You lay all your cards on the table

"I... I don't understand..." There was a twinge of worry in Lily's voice now. "Why... why am I here?"

This was a calculated risk. It was not always wise to be so forward so quickly. This could scare her off, make her storm away before you could get in another word. However, you were betting it all on look in her eye. Each time you took charge, you could practically feel her heart skip a beat. Her eyes were begging you to tell her what to do. To deliver her from her unhappiness. To take away control.

This would work. You were sure of it.

"Let me tell you a little bit about myself," you begin. "I'm a recently retired tech millionaire. That's the short version anyway. More importantly, though, is my life's work. Since high school, I have devoted my entire life to it. I am a man of ambition and drive, Lily, and I always get what I want. My dream is finally coming to fruition... which is where you come in."

"And... how exactly do I fit into this dream of yours?" She tried to regain a bit of that flirtatious flare, but her nervous curiosity was getting the best of her.

"Well you see..." You leaned closer, trapping Lily in a steely gaze. "My dream is to form a harem."

This was certainly not what the blonde had been expecting to hear. Recoiling, she asked "A... harem? Like a bunch of women who serve you?"

"Precisely?" You reply, smiling. "I've assembled everything I need. The house, the money, and the skills. Now, all I need is the finishing touch..."

"And what?" Lily laughed nervously. "You want me to join?" Her smile faded, though, when your expression did not change. "Oh my god... you're serious about all this, aren't you?"

You leaned back, gesturing with your wine glass. "We both know that the arrangement would... mutually beneficial!"

"I most certainly do not know that!" Lily snapped in a hushed voice. Her mouth twisted in anger as she grabbed her purse. "I don't know what my husband... my EX-husband... told you about me, and frankly I don't care. I'm not some down on her luck whore you can lure into bed. I'm a DOCTOR, for Christ's sake! I have a career, a future, a life! Why would I throw that away to be your... your... UGH!"

She stood up abruptly, pushing the chair back. "I am sorry for wasting your time, Mr. Lawson. I wish you luck in... well, whatever you do!"

With that, she turned to leave. Most people would be worried. However, you had expected an outburst like this. The protest of the woman she thought she was. She just needed a firm hand to help her realize the truth.

Without standing up, you loudly and firmly barked "Sit back down!" You raised your voice enough to startle her without causing too much of a disruption. Taken aback, Lily immediately does as you say, quickly returning to her seat. Her eyes were anxious yet undeniably excited. You expected it had been a long time since someone had talked to her like that.

"Be honest with yourself," you continued, in a calm yet commanding tone. "The reason you came to this dinner is because your ex suggested that I would dominate you. Now, I'm sure you expected we'd have a nice meal, play a cute game of cat and mouse, all the usual formalities. Then I'd take you back to my flat, pin you down, and fuck you like I owned you. Is anything I said incorrect?"

Lily was completely silent. She opened her mouth to protest, but it just hung open. There was nothing she could say. You were spot on!

Tasting victory, you kept going. "Yes, that would have been all well and good. Except a one night stand is only what you think you need. But the relief would only be temporary. The next day your unhappiness would return. You would still dread the direction your life is headed. You would still resent the position of power you worked so hard to achieve. You would remain full of these regrets... and we don't want that!"

"You... you don't know me," the blonde whimpered, her confident persona shattered.

"Oh, but I do!" You leaned forward, a hunter going in for the kill. "And I want to help you. To take away the control you desperately want to be rid of. I'll take care of you, as I do all my girls. Most of all, though, I'll make you happy. That is what I've come here to offer you tonight. That is the reason you are sitting in this restaurant. Happiness."

Lily sat stunned by your words. You could see the wheels in her head turning. Her submissive subconscious fighting with the confident doctor she wanted to be. She spent over a minute just sitting in silence, thinking and debating and imagining.

"O-okay, I'm... I'm interested," Lily finally admitted, though she quickly rose a finger. "I'm not committing to anything, mind you. I just... I'd like to hear more."

"That's wonderful, dear," you reply happily, though you do not allow yourself to smile. "Unfortunately, I'm going to need more than words before we continue."

"What do you mean?" The fear in her eyes deepened. "What else do you-"

"You underwear, Lily," you interrupt. "You are going to excuse yourself to the bathroom, and when you come back, you are going to hand me your panties. Am I clear?"

"That's absurd," the doctor scoffed. "I couldn't possible walk around a place like this without... well, uncovered!"

You did not reply, simply staring Lily down with an intensity you knew made her nervous. After coming to the realization that you were not backing down, the blonde wordlessly grabbed her purse, stood up, and slowly walked away. As she rounded the corner, you could not be sure she was not leaving the restaurant.

However, you had a hunch she would be back.