He starts to play slowly and deliberately. I feel the movement of his hands in his shoul-

der as I lean against him and close my eyes. The sad, soulful notes swirl slowly and mourn-

fully around us, echoing off the walls. It is a hauntingly beautiful piece, sadder even than

the Chopin, and I lose myself to the beauty of the lament. To a certain extent, it reflects

how I feel. The deep poignant longing I have to know this extraordinary man better, to try

and understand hissadness. All too soon, the piece is at an end.

“Why do you only play such sad music?”

I sit upright and gaze up at him as he shrugs in answer to my question, his expression

wary.“So you were just six when you started to play?” I prompt.

He nods, his wary look intensifying. After a moment he volunteers.

“I threw myself into learning the piano to please my new mother.”

“To fit into the perfect family?”

“Yes, so to speak,” he says evasively. “Why are you awake? Don’t you need to re-

cover from yesterday’s exertions?”

“It’s 8:00 in the morning for me. And I need to take my pill.”

He raises his eyebrows in surprise.

“Well remembered,” he murmurs, and I can tell he’s impressed. His lips quirk up in a

half smile.

“Only you would start a course of time-specific birth control pills in a different time

zone. Perhaps you should wait half an hour and then another half hour tomorrow morning.

So s eventually you can take them at a reasonable time.”

“Good plan,” I breathe. “So what shall we do for half an hour?” I blink innocently at

him.

“I can think of a few things,” he grins, gray eyes bright. I gaze back impassively as my

insides clench and melt under his knowing look.

“On the other hand, we could talk,” I suggest quietly.

His brow creases.

“I prefer what I have in mind.” He scoops me onto his lap.

“You’d always rather have sex than talk,” I laugh, steadying myself by holding on to

his upper arms.

“True. Especially with you.” He nuzzles my hair and starts a steady trail of kisses from

below my ear to my throat. “Maybe on my piano,” he whispers.

Oh my.My whole body tightens at the thought. Piano. Wow.

“I want to get something straight,” I whisper as my pulse starts to accelerate, and my

inner goddess closes her eyes, reveling in the feel of his lips on me.

He pauses momentarily before continuing his sensual assault.

“Always so eager for information, Miss Steele. What needs straightening out?” he

breathes against my skin at the base of my neck, continuing his soft gentle kisses.

“Us,” I whisper as I close my eyes.

“Hmm. What about us?” He pauses his trail of kisses along my shoulder.

“The contract.”

He lifts his head to gaze down at me, a hint of amusement in his eyes, and sighs. He

strokes his fingertips down my cheek.

“Well, I think the contract is moot, don’t you?” His voice is low and husky, his eyes

soft.“Moot?”

“Moot.” He smiles. I gape at him quizzically.

“But you were so keen.”

“Well, that was before. Anyway, the Rules aren’t moot, they still stand.” His expres-

sion hardens slightly.

“Before? Before what?”

“Before,”… He pauses, and the wary expression is back, “more.” He shrugs.

“Oh.”

“Besides, we’ve been in the playroom twice now, and you haven’t run screaming for

the hills.”

“Do you expect me to?”

“Nothing you do is expected, Anastasia,” he says dryly.

“So, let me be clear. You just want me to follow the Rules element of the contract all

the time but not the rest of the contract?”

“Except in the playroom. I want you to follow the spirit of the contract in the play-

room, and yes, I want you to follow the rules – all the time. Then I know you’ll be safe,

and I’ll be able to have you anytime I wish.”

“And if I break one of the rules?”

“Then I’ll punish you.”

“But won’t you need my permission?”

“Yes, I will.”

“And if I say no?”

He gazes at me for a moment, with a confused expression.

“If you say no, you’ll say no. I’ll have to find a way to persuade you.”

I pull away from him and stand. I need some distance. He frowns as I stare down at

him. He looks puzzled and wary again.

“So the punishment aspect remains.”

“Yes, but only if you break the rules.”

“I’ll need to re-read them,” I say, trying to recall the detail.

“I’ll fetch them for you.” His tone is suddenly businesslike.

Whoa.This has gotten serious so quickly. He rises from the piano and walks lithely to

his study. My scalp prickles. Jeez, I need some tea. The future of our so-called relation-

ship is being discussed at 5:45 in the morning when he’s pre-occupied with something else

– is this wise? I head into the kitchen which is still shrouded in darkness. Where are the

light switches? I find them, flick them on, and pour water into the kettle. My pill!I rum-

mage in my purse that I left on the breakfast bar and find them quickly. One swallow, and

I’m done. By the time I finish, Christian is back, sitting on one of the bar stools, watching

me intently.

“Here you go.” He pushes a typed piece of paper toward me, and I notice that he’s

crossed some things out.

RULES

Obedience:

The Submissive will obey any instructions given by The Dominant immediately without

hesitation or reservation and in an expeditious manner. The Submissive will agree to

any sexual activity deemed fit and pleasurable by the Dominant excepting those activi-

ties which are outlined in hard limits (Appendix A). She will do so eagerly and without

hesitation.

Sleep:

The Submissive will ensure she achieves a minimum of eight seven hours sleep a night

when she is not with The Dominant.

Food:

The Submissive will eat regularly to maintain her health and wellbeing from a prescribed

list of foods (Appendix 4). The Submissive will not snack between meals, with the ex-

ception of fruit.

Clothes:

While with The Dominant, The Submissive will wear clothing only approved by The

Dominant. The Dominant will provide a clothing budget for The Submissive, which The

Submissive shall utilize. The Dominant shall accompany The Submissive to purchase

clothing on an ad hoc basis.

Exercise:

The Dominant shall provide The Submissive with a personal trainer four three times a

week in hour-long sessions at times to be mutually agreed between the personal trainer

and The Submissive. The personal trainer will report to The Dominant on The Submis-

sive’s progress.

Personal Hygiene/Beauty:

The Submissive will keep herself clean and shaved and/or waxed at all times. The Sub-

missive will visit a beauty salon of The Dominant’s choosing at times to be decided by

The Dominant, and undergo whatever treatments The Dominant sees fit.

Personal Safety:

The Submissive will not drink to excess, smoke, take recreational drugs or put herself in

any unnecessary danger.

Personal Qualities:

The Submissive will not enter into any sexual relations with anyone other than The

Dominant. The Submissive will conduct herself in a respectful and modest manner at all

times. She must recognize that her behavior is a direct reflection on The Dominant. She

shall be held accountable for any misdeeds, wrongdoings and misbehavior committed

when not in the presence of the Dominant.

Failure to comply with any of the above will result in immediate punishment, the nature

of which shall be determined by The Dominant.

“So the obedience thing still stands?”