Disclaimer: The only thing I own of Twilight, is merchandise I've paid for. How I only wished I owned the rights.....

A/N: This is my first shot and an AH story! Be nice.

Story Summery: After joining a prestigious and illustrious private club built around sexual dominance and role play; Bella enters into a submissive relationship with wealthy and predominant businessman Edward Cullen. Will secrets and a dark past keep their D/s relationship from blossoming into something more? AH. ExB Rated M for adult themes, sexual content and adult language.

Chapter 1: Disclaimer.

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The office I sat in was elegant and pristine. Decorated in creams and gold, and accented with dark chocolate wood and leather furniture. I relaxed comfortably in a plush deep brown leather chair waiting for Tanya to return.

I could hear voices lingering faintly outside her office door; they were muffled, but I easily recognized that one of the voices belonged to Tanya. I adjusted my blazer and smoothed my white blouse for the hundredth time since I'd been here, and steadied myself as best as I could, waiting patiently for her to enter the room.

"- yes, tell him as soon as I finish up in here I'll give him a call." I'd heard her say before the door swung open revealing the leggy, drop dead gorgeous strawberry blonde.

"Hold all my calls please." She told her assistant as she stepped into the office brandishing a thick manila folder. She closed the door behind her and sauntered over to her antique mahogany desk.

"Well Miss Swan," She addressed me as she plopped down in her chair. "All the necessary paperwork has checked out, and your tests have come back negative." I nodded with a smile and listened intently.

"I see here in your application, you've submitted before but have only been collared once?"

"Yes. Just the once," I answered, knowing full well the ten million dollar question was coming.

She stared at me for a moment, I was sure it was because she was waiting for me to elaborate. She didn't know that I wouldn't.

"Care to elaborate?" she asked with a smile.

"I've participated in a few scenes, but I was only exclusive with two men. One of which, collared me."

"How did the relationship end?"

"As I told you on the phone, I don't wish to disclose that information." I said as politely as possible.

"Of course, that's your business. I just need to be sure that you understand; I need full disclosure-"

"I have no current arrangement, and I'm sure that is all that's relative at this point."

"That's all I need to be sure of." She smiled warmly. "Can I assume that the collared relationship was your last? "

I grimaced at her constant prodding and decided that the only way to move on to more important discussion was to pacify her with as short an answer I could muster.

"He wasn't, I've indulged… you could say, in scenes with other Dom's that I've trusted after that relationship ended."

She looked perplexed at me for a moment; I knew this would only open up another round of questions. I decided to let her know, that wasn't an option.

"Before you ask, I did have a collared relationship with that Dom. We however, did not draw a contract between us. You could say, I learned from my mistakes the hard way."

She opened her mouth several times, before closing it and keeping it that way.

"Very well," She smiled. "Everything looks wonderful and although you lack certain….experiences, I think you'll be an excellent addition to our community"

"Thank you."

Tanya pressed a few buttons on her phone and her assistant's voice came over the small speaker phone.

"Yes Ma'am?"

"Bring me an invitation to the Masquerade Gala please." She said.

"Masquerade gala?" I asked with a raised eye brow.

"Yes, we have an annual 'Munch' each summer. We like to mix them up; there are usually four or five throughout the year. The Masquerade is always right around now. You aren't required to attend, obviously. But, I liked to think you would take advantage of our club, come out and socialize, perhaps meet a few clients of mine?"

I didn't see the harm in it, after all this is why I had come to Tanya. I was looking for a safe way to meet Dom's. I knew by coming here, I had a potential of meeting someone I knew was trust worthy.

This was a lifestyle I had chosen, and couldn't escape my craving for it. I also knew spending another six months in physical therapy wasn't an option, one wrong move and my sciatic would be all done. I had just regained full use of my legs with a slight limp and I hid it well with all my practice.

I needed an experienced and knowing Dom and I knew I couldn't settle for any less. This network Tanya had access to, is my last resort if I wanted to continue on in this lifestyle, the right way that is. I couldn't afford another careless mistake.

A petite redhead walked into Tanya's office and handed her a cream colored envelope. Before she turned and left, closing the door behind her. Tanya handed me the envelope, I nodded my thanks and took it from her hands.

"You'll need that for admittance." She smiled. "This Wednesday, seven sharp. The details are inside."

"I'm looking forward to it." I smiled as I stood and smoothed my blazer again. "If that's all, I guess I'll see you there."

Tanya stood to shake my hand. "It was nice to meet you Bella. I have a few clients I know will be interested." She smiled warmly. "Oh! I almost forgot. Before you leave, if you wouldn't mind filling out a Play List?" She quickly rifled through the file on her desk; pulling out a small packet of papers held by a staple.

"Sure." I said as I took the sheets from her and sat back down. She handed me a pen, and I scanned the list. "How do you like these marked?"

"Oh, I'm sorry." She said as she stood and came around the desk. "A check for your soft limits and use the scaling system zero through five. Zero being no desire, and five being as much as possible. Simply put an X for your hard limits."

I nodded; I was familiar enough with the system. I started scanning through the list. Placed checks with their numbers accordingly, on things such as impact play, bondage, and wax play.

Among other I hadn't tried yet.

The X's were easier to place; I knew exactly what was getting X's. I knew what my hard limits were, some I'd learned the hard way.

I never wanted to go through those again.

I quickly finished, leaving some activities unmarked. I knew if they had come up in the relationship, we could address them at the time and negotiate with each other to find a comfortable level of play for the both of us. It was already making me feel more comfortable, having handed the list to Tanya felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

She glanced at it, skimming though quickly. A small smile spread across her face as she went over the sheets.

"Excellent." She said. "I think you'll fit in quiet well in our community."

"Thank you Tanya, it was nice to finally meet you." I said, gathering up my purse and the invitation. Tanya led me to her door and out into the reception area where her assistant sat.

"We'll see you Wednesday evening Bella; if you need anything please don't hesitate to give me a call."

"I will thank you." I smiled and turned to leave.

"Jackie, get Mr. Cullen on the phone please." Tanya said before disappearing behind her door.

I made my way over to the elevators, slipping inside quickly and pressing the button for the lobby.

While I waited to descend from the forty-second floor, I broke the seal of the cream colored envelope and pulled out a thin rectangular invitation.

The invitation itself was beautiful, ebony in color with a bronze graceful scroll. A thin cardboard sleeve held it together, and when I slipped it off the paper fell open to reveal the intricate details of tomorrow nights events.

The Denali Corp.

Cordially invites you to

The Annual

Masquerade Gala

Wednesday, the fifth of August

Two thousand and nine

at

Barca

1510 11th Avenue

Seattle, Washington

Cocktails - 7pm.

Dinner – 8pm.

Black Tie

I stared down at the invitation for a few moments, wondering were in the hell I was going to find a suitable mask for a masquerade before tomorrow evening. I knew, as much as I disliked the idea, I was in need of a shopping trip. I knew I'd needed to get a new dress as well, tomorrow night could mean a new beginning for me.

Even though I didn't necessarily want to admit it to myself, I could help but feel the excitement of anticipation of meeting someone new. I just hoped I could find trust in a new Dom. I couldn't help but crave this life style, it was who I was. I wouldn't let previous encounters deter me from my goal.

The dinging of the elevator brought me out of my reverie, and when the door slid open, I strode confidently out and through the lobby.

As I exited the building and the cool damp Seattle air hit me, I was on a mission tonight.

I needed to find a killer dress.