She shrugged. "Probably not, but we like for our clients to know that if they decide they want control of anything at any time, they can have it. You want to surrender and offer trust, and we want you to know that we take that very seriously. There, all set. In we go."

The inside was every bit as charming as the out, old-fashioned with softly grooved wood flooring and surprisingly tall ceilings. Of course they're tall, because he's going to be…

"Now, you'll see similar smart screens at every doorway," Astraeya pointed out. "You use your thumbprint there, and you'll be in contact with someone at the office. We don't monitor or invade your privacy, but we are always available if you need us. There, on the table, is a wrist cuff you can use similarly. It's up to you if you want to wear it. And finally, if at any time you speak your safe word, the agency will be monitoring just long enough to check on you, see if you need any assistance. Otherwise, you're not being monitored in any way. Again, these are offered as assurances to you, not as necessary safety precautions. Your partner's priority is your enjoyment and safety."

I nodded, absently noting all the details. The cottage was larger inside than I'd expected and incredibly cozy. There was sunlight streaming in through lace curtains, and in spite of the rustic table at the center of the room and the antique sink in the far right corner, there also was a very nice espresso machine and an updated stove. On my left, a massive dark blue velvet couch waited in the shadows. Ahead of me, a broad doorway revealed a darker room and the corner of an enormous four-poster bed.

"This…isn't quite what I was expecting," I admitted slowly, rushing to add, "It's totally lovely, I just—"

"Oh, this isn't all of it," Astraeya said with a wave of an elegant hand and a toothy grin. "I expect he'll save upstairs for your downtime. And actually, since we're getting closer to it being time, I should probably show you around downstairs real quick. Grab that wrist cuff. I'll set your bag down."

I lifted the small cuff—something like a smart watch—from the large dining table set for two, and Astraeya put my suitcase down in the doorway of the bedroom.

The door to "downstairs" was tucked behind the vintage aqua fridge, and my heart thumped in my chest as Astraeya had me use my thumbprint again to open it. There was a light on below, but it was only enough to see by, enough to see the stone walls and bare floors. I stepped down slowly, watching the slow reveal of a long leather bench waiting in the bare room, a wall of paddles and floggers, and an enormous floor-to-ceiling mirror.

"More like what you were expecting?" Astraeya teased from behind me.