I looked myself over once again, nervousness causing my hands to shake as I smoothed my black dress over my hips. My black hair was twisted up in an elegant french twist, and my makeup was exact--my eyes dark and smoky, lips natural and glossy. The little dress I had on was strapless, and my C cup breasts were pushed up and out by the gorgeous lace bra I had on. The dress hugged my small waist and then draped down over my full hips, clinging to my ass before stopping just above my knees. Feeling extra sexy, I decided to leave the panties at home tonight. I had on ankle strap heels, my burgundy-painted toenails just peeking out of the front of the sexy stilettos.
I couldn't believe I was going to go through with this. I'd found the little business card quite by accident at my office, after a rather important client had left a few days before. The card was bright red and had the words "Pandora's Box" embossed on it in white letters. On the back of the card was only an address and a phone number. Someone, my client perhaps, had scrawled the word "Temptation" underneath the typing. I'd tucked the card into my purse and forgotten about it, until tonight that was. As I was pulling my wallet out, the card had slipped from my bag and onto the table. Picking it up, I'd turned it over and over in my hands, contemplating. Finally, I'd grabbed my phone and dialed. A woman's husky voice had answered, and I'd nervously asked her about the card I held in my hand. She'd told me it was a private club, and that in order to learn more, I would have to come down. I'd only need the password. Then she hung up.
Staring at the shiny red rectangle, I'd decided what the hell. I could use some excitement. And if I didn't like the place, well, I could just leave. I was 26, single, and lived alone in New York City. It wasn't that I wasn't a pretty girl. Hell, being Puerto Rican definitely had it's advantages. I was just too picky. Men were bastards, and I'd given up on them a long time ago. Now it was me, my thriving design business, and my trusty vibrator. Who needed a man, right? But sometimes, late at night, I felt something was missing. And, now, holding the card in my palm, I thought maybe, just maybe, whatever was missing was at this club....Pandora's Box.
I called the cab company I always used, and ordered a car. As I waited for it, I paced my living room, convincing myself that I wanted to go through with this. I was scared as hell, but I knew that this void in my life had to be filled. Just as I was about to change my mind again, I heard the driver outside beep. That was my sign that this was meant to happen. I left my apartment, locking the door behind me, and eased into the yellow taxi idling at the curb.
"Where to, ma'am?" the man behind the wheel asked, and I recited the address from the card. He simply nodded and drove off. Usually, New York City cab drivers are a talkative bunch, but not this one. I wondered if he could sense my mood. I leaned back into the seat and watched the city fly by. My mind returned to the club and the night that stretched out before me.
Fifteen long minutes later, the driver stops in front of a group of buildings. The street is dark, and not a person was in sight. I stared at the nondescript front of the bar from the window of the cab. I don't know how long I sat there, but the driver eventually asked, "Is this the right place, miss? Or...?"
I just nod and hand him the fare plus a nice tip. Opening the door, I step out onto the street, and up onto the sidewalk. When I hear the cab leave, I know that there's no turning back. Glancing at the card one more time, I go to the door and press the red button, and wait.
The door swings open to admit me, and nervously, I enter. The hall is dark and I can smell incense and some other odd scent that I cannot identify. As my eyes adjust to the dim room, I see a table sat up and two burly men guarding it. Tentatively, I approached it.
When I was within their sight, the man on the left looked up at me. Our eyes locked and I was speechless. He was about 6'4, and very well built. He was black, and his hair was braided back tightly against his head. However, his eyes were grey, and very piercing.
"Password?" he asked, looking me up and down.
"Ummm," I faltered, but my eyes found the red card and the word scrawled there, "ummm, temptation."
He nods and the man on the right lifted a box from the table. Opening it, I see three items. A silver flask, a small, silver ring box, and a silver vial with a black lid and a tiny spoon hanging from it.
"In order to continue, you must choose." The black man said, motioning to the open box. I looked at him, and he just pointed to the three items again. I weighed my options and picked the flask. The other man lifted the bottle from the red-satin lined box and unscrewed the top. Offering it to me, I hesitantly placed it on my lips, and then said, "Well, here goes nothing." I tossed my head back, and the liquid burned as it filled my mouth and trickled down my throat. I gasped, and dropped the flask, my breath ragged as I tried to gain control of my breathing. The men just watched as I struggled to get my composure back. Once I straightened up, they both smiled at me.
"Enjoy your night, and remember "temptation". It's the whole basis of Pandora's Box." The black man took my hand and kissed it, before guiding me out of the hall and into the first room of the club.
I stand in the first room of the club and gaze around. It's painted all black, with animal prints and red being the accents. Low couches in leopard spots and tiger stripes are situated in a circular shape in the middle of the room. A small dance floor is in the middle of the couches, and I can see people sitting there, some alone, others with a partner. A long bar runs the length of the whole room, and men dressed only in tight boxer briefs and lots of oil serve drinks to the few patrons milling around the bar area. Waitresses, females dressed only in negligees or other lingerie work their way around the room, offering drinks to all the other customers.
The music is a sensual R & B, lots of sexual lyrics, and a slow grinding beat. I walk to the bar, and when one of the barmen notice me, I ask for a Tanqueray and tonic. He smiles and slides me my drink quickly, the glass already cold and filled to the top.
"First timers get drinks for free," he says, eyeing me up and down.