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CHAPTER NINETEEN

SASHA

Liam sits so close that I inhale the faint spicy oak of his cologne as I stare down at the open folder he splayed across the table. My eyes are drawn to the large, bold letters at the top of the paper. Staring at the title, my tone is laced with curiosity when I mumble, “A contract?”

“Yes,” he answers flatly. “This goes far beyond detailing the length of our arrangement. Communication between us is absolutely vital—more so than a traditional relationship—and this walks us both through that conversation. I want you to know in explicit detail what I’m offering to you and what I am going to require of you. This will also make sure I know what you need from me .”

From talking to him yesterday, I knew Liam was going to be completely different from the other men I’ve been with, but this is vastly uncharted territory for me. What I need? It has been ingrained in me that my job as a submissive is to make sure my Dom’s needs are met. It has never been about my desires.

“What we decide today isn’t concrete,” he continues, pulling me from my thoughts. “We can always renegotiate rules and limits as our relationship develops.”

My eyes roam down the contract. Beneath the six-month term of our arrangement are bullet points of his rules for me.

The submissive:

-will follow commands in an appropriate manner and timeframe

-will make eye contact when being spoken to or speaking

-will eat three meals a day and drink a minimum of five glasses of water

-will never hide their feelings or thoughts

-will maintain pride in her dress, appearance, and hygiene (to include remaining hair-free at all times)

-will inform the Dominant if they are too unwell (physically or mentally) for sexual activity

-will not seek sexual gratification without permission

-will thank her Dominant for all orgasms he provides or allows

-will accept all corrective discipline, understanding it is out of care, love, and for personal growth

-will address the Dominant by their chosen honorific as directed

-will not leave home without Dominant’s permission

-will not abuse their use of traffic light safewords (yellow and red), only utilizing them when they feel their personal safety (physical or mental) is compromised

-will perform sexual acts when and how the Dominant deems fit

“Are those reasonable to you?” Liam asks. “Do you think you will be able to follow them?”

My eyes glossing over them once more, I reply, “Yes.”

Liam’s fingers dust along cheek, pulling my chin and forcing my attention from the paper to him. “Then I expect you to look at me when you answer.”

Meeting his caring—yet authoritative—gaze, I stare into the warmth of his stormy blue eyes and repeat, “Yes.”

“That’s better. Good girl.” His fingertips slide from my jaw with a feathery touch. My heart flutters, and I’m not sure if it’s from the praise or the feel of his skin on mine.

The server returns with our food, and we eat breakfast as we discuss a checklist of items and activities. He patiently takes his time explaining the ones that I don’t know, allowing me to provide him with a well-informed answer. By the time we finish, the list is riddled with notes regarding things I have expressed enjoyment in and my aversion to others.

“Almost done,” Liam informs me, flipping the page. My brows furrow when it isn’t more activities or rules for me but rules for him.

THE DOMINANT:

-will take responsibility for the care (physical and mental), proper training, correction, and guidance of the submissive

-will not give the submissive to or command the submissive to perform acts of service (sexual or otherwise) to/for other Dominants

-will provide a safe environment, ensuring not to injure the submissive physically or mentally

-will obtain consent prior to leaving any permanent marks on the submissive

-will never provide corrective discipline in anger

-will acknowledge submissive’s use of safewords without fail, immediately ending any act being performed

-will maintain Risk-Aware Consensual Kink is adhered to at all times

I read his list of rules no less than five times from start to finish. My thoughts drifting to the treatment in my prior relationships… Being commanded to please other men or women… The things Trevor, Shawn, or Isaac would do to me when they came home after a bad day, or I upset them by breaking a rule… Isaac’s name is carved into my thigh.

Liam lifts a pen from the table and adds to the neatly typed list

will not address submissive as ‘beautiful’ or any other name deemed to elicit negative emotions from prior partners

I’m overwhelmed with what he is promising me, and how aware he is of my feelings, that tears well in my eyes. I blink rapidly, unsuccessfully trying to keep them at bay, but they begin to trickle down my cheeks. Liam cups my face, and his thumbs tenderly wipe away each tear as he look sat me with heartfelt concern. “Why are you crying, sweetheart?”

“I… No one… You…” I stammer, trying not to open the floodgate of emotions he’s drawing from me.

“It’s okay. I understand,” he whispers when I can’t find my words. “I’m sorry that other men haven’t given you the decency listed on that paper.”

Using his gentle hold on my face, he pulls me closer and presses his soft, warm lips to my forehead. “You deserve better, and I’m going to make sure you learn that.”