I quickly decided to clean the house and then shop for dinner. I had some recipes that were standbys that I knew people liked and I could execute well. I went shopping for what I needed. On my way home I got a text from Julie.
"There is a package in my driveway. Pick it up. Don't open it. Have it available at dinner."
I picked up the package from her drive. No real clue as to what it was. I went in and started prepping the meal. I took time to trim my beard and make sure I was dressed as best I could and left the front door cracked open. I was just putting flowers on the table when the front door opened and Julie walked in. Wow. Normally she is very understated. She still was, but there was an edge to her look tonight. Instead of her business suits that I normally saw, she had on a cocktail dress that really looked good. Deep back, just below the knee length, nice open toed heels. More makeup than she normally wore. She walked in and inspected. She looked over the dining room table set for two, walked through the kitchen (thankfully I had prepped and cleaned so there weren't any dishes) and finally came back and looked me up and down and finally smiled.
"Well done." She said. She picked up the wine bottle and read the label and nodded approvingly. She sat at the table, and I poured her a glass of wine. I went to the kitchen and brought back a tray of crudites and appetizers. She pointed at a few things, and I put them on a plate for her.
We talked about her house projects, her travel, my hobbies. Just the usual conversation over dinner, but the tension was thick enough to cut. We were comfortable together from all our time together as neighbors and friends, but there was more to this evening and we both felt it. Finally, I cleared the table and filled the dishwasher and Julie had taken her wine and was sitting in the living in a comfortable chair. She had pushed the coffee table off to the side so that there was open space in the middle of the room.
She looked at me and held up one finger. The sign for "pay attention" from Ms. Elle X. I stood still and focused on her. She put her finger to her lips, the sign for "listen and don't talk".
"Dinner was wonderful. The wine was an excellent choice. I am really pleased with your efforts. I've been thinking a lot about what I want from you."
She pointed at a spot about 3 feet in front of her and then made a gesture straight down with two fingers extended. The signs for "come here' and "kneel"
I knelt at the spot in front of her. She spread her fingers so I opened my legs. I put my hands on my thighs and lowered my gaze to her feet. I knelt in silence for many minutes. Julie just sipped her wine and looked at me.
"When I am traveling I want you to be available for service every day. When I am home I want you to be available whenever I call. I know you have clients and appointments so you will make your online calendar accessible to me. Clear?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"No. Yes Goddess is the appropriate reply"
"Yes Goddess".
"Good. Now go get the package"
I got up and got the package and a small knife. I came back and knelt in the same spot and placed the package before her feet.