Page 117 of Westin

The shower turns off. Then, he appears in those sweatpants, the ones that look like sin on him. My thighs clench. I think I might be ovulating, because I want to jump him despite all the confusing thoughts in my head. It hasn’t been that long since I had my period, so it’s possible.

He circles the bed.

“You didn’t read that contract when I left it out for you, did you?” he says.

My brows rise. Did he just read my mind?

“Answer me, darling,” he says, his voice low.

I shrink. “I read the first few pages. I was going to read the rest later, I promise. You were just…annoying me, so I said I read it.”

He looks down at the bedspread. There’s a long silence, and finally, he crosses the room to the pair of armchairs on either side of the gas fireplace.

He sinks down, his knees spread.

“Go get the contract,” he says.

He’s not fucking around tonight. Cowed, I get up and pull it from his bedside drawer where I moved it. His eyes rake over me, but I can’t read them.

“Come here,” he says.

My bare feet pad over the floor. I dig one into the other, waiting for him to speak again.

“You will sit here, at my feet, and read every word of it,” he says.

Something shifted. We’re past the point where I can wriggle out of doing as he asks. All I have now is a safeword. Flushed, I sink to the floor. He beckons me closer until I’m facing him, down between his knees.

“Read it,” he says. “I’ll wait.”

Heart pounding, I flip to where I left off.

The submissive agrees to a system of punishment and reward as part of the 24/7 dynamic and must use her safeword to halt it.

The submissive agrees to sexual overstimulation, including forced orgasms and edging as punishment.

The submissive agrees to impact play as punishment and stress relief.

The submissive—

I have to stop and take a breath. He’s right, I should have read this before signing it. I glance up. He points at the papers.

I lower my gaze.

—agrees to the use of aids during sexual punishment, such as toys, props, etc. The submissive may always veto any items.

The next portion is separated by a line. I hope it’s less overwhelming.

The Dominant takes on full responsibility for the emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing of the submissive during and outside of sexual encounters.

The Dominant and the submissive will communicate clearly and directly with each other. Bratting is allowed and encouraged, but all serious discussions must be held outside of the dynamic in a neutral environment.

The Dominant will provide aftercare in all circumstances, regardless of the scene.

The Dominant will provide weekly stress relief for the submissive.

I’m at a loss. Is this what he was talking about when he begged me to let go and allow him to care for me? I lift my eyes.

“Is this all…necessary?” I whisper.

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