The Pleasures of Winter (24 page)
‘And his family?’ She knew she shouldn’t have asked the question when Kevin’s expression became guarded.
‘Still in Ireland,’ he admitted. ‘But you should really talk to Jack about that. He values his privacy more than a lot of things.’
‘Can I ask one question?’
His pained expression told her that he would rather that she didn’t.
‘Please, Kevin, just one and I promise I won’t pry any more after that.’
‘Abbie, there is no guarantee that I will answer it, but shoot.’
She took a deep breath. ‘Who is Ciara?’
‘Ciara?’ Kevin laughed. ‘She’s Jack’s sister. I had the hots for her when we were in college, but he wouldn’t let me date her. He was a protective bastard, even then.’
Kit arrived and settled herself into the seat beside Abbie. ‘Who’s a protective bastard?’
‘Oh hi, Kit, this is Kevin O’Malley. We met in Honduras.’
Kevin stood up and offered his hand. ‘Pleased to meet you. Can I grab you a coffee or anything?’ He gave her braids and print dress a once-over. ‘No, let me guess, herbal tea?’
Kit raised an eyebrow. ‘Nettle, if they have it. If not, I’ll have some green tea.’
Their table was beside the counter, so Kevin stood up to order the tea and Abbie and Kit talked weather.
‘So, what do you do, Kit? Something arty, I bet,’ he said as Kit poured from the teapot he had put down in front of her.
‘I’m a relationship counsellor.’
‘I bet you’re busy. New York is full of people with nothing better to do with their time but talk about their relationships. I can’t understand why they don’t talk to their friends.’
Kit’s sweet smile belied her sharp tongue and Abbie could see that Kevin was going to be on the receiving end of it.
She took a sip of tea before regarding Kevin thoughtfully. ‘Maybe people need counsellors because their friends are assholes who don’t listen to them.’
Ouch. Kit didn’t pull her punches. Abbie sat back and let them at it.
Kevin was unabashed. ‘And the money doesn’t come into it. Tell me, how much do you usually charge a Billy No-Mates for a session?’
‘Is that a patient inquiry? Would you like to speak to someone in a supportive and caring environment?’
‘And have you poke around inside my head? No, thanks,’ Kevin snorted.
‘You’re right. Maybe there’s not a lot to poke, but I do like a challenge.’
Kit sat back in her chair and Abbie caught a glint of amusement in her eyes. Wonders would never cease. Kit actually liked him. Kit drained the last of her tea and stood up. ‘In case you change your mind, here’s my card.’ She winked at Abbie. ‘Catch you later.’
As the waiter cleared the teapot and cup away, Abbie noticed that Kevin was still turning the card over and over in his hand. ‘Sassy bitch,’ he muttered.
Abbie grinned at him. ‘Does that mean you’ll call her?’
Kevin pocketed the card. ‘Absolutely, but not for a professional consultation.’
Abbie stared at her screen in disbelief. Despite everything she had done in the last few weeks – and how ready she thought she was to be Jack’s submissive – now that she saw her future set out in writing, she felt sick. She knew that agreements like this were standard. During one of her internet trawls she had come across them. But it was one thing reading about them in theory and another to read something that she was supposed to sign up to.
She read over the document in front of her again. It didn’t change.
Memorandum of Agreement
This agreement is entered into by Jack Winter (hereafter referred to as the Dominant) and Abbie Marshall (hereafter referred to as the submissive).
It is understood that both parties enter this agreement freely and are fully conversant with all of the implications that such an agreement entails.
Purpose
The purpose of this agreement is to put into place a written accord between the two parties to promote harmony in the relationship and to enhance the lifestyle of both. The relationship will be conducted in a loving, attentive and discreet manner. Both parties agree to take
whatever actions are necessary to ensure its continued success.Confidentiality Clause
By entering into this agreement, the submissive agrees and acknowledges that she will never publicize, comment on or otherwise divulge any details of this agreement or the relationship, save with the express permission of her Dominant. In return, he undertakes to do the same. To underpin this clause, the submissive agrees to enter into a bond in the sum of ten million dollars.
The Rules
The submissive consents to her submission to the Dominant, and in return he accepts the role of her Dominant. By agreeing the Dominant undertakes to accept the submissive’s submission, and assume the responsibilities of protecting her from herself and from outside harm. These rules are designed to enhance the quality of the submissive’s life and will vary from time to time as her conduct and circumstances demand. The submissive agrees that she will:
Never lie, directly, indirectly or by omission to her Dominant
Be courteous and considerate to him at all times
Not use unbecoming language
Dress modestly unless otherwise directed to do so by her Dominant
Strive to get eight hours’ sleep each night
Ensure that her refrigerator contains food at all times
Obey her Dominant’s orders without question
Accept that her failure to adhere to the Rules will result in punishment.
Offences punishable by scolding & spanking
Causing embarrassment to her Dominant
Overuse of foul or expletive language
Not adhering to agreed dress code
Failing to recognize the benefits of compromise by being argumentative and disagreeable – the final decision is his, whether she agrees or not.
Offences punishable by cane or crop
Placing herself in danger by failing to take sensible precautions in her work life
Any other rule set by the Dominant after discussion with the submissive
Persistent and continuous breaches or misdemeanors will result in other forms of punishment.
Holy Shit! Abbie pushed away from the computer desk. What the hell had she gotten herself into? Dress modestly, have food in the refrigerator, no unbecoming language? Well, he could go fuck himself. She cursed defiantly. There was no way that she could agree to this – she had to talk to Kit.
Kit waved to the waiter and ordered another nettle tea. ‘You know, we really should buy shares in this place. What was so important that you couldn’t e-mail me? I feel like I’m living here.’
Abbie shoved the pages across the table to her. ‘Read that and tell me that I’m not crazy.’
She watched Kit’s face as she read through the agreement slowly. Kit didn’t look shocked. In fact, Abbie was sure that she was trying not to laugh.
Eventually, Kit raised her head. ‘Well? What’s the problem?’
‘What’s the problem?’ Abbie snatched back the paper. ‘Have you seen what he wants me to do? The dress code, the food thing, my language. What is wrong with my language? Jack uses swear words like commas.’
‘Seriously, Abbie. It’s pretty much a standard D/s contract. Apart from the ten million.’ She whistled. ‘He obviously values his privacy.’
Kit leaned forwards. ‘Look, the guy is a Dom and he wants to take care of you. I’ve counselled D/s couples and, considering the lifestyle, his demands aren’t excessive. I’ve seen a lot more extreme. The tenets of a BDSM relationship are safe, sane and consensual. This is all about an exchange of power.’
‘But how is drawing up a contract a healthy part of a relationship, Kit. You’re the expert. You tell me.’
‘You know, every single relationship has its rules, but usually they’re not spelled out. A lot of the people I see wouldn’t be in difficulty if they were more upfront. It’s one of the things I admire about the BDSM scene: people think seriously about what they want and need.
‘This is an agreement, Abbie, not a sentence. Nothing happens unless you consent to it. If there is something in it that bugs you, then negotiate with him. This is not about
Jack taking over your world, it’s about you giving control of certain aspects of your life to him.’
Kit pushed the page across the table. ‘What parts do you have problems with?’
One demand in particular set her nerves on edge. ‘The work one,’ Abbie said. ‘It’s bad enough that my family want me to give up reporting and live off my trust fund. I can’t do that, Kit.’
‘It says he wants you to take sensible precautions. I’m not sure I see the issue.’
‘But I do that already. The Honduran thing was a plane crash. I had no control over that.’
‘OK, what about that people-trafficking story last year? You had to move out of your apartment.’
‘Only for two weeks.’
Kit frowned. ‘Abbie, the guy sent you a body part in the mail.’
She couldn’t deny it. Kit was right. That had been a really bad case, but those men were in prison now. Well, most of them.
‘Look, this is between you and Jack. If you don’t want to sign it, then don’t sign it.’
Kit was right. All she had to do was not sign it, but if she refused then Jack Winter would probably disappear from her life completely and she didn’t want that. There was nothing for it. She would have to talk to him.
Jack was waiting when Abbie logged on that evening. He had been thinking about this moment all afternoon. The
morning had gone well – better than well. Although he knew that he wasn’t the only A-lister going for the
African Queen
part, the three casting directors had been visibly excited after he read with Maria Richards. He shouldn’t have been surprised to see that a two-time Oscar winner would be playing the leading lady. But what surprised everyone – even him – was how well they sparked off each other. The senior casting director, Hank Lawson, told him he could expect to hear from them before the end of the week. Lawson was known as a straight-up guy so he was sure the part was in the bag. Between that and meeting Abbie, his life seemed to have taken quite a turn in the last few weeks. Of course, that depended on what Abbie made of the contract. He could imagine it freaking her out.
Jack stared at the screen. What had he just typed? He never asked women to move to be near him. But with Abbie, it seemed like the right thing to do.
Every instinct screamed at him to stop, but Jack typed.
It was true. Something about Abbie brought out all his demons. No matter how much that stupid therapist he had visited told him that his sexual drives were healthy and normal, he worried that they were too strong for Abbie to cope with.
