“Here.” Yvonne slid it toward Ruby. “It’s a contract.”

Ruby frowned. “Didn’t we already sign the contract?”

“This is a contract of a different kind.”

Ruby picked up the papers and scanned the first page.

Agreement between Yvonne Maxwell (“the Dominant”) and Ruth “Ruby” Scott (“the submissive”).

Ruby flicked through the rest of the pages. What the hell was this? There were over a dozen sections, all with bold headings. Roles. Responsibilities. Areas of Control. Limits. There was an entire page dedicated to different bondage-related activities alone. There had to be at least twenty pages in total.

“You want me to sign this?” When had Yvonne even written it? This morning? What kind of woman fucked someone and then drew up a contract the next day?

The woman Ruby was married to, apparently.

“Not immediately,” Yvonne said. “I want you to take your time and go through it thoroughly. And it’s all negotiable. We can discuss anything you have reservations about or anything you don’t understand. I’ve left space for you to add in your limits. That’s any activity that’s off the table completely. You’ll also need to choose a safeword.”

Ruby blinked. “Is all this necessary?” There were so many rules. Did they really have to have it all in writing?

What would happen if Ruby broke one?

“Have you changed your mind about wanting to do this?” Yvonne asked.

“No. Not at all.” Yet, Ruby had some reservations. Could she really trust Yvonne, this virtual stranger she’d somehow ended up married to?

“Then yes, this is necessary.” Yvonne folded her hands in front of her. “I want you to understand that this contract isn’t about obligations. It’s about setting clear boundaries and limits, as well as expectations. That applies to both of us.”

Ruby glanced down at the contract again. All the language was so businesslike. That was typical of Yvonne.

“You also need to understand that having a contract doesn’t mean we don’t have to communicate about everything. We’ll still need to discuss any issues that arise.” Yvonne’s expression grew more serious. “Ruby, you’re new at all this. For everything between us to work, we need to be completely open with each other. If you’re feeling uncomfortable or overwhelmed, tell me. If you change your mind about anything, or you realize you don’t want to do something we’ve previously agreed upon, tell me. Whatever you’re thinking and feeling, you need to tell me. What we’re doing is intense. Feelings get magnified, people can get hurt. I require complete honesty from you, and I will give you the same.”

Ruby had no problem being honest about her feelings and needs. However, she was already keeping something from Yvonne. The lie she’d told was small, more of an omission than anything, but it hid a bigger secret, one that she knew Yvonne would want to know about.

But if Ruby told her the truth, would Yvonne put a stop to the arrangement they were about to enter into?

Yvonne examined her. “What are you thinking?”