Chapter Two
Today, I’ve got a press conference. The only nice thing about having to drag myself up to LA on the early shuttle is that Rey surprises me with a dinner reservation so he can hand-deliver the contract he received from Cris Ardmore.
It’s good I have that to look forward to because the press conference is a total clusterfuck. Brad Lennox, that asshole from the Times (LA, not New York, thank god), is there, and he’s done some homework, unlike most of the clowns who show up. While I’m impressed and I wouldn’t mind discussing this over a stiff drink, he’s making my client squirm and that’s my job, so I field the rest of his questions. He backs off after realizing that he doesn’t intimidate me and he’s not going to badger me into spilling any newsworthy details.
That’s why Jack tapped me for this: my ability to stay cool in the face of pretty much anything. It’s a useful skill, but I still wish Jack didn’t make me do press. I value my privacy too damn much. Though there aren’t usually pictures and the stories are generally buried somewhere no one except industry wonks and old people with nothing better to do will see it, it’s still my name in the paper. It’s unnerving, but there’s no way I’m explaining why to Jack. Besides, I don’t want to cash in my favors for an assignment I’m good at.
After the inquisition is over, I spend the rest of the day at LAHA’s main offices. I check in and stroke Janis’s ego after she managed to do her fucking job and get me the data I asked for. It’s a long day but not as unpleasant as it could’ve been, especially when the town car pulls up out front to collect me at seven thirty.
The driver gets out and opens the door before I can make it all the way down the steps. He takes my roller bag and stows it in the trunk as I sink into the backseat. I wait until he’s closed the door before I slide under Rey’s waiting arm.
“You look great. Chanel, very nice.”
“Thanks. It’s a good thing these people wouldn’t know Chanel if it bit them in the ass. Jack would have my head for that making the papers. As it is, I had to leave my shoes at home.”
“I know.” He soothes me with a squeeze of my shoulder. “But I’m taking you someplace nice, and I’mma show you a good time.”
And he does. The restaurant is Latin-flavored, with a line out the door and a filled-to-crushing bar, but clearly Rey knows someone. We get shown in right away and to a private dining room on the third floor, no less. Almost the second we’re seated, a server comes in with cocktails we didn’t have to order. Goddamn it’s good to be Rey’s friend sometimes.
As I sip at my paloma, we chat about the day’s events, but by the time the sea bass ceviche arrives, I’m ready to get down to business.
“You have something for me?”
“Of course.” Rey takes a folded manila envelope from the inside of his jacket and hands it to me as I curl my fingers in a greedy, come-hither gesture. The envelope’s not thick, a good start, and when I open it and slide out the neatly clipped pages, I’m relieved to see a respectable font. I’d almost called it off once when I got a contract in Comic Sans.
“Comic Sans?” Rey’s a fucking mind reader.
“How’d you know?”
“That always makes you smile.”
“I need to start being less predictable. You’ll get bored with me, and then where will I be?”
“You couldn’t be boring if you tried, India. Now get reading before your soup gets cold.”
* * *
I’m almost immediately peeved. The term of the contract is from one in the afternoon on Friday until six in the evening on Sunday. Going home Sunday night is fine, but what the hell? Why so late on Friday?
“Could Matty not get me an earlier flight?”
“Just read, kitten.”
I frown, but do as he asks, hoping it’ll get better.
Parties: Ms. Kit Bailey-Isles (the submissive), Mr. Crispin Michael Ardmore (the Dominant), and Mr. Reyes Llewellyn Walter (the Broker)
Provisions: The following provisions will be in effect during the term of the contract as stated above.
1) The Dominant accepts full responsibility for the care and well-being of the submissive.
2) The Dominant will provide a safe, clean and private environment in which the submissive is expected to fulfill her obligations outlined in this contract.
3) The submissive agrees to obey the Dominant without hesitation in all things except as outlined in the Hard and Soft Limits below.
4) The submissive agrees to be disciplined should she fail to meet any of the expectations or requirements of the Dominant at any time.
5) The Dominant will provide the submissive with any training or materials required to fulfill her obligations.
6) The submissive may not look at or touch the Dominant without his express permission.
7) The submissive will not touch or pleasure herself, nor orgasm, without the express permission of the Dominant.
8) Either the submissive or the Dominant may employ at any time the following safewords: Yellow to indicate she/he is nearing her/his tolerance for the current activity; and Red to indicate she/he has reached her/his limit and the activity must cease immediately.
9) The submissive will address the Dominant as “Sir” at all times unless directed otherwise.
10) The Dominant may address the submissive as he sees fit, but will at no time refer to her as “baby” or “sweetheart.”
11) Anything that occurs during the term of the contract will be treated as strictly confidential by the Dominant. The submissive may only discuss the events of the term with the Broker of this contract.
Hard Limits:
1) No activities shall be undertaken that will result in permanent marks or injury to either the submissive or the Dominant.
2) No activities shall be undertaken which are likely to result in the necessity of professional medical intervention or treatment for either the submissive or the Dominant. Should the submissive require first aid or the care of a medical professional, the Dominant shall follow the procedures provided by the Broker.
3) No acts involving blood.
4) No acts involving animals.
5) No acts involving electrical current or fire.
6) No acts involving knives, needles, scissors, or any other cutting or puncture instruments.
7) No acts involving breath control.
8) No acts which are likely to result in marks to the face or neck liable to last beyond the term of the contract.
9) No one outside of the Dominant and the submissive may participate or be present either in person or virtually during any portion of this contract.
10) The Dominant may only contact the submissive at any point in time outside of this contract through the Broker.
11) The Dominant will not attempt to obtain personal information about the submissive by any means prior to, during, or following the execution of the contract.
12) The submissive may not be photographed at any time.
Soft Limits:
1) Sex Acts: The submissive consents to participate in any of the following activities with the Dominant:
a. Vaginal sex
b. Anal sex
c. Cunnilingus
d. Fellatio
e. Masturbation
f. Vaginal Fisting
2) Sex Toys: The submissive consents to the use of any of the following implements by the Dominant:
a. Vibrators
b. Dildos
c. Butt plugs
d. Ben Wa balls
e. Anal beads
f. Wartenberg wheel
3) Discipline: The submissive consents to receive any of the following forms of discipline from the Dominant:
a. Spanking
b. Paddling
c. Flogging
d. Whipping
e. Caning
f. Hot wax
g. Nipple clips/clamps
h. Riding crop
4) Pain: The submissive consents to experiencing a moderate amount of pain at the hands of the Dominant.
5) Bondage Methods: The submissive consents to any of the following methods of bondage by the Dominant:
a. Leather cuffs
b. Rope
c. Fabric ties
d. Spreader bars
e. Blindfolds
f. Gags
g. Ear plugs/headphones
6) Bondage Positions: The submissive consents to be restrained in any of the following manners:
a. Wrist to wrist; in front, behind back, behind neck or overhead.
b. Wrist to elbow
c. Wrist to knee
d. Wrist to ankle
e. Elbow to elbow
f. Elbow to knee
g. Bound to furniture/fixtures
Other Requirements:
1) The Dominant and the submissive each currently complete an STI screening every three months, and the submissive maintains an IUD. Should the submissive or the Dominant engage in intercourse with another partner following the most recent preceding test, they are required to disclose this information prior to engaging in sexual contact with one another. Either party may request additional birth control and/or disease prevention measures at any time.
2) The Dominant and the submissive agree to comply with all safety-related protocols provided by the Broker. Should any of the protocols or above provisions be violated, this contract is subject to immediate termination.
3) The above contract will be completed and signed upon the satisfactory conclusion of a conversation between Ms. Bailey-Isles and Mr. Ardmore upon Ms. Bailey-Isles’ arrival. Should either party elect not to complete the contract at that time, accommodations elsewhere on the island will be provided for Ms. Bailey-Isles at the expense of Mr. Ardmore. Upon completion of the contract, all provisions contained herein will immediately go into effect.
Conclusion: The Dominant and the submissive both agree they are entering into this contract consensually and with full knowledge and understanding of its contents and the risks inherent in the activities they agree to undertake. By signing, they certify they have the honest intention to fulfill the requirements and responsibilities listed above and will do so to the best of their respective abilities at all times within the specified timeframe.
Standard date and signature lines for Mr. Ardmore, myself, and Rey tie the whole thing up at the end. I flip back to the beginning and lay the document on the table, tapping a nail on the first page. “Did you edit this at all?”
Rey tsks at me. “You know I don’t touch them. Do you think Comic Sans would’ve made it through unscathed if I did?”
Of course it wouldn’t have. But as with the photographs, these guys tend to use contracts as an opportunity to convey exactly how much of a badass Dom they are. They capitalize every damn thing. Not just Dominant and Sir—those I can live with. It’s the He, Him, His—and to hell with grammar—that rankle. I recognize and respect the convention, but it still bugs the living crap out of me. Maybe it irritates Cris Ardmore, too. If so, this particular idiosyncrasy makes me like him even more, but it also throws me. This man…
I shake it off and reread the whole thing, making sure I didn’t miss anything, but I haven’t. It’s not bad. Concise, neat, orderly. No hearts and flowers. It includes all the provisions I require, and there’s nothing that’s patently offensive to me. In fact, aside from a few minor details, I’m ready to sign off. Except for one thing.
“He wants to talk to me?”
“It appears he does.”
“Why?” I hate the incredulous whine in my voice, but come on.
“I don’t know, little one. You are a terrible conversationalist. Dull as a pile of bricks. I tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn’t listen.”
“You know what I mean.”
I’ve never had anyone make a stipulation like this before. He wants to talk to me? That’s usually pretty far down on the list of what the men I play with want to do. There’s always a few words exchanged when I first meet someone, but I’m already in character because the contracts have been signed. I don’t blink when I introduce myself as Kit because I am Kit. Mr. Ardmore, however, has been very specific that we’re to have our conversation prior to the contract going into effect. His acuity makes me uncomfortable.
“I do,” says Rey. “I can’t say I wasn’t surprised, but perhaps our friend Mr. Ardmore is feeling skittish. It’s not every day something like this falls in your lap. Maybe he wants to make sure you’re doing this of your own free will.”
“It’s not like you’re getting paid.” Rey’s never been paid for anything where I’ve been concerned, not even my extensive training. And not from the lack of an offer on my part.
“Although I bet I could make a pretty penny off of you.”
“I’m sure you could.”
Truth be told, I should be paying Rey for this. I know how well compensated he is by his clients, even for introductions not nearly as involved and convoluted as this. I can’t imagine the time and energy this takes. Good thing Matty’s such a peach.
“You could cancel if it bothers you. But from what I know about this guy, I’m inclined to think it’s for chivalrous reasons. You may want to give him the benefit of the doubt. Not to mention I don’t think I’d be able to find you someone else. This deal was a bit of an eleventh-hour miracle.”
“I know. What am I even supposed to say to the guy?”
“I’m sure he’ll tell you.”
“No, he won’t. He won’t be my Dom yet, Rey!”
He’s trying hard not to laugh. No doubt if he gave in, his Sazerac would go all over the crisp white linens covering our table. Out his mouth or out his nose is anyone’s guess. Rey is an enthusiastic laugher, and more than one article of my clothing has fallen victim to his friendly fire.
“And what precisely is so funny about this?”
Rey swallows and tries valiantly to contain his grin. “You do understand that, for most people, talking would not be the alarming part of this contract.”
“Yes.”
“Even for people like us, this shouldn’t be such an issue. What are you afraid of?”
He’s hit the nail on the head. I’m afraid. I can stand being rejected as a submissive; that’s like an actress not getting a callback. We’re going in a different direction. I like knife play, you don’t, que sera, sera. That makes sense to me. But being rejected for being myself is a lot harder to take, and I avoid it at all costs. It’s one of the many reasons I do what I do.
“What if he doesn’t like me?” I can’t meet Rey’s eyes.
“Then he’s a fucking moron, and it’s better you find out before he fucks you.”
“True.”
“But he doesn’t seem like an idiot to me, and while my track record’s not perfect, it’s pretty damn good. So what do you say?”
I pause for a millisecond, but like I told Rey, I need this. Badly. “Can we go over these soft limits?”
“Ixnay on the Wartenberg wheel and the hot wax?”
“Got it in one.”