“I agree,” Martha stated firmly.

She lifted her hair and shifted the weight of it as David latched the choker necklace around her neck. She touched her chest and smiled up at him. While she couldn’t actually see the pendant, she knew what hung there – a four pointed star. He, she had told him, was her guiding star and she wanted that symbol to be paramount in their new relationship. Each point held a meaning: Love, Respect, Commitment, Honesty.

“It’s beautiful,” he said as she stood back to look at her. “Are you sure it’s discrete enough?”

“I am, David. No one but us will know its significance. I wear necklaces often and like to stack them, so wearing this one daily won’t raise any eyebrows with my friends or at work,” she assured him. “Besides if anyone asks about it, I’ll tell them the truth. I wear it because it’s my favorite.”

“Good. In that case, I’ll start.”

David opened a file folder and looked over the printing on the heavy parchment paper. He nodded, then read: “As your Dominant, I promise to

• always be honest with you in all things, although I reserve the right to keep information to myself as long as it does not affect our sessions or commitment to each other.
• keep you safe to the best of my ability.
• set reasonable expectations which we have both agreed to
• never issue a punishment in anger, only as a form of discipline.
• clearly state if a session is for play or discipline
• keep my expectations of your behavior and mine high
• push your limits
• always respect your safeword of “Bubbles.”

Martha sighed with relief. They had been discussing and negotiating the terms of commitment for a week, and she wasn’t sure what his final promise would be. Everything he had just stated, however, met with her approval.

She nodded and said, “I accept your promise.”

She then opened her own folder and began to read from her parchment. “As your submissive, I promise to

• always be honest and forthcoming with you about all things regarding our relationship
• abide by the rules we both agree upon to the best of my ability
• accept your discipline with grace when I fail to abide by the rules
• use my safeword of “Bubbles” if I have a question, need a break, or need to stop a session.
• I will never use my safeword frivolously.”

David raised her chin with a finger and kissed her. “Now,” he said, “for our beginning rules

1. Both parties agree to speak to and of the other with respect at all times.
2. Martha will submit herself to David no less than once a week for maintenance.
3. Martha will wear no panties while in David’s company.
4. David will arrive home by 6:00 p.m. each work night or let Martha know if he will be late.
5. Martha will be home to greet David each work night or let him know if she will be late.
6. Martha will accept any training David proposes sans items listed on her Hard No list.”

Martha nodded and stated, “I agree to every one of the six initial rules. did you decide on your Dominant name or will I simply refer to as ‘David’?”

“Yes, refer to me as either ‘David’ or Sir. Let’s keep it simple and easy to remember for now. For you, though, if I am initiating a session, I’ll refer to you as Martha May.”

Martha wrinkled her nose, always having hated the name, but agreed. Besides, maybe this would help her to look forward to hearing her name blended with that of her mother’s.

“Ready for your first session, Martha May?”

“I am, sir. I am!”