Page 20 of Axe Marks the Spot

Another thing I learned is that the reason I find DomInTheWoods’s formality appealing is because it earns my respect. It makes me feel safe, like I could and want to submit to him. I even imagined him praising me for doing something right, and I got wetter than I ever had in my life. Which is saying something considering nobody was touching me.

I got so into answering and fantasizing about working with him that I was almost late for work. When it was time for my first fifteen-minute break, I nearly ran to the break room to finish journaling.

While I was helping Mrs. Crane with her diverticulitis, my mind raced with the only question I had left to answer, one that was not on the list but one I needed to answer for myself: If I’m truly a submissive, do I want to submit to DomInTheWoods?

Ultimately, the answer I kept coming back to was yes.

The questions he had me journal on spoke to me in a way that I didn’t think they would. Nearly every question was a yes or a maybe depending on the situation.

That had to mean something, right?

My phone notification goes off again, and my heart thumps, figuring this is a new email from him before I even look down. I spoke to Kas on my dinner break, and she’s long asleep by now, so it wouldn’t be her. And Nathan would call me if something was wrong.

Nervous excitement builds in my lower belly, and I inhale a breath and look.

It’s him.

DomInTheWoods.

I click the notification and open his new message. It doesn’t escape me that I’m acting like a teenager with a school crush on a man that I’ve never met nor seen his full face, even if his nose—and, for some reason, his voice—is familiar.

I pull the fuzzy blanket off the back of my couch and pull it over me, settling in to read his long-awaited email.

To: [email protected]

From: [email protected]

Date: July 16, 11:50PM

Subject: Re: Re: Re: Questions (This is WhyAmIHere33)

Hi Lindsey,

I’m so pleased you chose to email me back.

My skin buzzes as I imagine his voice saying that to me. And I’m not going to lie; I like that he said he was pleased with me. It only makes me crave him saying it more.

I see that you also attached pictures of the answers to the questions I sent you. I did not ask you for those, but I appreciate them nonetheless, and it makes me happy that you sent them. It will give me insight into who you are and how you view yourself. I’ll review them.

I press my thighs together, heat creeping up my neck. Is it normal to get turned on by this? I’ve been asking myself this a lot over the last twelve hours. He hasn’t technically done anything for me. All I’ve done is read his emails and answer his questions. Yet my body responds to him.

Before we move forward and get contracts signed, I ask that you review the below to see what I do and do not do with my clients. I let you know a few of them in my last email, but it’s very important that I lay out everything I offer from the beginning so there’s no confusion. I pride myself on being open and transparent, always.

I pull the blanket up to my chin, too eager to keep reading and sick of questioning my every thought and action. It’s getting old.

“Let’s see what things you can help me with, DomInTheWoods. I hope it’s everything, because I need it,” I say as I begin reading. It’s a very thorough list of things he can provide—including discipline, physical training, behavioral correction, and control—and what he cannot—including professional therapy, twenty-four seven power exchange (where Dominant and submissive roles are permanent), and, perhaps most importantly, sexual services.

I balk a little as I read the comment next to that no-go:

While I don’t provide sexual services, sexual release or arousal can be natural responses. If those physical or emotional responses happen, there is no shame in that. However, I do ask you don’t share any sexual reactions with me.

As if I’d share that with him.

I know this is a lot of information, and if you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out and ask. If you would still like to move forward, email me a written confirmation of consent. After I receive it, I’ll send you a questionnaire that will help me set up our agreement. This will be about limits, safe words, etc. Once that’s completed, we’ll have our first call.

I look forward to hearing back from you, Lindsey.

- DomInTheWoods