Page 111 of A is for Aftercare

“Would you let me collar you?”

I lift my eyebrows, trying not to let my thoughts run wild. There are different types of collars that a Dom can put on a sub, with different significances.

“Do you mean a play collar for a scene or…” I lower my gaze and wait for his answer. I need him to be specific.

“I’d like you to wear my collar permanently, Archieosaurus.”

My heart flutters, and my stomach flips over. Wearing a permanent collar would be a symbol of my love and devotion to Sir. It would be just as binding as a wedding ring, and it would show everyone in the know that I belong to him. I want that so much, but it's not something I can rush into. I can't give an instant yes like someone might be able to when proposed to.

“What would thatmean, Sir?” I ask. “Would you want the dynamic we currently have to become an absolute power exchange?”

“It’s not just about what I want,” Hamish says, leading me to the sofa. We sit. “We both have to be happy. If you want, we could write down a more formal contract.” He grins. “Why don’t you grab a pad of paper and a pen and put your shorthand to good use?”

“How do you know I can do shorthand?”

“I read your CV, remember?”

"You did?" I raised my eyebrows. "So you didn't just hire me on the strength of my coffee-making skills?"

Hamish booms out a laugh. “Don’t be fucking daft. Go get some paper and a pen. We should do this anyway, whether you agree to wear my collar or not.”

“Isn’t our verbal agreement enough?”

“Aye, it was. But we’re going to be living together now. I don’t want there to be any grey areas or ambiguity. I want you to feel safe and be happy with everything we do. For example, you mentioned a complete power exchange, but something tells me you wouldn’t be happy with that.”

I stare at my hands.

“That’s okay,” Hamish says. “Based on everything you said when I asked you to move in, I know retaining financial independence is important to you.”

I nod slowly. “I’m sorry, Sir.”

“For what?”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you—”

Hamish cups my face in his hand. "Stop being daft. I would never expect you to do something you're not one hundred per cent comfortable with. Get some paper."

I obey this time and go to the office to fetch a pad of paper and a pen.

“I’ve never written a D/s contract,” I admit. “Have you?”

“Aye, twice.”

"With the two men you lived with?"

Hamish nods. “They were different, but then Mick and Fraser were two very different men. Mick was the one who trained me to be his Dom,” he adds. “Meeting Fraser was when I realised that I would have to adapt as a Dom. That the needs of my sub were more important than anything. Mick was very into corporal punishment and was incredibly bratty. Fraser was much more reserved, and being spanked was one of his hard limits.”

“I bet you had to get creative with your punishments,” I say.

Hamish shrugs. “Fraser wasverysubservient and the most obedient sub I've ever spent time with."

“More obedient thanme?” I ask, pretending to take offence.

Hamish taps my nose. “Aye, Archieosaurus,muchmore obedient.” He sighs. “It’s why we didn’t work out in the end. I needed someone a bit more spirited.”

“AmIspirited enough for you?”

He strokes my hair and kisses me gently. “Aye, you’re perfect.”