Page 34 of Jackson
“It had mushrooms, onions, green peppers and olives, too.”
“Pepperoni or sausage?”
“Um, both.” Paula was beginning to see how deep the hole she was digging for herself was.
“Hmm. What did you have for lunch?”
Paula looked down and whispered, “The last piece of pizza.”
“How do you feel about that choice now?”
“Not great, but I don’t generally have to tell people what I eat, either.”
Jackson reached over and pulled her right hand into his own. “Why did you eat two meals of leftover pizza today?” he asked softly.
“There wasn’t anything else quick and edible in the house.”
“You’re not in trouble for anything you do before we sign the contract. I just want to help.” He squeezed her hand. “How often do you run?”
“I aim for four days a week. I usually manage two or three. You know how the job is.”
“Yes, I do. I think you’d do better with a healthier diet and more consistent exercise. How do you feel on days when you run in the morning?”
He had her there. “Good. Somehow, running gives me more energy to face the day.”
“That’s why a Master is responsible for his sub’s health. I’ll help make sure you eat three balanced meals a day and get your exercise regularly. We’ll see that you make your goal of four days a week running and find something different for the other three days. Before you ask, yes, you get a say in what the other activity will be, but I have the final say. As to your eating habits, I’ll help you go through your refrigerator and kitchen and go shopping with you to put together some quick and easy meals for breakfasts and other meals when we’re not together.”
Paula felt the blood drain from her face. The last thing she wanted was for Jackson to see her house, let alone her kitchen. “You don’t have to do that,” she said quickly. “There’s not much in the fridge. I haven’t had time to get to the store lately.” This was a lame excuse, but she had to keep him away from the house.
“Is there some problem with your house, Paula?”
Damn, he’d seen right through her. “I just haven’t had a chance to clean lately and things are kind of a mess. Your house could be a layout forHouse Beautiful. I’m embarrassed for you to see mine before I have a chance to clean.” Which wouldn’t be for weeks, but she wasn’t ready to tell him that.
“I’ll help. You don’t think this place looks neat all by itself, do you? We’ll make a schedule to give you time to get your house clean, eat properly, exercise and so forth. The point is that you can stop worrying about having so much to do because the schedule will help you. It’s one of the ways this relationship will make a positive difference in your life.”
Paula didn’t see how a schedule would help. “What about when I’m in the middle of a case and working overtime?”
“We’ll build in some flex time for necessary adjustments. Relax, Paula. Let me take care of you. That’s what this part is all about. Finish reading the contract, and then we’ll talk more.”
Paula turned back to the contract Jackson liked and continued to the end. “Finished,” she announced. “What about you?”
“Me, too. I like a lot of the contract you found. I think between the two we can work out something we can live and grow with for this initial period. What do you think?”
“I suppose. This stuff is hard. You’re expecting a lot. I’m turning over big chunks of my life to you. Maybe we could just do this on the weekend?”
“Please trust me, Paula. I really think you’ll like this if you give it a fair chance. Two months. That’s all I ask.”
Paula sighed. She wasn’t sure what all this had to do with the great sex and the club, but it seemed to mean a lot to Jackson. “Okay. What parts of which do you want to use?”
They spent the next hour going over the details and ended up with an agreement Paula thought she might be able to live with. She was to text Jackson every morning when she woke and again when she finished her morning exercise. They wouldn’t have any more than normal contact at work, although he was allowed to take her to lunch once every two weeks. She had to text him about her lunch every day. Where, when, what and with whom she was eating. She would text him when she left work and when she arrived home. The last thing she would do each night before going to sleep was to text him goodnight. “I want to be the first thing you think about when you wake up in the morning and the last thing you think about before you go to sleep. I’ll be waiting for your messages every day. If I don’t answer right away it’s because you texted me while I was in the shower or in the middle of something at work.”
“That’s starting to sound romantic, Jackson.”
“It’s supposed to. Now, let’s get back to the schedule. Saturday morning is household chores. Sunday afternoon and evening are free time for you to do whatever you like. If you’re behind in your chores, I expect you to spend at least part of your free time catching up. Not all, but some. It shouldn’t take you long if you’re diligent. Between noon on Saturday and 2 pm on Sunday, you belong to me. We’ll be together, and you will obey me without question.” He paused. “What’s going on inside your head, Paula? I can see the wheels turning.”
“This is a lot to take in. I don’t know if I can do it. What if I make a mistake?”
“Everyone makes mistakes. An honest mistake you apologize, and it’s over. If you don’t understand something, you can always ask for clarification on what I want you to do. If you keep making the same mistake, then we’ll work out something to help you remember.”
