“No, I’m good,” Ruby replied.

“I’ll stay here until you fall asleep, just to make sure you’re all right.”

Ruby looked at her curiously. “That’s sweet of you.”

“I’m just doing my job. You’re my submissive. It’s my responsibility to look after you.”

Ruby rolled her eyes. “Right. Because everything is just ‘business’ to you.”

“I didn’t mean-”

“Relax, I’m just teasing you. But honestly, you don’t have to fuss over me like this.”

“Yes, I do. What we’re doing together, it involves a certain level of vulnerability. That state, it leads to all kinds of good feelings. But sometimes, negative feelings surface in their wake, leading to a drop, physically, mentally, emotionally-” Yvonne looked down at Ruby. She had a distant look in her eye and was clearly on the verge of sleep. Now wasn’t the time for BDSM 101. “As your Domme, I need to take care of you and make sure all your needs are met in order to prevent that drop. It’s simple aftercare.”

Ruby gazed up at Yvonne, her thick eyelashes fluttering. “Now that I think about it, there is something you can do for me.”

“What is it?”

Ruby hesitated. “Can you get into bed with me?”

Yvonne wasn’t surprised by Ruby’s request. Physical intimacy was an important part of aftercare. She could leave after Ruby fell asleep. “All right.”

She slid into the bed next to Ruby. Ruby settled against her, her back to Yvonne.

Tentatively, Yvonne wrapped an arm around Ruby, drawing her in close. “How’s this?”

“This is good.” Ruby peered back at her, smiling. “I’m feeling better already.”

Ruby grabbed the sheets and pulled them up over them, letting out a contented sigh. The room lapsed into silence. The scent of Ruby’s hair filled Yvonne’s head. It was something sweet and light.

Yvonne spoke quietly. “Ruby?”

“Mmhm?”

“Thank you for tonight, with my friends. They can be… a lot.”

“It’s no problem. I had fun.” Ruby turned to face her. “I hope I made a good impression.”

“You did. You were perfect. You seemed comfortable. Genuine.”

“I tried to do what you said. To be myself.” Ruby’s voice faltered. “But it was hard. I’ve spent so long being who people want me to be. Who clients want me to be…”

Yvonne examined her. The distant, unfocused look in Ruby’s eyes suggested she was still in a vulnerable headspace.

She stroked Ruby’s arm reassuringly. “You don’t have to do that anymore. Not for me. You can just be yourself. I want the real you, Ruby.”

Ruby was silent for a moment. “It’s just that, sometimes, I feel like I don’t even remember who the real me is.”

“And now is the perfect time for you to try to figure that out. You have a whole year of no obligations. No clients to please, no expectations. You should take advantage of that. Do things for yourself, things that make you happy. You have unlimited time at your disposal, not to mention money. I checked the statement for that credit card I gave you. You haven’t bought anything for yourself other than food and clothes.”