The encounter had been odd and she wasn’t sure what was meant by it. “I don’t know who she is.”
“The woman said she’d be able to help your situation,” Sally said. “Maybe she’s offering you a job. Does she own an insurance company?”
Becca was pretty certain that Kennedy Van Camp’s business had nothing to do with insurance, but decided to take Sally’s bread crumb. It was easier to let her believe it had to do with work instead of Becca’s personal life. And Becca wasn’t even certain of that. Maybe Sally was right and the woman had a job opening. Becca needed to get to a computer to find out exactly what kind of company Safeword LLC was. A thousand possibilities were running through her head.
“I’m not sure what kind of company it is,” Becca replied. The only thing that she wanted to do right now was go home and do some research. “I’ll check it out, though. Maybe it is a good job offer. Hey, thanks for coming out and commiserating with me. It wasn’t the best of days.”
“My treat,” Sally said, waving away Becca’s attempt at reaching into her purse for her wallet. “Give me a call sometime and let me know how the job thing works out. Remember, tomorrow is another day.”
“Yes, tomorrow is another day.” Grabbing her purse, Becca scooted out of the booth. “Thanks for taking care of the tab. I’ll keep in touch.”
Becca adjusted the belt on her black pantsuit as she made her way through the throngs of people who had suddenly decided to descend upon the bar. It was a Friday night and places like these didn’t get hopping until late. Finally making it to the door, Becca slid outside and took a deep breath of the night air. The pollution of Chicago and smell of wet roads drifted into her nose. It certainly wasn’t the same fresh country air she’d been used to growing up. She was far from home and the tiny suburb in Indiana that her parents lived in.
Horns blasted as cars, trucks, and taxis vied for their spot on the road. Living in the city and having everything accessible within walking distance, Becca didn’t own a vehicle. If she ever needed to go more than five blocks, Becca would cave and flag down a cab. It was a good thing her apartment building was only two blocks from here.
Becca hadn’t taken two steps when she saw Kennedy Van Camp alongside a sleek, black town car. A man came around from the driver’s side and placed his hand on the back door handle. He wasn’t the typical driver that Becca saw around the city. His head was bald, although she was pretty sure it was on purpose, and he had a five-o’clock shadow. He wore a loose-fitting suit, although his stocky frame was still visible. He looked more like a retired football player than a typical chauffeur. His white button-down shirt was unbuttoned at the top, revealing a hint of chest hair. He wasn’t overly tall, but to Becca’s five feet and three inches, anything over that was tall enough. She would guess him to be five feet and ten inches based on his build. His shoulders were as wide as he was tall, giving the appearance that he took very good care of his body. As he held open the door, Kennedy Van Camp disappeared from view.
Whatever company she might work for, it was evident that the woman made a killing. Whoever could afford to have a driver and a town car at their beck and call on a Friday night had to be made of money. Was he a bodyguard as well as a chauffeur? Did Kennedy Van Camp own the company, or just work there? Becca watched as he closed the door, walked around to the other side and folded his frame into the car. It must have already been running, because immediately the vehicle pulled gracefully into the streaming traffic.
; Becca’s hand tightened on her purse strap as a bit of anxiety set into the pit of her stomach. What if Sally was right and Van Camp only wanted to offer her a job? Maybe Becca’s mind was creating something around the intriguing picture on the business card, when in actuality her proposal had nothing to do with what Becca’s body craved.
Becca hadn’t realized she’s stopped walking and now stood in the middle of the street. She forced herself to walk, all the while her mind racing in different directions. Life was too short to wonder about the what-ifs, and there was only one way to find out what Kennedy Van Camp was offering. Why did Becca suddenly feel like her life was about to change?
Chapter Two
Becca tried to loosen the grip on her purse, but the knuckles on her trembling hand refused to obey. It was Monday afternoon and her appointment with Kennedy Van Camp was at two o’clock. After having spent Saturday and Sunday researching Safeword LLC and perusing the corporate website, Becca had wavered back and forth about calling this morning. She’d never been so apprehensive in her life.
Walking through the revolving door of the building, Becca looked around at the modern décor. Glass seemed to be the central theme of the structure, making it a very sterile setting. She had memorized the suite number in which Safeword LLC was located and proceeded to the elevator, although couldn’t quite bring herself to press the number thirty-three button. Becca stared at the lit circle as all of those emotions she’d been feeling over the weekend came flying back.
The First Order [Safeword LLC 1] (Siren Publishing Sensations) Page 1