We say our goodbyes to Crystal and Grant, then walk to the dining room. I sit at the head of the table and she sits to my right.
“How are you feeling?” I ask her as I grab the bottle of wine Crystal brought to the table and pour her a glass, then one for myself.
“A little nervous, but excited.”
She gazes at me and for the first time since she’s walked back into my life, there aren’t any shadows. I love that I’m able to bring her peace. I look forward to the day I can dig Donovan’s grave, so she’ll never have to worry again.
“That’s understandable. Today was a busy day, but I’ve been thinking about you all day. The picture you sent me earlier didn’t do this dress justice. I love it.” I take a sip of my wine andenjoy that her cheeks turn pink. Before she can respond, Betsy is bringing our food.
“Enjoy,” she says before leaving.
Olivia keeps her hands in her lap and her eyes cast down. I study her as I take another sip of my wine.Is she waiting for me to start eating first or for me to give her permission to eat?I grab her napkin and place it in her lap, testing the waters. She continues to keep her eyes cast down, but she moves her hands so they now lie on top of her napkin. Interesting.
I grab my fork and spear a tortellini and some chicken. Bringing it to my mouth, I chew it slowly, waiting to see what she does. She still doesn’t move. My heart beats heavy in my chest at how perfect she is. She’s doing what I would normally ask her to do without me telling her. We haven’t signed the contract yet, so I don’t expect her to act this way until that moment. Inhaling deeply, my chest fills with pride.
“You are such a good girl, Olivia.” Her lips curve up into a satisfied smile, and she releases a shaky breath, but she still doesn’t move. “So perfect,” I murmur. “You may eat.”
She smooths her napkin over her lap and offers me a demure smile. “Thank you, Sir.”
Olivia picks her fork up and begins to eat.Fuck me.The air leaves my lungs. We haven’t talked about names we would use. I know I don’t want her to call me daddy. I’ve gone back and forth between Master and Sir, but I think she just decided for me.
“You’re welcome, treasure.”
I decided on that for her last night when I couldn’t go to sleep. By the look on her face, it was the right thing to do. I don’t want to call her pet or slave because that’s how Donovan made her feel for all of those years. I want her to know she is a treasure, and she’smytreasure.
We talk about our day. She asks me how my meetings went and I give her all the details she needs except for the onesrelating to Donovan. I don’t want to keep anything away from her, but I want her to enjoy not being worried all the time.
“I know we will probably talk about this later,” Olivia says. “On the contract, I noticed it said I’m to make myself available to you Friday evenings through Sunday afternoons.”
I take a sip of wine. “Yes, that’s right. Do you have a question about that?” She plays with the napkin in her lap for a few seconds. I squint at her, trying to figure out why she’s nervous.Does she not like the idea of being with me all weekend?
“Before we talked about that, I had already promised Ansley I would go to Atlanta this weekend for her birthday. Her brother asked Caroline and I to come and celebrate with her. The game is on Saturday, but we were going to leave Friday after work and return on Sunday.” She glances up at me and gauges my reaction.
“Okay. I’m disappointed I won’t get to see you, but I understand you’ve already made plans.” I reach across the table and grab her hand, rubbing my thumb along her knuckles. “You don’t have to be scared or nervous to tell me those things,dolce ragazza.I know you have a group of friends you care about very much. I will not take you away from them. This arrangement is nothing like what Donovan did to you. I don’t want to isolate you. Okay?”
Her shoulders relax. “Okay.”
I point to her plate. “Please finish your food and we’ll go upstairs to my office and talk about this in more detail.”
Chapter thirty-four
Olivia
As we’re walking upstairs, I remind myself he’s nothing like Donovan. I was never allowed to have any friends growing up, so other than the bondage aspect of BDSM, that was my other biggest fear. That I would have to give up that part of myself. I go to the chair he had me sit in the other day, but when I notice he doesn’t follow me, I pause and turn around. He’s still standing next to the door.
“After we go through the contract, you will no longer assume where I want you. You will enter and you will wait by the door until I give you instructions. Do you understand?”
I tilt my head down and frown as my heart shrinks. “Yes, Sir,” I reply. He walks toward me, but I don’t look up until he puts his index finger under my chin and lifts my face.
“I’m not upset, treasure. You didn’t know. It’s my responsibility to teach you. We will go over this in more detail ina moment.” He rubs his thumb along my cheek and leans down, kissing me softly on my nose. I bite my lip, trying to hide my smile at the sweet gesture and his reassurance. “Don’t hide that pretty smile from me, gorgeous.” I let my smile break through. “Good girl. Now, go sit down.”
I turn and do as he instructed. He sits behind his desk, pulls the contract out, and hands me a copy. I read through it again, noticing the changes he made. Once I’m done reading through everything, I look at Victor and wait for him to begin.
“You read everything?” I nod. “Do you have any questions?”
“Yes, about the exercise. I’m a member at Bass’ gym. Should I cancel my membership? Did you want me to exercise with you?”
It makes me sad, thinking about not going there anymore. It was my first attempt at forcing myself to get out of my comfort zone. Rose suggested I exercise for my mental health, but also as a way to prove to myself that I was safer than I thought.
