Page 112 of A is for Aftercare

I blush and dip my chin. “So are you.”

Hamish nods to the pad of paper in my hands. “According to Mick, a contract should start with a statement of intent—a general statement that encapsulates the purpose of the contract.”

I tap the pen to my lips. “I think you should write that bit. You’re better at flowery language than me.”

“It’s my job,” Hamish muses.

“What comes next?”

“The term. How long we want the contract to last for.”

“Forever?” I ask, frowning.

Hamish shakes his head.

My pulse picks up. “Why not?” Doesn’t he think we’ll last forever?

"Because there will never be any harm in revisiting the contract and re-evaluating our dynamic every so often, but there could be some harm in rigidly sticking to the same set of rules long term, even if we change as people."

My heart rate decreases to a more normal pace. That makes sense. I mentally kick myself for not thinking of that. “How long would you suggest?”

“For now? Weekly.”

I gasp. “Weekly?”

Hamish strokes my face. “We’re still at the beginning of our relationship, Archie. If we want it to last long term, we need to communicate. Once we’re happy our dynamic is working as it should, we can revise the term to monthly and then extend it again the more comfortable we get.”

He’s right. In the grand scheme of things, we haven’t been together long, and we’re still finding our way. “Sorry. I’ve never had a semi-formal agreement with a Dom before.”

“You’ve got nothing to apologise for. Weekly?”

“Weekly.” I write it down.

“What’s next?”

"Your duties as a submissive."

I write a heading. "Well, there are the things we've already agreed—dressing nicely for you, douching, calling you ‘Sir’." I list them all out.

“When are you going to call me ‘Sir’?” Hamish asks. “In private? Always when we’re in the house, whether we have guests or not.”

“Always,” I whisper.

"Are you sure?"

I start to nod, but Hamish’s expression becomes stern.

“Be honest, Archie. Would you feel comfortable calling me ‘Sir’ in front of your parents, your niece, or your new boss or workmates?”

I bite my lower lip. “Iwantto be.”

“But you’re not right now, and that’s okay. It’s something we can revisit.”

Now I understand why he wanted a fixed term on the contract. I write “when I feel comfortable.” Hamish nods approvingly.

"We can be as specific or as general about your duties as we want," Hamish explains. "You can just make a general statement about how you'll obey my orders if you want. Or you could write detailed descriptions of all the ways you'll serve me."

I shiver. “That sounds hot, but for now, a quick bullet point list? Maybe you can help me write it out in more detail later?”