Hers to Keep (Irresistibly Bound 3)

“She’s putting the finishing touches on your rooms. She wants you to meet her there. I’ll take you to her.”

“Thanks,” Lindsey said.

She followed June upstairs and through the maze of a house. They came to an open door. June stopped before it.

“Your rooms are through there,” June said. “She’s waiting for you.”

Lindsey paused at the doorway. She’d been waiting for this moment ever since she arrived, and her anticipation had only grown. She pulled herself together and entered the room.

It wasn’t a bedroom like she expected. It looked like a kind of sitting room, with several doors coming off it. Camilla was seated on a lounge in the middle of the room. She looked as elegant and put-together as on their first date, although she was dressed more casually. She certainly didn’t look like she’d been ‘indisposed.’

“Lindsey.” Camilla gestured to the seat across from her. “Come. Sit.”

Lindsey sat down. June set the tray of refreshments on the coffee table and began to lay everything out.

“Sorry I wasn’t able to come and greet you yesterday,” Camilla said.

“It’s okay,” Lindsey replied. “Is everything all right? June said you were indisposed.”

“Did she now?” Camilla gave June a sharp look. “I assure you, I’m fine. I have quite a lot to do, but I wanted to take a moment to show you your rooms and talk about our arrangement.” She paused and waited for June to finish setting everything out.

June straightened up and wiped her hands on her apron. “Is there anything else you need?”

“No, that will be all,” Camilla said. “Thank you.”

With a nod, June disappeared.

Camilla waved a hand toward the table. “Help yourself.”

“Thanks.” Lindsey picked up a pastry.

“Now, I hate to start on such a serious note, but there’s a lot that we need to discuss,” Camilla said. “Firstly, house rules. June tells me she’s already shown you around. You’re free to go wherever you like, except for my rooms. They’re off limits unless you’re with me, understand?”

Lindsey nodded. Camilla’s manner suddenly reminded her of a teacher she’d had in middle school, who could turn from warm and kind to serious and stern at the flick of a switch. And if you did something to disappoint her, she became as cold as ice.

Lindsey had always liked that teacher.

“Everything in the house is at your disposal,” Camilla said. “If you need anything at all, ask June. My only request is that you treat her with respect. She’s not a servant. She’s kept this house running for the last 15 years. And it’s far too hard to find good help these days.”

“Okay,” Lindsey said.

“You’re also free to come and go as you like. If you want to go somewhere, ask June to call you a car. I’d prefer it if you let me know if you’re leaving.”

“I will.”

“I ask that you avoid leaving the grounds when we have plans to spend time together.” Camilla folded her hands in her lap. “Which brings me to our schedule. Breakfast is at 8 a.m. After breakfast, I’ll retire to my study to work, and you’ll be free to do whatever you want. Lunch is at midday. After lunch, I like to take an hour or so to relax, during which time you’ll join me. In the afternoon, I’ll return to my study until dinner. And after dinner, the evenings are for us to spend together.”

“Okay.” Lindsey was beginning to understand why Camilla’s exes had called her a control freak.

“Now, about our arrangement,” Camilla said. “If at any point you have a problem with any part of it, tell me. I don’t want you to ever feel pressured or uncomfortable. Dominant/submissive relationships are complicated enough, even without our unusual circumstances. Communication is essential.”

Lindsey nodded.

“Have you chosen your safeword?”

“Yes. Apple.”

“Good,” Camilla said. “Use it whenever you feel you need to. Even if you simply want a time out from our day-to-day routine. It’s not like I’m going to be leading you around the house on a leash, but being a submissive 24/7 can be hard. If it gets exhausting, let me know.”