Page 27 of Jackson
“How so?” Kate prodded.
“What is it with you people and these questions? Don’t you have any boundaries? I like to keep my private thoughts—well—private.”
“I can understand that, but this lifestyle only works when you’re honest and open about your emotions and desires,” Kate said.
“Okay, I get that, but it’s hard.”
Paula paused, but Kate remained silent.
Sadist!
“To be honest, I liked most of what I witnessed in the club last night. It helped me understand the appeal the lifestyle has, although I didn’t get everything that was going on.”
“What did you like?” Kate asked, her breakfast apparently forgotten.
Paula took another sip of coffee. Yeah, she was self-aware enough to know she was stalling.
Paula exhaled slowly, tracing the rim of her coffee cup with her fingertip. “I liked James and Laura’s scene. Their connection.” She hesitated, sorting through the tangle of emotions that had been nagging at her since she’d watched them together. “Actually”—she tapped her bottom lip as realization dawned—“that was also what drew me to Lincoln and Henry.”
Kate gave her a dashing smile. “That’s the heart of every BDSM relationship.”
Paula nodded, the thought settling deeper inside her. Connection. That was what had hooked her. Not the kink. Not the rules. Not even the power dynamics, though those still left her intrigued and uncertain in equal measure. It was the way James and Laura had moved as one, the way Henry and Lincoln had balanced each other so naturally. It was trust.
Kate’s smile faded as she added, “That’s also what’s missing with casual play like what Scott and I do.”
Paula did not like Kate’s sad expression, but she had no idea what she could say to her. She gave Kate’s hand a comforting squeeze and remained silent.
“So, what else can I help you with about the lifestyle?” Kate returned to her matter-of-fact self. “How did things go with Jackson?”
Paula let out a dry laugh and leaned back in her chair. “I’m not sure. I can’t decide how I feel about all this control andobedience stuff. And what’s all this about contracts? He kept talking about them but never really explained.”
“I can understand your confusion.” Kate’s brow lifted slightly, and she nodded in understanding. “Contracts in BDSM are an individual preference. Some people swear by them, others think they’re nonsense or just a waste of time. Of course, they’re not legally enforceable, no matter what some people claim.” She tapped a fingernail against the table for emphasis. “But theycanbe useful. A contract is a way for a couple or group to spell out responsibilities, duties, limits, safewords, and sometimes punishments. They’re most common with serious, long-term relationships.”
Paula absorbed that, tightening her fingers slightly around her cup. “So, Henry and Lincoln probably have one?”
“I’d bet on it,” Kate said. “They’re 24/7, and they’re both lawyers, so youknowthey’ve got things in writing. Jackson, too. He had a 24/7 relationship with Monica, so it makes sense he thinks in those terms.”
Paula let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. It madesensenow, at least logically. But emotionally? She still wasn’t sure where she stood.
“I have a job that matters a lot to me. I’m not sure I want to give up control of that. With a contract, he could order me to quit.”
Kate snorted, shaking her head. “Not if you set it up so your job is off limits. A contract is anegotiation. The Dom doesn’t get to dictate what’s in it. The sub has just as much input. You negotiate as equals.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief as she added, “And if Jackson tries to tell you different, you can send him my way.”
That pulled a real laugh from Paula, the tension in her chest easing somewhat.Negotiation.Equals. Those words mattered.
“That sounds really great, Kate. Thanks a lot.” She glanced down at her cup, feeling something shift inside her—not a decision, not yet, but maybe the possibility of one. “I’ll do that… if we make it that far.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
On Friday night, Paula stepped into Henry and Lincoln’s home, shaking off the crisp November chill. The scent of good food and the low hum of conversation wrapped around her, familiar and welcoming. She adjusted the weight of the bottle of wine she held and scanned the room, already spotting a few familiar faces.
Lincoln’s work anniversary had drawn quite a crowd. Twenty-five years as a defense lawyer was a hell of a milestone, and from the looks of it, Henry had made sure the celebration was worthy of the achievement.
Paula hadn’t visited their house before and didn’t know what to expect. She dreaded having to sit through a formal dinner and was relieved it was more like a gathering of friends, even if a few high-powered legal professionals mingled among the guests. She smiled to herself. The blend of social circles here was something else. Some people were purely vanilla, others were from Club Indigo, but tonight, none of that mattered.
Or at least, it didn’t seem to matter.
Paula wove her way through the guests, spotting Henry and Lincoln near the fireplace. Lincoln, ever the composed professional, looked perfectly at ease as he spoke with an oldercouple. Henry stood beside him, his gaze flicking over the room in a quiet, ever-watchful way.
