But he’s right, of course. Having his schedule in black and white will keep my demands on his time in check, and I should be grateful that he’s thought ahead. “Thank you,” I say, and try to mean it. I take the paper, unfold it, and look down at it.
Immediately, I want to rip up that schedule. Every block of time markedWorkseems to taunt me. These are times in which I will not have him here with me.
But I just nod, thank him again, and place the paper on the writing desk.
“How’s the piece coming?” he asks, following me over to look down at the sheets of music.
“Itwaslimping to a very underwhelming finish,” I admit. “But with you here…”
He clears his throat. “First things first, my lord. Breakfast. And, by the way, we’ll do things as we did them before. You’ll always go down to breakfast and dinner unless you break your ankle or something. Deal?”
“I’m not used to making deals with submissives.” But I’m smiling as I say it.
“Welcome to America, land of the free.”
“And home of the cheeky?”
He grins. “Do we have a deal?”
“We do.”
“Andyou need to take a walk outside, once a day.”
I wonder how far I can push him. “I already work out in the gym five times a week, surely that will suffice.”
But Oliver is already hustling me over to the closet to pick out my clothes. “That’s great, and you’ll keep doing that, too. But you need fresh air and vitamin D, and Idon’tmean the sexy kind.”
I have never in my life been spoken to the way Oliver is speaking to me now. Never, ever.
I like it. I even tease back. “I thoughtIwas supposed to be the Dominant?”
“Oh, you are. You’re a big Domly Dominant, my lord, which is why it’s my job to look after you—andmake sure you look after yourself. Agreed?”
I glance over at the piano, already hearing the notes again of Oliver’s song. A walk in the grounds each day sounds pleasant—especially if Oliver can be with me. I sneak a look at his schedule. It seems that most days this week, at least, he will be available in the mornings.
“Agreed,” I tell him.
“Then I’ll go run your bath,” he says, but I grab his hand as he turns, and look into his masked face.
“Oliver—thank you.”
He squeezes my hand. “You’re welcome, my lord.”
My heart sings even as he leaves the room. Everything will be alright now.
Everything will beperfect.
CHAPTER26
Oliver
As much as it was my decision to return to the household—to return to serving Elliot—it doesn’t take long before I’m second-guessing myself.
Basically, I’m working two jobs, now.
One paid in hot sex and kinky indulgences and kisses.
And one paid in actual money that allows me to keep up with the rent.
