Vanilla by J.A. Bailey Page A

and what I liked. She quickly buzzed around the store
finding me this and that to try on. I tried on everything: fishnet body
stockings, skin tight latex dresses and sexy maids’ outfits. What I decided to
get, however, was something that could reflect me in a setting I was walking
into.
    I settled on a leather skirt
that touched several inches above my knees and hugged my curves, opaque black
tights that attached to a garter belt under my skirt and a deep emerald green
corset that highlighted my hips and ample breasts.
    Once those purchases were
made, Loren insisted I update my straight locks and dye my hair to highlight my
eyes and creamy complexion. I only agreed because she was overly excited and
was willing to pay for it. She took me to her favourite salon and my long fair
hair was lightened to a golden blonde and short layers at the front framed my
face.
    The following weekend was my
crowning moment. Loren came over at four in the afternoon to start getting
ready. I showered first so she could dry my hair and set it hot curlers. Once
she was out and had her hair set, she helped me don my clothing, cinching the
corset tighter than it had been at the store.
    My make-up was next. My skin
for the most part was blemish free, so a slight layer of concealer for my eyes
and powder was all that was needed there. My eyes she took her time on. A white
shadow called “bone” was applied, followed by a green that matched my corset
and made my blue eyes pop. A heavy liner and mascara followed, so much that I
barely recognized the girl in the mirror, but even I had to admit I looked
good.
    She donned similar
undergarments to mine, but her dress was a black, shiny latex number that was
cut so low I was sure her breasts would fall out.
    The time grew closer, and we
left my apartment for the venue. The entire drive there, Loren was giving me
the rundown on what and what not to do. “If someone asks you into the backroom, don’t go with them.
More than likely they’re going to try and give you some drugs and take
advantage of you. Someone you might want to consider is someone who will take
you to the side of the room, get to know you and what you’re looking for, and
if you think you two might be a good match they might invite you out to dinner
and then back to their place.”
    I gulped, wondering what on Earth I had
let myself in for. The drill lasted until we got
there. As we walked through the hotel and to the ballrooms, she produced the
tickets from her purse, and once we were in she handed over her purse to the
check-in. “The girls here drink free, so if you want to give them your purse,
you won’t have to worry about someone taking it.”
    I decided to keep my purse
with me just in case I got overwhelmed and needed to leave quickly. Once we
were in, I took notice of everything that was presented to me.
    The ballroom was darkly lit;
blue and red lights, along with strobe lights danced across the walls and dance
floors. The majority of the women were dressed even more scantily than Loren
was, and I thought her attire was revealing a bit too much. The men mostly wore
leather pants and were bare-chested, though a few were dressed in slacks and
button down shirts. My heart hammered with apprehension.
    “The men in the nicer attire
are looking for something a little more low key. A lot of them hold high
rankings in businesses and the likes. If one of them approaches you, you might
do yourself some good and chat with them.”
    “All right. What if someone
comes up to you and you’re not interested?”
    “You tell them so, and they
have to respect it. If they’re persistent, then they run the risk of being
asked to leave. If they’re asked to leave, then they pretty much get written
off by potential partners. Word travels fast.”
    My nerves dissipated at this. It wasn’t
the sort of sordid affair I’d expect. Heck, half the men looked pretty
respectable. Maybe I would meet someone interesting. The night went on, and Loren