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.”

at her. “What do you mean

won’t sign this. The best I could

“A collar is—”

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

completely

laugh. “Sorry, sorry.” He waved his hand in the air. “I’ve been waiting to see her reaction since

is this because I said no to the collar? I told you, that’s about

this.” She looked both worried and determined, the expression making her seem younger than

and her major asset is herself.” Master Leo’s voice still held notes of

between Beth and Master

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

you said you were good with numbers.” Right now she

you.” Her tone

tell if

Beth smiled, showing teeth.

at Beth

you that some of our members who have ties to the DOD or any

spy?” James was trying, and failing, to make sense of this new version of

to tuck it behind her ear and then kiss her neck. The unexpectedly tender urge was not appropriate in this context—they weren’t in a

territory. Especially if she’s a

spy. I’m good with

didn’t believe that for

algorithms, do some coding.”

“For the DOD?”

pay enough, and if I like the project. Sometimes

“Holy shit.”

what do you