“Nothing,” Ruby replied.

Yvonne crossed her arms. “Ruby, I just told you I require complete honesty from you. Tell me the truth. How does this all make you feel?”

Ruby thought for a moment. “At first, it made me nervous. A contract? That seems so formal. But the more I think about it, it’s reassuring.” Yvonne had thought this all through. She was being cautious and careful, and she cared about Ruby’s well-being and her safety. “It makes me feel like I can trust you.”

Yvonne gave her a small nod. “That’s good. That’s the point. Now, I want you to go away and read the contract. Make a list of your own limits. Take note of anything you want to negotiate. If you have any questions, ask me. We’ll finalize the contract when you’re ready. I want you to take your time to understand what you’re getting into.”

Ruby nodded.

“You may go.”

Ruby got up and headed to the door, contract in hand. As she opened the door, Yvonne spoke.

“And Ruby?”

“Yes?”

“Until that contract has been signed, nothing will happen between us.”

Oh. Ruby hesitated. “And after I sign it? What happens then?”

Yvonne’s lips curled up slightly. “Then the teaching begins.”

Chapter 10

Yvonne pulled up in front of a large suburban house. Between work and her impromptu marriage, she’d been far too busy to make the long-overdue trip to visit the person dearest to her.

Nita.

As Yvonne parked the car, she caught sight of the wedding ring on her finger. She’d finally gotten used to the feel of it on her hand. Although she and Ruby had been married for a few weeks now, it had only been a week since that night that had bound them together in an entirely different way.

Ruby hadn’t yet signed the second contract. She was taking her time. Yvonne had thought Ruby had gotten cold feet until she’d started asking Yvonne questions about the contract and all the kinky little details within it. And every time she did, she would ponder Yvonne’s answers while looking at Yvonne with eager, lust-filled eyes.

It was making Yvonne regret having told Ruby that nothing could happen between them until they finalized the contract. Yvonne had almost cracked, more than once, but she’d stuck to her guns. She had to take control of the situation. What had happened that night in Ruby’s bedroom had been entirely unplanned. Yvonne still didn’t know what had possessed her to stop at Ruby’s door.

The contract was as much for Yvonne as it was for Ruby. She needed to have clear limits and boundaries in all areas of her life. It kept things simple. If she and Ruby were going to be stuck together for a year, the last thing they needed was for things to get any more complicated than they already were.

Yvonne stared at the ring, wondering whether to take it off. She didn’t want to have to explain everything to Nita, and there was very little chance of her finding out about Yvonne’s marriage through the grapevine. Nita was very much separate from the rest of Yvonne’s life. But at the same time, Yvonne couldn’t keep something this big from her.