Episode 2 #2
“Yes. But, if, for example, I was acting strangely, in your opinion, and you raised the issue with me, but I said nothing was wrong, if you couldn’t find emotional balance, if you felt you couldn’t get through to me, I’ve listed Damian, émeric, and Ellisandre as individuals that would be suitable for you to approach with intimate questions. ”
“You don’t have anyone you can approach for me.”
“I’ve suggested your mother and Ellisandre.”
“My mother?”
“If, for example, you were displaying depression but denying it, she might have insight.”
“I wouldn’t want you to discuss sex with her. You heard…. that conversation.”
“Fair. This relationship between us will include much more than sex.”
Collin nodded. He picked up the first page of the contract. It was written in plainer language than he had expected. Infinitely more understandable than his phone contract had been.
“You’re offering a lot, sir. This is… I…feel selfish accepting this. You’re essentially taking on everything.”
“I ask a lot, Collin. You won’t have time or ability to look after all that while you are serving me and becoming what I know you can become.”
“That is going to require years, sir.”
“Damian has been with me for years. I’m offering you no more or less than I offered him. The contract is tailored to you, but it started from a similar place.”
Collin braced his hands against the edge of the couch. “And you can handle me and him and still be with Mr. Moreau?”
“I wouldn’t take on another. Three is my capacity.
And yes, I can. I do not keep my relationships siloed.
You and Damian will be brothers in submission to me.
The Residency is my space of freedom. You will not be spared from your submission to me being seen by Damian or émeric or any of émeric’s submissives, should he choose to have them here. ”
“Does he?”
“Currently he has one relationship apart from myself. She lives in Tokyo. They see each other once a month. So you will likely meet her every two months. I occasionally hold social events for others in the lifestyle that I find trustworthy and of quality character.”
“Will you share me?”
“In the social events, no, unless we discuss it beforehand, and I don’t foresee either of us desiring that at this time.
Some individuals enter this life and find new desires awaken.
My own voyeurism is satisfied within my own household.
So yes, I do plan to give émeric and Damian permission to be intimate with you, as well as you with them. ”
Blood suffused Collin’s cheeks.
“More than sharing, you should consider that the entire household will be aware and perhaps present to any training I put you through within these walls. Much as you have already seen me muzzle Damian, they will also see what I see fit to do with you. They may even participate and be tools in my hand.”
Collin swallowed around the embarrassment and stage fright in his throat. “I trust them, sir. I don’t think they would mock me.”
“No, they would not. Though that brings up one preference. Do I surmise correctly that degradation is not something you wish to engage in, in anyway?”
A shiver ran up Collin’s arms. “I never want to be called a slut, or a…a cum-bucket, or anything like that.”
“No, I didn’t think you would. And happily, that is not something I enjoy doing either.
I find all my possessions to be things of beauty, to be valued and cherished.
” Mr. Reevesworth made a mark on the third page of lists.
“If I were, however, to refer to you as pet, puppy, kitten, pretty boy, bunny, little one, slave, property, youngling, and the like, in English or any number of other languages, would you find that degrading?”
Collin covered his face with his hands. “N-no, sir.”
“That is helpful.” Mr. Reevesworth made another mark. “We should try to go through this in order as closely as possible. Please finish reading the first page.”
Two hours later, Collin’s eyes were crossing from the shear breath of possibilities covered, and the blush on his cheeks had finally flown a white flag and surrendered.
Mr. Reevesworth marked the last adjustment on the fifth page in black pen, detailing that Samhain was a holiday of religious importance for which their relationship would need to make accommodation for travel to Collin’s family of origin.
“I’ll give you time to think this over. When you’re ready, come to me with any final thoughts, and then we will sign. ”
“Yes, sir. Is there a minimum amount of time required to think it over?”
Mr. Reevesworth paused. “Twenty minutes. Take at least twenty minutes.”
“Yes, sir. Do you…need time?”
Mr. Reevesworth smiled. “Collin, I’ve been planning this moment for months.
I appreciate that you recognize the burden of responsibility on my end, but please also remember I enter into this freely.
I never choose impulsively or without a full arsenal of reasons.
And the rewards are immense. In time, you would come to recognize the pleasure I take both in you and from you. ”
“And what if I disappoint you? What if you decide that you and I cannot go on?”
“Then I will tell you. And you will have access to everything listed here, housing, therapy, three months of living expenses, the same as if you broke off the relationship. I’ll have the legal documents proving that it is set aside for you within an hour of our signing this contract.
You will not need my permission to access those things.
The money is set aside and controlled by an independent law firm.
All you have to do is call them and say that you are redeeming what is yours.
They will need your ID and your social security number. ”
Collin swallowed, eyes still on the table. He opened his mouth and closed it, shaking his head to himself.
“Ask your question, Collin. No regrets. Hiding concerns is the bedrock of destruction in relationships like this. I need to trust you as much as you need to trust me.”
“What if I fall in love with you, sir? Will you send me away for that?”
“I hope you fall in love with me, Collin.”
Collin pressed a hand over his eyes. “What if I fall in love with you and don’t want to graduate? What if I want to be loved back?”
“Then our relationship will evolve like any other relationship, dom and sub, lovers, mentor and mentee.”
“You’re married, sir.”
“There’s room in my life for more than one great love, Collin. Only time will decide what you and I are. émeric has been with his partner Ami for nearly as long as he has been with me. And another of his relationships lasted until death parted them.”
“You’ve had boys before Damian.”
“Yes.”
“What happened to them?”
“One developed into a fine man. He outgrew his need for my dominance. He runs one of my companies in this city. We meet for breakfast once a month.He and Damian run together once a week on the Lakefront. Most of my early subs were casual relationships. I’m in contact with a few, but most have moved or left the lifestyle or now have committed relationships.
I’m a passing memory for them. And one boy—betrayed us. ”
“Betrayed you?”
“He chose to be seduced by significant sums of money and positions of potential power working for those who wish to stop the vision that Linda, émeric and those we’ve brought up with us hold for the future.”
“Couldn’t he ruin you?”
“Like you, he has signed an NDA, and as far as I am aware, he’s kept to the letter of it, if not the spirit of it.
Nothing I do is illegal, so even if it became publicized that I engage in polyamorous power exchange relationships, that will only be one more hurdle in expanding the tolerance of general society.
What I have on his employers to date is much more grievous. And they are aware.”
“He hurt you.”
Mr. Reevesworth nodded. “He hurt all of us, Damian perhaps most of all.”
“I’m sorry.”
Mr. Reevesworth grimaced. “It is a risk. All relationships are risks. It doesn’t mean the risks aren’t worth taking.” He stood. “Twenty minutes, minimum, Collin. My door is open.”
The air of the room stilled in the wake of Mr. Reevesworth’s departure. Collin fingered the pages of the contract. The decision was already made, but the time minimum remained. Almost as if he were using someone else’s hands, he gathered the pages and stood, going to the window.
He needed space. So many days he’d already spent in this living room and the bedroom.
He set the documents down and checked his pocket for his phone.
In the bedroom, he found socks by rummaging through the drawers of the dresser.
There were more clothes there than he had realized, and none of them were from before.
He pulled on a blue coat, something else that was new, something he guessed was wool and buttoned across his chest. He’d never worn anything like it before the day he’d gone to the old apartment for his things.
At the front door, he slid into the new loafers and let himself into the elevator.
The air outside was brisk. People moved back and forth on the sidewalk, focused on their business.
Skyscrapers and multistory buildings from the last hundred and fifty years lined the street in solid walls of architecture.
Trees dropped leaves on the sidewalk, turning the world into a canvas of gold and red bits between the stone and brick.
Collin slid into the pedestrian flow, moving south. Two streets down and he’d be able to find his way to the large park facing the lake.
What would it feel like to walk like this, knowing I was owned?
Warmth and fear in equal measure tingled up his back and flowed over his arms. The contract had been a revelation, so much more than he’d imagined. Should he be afraid?
I’m afraid of everything. At least this was a thing he feared that he also wanted.
You’ve never been involved with more than one man at a time before. You’ve barely been involved with a romantic partner.