“How deep does this go with me, Alicia? I’ve been upfront about my desire for a lifestyle that reflects what we already have. As my girlfriend – and possibly more – you too will have a lot of power. You can do whatever pleases you. An almost infinite amount of money at your disposal. Endless access to my benefits and even that plane we flew in. Go anywhere you want. Take whomever you want with you. Get another degree and even a job if it pleases you. I want you to be happy and to follow whatever dreams you already have. But, in return, I ask this of you: in exchange for my allowance and devotion, you will be more than my girlfriend, my fiancée, or even my wife and co-mother of my children. You’ll be my compliant submissive.”
“Compliant?” Alicia snorted. “Does that mean I’m never allowed to disagree with you?”
“Absolutely not. Disagree with me all you want. I didn’t say I wanted spineless.”
She snorted again. “You want someone to fuel your ego.”
“Suppose I do. Is there an issue with that?”
At least she’s honest!“Only if it’s unwarranted.”
“Trust me, Alicia, I would always be proving myself to you. There’s nothing worse than a woman who demands respect but doesn’t command it.”
“You’re something else, Danica.”
“I believe you’ve told me that before.”
“I’m sure I’ll say it again soon enough.” Alicia leaned back in her seat. “You’ve been blunt with me, and I can appreciate that. So let me be blunt with you.” She crossed her arms, emerald ring digging into her skin. “You will never overwrite who I am. You will never tear me down to build me back up again. I will always be who I really am. You know who that is. I’ll fuck up and embarrass you, I’m sure. Can you handle that? Can you handle me not living up to this idealized image in your head? I’m a human being. Not an AI.”
“I know you’re human. That’s part of what I love most.” Danica encouraged her to drink some of the chardonnay she ordered for the evening. “I’m not interested in robots. If all I cared about was an attractive woman with the willpower of a carpet, I could inquire at the country club and have three delivered to my doorstep the next day. I’m not interested in that. I want an opinionated woman. An intelligent woman, with her own interests and personal goals.”
“As long as she obeys you, right?”
“Don’t confine yourself too much to the bedroom, my love. Living the submissive life outside of the bedroom is much different from within it. Yours is a quiet strength. When you walk into a room, you will be more than a woman associated with me. You will be your own formidable opponent to all those who wish to bring you down. Unfortunately, some people will, simply because you are mine.”
“Do you think I really like that kind of possessive talk?”
Danica did not flinch. “Do you not?”
“Well…” Shit. She was blushing! “It’s kinda hot, as long as you know I’m not an actual thing for you to buy and use at will. Unless I permit you, of course.”
She smiled back at her. “Of course. Consent is the most important thing. Particularlyinformedconsent.”
“You know how to sound so sexy, Danica.”
“Listen, my beauty,” she said. “At the end of our stay in Chicago, I’m going to make you a final offer. You can walk away if you decide that you don’t want to do this any longer, but things will radically change in your life if you decide to stay with me. I hope most of them are for the better.”
Alicia sucked in her lips, looking away. “That’s not a lot of time to decide.”
“I don’t take things slowly.”
“I’ll say!”
Their dinner arrived. Danica thanked the server while keeping her attention firmly on Alicia. “Be proud of being with me,” she whispered across the table. “You’re a woman I think is worthy of my time and devotion. That’s a powerful thing.”
“I’m still getting used to it.”
Danica picked up her fork and napkin. “Eat up, while you’re at it. I have plans for you later.”
“Oh?” Dare she ask?
“Oh, yes.” Had any woman looked so menacing, stabbing her food? “This week is all about experiencing new things… and you’re about to experience something very new, indeed.”
Chapter 6
“This is a beautiful dress you have on, Alicia.” Danica ran her finger along the lacy bodice. “Out of all the outfits they had downstairs, why did you choose this one?”
Alicia, standing in the middle of their bedroom and trying not to shiver beneath her heavy, critical gaze, replied, “The stylists picked it out.”
