Becoming His Slave

by Talon P. S.

  “No. I was running late so I decided to take the train, I should be at the hotel shortly.”

  “Miss Dumas—” the man’s tone shifting to something a little more possessive, and she heard fingers snapping in the back ground. “Heiress Quinneth contracted us to look after you and it’s in our specifications to escort you safely through the welcoming crowd onto the premises. Now I insist you stop at the next station and get off and wait for us to pick you up.”

  “Okay.” She had agreed and hung up. But as soon as the subway pulled into the next station, she spied the small gang hanging around, ogling rudely at the women on the platform waiting for the train to come to a stop. They bullied the young and elderly men, taunting everyone who waited there. Her eyes fell back down to the coat that scantily covered her and felt the blood leave her paled. She froze. Her feet wouldn’t work. The doors opened and closed without even a budge from her and the train pulled away just as one of the gang members turned to blow her a kiss and grab his crotch in sequence.

  Katianna squeezed her eyes shut. Wishing it away, but she knew better. Images of a time when she was younger and she’d gone out in a canoe with a friend, a speeding boat had swamped them and they landed right in the frenzy of young feeding Bull sharks. She remembered her friend struggling to get her on top of the canoe. One of the sharks nipped his ankle before he could climb up. The bite only required a few stitches, but at the time it bled enough that the sharks never left, circling around them for hours till his father came looking for them, when they failed to come home. She remembered how she had clung to him for dear life, she had closed her eyes then, trying to wish the danger away she was so frightened. She’d never been so scared in all her life. Now she never stopped.

  She never went canoeing again after that, so what the hell was she doing still in New York treading water filled with sharks? She didn’t even have anyone to cling to here, to hang on to for dear life.

  Oh god she was a nervous wreck, she would die of absolute fright if someone were to jump out and say boo right now.

  But by not getting off at the station it saved her from having to explain why she was coming from Long Island. She should have never told the lie.

  Once she reached Grande Central she transferred to the metro bus line. From there she would ride the final jaunt to the hotel and already her phone was ringing.

  “Miss Dumas?”

  “I’m sorry—I started to—” the panic that still held her spilled before she could think to contain it. She just couldn’t have gotten off, she really had meant to. “I was going to, but then, I—I’m sorry. I just—”

  “Shhh, calm down—it okay. Where are you now?” His calm voice taking over. Strong and reassuring, she could almost feel the warmth as he spoke to her. She could only hope whoever was calling her was going to be her escort. She’d feel a little safer then.

  Okay so get a hold of yourself you can be calm just like him, she tried to tell herself. “I’m on the bus, I’m supposed to get off at Broadway and 72nd street and walk two blocks down on Amsterdam.”

  “Okay, when you get to the hotel I want you to wait out front so we can find you. What are you wearing?”

  “A sort of miniskirt version of a London Fog.”

  “Very well we’ll see you out there and remember wait on us.”

  ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

  LEATHER AND LACE EXPO: MANHATTAN PALACE

  Katianna finally reached the hotel and the place out front was a fiasco. She watched as the limos streamed by, dumping off both the flashy and the slutty alike. She tugged at her duffle bag as it weighted down on her shoulders. She had chosen to stuff everything in it. It was easier than dragging a suitcase on the train.

  She drew closer so she could hear the names being announced as special guests and celebrities arrived. So much sparkle and glam. One could almost pretend they were showing up at the Film Cannes or something fancy in Hollywood, all the way up the red carpet until you got inside, inside it all changed. Inside it was all about sex—the romantic, the fierce and the raunchy. To each, their own flavor and the Expo fed all of them.

  A woman, hair pulled back in a tight ponytail, dressed in a professional black suit approached, “Excuse me?” The woman glanced at her clip board at the photo attached then back to her, “Are you author Katianna Dumas?”

  “Yes.” Katianna answered timidly, not expecting to be recognized.

  “Welcome to the Leather and Lace Expo Miss Dumas, please step to the carpet.”

  “But—” Katianna started to protest looking around in hopes her bodyguards were coming for her, but the woman was already pushing her towards the carpet and was talking in the mic that hung from her head gear.

  “Author of Erotic and Paranormal Romance—Miss Katianna Dumas.” She heard the announcement over the sound system as she was steered onto the red carpet alone. What she wasn’t expecting was to be rushed by a mob. Without an escort she was easy prey for fans and the curious to rush in for their attempts for her acknowledgement. Being in the center of an over energized crowd was bad enough for one person, being that person when you were only 4’11’ was downright suicidal. And her fear had her in its clutches once again.

  …Miss Dumas can you sign my book!? — Miss Dumas! — I love your books! — I love your stories miss Dumas. I’m such a fan— I would die to be a character in one of your stories—

  The array of appraises swarmed around her making her dizzy. And she was certain she heard an, I can satisfy you baby, in there somewhere. Books and paper and pens waved in front of her face. Cameras flashed and flickered. Someone jumped in the middle of the crowd, jerked her up against their side, grinned for the camera and fell away all before she could protest in any given direction. She couldn’t tell who was saying what and she no longer knew how to respond, but then she felt someone’s touch. A hand on her ass and it offended her. She spun trying to back away, but could not escape the crowd of fans that had her pinned, and she felt the hand grope at her again.

  “Stop it!” She cried out, stumbling into another’s hands and she felt the belt that tied her trench closed come loose. Her fingers gripped at her coat desperate to keep some public modesty, but she could not see an escape and she was on the verge of sheer panic.

  A disturbance was pushing through the crowd, she heard curses meshed with commands to clear out and she thought she heard the distinguished sounds of someone being punched, like a sound effect from a movie. A man broke clear of the pushing fans desperate to crowd in on her was just as quickly ripped from her side and tossed into the crowd of people that was finally breasting back. Strong arms came around her pulling her around to see them. She stilled as her eyes landed on the tall figure of Trenton Leos standing before her, his hands tugging at her coat back into place and returned the belt around her waist, “Next time I tell you to do something you do it okay?” His voice deep, clear and straight to the point dominance.

  She nodded numbly and her fingers with no mind of her own clenched into his shirt. He pulled her bag from her shoulders tossing to another man who had appeared next to him, it was Diesel and just as quickly as Trenton had found her he was rushing her through the crowd. Diesel nearly as tall and a tad broader and far rougher around the edges, paced just a few steps in front of them, with her duffle bag thrown over his shoulder, clearing the path for them to enter into the hotel.

  Trenton saw her to the front desk. “How may I help you sir?”

  And just like that he was taking over, “Yes Miss Dumas is checking in.”

  “Yes sir. Right away sir.”

  While Trenton took care of the details, Katianna allowed herself to look around taking in the sight of the crowd, from the outside this time. Jeez it looked like the Hookers ball, Dragon Con and the Grammys all slammed together under one roof. It was better from a distance, in the mists was like being dead center of Marti Gras hell—

  “Miss Dumas?” Katianna turned to glance at the man when he spoke her name. His eyes flickered down at h
er hands then smiled at her. Katianna blanched when she saw she was clutching to him and quickly let go taking a step back, “I’m sorry I didn’t—”

  “Its okay—” he reached for her hand and brought it back to his shirt, “if you feel the need to hang on to feel secure that’s what I’m here for. I was just going to ask where your bags were so they can be brought up to your room.”

  She blinked looking down then back to him, “I only brought the one bag.”

  Trenton’s eyes switched to the green military duffle pack—she had probably picked it up right about the same time she picked up that army coat of hers she had been wearing the night he first met her. He grimaced just imagining the condition her clothes would be in when she pulled them out, but when he saw her expression shrink away with a hint of shame his chest caved. He should have been more careful making sure she had not seen any expression she might take as disapproval. But it was too late and there was nothing he could do or say to undo it.

  “Come.” He took a deep breath settling his control, “I’ll see you to your room.” Calm and quiet.

  Room keys in hand Trenton led Katianna up to her suite, accompanied by Diesel, whom he reintroduced as a partner in TL Securities. She finally got it—TL being Trenton Leos—and it had been his voice on the phone.

  Katianna stepped in, the suite took her breath away. It wasn’t a display of over exorbitant lavishness that had her caught up, it wasn't that kind of room and she knew there were far more elaborate and roomier suites than hers, but it was the romantic arrangement. Something she was certain Amelia had picked out for her specifically and would have to thank her for it.

  The large room had a large king size bed, with plenty of lighting in the wall size head board and roll over table. More like a traveling bench on wheels that stretched over the bed provided convenience for those spoiled ones who hated to get out of bed for anything,. Reading and eating in bed all made the easier. Then not more than a few feet from the bed was the open air bathroom complete with a huge garden size tub and twin vanity sinks. The lavatory of course was partitioned off, but her favorite feature was the bathtub set out in the open. And making the room complete was a small breakfast table and a small settee complete with love seat, two comfortable pillow top chairs and coffee table.

  Diesel stepped in dropping her bag to her bed then moved to the door that connected hers to theirs and left the two of them alone.

  “We’ll be in the room next to you if you need anything.” Trenton looked down at her with a gently controlled expression. “If you want to go anywhere just knock. And don’t go thinking that just because it’s late when you decide you need a midnight snack from the lounge downstairs that you shouldn’t bother us, understood?”

  Katianna turned, glancing at him and nodded.

  “I mean it Miss Dumas, when you stray off you place yourself in dangerous territory.”

  Now I mean it young lady the boogie man will get you. She fought the urge to roll her eyes at feeling just a smidgen patronized for her actions. She nodded again and struggled to dig up a smile. His strength exhumed around him like a shield and she felt envious of it. What it would feel like to be so certain and so strong—to never have to be afraid. “Have you heard from Lindsey?” she asked when he would have stepped away.

  “Lindsey?” Trenton’s head cocked with a questioning wince of his eyes, “Amelia’s assistant?”

  “Yes. She was supposed to meet me here. She supposed to accompany me to handle all the scheduling and press release, guest contract agreement—the list goes on.”

  He glanced at his watch then back at her, “You haven’t heard from her?”

  She pierced her lips, shaking her head, trying desperately not to fret over it. She probably looked like a fool to him. Too chicken shit to get off at a train station, unable to stand her ground, clinging to him like a little girl—can’t even manage her own contract schedule. Sure he liked submissive women, but that didn’t mean he found weak woman attractive.

  “I’ll see what I can do to track her down. Why don’t you try to relax a while. We’ll go down to eat later. I believe there is a kickoff party this evening. More than likely you will be expected to attend.”

  She watched as he disappeared into the room adjacent to hers. Great her bodyguard knew more than she did of what was expected of her.

  Diesel was already stretched out on one of the beds flipping through the movie channels, “She’s a jittery one, aye? You think those thug kids we spotted at the subway terminal messed with her?”

  Trenton dropped down on the opposite bed rubbing his hands down his face, then shook his head, “I don’t think she even got off. Amelia said she was scared of her own shadow.”

  “Yeah I’ll buy that. So how do you want to handle this?”

  “Stay as close to her as we’re allowed.”

  “What the hell was Amelia thinking putting the likes of her in the middle of all this? She’s not gonna be able to handle these crowds.”

  “Apparently Lindsey was supposed to be here micro managing as the promotion manager.”

  “And don’t tell me she’s a no show.”

  Trenton shifted piling up the pillows on the back rest and eased back bringing one foot up, not bothering to answer.

  “Yeah I get it—tonight’s party is going to be lots of fun.” Diesel scoffed.

  ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

  That night was the kickoff party; the hotel ballroom was packed with every Amazonian man and woman in the city. Models both from the fashion industry and some of the more risqué savoir fair. From the—top-hat ritzy—to the—is that even considered legal?—of fashion clothing. Celebrities from the porno industry, slutty fashions and even a few celebrities of the Hollywood type that just liked living reckless. And then here she was just a writer thrown into the middle of it all and she found her fingers searching for Trenton's shirt all over again. But that didn’t last when a large over sized man dressed deliberately in a purple and fluffy trimmed Pimp suit approached to greet her, but quiet suddenly took a sudden interest in Trenton.

  “Dominus Leos?” He reached out to shake his hand. “Nathaniel Plumire, I’m the promoter for Leather & Lace.”

  “Yes. I believe we’ve met before.” Trenton shook his hand hoping to keep the conversation brief and professional.

  “Had I known you’d be here I would have paid good money for a demonstration of your talented hands.” He shot him a strong lusty grin.

  “I’m afraid I would had to of declined. I’m here working Mr. Plumire. Not as a guest.”

  “Oh—” he rolled his eyes over to the woman next to them, “Miss Dumas?”

  “Yes.”

  “Excuse us.” Nathaniel shot Trenton a look, his hand slipping around Katianna’s waist and pulled her away. And like that Trenton had been reduced from Dominus to the help. The line had been drawn and he wasn’t allowed to cross it. “I have some people I’d like you to meet.” And off they went. Katianna struggling to look back at Trenton as she was ushered into the crowd without her escort.

  The first guest, Nathaniel introduced her to was a rep for a publisher's clearing house for erotic print, but usually the type that was several steps beyond hers where the phrase romance was generally left off and the image of written porno came into play. It was highly unethical for her to be introduced to other publishers and something Amelia would have generally headed off at the pass. Nathaniel’s next guests were film makers interested in a couple of her books also something Amelia would have handled directly.

  She was then introduced to a man who though she didn’t catch his profession she caught the name and with a name like Chase Sinz, she could only guess he was an actor, if that’s what they called them. Chase seemed to take some interest to her and she was easily passed off to him with little regard to her or the where-a-bouts of Trenton or Diesel.

  Chase paraded her around and introduced her to several more guests, including some of the most beautiful women she’d ever laid eyes on,
such as porn star Falicia Lovely, Brimma Dawne and Lacy Lee. She had never known the industry stars were so attractive, she simply never looked. All the perfect parts a man or woman could ever desire from a woman’s body, perfect lips, tits and ass. Sultry eyes to look up and watch you, unless you happened to be with Trenton then it was eyes down. Katianna’s mind raced to file away their details, the way they spoke and flirted for future character ideas.

  She particularly favored Brimma who was only a few inches taller than her and quickly made jokes about how the giants so easily forget they’re more that just living dolls to be dragged around like trophies. Katianna managed her first laugh for the night thanks to her.

  In the mix were others, some she was certain she recognized from her past back when she lived with Garrett. In fact she was certain she spotted a few of them. And they spotted her.

  Ashley and Celeste zeroed in on her almost right away once they spotted their petit friend from across the room. And while she never asked, she got an ear full of who Garrett was fucking at the time. Not that Katianna cared. Garret had never been that good all. After the newness of their relationship wore off and they settled into routine it was vanilla, not even the pleasure of the vanilla bean. No sprinkles or smothering hot fudge. But sex wasn’t the reason for the gossip from the two women towering over her. Their derision intended just to beat her down. And they did so successfully. It was exhausting on top of the criticism and heavy layers of cynicism in front of the others she had been thrown into socializing with.

  The two super models already towered over her—wasn’t that enough? She’d had about all she could take of their ridicule over her lacy see-thru dress with the bandeau bra and bandeau skirt she wore under it to keep her modesty through the evening. Even the appraisals for her writing was making her weary at this point and she wanted to call it quits as soon as she was allowed which wasn’t soon enough. As special quest she was under contract to make appearances at each event for a specified amount of time and without Lindsey there to monitor her time and contract agreements she found herself being led about by the promoters a little—okay, a lot more then what she was use to. Then again the expo was a new experience. Usually she was at book signings for books stores, fetish stores and the occasional nightclub or party. This was the first time she had done a convention that revolved around sex and she was on her own.