Page 26 of Jackson
“Paula…” Jackson pinched the bridge of his nose. This was going so badly. Why couldn’t she understand the beauty of it? He raised his voice. “Henry, can you join us for a moment?”
Henry came over from the bar right away, and Jackson watched as Paula crossed her arms over her chest and turned her head away from him.
Henry took one of the vacant chairs and waited for Jackson to direct the conversation. Paula might not be his sub, but she was his guest, and as such he acted as her Dom tonight. Jackson appreciated being surrounded by people who were knowledgeable about the lifestyle and didn’t stumble around blindly.
“Henry, would you please explain to Paula the basics of your contract with Lincoln?”
A puzzled look marred Henry’s beautiful features, but he replied, “Of course.” He turned toward Paula. “Every contract is different because every couple is unique. Without going into details about the arrangement between Lincoln and me, I’ll explain the part that’s basically in every BDSM contract.” He stroked his goatee. “Every contract defines the balance between what a Dom will provide and take and what a sub will receive and give.”
Paula shook her head. “Sounds nice as a concept, but I don’t get it. How can there be a balance if somebody in the relationship is a slave?”
“The way you say the word slave, I see that it upsets you. Why is that?” Henry asked. As a cop, Jackson might not always like lawyers, but he admired Henry at that moment.
“I’ve worked on two human-trafficking cases. The word is offensive to me, and I can’t change that.” She spat the words. “Slavery is wrong. People shouldn’t be owned or sold or forced to work or have sex against their will.”
Henry didn’t react to her outburst, and Jackson hoped he hadn’t either, but her reaction felt like a punch to the gut.
Does she really think I would force a woman to have sex with me?
“You’re absolutely right, and that’s not what a Master/slave relationship is about.” Henry leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “If you would think calmly for a moment, I think you would understand. I know there’s slavery even in this day and age, and I think it’s despicable. However, a BDSM slave isn’t a possession. The word merely indicates a deep submission. I cherish Lincoln, as all Masters and Mistresses should cherish their slaves.”
Henry’s gaze moved to Lincoln, and the submissive male inclined his head in acknowledgment of his Master. Henry continued. “As you can see Lincoln is attuned to me, as I am to him—at least I try to be. Our roles and responsibilities might be different, but our dedication to each other is very much the same.”
Paula’s features softened, her whole posture becoming more relaxed, and Jackson thanked Henry.
“Thank you for explaining it to me, Henry. I appreciate it,” Paula said.
Paula had forgotten her role as a submissive, but Jackson realized now was not the time or place to call her on it.
CHAPTER TWELVE
The night before had been disturbing and confusing, and Jackson had managed to make Paula doubt her convictions. She needed a friend to talk with, and Kate had agreed to meet her.
Paula opened the door and spotted Kate standing in the waiting line at the check-in desk. She went to her friend, and they exchanged a quick hug as they waited for a table. Crazy busy as it was on Sunday, they had to wait almost fifteen minutes. Maybe IHOP wasn’t the greatest choice, but since The Sweet and Savory Table—their favorite café—wasn’t open on the weekend, it had become their go-to place on a Sunday.
Eventually, a server led them to a small booth near the window. Menus were handed over, coffee poured, and within a few minutes, they’d placed their usual orders: pancakes for Kate, omelet and hash browns for Paula.
By the time their food arrived, the initial rush of weekend chatter had settled into something more comfortable, and Paula felt the tension in her shoulders begin to ease.
“Girl, if we do this too often, I’ll have to up my exercise routine,” Kate teased.
Paula assessed the tall redhead. “All I see is a beautiful woman with a healthy body.”
Kate grinned. “You’re right. We can indulge now and again.” To emphasize her words she speared a piece of pancake dripping with butter and syrup and brought it to her mouth. She moaned around the morsel in appreciation, savoring the taste.
Paula pushed her breakfast around on the plate, put down her fork, and took a big gulp of coffee. Luckily, the dark liquid had cooled down.
When she looked up, Kate was studying her with narrowed eyes. She, too, let go of her fork and took the time to dab her mouth with a napkin. Paula’s throat was dry, and she licked her lips. She had so many questions, and now she didn’t seem to be able to utter a word.
To her bewilderment, Kate leaned back and settled into the faux leather bench with a big smile. “Cat got your tongue?”
“Now I believe you’re a sadist,” Paula muttered, and Kate let out a melodic laugh.
The corner of Paula’s mouth twisted, and she shook her head, before chuckling herself. It was so freeing to be able to let go and laugh with a friend.
After a few moments of shared amusement, Kate dried her eyes and turned serious. “Since you can crack a joke, does that mean you’re more comfortable with the topic?”
Paula considered the question. She was, wasn’t she? “You’re right about that. Visiting the club and seeing some of th— The scenes helped.”
