Page 62 of Emergence and Ascendance

I nodded and tried not to seem affected but my imagination was going crazy with possibilities and definitely not in a bad way.

"Questions?" he asked.

"Is this new too? Like the rest of your wing?"

"Yes. You'll be the first woman I've ever played with in here."

"You’re offering a lot of firsts with me.”

"Is that a problem?"

"For me, no, but I’m still curious about why."

He pushed off the doorframe and moved into the room. "You're the first sub I've wanted a contract with. The first I've invited into my home." He crossed the room and stopped right in front of me. "Don't read too much into it."

"Hard not to."

"Try. This arrangement is about mutual benefit, that’s all."

"And everything that happens in here will be consensual?"

"Always. Same rules as at Erogenous. Same color system. The control is in your hands. I’m in charge but you set the boundaries."

I nodded. "Okay."

"Okay what?"

"I agree to the amendment."

He smiled devilishly slow and gestured toward the door. "Let’s go."

When we got back to the study, I signed both contracts, feeling anxious and relaxed at the same time. I handed both folders to Christian and he signed as well.

"One more thing." He tucked the folders under his arm.

I narrowed my eyes. “I don’t think I can handle one more thing.”

“This one is easy.”

He led me through the house to a garage I hadn't seen during yesterday's tour. When he flipped on the lights, I couldn't help but laugh.

"Of course you have a car collection."

Six vehicles were arranged in two rows, luxury and sports cars, each one probably too expensive to be driven.

"Pick one," he said.

"Excuse me?"

"You wanted your own car. Pick one to use while you’re here."

I walked between all of them, examining my options. A black Bentley similar to the one Miles drove. A Mercedes-Maybach. An Audi SUV, and shit…

This is definitely what I want. A custom, matte black Aston Martin.

"This one.” I ran my fingers over the roof.

Christian's expression tightened. "You sure?"

---