Protege(19)

This was the time to be honest. It might be the only time such an offer was on the table. She couldn’t let the opportunity slip away.

“There’s no shame in wanting such a thing. Less than a century ago it was the norm. Some of my favorite episodes of I Love Lucy are the ones where Ricky takes Lucy over his knee and spanks her for doing something he specifically told her she was not to do.” He smiled. “I guess it was a simpler time then.”

He sighed and shuffled the papers, stacking them neatly once more. “If there’s anything you’d like to add or remove, now’s the time to do so. We want this experience to be an honest telling of your desires. Don’t be afraid to speak up.”

Appreciating his attempt to ease her reservations, she smiled. “Thank you.” She scanned the long list of his expectations. It was quite a list. “Why do I have to exercise for an hour a day?”

“Because your health will be important to any good Dom, which Jude is.”

“What kind of exercise?” They were already going to be having sex frequently. She was going to exhaust herself with this agreement.

“That’s for him to decide. Your application said you had no physical health limits. Is that incorrect?”

“No, but once I hired a trainer and I didn’t like him very much. I don’t much care for people bossing me around.”

He stilled, the incredulous look on his face giving her pause. “Right. Are you sure this is the sort of relationship you’re interested in?”

She scanned over the ongoing list provided by Mr. Duval, turning the page under the detailed explanation of how she was expected to always be prepared for his attention and what she was and wasn’t permitted to wear to bed. On the next page she found her list and a warm sense of longing stole through her.

Her Dom would listen and talk to her. He would take a genuine interest in the moments of her day with a common goal to find vicarious pleasure in each other’s experiences. He would be mannerly and patient, never violent and always tolerant of her inexperience, assisting her to better understand her personal sexuality without judgment. He would put her safety first in all things and protect her from harm.

After reading such a list and imagining those requests being met, the rest seemed inconsequential. “Yes. This is what I want.” It was thirty days. She could do anything for thirty days when it encompassed such care and attention.

“Okay.” He turned another page. “Section four is what we refer to as the submissive’s creed. It states that you will communicate honestly at all times regarding your limits, desires, and concerns. You will not attempt to top from the bottom, meaning you will not use tactics of manipulation. You will do your best to fulfill his wishes, and in the chance that your relationship sours or a scene fails, you will not place total blame on your Dom. You understand that he is human and also doing his best to fulfill your desires and needs. You will do your Dom honor by behaving as his sub proudly. And finally, you will be obedient, knowing he has a purpose behind every order and your obedience will lead to a deeper shared bond.”

Her nose scrunched at the term obedient. “Can we remove the word obedient?”

He laughed. “And what would we replace it with?”

She shrugged. “Respectful should suffice.”

He tapped the top of the page with his pen. “Respect is already required. Obedience is a cornerstone of a Dominant/submissive relationship, Ms. Banks. I’m afraid if you can’t obey your Dom, this entire contract is a waste of time.”

“But what if he asks me to do something I don’t want to do?”

“That’s why we have a contract. You’ve listed your hard limits and selected a safe word. Is there more you’d like to add? You’re allowed to write as many limits as you want.”

How was she supposed to know what she should exclude without knowing what he might ask? “What if he thinks of something I haven’t?”

“You’ll recall the section about not putting you in harm’s way. I assure you, while Jude might push you emotionally, he’d only do so with a healthy goal in mind. He’d never physically harm or abuse you, Collette. You have my word on it.”

But she didn’t know him any better than she knew Jude Duval.

He folded his hands. “You have the right to stop at any time. Did you select a safe word?”

“Yes.”

He turned the page and smirked. “Good one. My wife’s is spider monkey.”

She drew back. Why had it not occurred to her that he lived in a similar fashion to the life on which she was embarking? “Oh.”

“You’ll meet her eventually. She’s readying the chateau for you and Jude.”

She frowned. What did that mean, readying it? “Is your wife . . . obedient?”

He chuckled. “Usually. Though she can be a brat when she’s looking for attention.”

Her brow tightened, recalling when Jude called her such a thing. Shaking off the distraction, she asked, “What if I forget something?”

“You will, but that’s when the fun part starts and you get to experience all the wonderful tricks your Dom has to help you remember.”

“Such as?”

“Not my place to tell you. I’m sure you’ll find out.”

“If he hits me, I’ll hit him back.”