Page 41 of The High Price Of Loneliness

The receptionist nodded to her and said, “I will let Mr. Gray know you are here. Would you care for coffee, water, or anything to drink?”

Angelica shook her head and smiled. “No, thank you. I’m fine.”

The receptionist pressed a button on her high-tech headset and said into the curved glass microphone, “A Ms. Hart is here to see you.”

Angelica looked out over Sarasota Bay from the lofty perch of the penthouse office view. She could see the boats cruising out for sunset as they had done every day since she was little growing up. How much Sarasota had grown since those days, as had she—with the passage of a few decades.

Edward came out of his double-door office at the end of the hall to greet her. “You look stunning as always, Ms. Hart.” He waved for her to join him as they walked past his huge conference room to his office for their meeting.

Angelica complimented, “Impressive office, Mr. Gray.”

He replied modestly, “Thank you. It’s a good location for my work.”

Angelica added, “I love the view of Sarasota Bay, and you have your choice of sunset views from either here or at home.”

Edward nodded in agreement and invited her to sit in either one of the over-stuffed chairs or a couch in his office. A good place for informal meetings, Gray found it to be a much more intimate setting than the conference room, and he had closed many of his deals here.

They chose seats angled next to one another for ease of reviewing the paperwork together. “Ms. Hart, if you would like, let’s begin with your comments or questions about the paperwork I sent over.”

Angelica pulled out a printed copy of the Agreement she brought with her, complete with her handwritten notes in red ink. She felt prepared this time. “Page one is fine. No changes.”

Edward commented, “Excellent!”

“Page two, Section 7 says ‘The submissive’s behavior while in public shall at all times meet the approval of the Dominant, whether the Dominant is present or not.’” She asked for clarification, adding, “How will I know what behavior meets with your approval?”

Gray replied, “Training, along with full and open communication as we discussed on our Saturday brunch.”

She nodded, moving on.

“Page three, Section 12: ‘The submissive shall submit to any sexual activity requested by the Dominant and shall do so without discussion other than those activities listed in the Appendix: Hard Limits.’” She added, “Turn to the Appendix Soft Limits. Find Anal Sex.”

Edward looked down at his copy of the Agreement, saying, “I’m with you.”

Angelica continued, “Strike it out please. Strike out Anal Sex.”

Edward inquired, “Are you sure?”

Angelica said, “Yes.” She continued, “On the same page: ‘Is the use of sex toys acceptable to the submissive?’ Vibrators? Okay. Dildos? Fine. Butt plugs? Absolutely not.”

Edward accepted and said, “Consider them gone.”

Angelica inquired, “Who else knows about this Agreement? This is very personal information.”

“My staff knows only what I choose to tell them. I prepared the paperwork myself personally. So, we have total privacy around the terms of our Agreement.”

Angelica, feeling relieved, said, “Thank you for that. Also, on page five, some terms need clarification.”

Edward explained, “Ball Gag and/or Suspension Hanging—that is the art of Shibari rope bondage from Japan.”

Angelica was uncertain and said, “I’ve never been tied up before. Is this important to you?”

Edward explained, “It is for your absolute pleasure. And mine.”

Angelica’s eyebrows raised a bit as she sighed, “Really?”

Edward encouraged, “Something to consider?”

Angelica decided to concede this one for Edward.

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