CHAPTER TWENTY
THE CONTRACT
Three months and three rules…that was their final agreement. To her surprise, Steph was excited and anxious to try. Also surprising was Ranger's hesitancy to the whole situation.
"Babe, we don't have to do this. I love you and you love me. That should be enough. We're asking for a world of problems if we agree to this," he paced as he spoke. The idea of having even a hybrid Vanilla/Ds relationship with Stephanie made him nervous as hell.
"Yes, we love each other, but we trust each other, too. I've learned a lot about myself and what I thought I needed. I've learned a lot about you. Carlos, please, I know that you can help me figure it all out. And I know that this lifestyle has been a part of you for so long. I won't, I can't ask you to change without trying to change too. Please!"
"Damn, woman, you're 'topping from the bottom' already." [author's note: 'topping from the bottom' is a phrase used in D/s to indicate that the submissive is controlling the scene in a not so subtle way.] He shook his head in resignation and sat next to her on the bed. "If you promise to go to Claude's classes and if you promise to be one hundred percent honest with me in everything, not even one little white lie about anything...we can try it."
"Yes!" Steph jumped to her feet and threw her arms around his neck. She hugged him so hard that he had to pull her arms away in order to take his next breath.
Ranger stood, gathering control of the situation and himself. No time like the present to start behaving like the Dom you are and the Dom she expects. "First, we go into my office and write everything down that we discussed. I want no misunderstandings regarding what I expect from you and what you are entitled from me." His voice spoke with an authority that his heart didn't feel. This is either the start of the best part of our lives or the biggest fuck-up ever imagined.
"Why do we have to write everything down? We both know what we said and what we are willing to do." Steph was a little uncomfortable at the sudden formality.
"This is how all Dom/sub arrangements start. There needs to be clear rules and guidelines about what we will do and what we won't do. Two months down the road, what you remember and what I remember about something might be different enough to cause a misunderstanding or worse. This way we both follow the same rules and procedures. Now sit down and let's get started." Ranger sat at his desk and began putting on the computer screen what looked more and more like a contract than a list.
"This agreement dated the 29th of September, 2012 between
R. Carlos Manoso and Stephanie M. Plum is to set formal
guidelines for their Dominant/submissive relationship.
Mr. Manoso is the named Dominant and Ms. Plum is the named
submissive.
Both parties agree that their roles as Dom and sub will not be
apparent to any third parties unless agreed upon by both Dom
and sub prior to disclosure.
This is a trial relationship for the agreed time of three months,
ending on the 29th of December, 2012. Either party may nullify
this agreement at any time during this aforesaid period by simply
notifying the second party of their intent and giving specific reasons.
The purpose of this trial relationship is to allow Ms. Plum the opportunity
to explore her place as a submissive and to allow Mr. Manoso the
opportunity to experience a relationship that is not fully in the
D/s lifestyle.
The Dom/sub roles will not be practiced on a 24/7 timeline, but will
be practiced on an agreed upon schedule, as well as on an ad hoc
basis as needed.
The following rules and conditions have been set and agreed upon
by both parties:
During the time of this agreement, whether in or out of the Dom's
presence, the sub agrees to these Primary Rules:
1) Devote one hour a day to self-improvement. This can be
in the areas of physical fitness, sharpening her job skills
or general education.
2) Never place her person in harm's way if at all avoidable.
If in the course of performing her job, she sees a dangerous
situation, the sub will not proceed without proper backup nor
without notifying the Dom of her situation. The sub will carry her
weapon at all times when not in her or the Doms residence.
3) The sub will be completely honest with her Dom. She will
not fabricate lies nor distort the truth for any reason.
The sub understands that failure to follow the above 'rules' will be
considered justification for punishment to be dealt out by the Dom
in what ever manner he deems fit. The sub will accept said
punishment without question and in a dignified manner knowing that this
procedure is a part of her submission.
During the time that she is partaking in a 'scene', the sub will
demonstrate all the physical and mental behaviors expected of
her as a submissive, including but not exclusive to:
a) Obeying immediately and without question all commands
of the Dom.
b) Presenting herself in a submissive manner in the position
that the Dom has stated.
c) Dressing for the scene in the manner that the Dom has
stated.
d) Addressing the Dom only when he has given permission and
by the title he has demanded.
e) Always adhere to the safety concerns and use the agreed
upon 'safe word'…in this agreement the word is "RED." If the
scene is becoming too intense, but doesn't need to be stopped
the word "YELLOW" is to be used to alert the Dom to the fact
that the sub is reaching her limit, and he should proceed with
caution.
4) At all other times, when not partaking in a 'scene', the sub must
realize that she is representing her Dom to the public. Even if the
public is not aware of the D/s relationship, they are aware that there
is some form of relationship.
5) When not partaking in a 'scene', the physical and social interactions
of the sub can, and should be, those most natural to her, keeping
in mind that the aforementioned three Primary Rules must always
be followed.
The Dominant has the obligation of teaching the sub what is
required of her. He is responsible for the sub's physical as well
as mental health and happiness. Her safety both in public and during
'scenes' is of utmost importance.
1) When acting out a 'scene', the Dom:
a) will not perform any act not agreed to by the sub
prior to the start of the 'scene'.
b) will explain to the sub what will be expected of her, clearly
and patiently.
c) will remember that some commands may be physically
impossible for the sub to obey, and adjust his demands
accordingly.
d) Safe words shall be adhered to at all times. "YELLOW"
will alert the Dom to slow or change his actions. "RED"
will mandate a complete stop of all activities and the
immediate care and attention given to the sub.
Both parties agree that the purpose of this relationship is to explore each other's sensuality and to explore the limits of said sensuality. At no time should this exploration involve excessive pain, permanent injury or severe mental anguish.
Both parties agree that within twenty-four hours after a 'scene', they will discuss openly and honestly what occurred during that 'scene', such as what was liked, disliked, learned and lacking. None of what is discussed will be taken personally by either party. This agreement is to establish a learning period and will not be successful without feedback from both parties.
During the time period of this agreement, the sub has agreed to attend six classes given by Mr. Claude Reynaud at his Unknown Submissive Institute. It is agreed that the sub will share the particulars of what was learned or discussed in said classes with her Dom only what she is comfortable in doing so.
Both parties have agreed to the following schedule regarding the schedule and length of 'scenes' during this agreement. For the first month, 'scenes' will be no more than two hours in length and will be held at the residence of the Dom on every Friday beginning at 8 PM. The second month will allow for a more random scheduling with the possibility of some 'scenes' taking place at other locations, including but not limited to the sub's place of residence.
Both parties have agreed that at all other times not involving a 'scene', their physical and social relationship will be that of a monogamous "vanilla" couple. Outside of following the three Primary Rules, the sub will behave in the manner most natural to her as will the Dom.
At the end of the timeframe designated in this document, both parties will decide whether to continue as Dom and sub, augment the agreement, continue in a relationship that is not part of the D/s lifestyle or part company and go their separate ways. Neither party will hold the other accountable nor will they divulge to any third party what has transpired during this agreement.
Agreed upon and signed this date the 29th of September, 2012 -
R. Carlos Manoso _
Stephanie M. Plum _"
Ranger made two copies, one for each of them. "I want you to read this over before you sign it."
"I watched you type it and I helped write it. I don't need to read it again. It sounds so formal" Stephanie grumbled. Geeze! What a romantic he is!
"You will read it before you sign it." Dominant Ranger had spoken. It was not negotiable.
"Yes," she hesitated for a moment before adding, "Sir."
Ranger left the room and returned with two glasses of white wine. Setting neatly on the center of his desk were Stephanie's signed papers. Sitting quietly on the overstuffed chair, hands folded neatly in her lap, was a meek Stephanie. "When do we begin?" she asked.
Handing her a glass of wine, Ranger smiled a most curious smile and said softly…
"We've already begun, Babe."