Page 71

She hoped her voice was stern enough that Helen did not mistake her mood. From the way she cleared her throat, Monique had a feeling she had no idea what this was about. “What is it? Have I offended you… again?”

What did she mean by again? Was she still hung up on the faux pas she made sending her that collar and leash a long time ago? “No, but there’s something I need to ask you. In person.”

“I’ll come there. This sounds rather serious.”

“Don’t come now. Give me a couple of days to put my thoughts together.”

“What have I done?”

“You haven’t done anything. I only want to clarify something.”

“All right.”

They made a date for that upcoming Wednesday, but Monique didn’t consider it a date. Not with such a weight pushing down on her shoulders. Until Helen clarified why Jacqueline Love wasat her house, then Monique wouldn’t be able to touch Helen Warner again.

The thought chilled her. Only a few weeks into a new relationship, and this was already happening? She didn’t know if she could handle having her heart broken again so quickly.

On Wednesday, Monique awoke with a clear frame of mind. This was not a date. This was not romance. Even if Helen made her so happy with her words that she could barely speak, she still would not let Helen come into her innermost chambers. Namely, her bedroom.

Monique had to be like this. Life with Jacqueline taught her that she had to set hard boundaries and honor them. Not just get other people to honor them, but to honor them herself.If I can’t honor my own boundaries, then how can I expect others to?

So even though she dressed up for Helen, it was not in a way to entice her. She left her lingerie, silk robes, and come-hither dresses in her closet. Instead, she pulled out the nice outfits she wore for her CPAs and the occasional visit from the police. While the deep crimson dress accentuated her hips and bust, it was conservative, coming up to her neck and meeting both her wrists. It wrapped around her knees and did not draw attention to the black flats she wore on her feet. She wore no makeup. Nor did she wear any jewelry outside of a simple gold chain and a pair of studs in her ears.

Her hair was washed and brushed, but not curled. It fell past her ears and brushed her shoulders but was not anything more special than she would wear on a trip to the grocery store. By all accounts, she was the most nondescript she had ever been.

Likewise, the staff was told to not treat Helen as anything more than a special guest. Not “the boss’s girlfriend” special, but “someone who is supposed to be here” special. Monique was awaiting her, but not in a way that demanded her immediate attention.I have to believe it’s like when we first met.When Helen was nothing more than a fantasy. Monique knew how much her touch could hurt – and please her. She knew what it was like to be safely wrapped in Helen’s arms and gaze into her blue eyes. Helen was Kryptonite to the heart. The more Monique realized she loved her, the more important it became that she put up the barriers – until she got answers.

She watched Helen get out of her Rolls-Royce and approach the Manoir. The first time they had seen each other in a while. All Monique could feel was dread.

How sad that their relationship reached this point. She was so ready to love and be loved again. Now all she could hope for was Helen giving her a good explanation. Yet she couldn’t believe such a thing was possible. Not if Jacqueline Love was involved.

“The madam will see you in her office,” the doorman said. A maid took Helen’s coat and showed her up the grand staircase. Monique disappeared into her office, where she nervously looked over some papers until Helen arrived.

“Monique,” she greeted, although it sounded more like a plea. “I…”

“Have a seat.” Monique motioned to the chair in front of her desk. The same chair she sat in when she declared they were two sides of the same coin.Don’t think I can’t remember. Oh, she remembered. She remembered how her body tingled and her heart raced to feel the mark of a Mistress on her, let alone one she was so attracted to.Helen, I…she could play that game too.

Helen took her seat, tentatively, her body lowering into the leather while her concerned eyes never left Monique’s face. Shedid not speak. If Helen had a tail, it would be tucked between her legs.

“Thank you for taking the time to drive out here and meet me.” Monique took off her glasses and pushed her paperwork aside. “As I said on the phone, there is something we have to discuss.”

“What in the world is going on?” Helen clutched the arms of the chair as if they held the answers they both sought. “Monique, this isn’t like you. When I called you the other night, I could’ve sworn you would be all over me like I was you. Instead, you do this? I feel like I’m in the headmistress’s office. Clearly, I have done something. I’m not even sure what to expect. That you’re being arrested? I feel like if it were that… this would be a very different scenario.”

Monique had to refrain from laughing. No, if she were in legal trouble, she would be throwing herself into Helen’s arms and sobbing like a woman who didn’t know whether everything would be all right.I feel like that anyway.

“Please forgive me, Helen,” she said.

“Oh, God. You’re breaking up with me.”

Again, Monique had to spare herself from laughing. No, she wasn’t breaking up with her… yet.Although if I have to, I will.She made a promise to herself long ago.

“There’s something I have to ask you, Helen.” Monique folded her hands on the desk. “I don’t want to ask you this, but I have to.”

“All right…”

The tension between them was unlike anything before. It wasn’t sexual. It was barely professional. All Monique could think about was how much she wanted to throw herself at Helen and reassure her that she still cared, that she still wanted to fall in love with her over and over again.How often does a girl get to feel that way?Not often enough.

“When I was at your home a couple of months ago,” she began, wondering if she should be more specific since she had been to Helen’s home a couple more times since. “You left me alone to attend a video call in your office. Do you remember that?”