Mary pulled up to the church parking lot, pulling into one of the empty spaces at the end. She was terrible at parking her car. She couldn't parallel park to save her life. Despite on her driving lessons she was amazing at it, the second she passed her test and started driving on her own, everything went out the window. Now, she played it safe and picked the easy spots to park in, always finding an empty one near no cars. It was easier for her, and it meant she wouldn't hit any cars. That would be her worst nightmare if she hit a car.
Mary stepped out in the warm sunshine, making her way to the doors of the church. The Holy church of Brooklyn was a small church but a big part of her life and the community. It was run by her dear friend Reverend John McCarthy who had been a friend of her parents while she was growing up. Every Sunday she and her family attended church but since her father moved further away, closer to Manhattan, it was too far for him to drive every Sunday so only Mary attended. She had done so much for the church as well, helping with bake sales, helping with fundraisers to raise money for charities and helping Reverend John with small jobs here and there if he needed help. The church was a big part of her life, and she didn't know what she'd do without it.
Walking inside, the church smelt clean and fresh. John always kept it clean and tidy. It was an old building that had been in the city for over fifty years. John was an old man, in his sixties who devoted his life to the running of the church. It had been passed down to him when he was in his twenties from his father who was the previous reverend. Together they ran the church until his father passed only when John was in his forties and left it entirely to him. He followed greatly in his father's footsteps and wanted to do as good of a job as he did. He was a man of kindness and wisdom and had an answer for everything. He was an important member of this city and an important person to Mary.
As she walked inside, her shoes scuffing on the polished floor, she caught sight of John at the top of the church. He was setting out the bibles along the pews, neatly lining them up so they were all in line with each other, each at the perfect angle as well. He of course was dressed in his long white robe with his collar, smart black trousers, and dress shoes. His thinning grey hair covered the back half of his head, leaving a bald spot on the top and he wore round thin glasses on the bridge of his nose. Despite him being in his sixties, he was a healthy good-looking man. He looked up from placing the last bible down and met eyes with Mary and smiled.
"Heya Mary!" he greeted as she walked over, smiling brightly at him and hugged him tightly.
"Hi reverend, how are you?" she asked. The last time she saw him was on Sunday at the service. It seemed like ages ago even though it was a couple of days.
"I'm good, how are you, you look very cheerfully today" he mentioned as she pulled back.
"You always cheer me up John" she said sweetly, and he chuckled.
"Yes, your right" he joked and turned to walk with Mary to his office located at the back of the church.
"So, what brings you here, I wasn't expecting to see you so soon" he asked with concern in his voice as he led the way to his office. It was a small office with a wooden desk covered in papers, hymens, books, and passages. A spare piano was situated at the left of the office and a large bookcase at the back filled to the brim with books. A small table with a kettle and cups was to the right. The pain was chipping off the walls and the floor needed redoing, but the building was very old, and it was difficult to get funding for the church for things like this.
John sat down in the seat at the desk, delicately taking his glasses off and folding his fingers tightly together as he leaned forward. Mary took the seat on the opposite side, sighing a little and playing with a loose thread on her scrubs. She had finished for the afternoon and was grateful she could go home and relax. The whole bumping into James's debacle had been playing on her mind and she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep at night until she got some advice.
"Well, I wanted some advice, you see, earlier today I bumped into someone by accident, and I spilt his coffee all over his suit" she started, and john nodded as he listened.
"I felt awful of course so I offered to buy him and knew coffee, but he wouldn't accept that and then I offered to have his suit cleaned but he wouldn't accept that either. But what happened as well was my phone broke in the whole bumping into each other and now he's buying me a new one. Now I'm not sure what to do, do I accept it, I feel so conflicted" her words came out quickly, her hands flustering as nerves and confusion came over her regarding the situation, she was in. John took a deep breath, leaning back slightly.
"Well, you did the right thing offering your forgiveness and offering to have his suit cleaned and that but if he doesn't want to accept then we cannot force him" he started.
"But buying a new phone is a lot more than buying a new coffee or having clothes cleaned. I'm not sure I can accept it" she said worried.
"Did you tell him that?" he asked, and she nodded.
"Yes, but he wouldn't take no for an answer" John chuckled softly.
"Well, he seems like a generous man" he admitted.
"What should I do reverend?".
"I think there is no harm in accepting. You offered your forgiveness and he declined, and he's done the same with you".
"But will god be mad, I don't want him thinking I'm taking material goods on purpose".
"God is not here to judge. You didn't bump into this stranger on purpose, it was a mere mistake. God teaches to forgiven one another and to be kind. If his way of asking for forgiveness if buying you a new phone, then there is no judgement in accepting. Besides, it's hard to change a man's mind when he is set on it" John added to the end and Mary let out a breath. She could relax now and at least she didn't have to spend all night praying to god to forgive her for accepting material goods for something that was her fault. You could say both were to blame. And John was right, it would be impossible to change James's mind after he was insistent on buying it for her.
"Thank you, Reverend, I don't know what I would do without you" she smiled sweetly.
"Your welcome Mary. I hope I will see you on Sunday for my sermon" he asked, rising from his chair.
"Of course, I never miss one do I. Luckily, I'm able to get out of work on that day. What's happening tonight" Mary was always able to attend the Sunday service since she was born. Shed go insane if she missed one.
"I'm doing a sermon for an AA group tonight. The clinic asked me to do one to help with their recovery and sometimes I let them use the church for meetings and group therapy. What about you, how's work been?" he asked.
"It's been busy but fine. I'm at the hospital tomorrow but it's not a late shift thankfully. Mrs McKenzie keeps me on my toes. You know you and her would be a great couple if you're interested" Mary wiggled a brow at John who scoffed and shook his head.
"From what you've told me about that woman I think both of us would end up killing each other and I mean that seriously" he said firmly with a pointed finger at Mary who giggled. Unfortunately, john had lost his dear wife five years ago. She was the sweetest person in the world and was like a second mother to Mary when she was growing up. She was the best cook in Brooklyn as well. She baked the most amazing cakes, pies, bread, you name it she made it and she used to have a small bakery in the city. But due to her cancer, she was unable to hold it down any longer and after a long and nasty battle of treatment and hospital appointments, she couldn't fight it anymore.
John was heartbroken and for a while was unable to run the church. His wife was always beside him when he needed her and the two were like two peas in a pod. He had managed to get a friend to come in and help whilst he grieved but he realised that working kept his mind off it. Now five years later, his time was dedicated to the running of this tiny church for the people around him. He didn't have time to date or find a new companion and he wasn't sure he even wanted someone else in his life. his wife was his one true love and always would be, even in death.
John walked Mary to the doors of the church and gave her a small hug.
"drive safely, you have my number if you need anything, and I'll see you on Sunday" he said.
"I will, and thank you, I will. I hope tonight goes well" she squeezed back in the hug before padding back to her car. She threw her bag inside the passenger seat before slumping down in her driver's seat. Mary sat in her car for a minute in silence, staring out the window as an image of the handsome yet intimidating James popped in her head. She felt that flutter again. The way his blue eyes started at her, his jaw line snatched as he smirked down at her, his lips curling upwards. Of course, she didn't describe any of that to John but there wasn't much to tell. She might not even see him again.
James Barnes was a lover of many things and woman was at the top. Not only was he one of the biggest mafia kings of Manhattan but he was the biggest womanizer. He'd had relationships and he had fucked pretty much every woman under the sun. He lusted for them. It was a way to release after the blood and gore and crime he delivered every day. A way for him to relax almost. He was a man of control and power and possession. He didn't like being told what to do. He reeked of seduction. Any woman would fall to their knees in his presence, and he could command them to do anything with but a click of his fingers.
Woman craved him just as much as he did them. His power and dominance took over them like a wizard casting a spell. They had the urge to please him, serve him like he was their master, their king. Since a young age James had a taste of power. At school he was the ringleader, his friends becoming members of his crew. The girls fanned over him, and it wasn't long before he enjoyed that power and wanted more. Since then, his dominance over everyone grew and his power over woman became apparent.
Which is why his favourite place to go was his club, Vanilla. It was more of a hotel than a club and the name was misleading in a way but at the same time fitted perfectly. The club hotel was one of the most well-known and high rated BDSM clubs in Manhattan. A place for people to go and have some fun, whether that be they wanted to dominant a woman or be dominated by one, all options were available. An own business of James, he started it a few years into his title of mafia king and run by his dearest friend Lily James. James was a kinky man. Having woman tied at his feet, begging for his permission to orgasm, blindfolded so they couldn't see what was coming turned him on which sparked his idea to open the business, not to mention Lily had proposed the idea as it was a dream, she had to run her own business. The two of them had history together yet still remained dear friends.
It was six o'clock when James pulled up to the outside of the club, his dark jag humming lowly as it came to a stop. He didn't turn the engine off as the chauffer walked to the driver's seat, opening the door for him. "Mr Barnes" he greeted, and James smiled at the well-dressed man and thanked him kindly, walking straight to the doors of the hotel, buttoning his jacket as he did and hearing the hum of his car being driven off to be parked.
The glass revolving door led him inside the pristine reception of the hotel. Marble floors and huge pillars screamed money and the gold touches on everything added that little bit of luxury. It was a five-star hotel, so it had to look the part. The lobby was huge, with a long dark desk at the back, warm lights underneath lighting it up and gold lamps on either side. To the sides of the lobby were a couple of couches, long cream fabric with dark cushions and polished tables holding small plants in the middle. Off to the right there was a bar, a barman behind flipping cocktails and serving drinks to two men dressed also in suits, laughing, and talking loudly. To the right of the desk was a hallway and a set of elevators on the other side along with stairs that were lit up as well with the same warm lights.
James reached the desk, his shoes clicking on the polished floor, almost squeaking as he walked as they were so clean, and he waited patiently. The desk had a computer behind it and on top was a leather book. He twiddled the silver ring he wore on his right thumb, watching the men in the bar closely before the sound of heels clicking turned his attention away.
"Ah you are here, I was beginning to think you weren't coming" the sweet voice of Lily came as she walked to the desk, her hips shaking side to side with power. She had long brown hair, pulled into a high pony. Her brown eyes were dazzled in warm shades of brown and smoky black, dark lashes and nude lips. She wore a tight-fitting latex dress, black and shining under the lights of the hotel, pushing her breasts up and revealed by a small gap in her dress on her cleavage and reaching above her knees, paired with her slender stilettos, black and the sweet smell of Chanel on her neck. Her nails were painted with French white tips, and she wore a silver tiffany's bracelet. She was a woman of power and money, much like James.
"I told you I was coming" he said a little bluntly and Lily folded her arms, furrowing her fluffy brows. She knew something had happened as he seemed irritated and off. She could read him like a book.
"What happened?" she asked, and he sighed as he leaned on the desk.
"Just been busy, plus I don't like it when people try to fuck me over" he admitted, and she laughed under her breath.
"I know you don't. I was sure you were going to go for the new girl but now I'm guessing you just want to blow some steam" James smirked as Lily was spot on.
"It's like you can read me like a book" he smiled, and she gave a little smug shrug of her shoulders.
"I've known you for years James, of course I can read you like a book" Lily murmured, leaning on the desk, and resting her head in one of her perfectly manicured hands, her nails slightly scratching her airbrushed skin. Lily was not only a business partner and but a loyal friend to James and his mafia. She knew of everything they did, the secrets of the mafia world and their plans to take over. She'd always be here to help James if he needed it. She was a crafty woman and could get any information she wanted.
"Do you want me to sign in?" he asked.
"Please" Lily smiled, pushing herself up from the desk and flicking open a book. She moved it in front of James and handed him a pen to which he proceeded to sign his signature, all fancy and big swirls. Natalie was his regular, a girl he had been fucking for years and would continue to fuck and use at his disposal. She knew what he liked, and he knew what she liked. It was easy for both of them and in times like this when he wanted to blow some steam, she'd be there waiting on her knees for him. Although he did like to indulge himself in something new now and then. Someone with less experience for him to completely dominate and control, to show what could be pleasurable and painful. He could have any girl he wanted. He was the owner after all.
"What are you doing tonight, maybe you can join us" James suggested. He often invited Lily to his scenes as long as the girl was okay with it. It added that extra bit of erotica and dominance to the mix and watching the subs be dominated not only by him, but a powerful woman turned him on just as much. Lily sighed and turned to look at the large clock behind her.
"Well, my client was supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago so if he doesn't show I might just" she said annoyed.
"Well, you know where I am if you want to" Lily smiled sweetly at him before her eyes drifted behind him and darkened. The sound of trainers scuffing the polished floor and heavy breaths came running up to the desk. A boy, young, around the age of nineteen, came running through the revolving doors to the desk, out of breath and his clothes creased and in a mess. He was wearing a ruffled suit with a dull cream jacket and trousers, a striped tie and scuffed dress shoes, his hair all over the place. Small beads of sweat dripped down his head as if he had been running all this way. Lily gave a look to James before she stormed her way out from the desk, arms swinging beside her and heels clicking heavily.
"You're late" she scolded, standing proudly in front of the out of breath boy, hands firmly on her hips. James leaned against the desk, watching the display in front of him with his lips curled at the side and eyes slightly narrowed.
"I'm sorry mistress, I ran over at work and tried to get here as quick as I could" he answered out of breath, shrinking down, and looking almost terrified up at the powerful woman. Lily huffed, looking him up and down before staring deadly at him.
"And you didn't think to call and tell me?" she questioned, and the boy went silent, gulping loudly so that even James could hear from where he was stood. Lily scoffed, rolling her eyes.
"I want you to go upstairs, take this piece of shit outfit off and wait for me, do you understand" she boomed, her eyes deadly at him. The boy gulped and couldn't seem to answer. He truly was in trouble. His eyes managed to flicker to James who gave him a little nod, silently telling him to obey his mistress. It wouldn't be good for him if he didn't.
"Yes Mistress" he nodded quickly, taking the key card she held out for him and ran past her, following her orders. Lily turned and walked back to the desk, smiling as if she hadn't just taken the fear out of the boy, as if she was the sweetest woman on the planet.
"That was hot… I should come and watch you more often" James smirked. Lily giggled softly. She thoroughly enjoyed making men submit to her and torturing them in her BDSM rooms and taking control of them. She was the female version of James Barnes. Her way with men was the same as James with woman. in fact, you could say she was even more sadistic than him.
"You'll be please to know Natalie is waiting for you, just like you asked" Lily slid a key card across the desk towards James who snatched it instantly, folding it between his fingers.
"What would I do without you" the two dominants walked towards the stairs, slowly ascending to the upper floors of the hotel. The hotel had several floors, each with rooms lining corridors. Each door was a dark wood with gold handles and had a lock to place the key cards in.
"Exactly what would you do… why did we break up?" she asked, as she walked beside him, both on their way to indulge in some hot sex and BDSM play.
"Because you said you would never get on your knees for a man again" James replied smugly, and Lily giggled.
"Oh yes… well James, you should know you are the only man I would ever get on my knees for again… not that it's going to happen" she gave a seductive look to him, and he grinned. Even after their breakup they stayed friends and there were no hostilities between each other. After her time with James all those years ago, she had reached a point where she no longer wanted to submit, and she wanted to dominate just like him which in turn led to Vanilla being created. The two stopped just in front of one of the doors.
"We'll see" he shrugged casually, his dominance already coming out and turned to Lily, slightly towering over her.
"Well, I hope you blow of your steam, meet me in my office after" she said, looking up at him.
"I will" he whispered and leaned down, kissing her softly. Lily kissed him back, her lips overtaking in a strong kiss before they pulled away, lips smacking and wide smiles appearing on both their faces. Despite them not being together, they weren't afraid of being affectionate to one another. It was more of a friendship thing between them than a lover's thing.
Lily slipped past him, making her way to her own door whilst James pressed the key card to the door, the beep clicking and unlocking the door. This was his usual room. It had everything he liked, everything he needed. No one else used this room except him. it was slightly bigger than the others, being one of the suites along with Lily's room just a couple doors down. With a firm push, he opened the door to the room, warm lights and the sweet smell of orange and lime filling his senses, spotting the beautiful naked girl on her knees in the middle of the room. With a kick of his foot the door closed.
Hey so I hope you like this chapter, let me know what you think in the comments