“You’re stunning. You know that, don’t you?” The Mistress asked.

Sheridan merely shrugged her shoulders.

“I suppose you hear it all the time from fans and casting agents. But I’m not a fan. I’m not a director. I don’t have to suck up to you to get you to spread for me. You’re paying me for the privilege of spreading for me. You paid up front. I have no reason to lie. Say ‘thank you for telling me I’m stunning, Mistress.’”

“Thank you for telling me I’m stunning, Mistress.”

“Good. There’s hope for you yet. Now sit.” The Mistress moved her legs from the settee to the floor and pointed to the crimson cushions. Sheridan sat back down as she kept her legs tightly pressed together. “Stay there.”

The Mistress pulled out her tie and unknotted it.

“I’m going to blindfold you. It’ll help you relax and focus on what you’re feeling. Do you have a safe word?”

“Kingsley told me I should pick one. It’s ‘McCarthy’s.’”

“Like the single malt whiskey?”

Sheridan smiled. “You know your alcohol.”

“Of course I do. I’m Catholic. You like whiskey?”

“Hate it. But Rex liked it. Straight.”

“He sounds Catholic.”

The smile on Sheridan’s face broadened and The Mistress nearly blinked at the brightness. The Mistress could only imagine how this girl could light up a stage.

“I can still remember what his mouth tasted like. I never wanted to drink the stuff. I was happy tasting it on him.”

“McCarthy’s it is then. I want you to be able to tell me yes, no, stop, go while we’re playing. You’ll say ‘McCarthy’s’ if and—only if—you want to stop completely, take off the blindfold and end the scene. I’ll be touching your body and every woman is different. You can give me directions if I’m doing something that doesn’t work for me. You can give me encouragement if I’m doing something that does. Understand?”

“I understand.”

The Mistress glared at the girl so hard she winced.

“I mean, yes, Mistress.”

“Better. Hold still.” The Mistress yanked her silk tie off and pulled it taut. Careful of Sheridan’s perfectly coiffed hair, The Mistress brought the tie over her head, placed it on Sheridan’s blinking eyes and knotted it at the nape of her neck. “Too tight?”

“No...it’s fine. Thank you, Mistress.”

“You’re welcome.”

“I didn’t expect...” Sheridan began and paused.

“What didn’t you expect?”

“I didn’t think you’d be nice. I don’t think nice when I hear the word Dominatrix.”

“I’m nice to all my clients even when I’m beating the shit out of them. Nice means treating someone how they want to be treated. Tonight you want to be treated with gentleness. Next time maybe you want to be treated with pain. Sounds nice, right?”

Sheridan smiled. “I might not say no.”

“Good. Now lie down on your back and breathe. Breathe slowly and deeply. I’m going to put my hands on your legs, but that’s it. I won’t touch any other part of you without warning you first.”