BDSM Checklist: A, B, C

“Beth, please come in.”

James watched as Beth, in her street clothes, stepped in to the overseers’ office. She was wearing jeans and a graphic T-shirt with a video game logo on the front. It was not the normal vanilla-world attire of a member of Las Palmas, but if there was one thing he’d learned about Beth, it was that she was different, in so many good ways. The setting sun, visible through the large picture window in the wall opposite the door, added red highlights to her hair.

Beth laid her purse and leather motorcycle jacket over the back of a chair positioned in front of the large desk Master Leo stood behind. James had been sitting in the other, but rose when Beth entered.

Her gaze flicked to him, and James couldn’t help but smile.

“Why am I here?” she asked bluntly.

“Ah, Beth, never change.” Master Leo laid out two sets of papers on the desk facing James and Beth. “Master James asked me to draw up—”

James cut him off, wanting to explain this part himself. “Beth, we’re done with our checklist items.”

“Yes. We finished on Friday.”

“And did you enjoy the rest of this weekend?” It was sundown on Sunday night, and up until an hour ago Beth had been naked and bound, his to do with as he pleased.

She frowned. “I don’t understand why you’re asking that. You know I did.”

James bit back an exasperated laugh. “Fair enough. We’re done with our game, but I don’t want us—” he gestured between them “—to be over.”

Beth blinked, then a shy smile spread across her face. “You don’t?”

“No.” James took the papers from the desk and passed her a set. “You know that I won’t use a collar, but at Las Palmas that doesn’t matter. Beth, I want us to be bonded.”

Beth looked down at the two-page contract, a simple statement of exclusivity used to formalize relationships between Masters and submissives.

He smiled, waiting for her to look up, waiting to see the happiness in her eyes when she realized that they wanted the same thing. Each other.

Beth set the papers down. “No.”

her. “What do you

won’t sign this. The best I could do

“A collar is—”

stupid piece of jewelry. This is a contract. Admittedly probably not legally binding, but still, I won’t

completely

air. “I’ve been waiting to see her reaction

knew she’d say no?” James glared at the other man, who looked wholly unrepentant. “Beth, is this because I said no to the collar? I told you, that’s about me, my stuff. I’m trying to tell you that

sign this.” She looked both worried and determined, the expression making her

protect herself. She’s worth about twenty times what you are, and her major asset

looked between Beth

held up a hand. “She’s worth about twenty times what

I thought you said you were good with numbers.” Right now she looked

Her tone was flat but there was a tentative

tell if

Beth smiled, showing teeth.

at Beth

who have ties to

spy?” James was trying, and failing,

her cheek as she shook her head and he had to fight back the urge to tuck it behind her ear and then kiss her neck. The unexpectedly tender urge was not appropriate in

territory. Especially if she’s a

a spy. I’m good with numbers. I’m a

huh.” James didn’t believe that

a consultant—I write algorithms, do some coding.”

“For the DOD?”

they pay enough, and if I like the project.

“Holy shit.”

do