BDSM

Depression

If any of this serves as a trigger for you, please decide if this is the book for you.

Finally, the book is set in England and British English spelling is used throughout. That means a lot of times you’ll find an “S” where you may expect a “Z”. And our ass has an extra Rrrrr to it ;-).

Dedication

To all those who want to be a Good Girl for a good guy

Special thanks to my author friend Eliza’s husband’s testicles for providing inspiration for one of my favourite scenes in this book.

Set the mood…

Want a soundtrack to the book?

Check out the Chapter titles 😉 or scan/click here:

You can also find a copy of the full playlist at the back of the book!

Couldn't have done it without...

The story of The Unnatural Habitat of a Cat Lady has been “living” in my brain for over a year. I have changed little bits of the story here and there, dropped some characters and added others but the essence of what makes Ben and Amelia who they are never changed. Neither did my desire to make sure that any references to the BDSM community are accurate and realistic.

I did a lot of reading and researching but nothing is as valuable as getting your information straight from the “horse’s mouth”, so to speak.

Therefore, I would like to say a big thank you to the Kinky Events Community (www.kinkyevents.co.uk)! They allowed me into their circle, patiently answered all my questions and gave me a great understanding of what’s important.

A special thank you has to go to Ryan who volunteered to alpha read the book to make sure that Ben fits the profile of a pleasure dom. He provided some super helpful insights and tips. I don’t think I have ever had a saucier conversation with a complete stranger before but I did it all for you, my lovely readers. I can also proudly say that the book is pleasure dom approved because Ryan confirmed that “Ben is really good as he is.” (I’m pretty sure that was his way of telling me “Good Girl”)

To all you amazing people at the Kinky Events Community

and especially Ryan

THANK YOU!

1

Fuck You

Amelia

I can feel his eyes on me. Don't say it. Don't you bloody say it.

"Maybe we need to get an expert in to advise us on the security situation." That little twerp said it. I glare at Richard across the table. He just won't accept that I, as the Head of Security Risk Management, am in charge of security (it's in the title!) when it comes to trips our staff take.

"I mean, what do we really know about the risks in—"

"It's my job to know," I cut Richard off. When he throws in the "we," he really means me. Back when I was hired he was baffled by the idea that a woman could possibly be in charge of security, and instead was heavily rooting for an ex-army guy who also applied for the job.

"With all due respect—," Richard starts. Give me a fucking break. The minute someone mutters with all due respect, you know they mean the exact opposite.

"Richard, Amelia’s right. It’s her job to assess the situation and I'm not having this conversation yet again. If she says we need risk committee approval, then we do. So put a business plan together and explain why it is essential for one of your team to be present on the ground rather than liaising from London." Uh, what is this, did he just side with me, like, for the first time ever? Graham is making it crystal clear that he won't accept any objections. So far, Graham has agreed every time Richard has pushed for an "expert", and I have had to reach out to yet another security consultant to come in look at my assessment and mitigation plan and then, in a condescending tone, explain to me how they would do it, which usually is exactly the same way I had proposed, just in different words. It’s a waste of resources and time, let alone a constant source of frustration to me.

I was hired a year ago when Lisa, the owner of Connect Beyond Borders, secured major investment to take the company global. We provide communications solutions to the NGO sector, more specific to aid agencies working in remote areas. When the company started, Lisa and her partner Shaker offered advice as consultants, but with the new investment the company has hired engineers and technicians to provide innovative solutions connecting aid workers with their offices.

I'm aware that I sound like our company brochure but that's because I’ve attended about fifteen million corporate events where this line was repeated so often that it sounded as if our sales team were peddling a new religion.

"If there’s nothing else, just a reminder that I need your budget review by the end of next week." Graham dismisses us. "Oh, and Amelia, can you stay for a minute?" I watch as the others file out of the COO's office. He is one of the few with his own office in the otherwise open plan concept. , His office is surrounded by glass on three sides, so we call it the fish tank behind his back.

Samira, the Director of HR gives me a quick side eye as if to say "What the fuck does he want from you?" before scuttling from the office. She is probably the only one at work that I am close to and I know she'll be waiting at her desk for me to give her the gossip once I come back.

The glass door falls shut behind the last person leaving the office.

"Right. I had a look at your budget and you’re way over and we still have two months left in the financial year." Graham looks at me expectantly, as if I could explain it all away as a fluke.

"Forty percent of my budget has been used up by the security consultants you wanted me to hire for the Syria and Yemen trips."

"And you never said that would exceed your budget," he replies. I am waiting for him to tell me that this is all a joke. Nothing.

"But you know how much these consultants charge."

"It's not my job to manage your budget." What a dick. I try to calm my breathing because I can feel anger rising. "Amelia, you are a senior member of staff, and if you don't agree with a decision in your department, for whatever reason, I expect you to fight it and not let Richard bully you into it."

"But you agreed with him."

"Because you didn't object."

"I did."

"Well, not very strongly. In any case your expenditure is too high. Lisa has agreed to top it up a little but if you need any additional funding for any experts for the rest of the year you’ll need to make an application directly to her." Aha! So, this is why he sided with me in the meeting. Lisa had words with him and he threw me under the bus. There is a lump in my throat that makes it difficult to swallow, a ball of anger that I try desperately to suppress.

"Fine." I grab my pad. "Anything else?" In my head I sound super pissed off but I know that Graham won't notice a difference. I am a master at concealing what I really feel.

"Can you have a look at your budget and let me know if there are any activities you need to postpone?"

"Sure." I leave the meeting room without another word. That will show him. I glance back and see him typing away on his laptop. I'm not sure he’s even noticed that I have left.

I hate this job, I hate this job, I haaaaate this job. Richard is such a wanker! And Graham, throwing me under the bus like that. Argh. I swear they're both a couple of donkeys with their heads up their arses. I hope they get a nasty case of genital warts and have to explain it to their partners. Ugh, why am I surrounded by utter tossers? Grit your teeth and smile, Amelia. Just another day in paradise.

"What happened?" Samira asks as I take a seat next to her on the bank of desks in the far corner. These are the most popular seats in our open plan office. You have to be quick to get them booked before everyone else has a chance, but Samira and I both have reminders in our calendars and if one forgets the other one will book the desk for both of us.

"I overspent on my budget and apparently it's my fault because I didn't object strongly enough when Richard and Graham railroaded me on the Syria and Yemen trips."