Everything He Wants (22 page)

I frowned at the papers, immediately reminded of the ones I'd seen him sorting through on the kitchen counter.
It's a script.
It had to be. I'd read about scripts before, or couples planning out scenes. In fact, Jake and I had planned a few already. But when a third party was involved, a script would've definitely made it easier to keep track of who was supposed to do what.

Jake looked down at me as we stood a few feet apart. Assured I could stand on my own, Trevor and Samuel released me and stepped to either side of us, taking on a pose very similar to Jake's.

"On your knees," Jake ordered, gesturing to the space at his feet where a towel had been folded for my comfort.

I furrowed my brow and did as he asked, kneeling before him with my head bowed. I placed my hands behind my back. Someone moved. There was no way for me to tell, for certain, if it was Jake who had moved, or one of the other two Doms joining us.

I closed my eyes and eased my breathing as I listened to the movement around me. I was used to Jake's intimidation, but this time, he didn't circle me. He stayed perfectly still.

"Trevor and Samuel are here tonight to witness something I've never had the opportunity to do myself," Jake said, grabbing my attention. He took a step toward me and lifted my chin. "Kira, open your eyes."

I met his gaze, and as it softened, I started to relax.

"You kept asking me earlier what was wrong." He shook his head. "It's not so much what's wrong but rather what's missing. I'm sure by now you've noticed how empty the room is, but it's for a good reason."

I looked to Trevor and Samuel again as each one stood at my sides. Like before, they didn't speak, bowing their heads as Jake continued.

"Not once has a sub ever obeyed me the way you have. Nor has she ever claimed my heart. But you, Kira, you do this and so much more every single day. Are you uncomfortable?"

"Yes, Master."

"Then let us continue." He nodded to both Trevor and Samuel as one of them went to stand beside him. Jake passed the flogger to Samuel and reached behind him for the stack of papers before turning back toward me. "Kira, do you know what the meaning of a collaring is?"

I thought back on the things I'd read, but shook my head. "I'm sorry, Master, but no, I don't think I do."

"You've seen the piece of jewelry Marisa wears around her neck at all times, have you not?"

I hadn't really thought about it until now, but I did remember seeing some silver around her neck. "Yes, Master."

"That isn't an ordinary necklace. It's a collar—a symbol of her obedience to Devlin and his bond to her. In a way, it's very similar to a wedding ring. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Master."

"The reason I had Trevor and Samuel come here tonight is so we have witnesses. Some choose to do this in private, but I feel it's better if someone accompanies us. Sadly, Marisa was unavailable. She would've loved to have been here as well."

She's probably not coming because you still haven't told Jake that you're—

"Kira?"

I looked up at him. "Hmm?"

"Pay attention. I'm only going to say this once."

"Sorry, Master."

"Trevor, if you would be so kind."

Trevor dug into his pocket and handed Jake a length of braided leather, which Jake then held between us.

"Do you recognize this?" Jake asked, holding the collar so I could see.

It may have had a few things added to it, but yes, I recognized it. In fact, it was one of the collars I'd made to accompany a mask, then lost.
Well, I guess I know where that went.

"I hope you don't mind," Jake said, "but I added a few things to make it more personal."

I inspected the dark leather and the silver clasps at the back. The front held a tag with a three-pointed Celtic knot on it. "And this symbol, Master...what's it for?"

"What I require of you. Many years ago, when  a couple would marry, the vows included to love, honor and obey. Sadly, over the years, the requirement of obedience was removed from those vows. However, to obey is a large part of what we do, and because of that, we've reverted to the old vows." He got a distant look on his face and sniffed sharply before he continued. "By accepting this collar, you vow to love, honor, and obey me. And by giving it to you, I promise to protect, cherish, and respect you. I shall never ask you to change who you are, though I may shape you into who you might become. Do you understand?"

The backs of my eyes stung, and I swallowed hard.
He's asking you to commit to him.
I couldn't believe it.
Technically, you already have.
We hadn't even talked about marriage yet, and while I was sure it would be a hot topic once he found out I was pregnant, I hadn't even—

"Kira, there you go again."

"Sorry, Master. It's just that..."
Keep it together, Kira.
I couldn't. Not when he was pledging his vows to me and I hadn't been honest with him.

Sensing I was overwhelmed, Jake gestured for Trevor and Samuel to take a few steps back. He set the collar and his papers on the floor, then knelt in front of me. He lifted my chin and wiped the tears from my face before drawing me into his arms.

"I didn't mean to spring this on, and I'm sorry if it feels like I have," Jake said. "We can wait. I just thought—"

"No," I said, clinging to him. "It isn't anything you've done, Master. It's...I..."

So much for whatever's written on those pages.
No doubt I'd interrupted some elaborate speech he’d planned.

I couldn't breathe, and the lump in my throat made it damn near impossible to swallow. But Jake was patient, sitting with me until I'd calmed.

Lowering my voice, I spoke the one word I never wanted him to hear. "Pregnant."

He scooped me up in his arms, and just like that, the tension in his shoulders lifted. He sighed, likely around his relief, as he rocked me. "That's wonderful news," he said, almost crying. "When? How long?" He placed a hand on my stomach even though there wasn't anything there.
Yet.

He didn't ask how it was possible or why the birth control hadn't worked. He wasn't upset. He was...happy.

I wiped at my eyes and leaned back so I could look at him. "You...you aren't mad?"

"Mad?" He almost laughed. "Why would I be mad?"

"Because I...I was on the pill and—"

"It's just a precaution, but it isn't preventative. How long have you known?"

Realizing it was safe to join us again, Trevor and Samuel returned to their places as we spoke.

Nausea crept up the back of my throat, which I quickly forced back down. "A few days."

"And Marisa?"

I nodded. "She knows too."

"Is that why you went to see her today?"

"No. I actually went to see the doctor today. I saw Marisa earlier this week." I bowed my head. "I'm sorry I didn't say anything sooner. I wanted to be sure, but when I got home, you were so excited for tonight that I—"

"That you pushed it to the side." He nodded. "So, that stomach bug?"

"Morning sickness."

"I see." Jake cleared his throat and got back to his feet. "Well then, that's reason enough for a celebration."

I shivered when he picked the collar off the floor.

"Are you okay to continue?" Jake asked, unable to hide the joy and relief in his voice.

"I am, Master."

He rolled his shoulders back and tried to give me the sternest look he could manage, which wasn't very effective at all. I tried not to laugh. "Do you promise to love, honor, and obey so long as this bond remains?"

"Yes, Master." He glanced at my stomach, likely thinking of the bond we'd share once the baby arrived. "Bow your head."

I did, trembling as much from his delicate touch on my skin as the amount of time I'd spent on my knees. He kissed the back of my neck. Behind my ear. Then, very gently, he fastened the collar around my neck, smiling when I finally looked up at him. Jake held out his hand to Samuel, taking the flogger away from him before stepping behind me. 

He unhooked my hands and pressed his palm against my back, straightening my posture before hitting the flogger on either of my shoulders. He then passed it over to Samuel, who did the same thing before leaving Trevor to apply the final strokes to my back.

"You may rise now," Jake said once he was in front of me again.

Trevor and Samuel supported me as I was overcome with emotion. The collar suddenly felt too tight. The room too small. But slowly, I got my feet under me and managed to take a handful of shaky breaths.

"This was your plan all along, wasn't it, Master?" I asked, eying the papers Jake left on the floor.

"What part?" He picked them up and set them back on the table.

"The ball. The masks..." I touched a finger to my collar. "This."

"I'd be lying if I told you it wasn't. But much like how you could pick me out of three Doms, I can't miss spotting you in another room, across the street, or demoing in
The Limelight.
This is the life I wanted...have wanted for a very long time. A sub's never taken my heart the way you have, and unlike the man you thought I once was, this right here..." He hooked his fingers under my collar and pulled me into his arms. "This is what I value most. And that's why I've decided to sell the estate."

I coughed as heat brushed my cheeks. "You're...selling it? How? Why?" I looked to Trevor and Samuel who were as calm about it as Jake was. "Where will you go?"
Where will we live?

"I've already gotten an offer. It's going to stay in the family." He smiled at our guests. "It'll be used for local demos and events. I figure there are more than enough rooms to please most of the community."

"But what about your things?"

"They're just things, Kira. I actually like the cozy set up you have back at your apartment."

"You...you would do that?"

He offered me a partial shrug. "I technically already have. Besides, asking you to move into a place such as this, when not even two people can make it a home, is wrong. You have a home, and if you'll have me, I'd like to have a place inside it."

Maybe it was the hormones, or everything hitting all at once, but my knees buckled, and I lowered to the floor. I couldn't hold back the tears anymore, and I didn't have to. Jake knelt in front of me and cupped my face, kissing me on the lips as tears streamed down my face.

"Kira, will you do this for me?"

"For you, Master, I will."

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E
rin’s a huge fan of second chances and all things paranormal. But when it comes to writing, her real passion lies in heroes that aren’t over the top and feisty heroines able to hold their own.

When she isn't writing, Erin enjoys hiking, binge watching an entire series on Netflix, and playing video games with her husband.

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