Tough Love

Part 18

The Next week...

You were in your office, working and smiling like an idiot. Thankful that you worked in a cubicle so no one else would be giving you weird looks at how happy you were. Replaying things from the previous weekend, as you took a second to take a sip of water. Glancing at the time markings that were along the side of it to make sure you were drinking just enough water throughout the hour. Knowing that Paul would want to get an update on the water intake and food eventually.

You had thought it was odd at first, but when you had talked it through with him a sense of relief washed over you. Just for the fact that someone was looking out for you even with something so miniscule as your food and water intake.

Your phone dinged, as you glanced down to see who was texting you. The phone number sends your thoughts south.

"How are we doing today?" it simply read as you started typing quickly.

"I'm good, trying to stay on task at work. And I've been drinking my water and eating snacks. How are you doing?" you sent, wondering if he was going to open up in that regard, since you started googling when you got home this morning to change before leaving for work. And depending on the dynamic there were cases where some doms didn't seem comfortable in opening up.

"I'm good, going into a meeting about futuring tour prospects. And yet my head can't help replaying the weekend's events. It was fun. Can't wait to do it again next weekend," the text read, as you smiled typing back.

"Who said anything about waiting until the weekend? I could come over tonight," you suggested, seeing the text bubbles pop up as he started typing.

"I think I speak for both of us when I say we both need a break or else we'll both have rug burns. How about I take you out on Friday night? Start the weekend out the right way? Nothing complicated. Just dinner and drinks?" he asked, as you narrowed your eyes at that, remembering the dating clause that he had added to the contract that was all about consent and what they both were interested in. And he had wanted more physical dates, wanted to know more about her.

Which still struck her as odd in the realm of the dynamic that they were in. Didn't seem like the norm. But that's what he wanted and you did like to talk to him.

You typed away, adding a smiley emoji confirming the date for Friday, and set your phone back on the desk as it vibrated from another text message.

"Alright i'll see you friday. But that doesn't mean we still can have some fun, since you brought it up during the week," he had texted, getting your hopes up about going over to his house again, as you continued to read the text.

"There's just other ways about doing that though, if you're interested," he continued the text and put a winking emoji as you were seeing the texting bubbles come back up.

And suddenly a picture popped up on his end. So quickly that it flashed up on the screen that your first instinct was to slam your phone face down back onto the desk, feeling your face heat up.

You got up, rushing to the bathroom, taking your phone with you, putting it in your pocket.

Opening the door to the bathroom and then one of the closest stalls. Clicking your phone back on and hesitantly clicking the messages app. And scrolling down to the photo that he had sent. You sighed, almost losing your balance as the relief of nothing being sent an unsolicited dick pic with no warning as you had been sent years prior with other guys washed over you.

You looked at the photo and it was just a selfie that he had sent you. Looking at collected and put together in comparison to yourself.

Before getting to the office today, you tried to have a semblance of looking put together. Wearing jeans and a nice blouse and a cardigan over that since it got cold in the office from time to time. With your hair up in a ponytail.

You smiled at the innocent selfie but you had a feeling if you had prodded him that he would send more un-pg rated ones.

You immediately texted back.

"God and here I thought I was going to be getting something else instead of that," you replied back.

And the response you got back simply said.

"Why would I do that, that's for when you get home of course, have a good day at work. I'll talk to you later," he said, making your mind go in all different directions. Slipping your phone into your pocket, you went to flush the toilet to make it seem like you were a weirdo that was just standing in a stall texting this man.

Coming out of the stall, you washed your hands and took a second to look into the mirror at your reflection. Your face was slightly red. You got a paper towel and wetted it under the skin and pressed the wet material against your neck in an attempt to calm your face down. Since you couldn't touch your face with it without getting your makeup ruined in the process.

Taking a couple of calming breaths, you threw the paper towel in the trash and exited the bathroom and went back to your desk.

Your phone vibrated in your pocket, as you grabbed it and looked down at the notification.

"Make sure you drink enough water and eat lunch. If you don't you won't be getting any pictures tonight, and I'll start the count for the week. And our innocent dinner date on friday won't be so innocent," the text read as you grabbed for the water bottle, and started chugging at it. Not realizing that in doing so how much better you were feeling as you drank the water. Putting the water bottle down and clicking it into place as you narrowed your eyes on your phone.

'Well apparently we know what is going to be getting me to stay on track with everything," you grumbled at his effectiveness, as you went back to work on your laptop. Keeping in mind to take sips of the water here and there. And taking a picture at the halfway mark and then when it was empty and then where you refilled it again. Sending all the photos to Paul, and setting your phone down again, as your email dinged pulling you away from your thoughts.

***

You got home, take-out bag in one hand and your purse in another as you set your purse on the hook. And then put the takeout bag on the table. You went to the fridge to grab a bottle of wine and pour yourself a glass to have with dinner. Opening up the containers and turning on your television, settling in for a relaxing evening. When your phone vibrated, and you took it out of your pants pocket and clicked the messaging app.

"So are you home?" The text read as you smiled coyly, and got an idea as you leaned back against the couch, undoing a couple buttons on your button-down shirt you wore to work today, revealing just a hint of your bra.

Clicking the photo, you sent it to Paul with the attached message of "yes, and I'm just about to get comfortable," you typed and sent the message, setting your phone next to you and going through the takeout container to find a fork and dig into the food while watching reality tv show. Just waiting for a response from Paul.

Which didn't come for a bit, you had figured he was getting settled from the day as well. Your phone vibrated as you were elbow deep into some chow mein, setting your fork down and clicking on the message app.

"Well, seems like you could be more comfortable in a different way," with a photo attached of what looked like one of the restraints in his hands. And from the vantage point you got a good view of him wearing those lounge pants low on his hips in his bedroom. That in combination with the restraints your mind was spinning.

"I guess that would be more comfortable," you texted back

"What are you doing right now?" he texted back as you straightened up on the couch.

"Do you really want to know what I'm doing? Or just an illusion of something else?" you questioned

"Really what are you doing? Because I'm just getting ready to go to bed and watch some tv," he replied back.

"Funny thing, because I'm eating Chinese food right now, and watching a crappy reality tv show, then it's off to take a shower and bed," she replied as all she got in reply was a winky emoji.

"Enjoy your food and your crappy reality tv show, I'll text you in the morning, good night," he texted back as you smiled.

"You too, good night," you replied, trying to deny the feeling about getting a good night text felt as you smiled, putting the phone down and going back to your Chinese food and leaning back into the couch cushions.