"Eat," I order, pointing at her plate.
She takes a few bites, as do I, but I'm no longer hungry. She puts her fork down and asks, "Can we start the conversation?"
Relief hits me. I can't handle the suspense anymore. I coolly state, "If you'd like."
"I would."
"Okay. Ask me anything."
She opens her notepad, and I glance at the page full of ink. She pulls it closer to her so I can't see it, furrows her eyebrows, and her cheeks grow redder.
I reach across the table and grab her hand. "No need to be embarrassed. I expect you to have a lot of questions."
Surprise fills her expression. "You do?"
"Yes. You're new to all this. If you didn't have any, I'd be worried," I assure her.
A nervous smile appears, and she glances back at the page, then asks, "Why can't I be alone if I want?"
I don't hesitate. "Because I'm in charge and know what's best. If I feel you shouldn't be, then I won't allow you to be."
"Why wouldn't it be best for me?" she questions.
"I'm going to push you past your limits as you know them," I claim.
"What does that mean?"
"I can't answer that. You'll discover what it means through our sessions."
"Sessions?"
I reply, "When we're together."
She taps her finger on the table and stares at me.
"Next question?" I ask.
She picks up her pad and studies it, then says, "So whenever we do anything sexual, it's called playtime?"
I shrug. "For the purpose of this contract. You can call it whatever you want. Does that word bug you?"
She thinks a minute, then shakes her head. "No, it's okay."
"Great. What else is on your list?"
She hesitates, then clears her throat. "Ummm... It says I can only come when you permit me."
I can't help the curve forming on my lips. "That's correct."
I can see the confusion in her eyes. "How do I stop it if you're touching me?"
I work hard to keep from smiling so she doesn't think I'm patronizing her. I answer, "You'll learn."
Moments pass with tension filling the air. "Next concern," I assert.
She looks at the paper, then questions, "Can you give me an example of an accessory?"
I keep it light and easy so I don't scare her off. "Sure. A blindfold is an example."