Page 42 of The High Price Of Loneliness

“‘Is bondage acceptable to the submissive?’ I’m good with rope, leather cuffs, and Velcro cuffs, but let’s agree with no metal handcuffs. That gives me the creeps.”

Edward complimented her, “May I just comment on how impressed I am with your level of detail in reviewing the Agreement? And in the spirit of collaboration, I will offer you a special concession. How about we add one section to the Agreement to be drafted by you? Something you would like to see in our plans for the year ahead that is not currently addressed in the Agreement—whatever you want within reason, of course.”

Angelica smiled and said, “I like that idea very much. Thank you. You’re very kind.”

Edward added, “I want you to be incredibly happy, Ms. Hart. So much so that you will not want to end our Agreement. If you let me, I would like to spoil you rotten, where no one else will ever compare to the life you could have with me.”

Angelica smiled and said, “While I appreciate your gifts and generosity, it isn’t why I am doing this. Edward, you draw me here like a moth to the flame. May I think over the rest of the Agreement?”

Edward replied, “You really want to think it over? We both know you want this as much as I do.”

Angelica looked at him coyly, trying to undermine his confidence in his powerful office. “Maybe I do. But this is a lot to commit to.”

Edward moved closer to her, wanting the paperwork done and completed between them and said, “Ms. Hart, what would have to happen for you to sign today? I hear your words, but everything that has happened in these past few weeks tells me you want this. Even now, your body, your eyes, your voice—all are telling me you are ready now. Then there is how you are breathing at this moment, while I look at you.”

She felt flush as he looked into her eyes and confessed it all to him right then and there. “Yes. You know me well, Edward, on some levels. But men just don’t know or understand the secrets of a woman’s heart. Do you really want to know what goes through my mind? Or, why I wanted to be your submissive?”

Angelica leaned back in her chair and gazed deeply and intently into Edward’s eyes, who —for once—was at a loss for words. “Just this once, let me take you on a bit of my journey and why I am with you, Edward.”

She took a deep breath, and began, “What does it feel like to belong only in your hands as my Dominant?” She looked down from his eyes shyly as she spoke and looked at her knees. “Time suspends,” she continued. “I find myself floating somewhere toward the heavens with you.” Struggling to finish, her voice trembled hearing her own words as she said, “But most of all, my mind will shut the entire world out as I only want to hear your voice and feel your touch.”

Edward reached out with his warm hand to cup her chin and lift her eyes back to his. Now looking deeply into his crystal blue eyes, she confessed, “My submission to you takes me to a dream, Edward—from which I never wish to awaken.”

Her eyes welled up looking back at his gaze as he looked into her soul. Angelica felt her heart pumping. Her blood rushed. He owned her now. She was simply his for the taking. Angelica consented, “So, yes, I will sign your papers, Edward. What do we do next?”

He leaned in a bit closer as he explained the next steps for her. “I would make the changes we both agreed to on the paperwork, and we would move across the room to my office desk to sign and initial the changes. But, before you sign, I would help you out of that little skirt of yours.”

Angelica replied, breathing hard, “Oh really?”

Edward continued the preview of what lay just ahead and added, “I would want you bent over my desk while you sign with me just behind you.”

Angelica, feeling emboldened, asked while smiling at him playfully, “Is that a good idea, Mr. Gray? Wouldn’t that make the contract invalid because of unfair pressure to get me to sign?” She opened her knees with her skirt facing Edward so he would be tempted to glance and discover if she wore panties.

Edward answered, “It’s called coercion, but in this case, just think of it as a memorable closing for the paperwork, a tradition we might wish to repeat each year when it is time to renew our Agreement.”

Angelica played with her pearl necklace, toying with it and Edward for a moment, before inevitably caving in. “I’m ready to sign.”

Edward hurried to make the few changes they agreed to and marked them for each to initial. Then he stood and confidently walked over to the large desk where he worked most days and laid the paperwork flat for signatures, next to a large custom engraved gold pen.

“Right here?” she asked, bending over only slightly.

“Yes,” Gray said, unzipping her skirt from behind. As it fell to the floor, he used his hands to bend her over further, so her face was nearly touching the document. “Here, have a closer look, Ms. Hart.”

As she felt the first firm slap of Mr. Gray’s hand on her perfectly heart-shaped bottom, it was clear this closing might go on well into the evening hours.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

The Getaway

The next day, Edward called Angelica to suggest celebrating their new one-year Agreement. He had to go back to Washington, D.C., on business for a few days and asked if she could join him. If it were possible for her to take off work on Friday, he would have her back home by Sunday afternoon. It would be their first trip out of town together, and while not an obligation for her to join him, he would welcome her company if she would like a weekend getaway.

Before Gray had even finished speaking, her mind was racing with excitement. She could hardly stand to let him finish talking. “I would love to!” came her enthusiastic reply. “Let me check on getting someone to cover me at the office for Friday, but I am sure I can make it work.”

“Excellent. Just let me know by tomorrow to confirm, and I will make all the arrangements.”

Her heart was racing with excitement—flying away with Edward Gray for the weekend!Hooray!was an understatement, she thought as she smiled, beaming, feeling her adrenaline rush at all the possibilities. It might feel like a little honeymoon for their new Agreement and commitment for the year ahead—dinners out and, best of all, sleeping next to him. His smell was intoxicating, and the thought of Edward’s muscular body getting out of the shower, or as he was getting dressed for his meetings, or at dinner with her, or, better yet, the thought of him getting undressed for her at night or even in the middle of the day had images whirling in her mind.

She made a few phone calls to discuss the details of her Friday off. She never took sick or vacation days, so it wasn’t like she didn’t have time off coming. It just took a bit of juggling on her part because no one ever had to cover for her before. She was the reliable one that was always there.

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