Weeks later, the two ended up at an after party while they were both attending BonCon in Las Vegas. Mariah's "boyfriend" was preoccupied with several girls in another room. This left her and Shno alone together for the first time. Shno placed a metal collar, which he had welded himself, around her neck and positioned her against a huge picture window overlooking the Las Vegas strip. The BDSM scene which followed was unlike anything Mariah had ever experienced. Shno was able to read her body language and connect with her like no one had ever done before. The electricity between them was undeniable. At that moment, they were both hooked.

The two didn't see each other again for many months. Having officially ended his marriage, Shno travelled to Europe needing some time alone to find himself. Mariah ended her current relationship and moved back home with her mother. When Shno returned to Los Angeles, the two met for dinner at a his house. They talked for several hours, reconnected, and made love for the first time. Two weeks later Mariah moved in with Shno.

Shno made it clear to Mariah how strongly he felt about his connection to her. He made a proposition and gave her the option to either be his girlfriend... or his slave. Mariah thought about the proposition. Knowing that her heart desired a strong man who deserved her complete and utter submission, she chose to enter into a contract as Shno's slave. The couple negotiated and wrote out a contract of the guidelines and expectations of their master/slave relationship. While the actual terms of their contract are periodically renegotiated and renewed, they live by the basic mantra that "The master is responsible for his slave and the slave is accountable to her master."

While this "anything but typical" relationship might not make sense to everyone, you only need to meet Mariah and Shno once to understand how perfectly it works for them. Although their master/slave relationship is 24/7, it doesn't mean that Mariah spends her days chained to a bed or waiting on Shno hand and foot. They both do housework, delegating the chores by the traditional romantic ideas of what is masculine or feminine. Mariah washes dishes and makes meals, while Shno takes out the trash and does handy work. They make all their important decisions together, just like any couple.

At first glance, you might think Mariah & Shno look like an intimidating couple. But if you look behind the BDSM fantasy you'll find two very down to earth people. They'll wear their pajamas around the house, They Tivo every episode of American Idol (Something their other BDSM friends tease them about) and they even play a weekly game of Dungeons and Dragons with their friends. Their relationship is definitely a book that should not be judged by its cover... but boy, is it ever an interesting cover!  

Photos by DirtyDolly