Her nipples tightened, her pussy contracted and her breathing got heavier. She knew her voice would give her away and was proud of it.
“You, Sir. All of you. Always.”
Yes, always. Whatever doubts she might have had last summer, were gone now. She knew she’d found her place. She was sure she belonged here, with Jason, at his feet when he ordered her there, shoulder to shoulder as they managed The Blowhole.
“And what do you offer in return?”
She was sure nobody else had noticed it, but she had. His voice wasn’t as stern and controlled as he would like it to be. For once he wasn’t in complete control of his inner Dom. Joy filled her. The effect she had on this man would never cease to amaze her.
“All of me, Sir. Today, tomorrow and forever. My love, my devotion, my submission, my body, my mind, my heart and my soul.”
It was harder than usual to keep her gaze lowered. She wanted to look at him. Search his eyes to see if the emotions rushing through her were mirrored there. She needed to know what he thought of her outfit. She’d hesitated before settling on the white corset-dress. Was white too much? Would he understand what her choice meant?
“Do you accept mine in return? My love, my devotion, my dominance, my body, my mind, my heart and my soul? Today, tomorrow and forever?”
God, yes. She still couldn’t understand how she’d gotten this lucky. To find a perfect partner once was special. To find one again was more than she’d believed possible. There’d been no second thoughts. Of course they’d had their moments but she’d never considered leaving. The house in Dublin was up for sale. And, much to her surprise, she didn’t mind. She’d been happy there with Darren but that part of her life was over and she didn’t need the house to hang on to her memories. They were safe in a secure part of her heart, where they’d live forever, while Jason and she created new ones of their own.
“I do, Sir. And I’ll treasure them as I treasure you.”
She heard him approach and resisted the temptation to look. She wanted this moment to be perfect. His shoes entered her field of vision, his lower legs in leather trousers. Her Dom stopped in front of her. His hand was on her head, stroking her hair.
“Look at me, Heather.”
The love glowing in his eyes still took her by surprise. He’d been quick to recognize his feelings for her. It had taken her longer. She couldn’t remember the exact moment she’d admitted she loved him too. Maybe the feeling had been there from the start, just as it had been for Jason. It made sense she’d needed more time to accept the feeling. There’d been a few weeks when she’d worried her feelings for him might be less strong than his for her. Jason had laughed when she’d shared her fear. “I love enough for both of us,” he’d told her. “I know you’re mine, even if you’re not sure yet. Your eyes and your body don’t lie.”
His eyes didn’t lie either. She could lose herself in them.
“Are you ready to accept my collar?”
She hadn’t expected to hear nerves in his voice. Did he think she’d change her mind? Now?
“I am, Sir. I’m ready to accept your collar. I want to be yours.”
“Look.”
The sight took her breath away. Tears sprang into her eyes. She looked from the collar to his eyes and back again. She’d never seen a collar like this. It appeared to be made of something like chain mail and… She couldn’t believe her eyes. Every chain had a colored bead inserted.
“You got me a rainbow.”
He twisted the collar, revealing the little golden ring attached to it.
“My wedding ring?”
Tears were streaming down her face. If she’d had any doubts about this decision, they would have disappeared now. This man knew her so well. He got how she worked, knew her love for Darren took nothing away from her feelings for him. He’d accepted and wanted all of her, past, present and future. And they were his. She was his. She’d spend the rest of her life next to him and be grateful for the precious gift he was. Every single moment.
Her tears worried him until he saw her smile. She was fine. They were good. He’d made the right decision. He still couldn’t believe his luck. He’d known they were good together from the moment she’d decided to stay. Just as he’d been sure she wouldn’t leave him any time soon. But he hadn’t known if she’d ever be ready to commit again. She’d done it once and losing her man had nearly broken her. He wouldn’t have blamed her if she’d refused to take the risk again and. Yet here she was, dedicating herself to him and accepting him in return. He was the luckiest man in the world.
“Yes. Your wedding ring. I hope you don’t mind.”
It had been a risk, taking the ring from her jewelry box. She hadn’t put it back on her finger after that weekend. For a while she’d worn it on a chain around her neck then it had disappeared completely. He’d never asked about it and she’d never told him why she’d made the decision. The ring hadn’t bothered him. He’d no problem with her past. He was sure he would have liked her Darren if he’d ever met him and felt nothing but gratitude for the man who’d seen and developed in Heather that which he’d been too blind to recognize when he was younger. Whatever way he looked at it, the conclusion was always the same. If it hadn’t been for Darren, she would never have ended up here with him.
“No, I don’t mind at all.”
Tears were still glistening in her eyes.
“But, are you sure you want a constant reminder of my past attached to the collar you’ve picked for me?”
He smiled. They were breaking protocol now. They’d planned the whole scene. Like a wedding ceremony but different. Of course she hadn’t known about his ideas for her collar. Just as he had been kept in the dark about her outfit. He couldn’t believe their ideas had been this similar. The ring, even if it wasn’t his, and her white dress. This might not be an official marriage, but it was as close as they’d get without the paperwork.
“Heather, the past made you who you are. If it wasn’t for your past, we wouldn’t be here together. I want all of you and that includes the past.”
He bent his knees and got down, bringing his face close to hers. This was just for them.
“I know you love Darren, that you’ll always love Darren. I also know you love me and hope you will love me for the rest of our lives. Your love isn’t fickle. It is a gift you give forever. I want your gift. I’m proud you think I’m worthy of it and can only hope I won’t betray your trust.”
“Sir. Jason, I have no doubts. My love is yours to keep. Your love is more than I expected to find. You are my rainbow. I’ll be proud to wear yours.”
Something slotted into place when he put the collar around her neck. When the little lock clicked shut, he knew more than just a collar had been secured. This was the woman who’d shown him who he truly was, and now she would be around to remind him every single day of his life. At last, at the age of forty-three, he’d arrived where he was supposed to be, living the life he was supposed to live with the woman who was supposed to be his.
Taking her hand, he helped her up and captured her mouth for a long and deep kiss. He laughed at the excited yelp when he gave her arse a firm smack. Looking around at his friends, employees and colleagues he couldn’t suppress his triumphant grin.
“Let the party begin.”
Also available from Totally Bound Publishing:
Dominion: The Ultimatum
Katy Swann
Excerpt
Chapter One
The long, sweeping drive leading up to the enormous house was impressive, and Frankie silently—and grudgingly—admitted to herself that Morgan Manor was stunning. The extensive grounds were laid with lush green lawns, and age-old oaks proudly lined the gravel drive.
As the car crunched closer toward the house, she stared in awe at the imposing mansion looming in front of them. She wasn’t an expert, but she guessed it must be at least four or five hundred years old, maybe more, and would probably have been a significant stately home at one time. Large leaded windows, encased in thick, stone arched frames, glistened in the late afternoon sunshine and little ornate gargoyles grinned cheekily down at them from lichen-stained buttresses.
She glanced quickly across at Jake as she climbed out of the car and was slightly unnerved by the solemn expression on his face. He was normally quite easy to read but now she had no idea what was on his mind. His silence added to the subdued sounds of the countryside, with only a few birds letting her know that she hadn’t lost the use of her ears.
Jake took her arm and led her toward the house. She didn’t know why, but she had the distinct feeling that this house was hiding some secrets. Secrets that she’d bet Jake knew about but wasn’t telling her.
What’s he up to?
They climbed the stone steps leading up to a heavy, oak door and, just as they approached the top step, the door opened and an impeccably groomed doorman stepped aside to allow them entry. “Good afternoon, Sir,” he said to Jake, and bowed slightly.
Frankie scowled. How rude of him not to address her as well.
Jake nodded at the doorman as he led them across an enormous hallway toward an antique desk discreetly placed near a grand piano. The only sound came from the old creaking floorboards and the crackle of an open fire on the other side of the spacious hall. The burning wood, mixed with the smell of beeswax and furniture polish, added to the calm, but slightly austere, ambiance of the grand hall.
When they reached the desk, a tall, elegant lady emerged from behind a door and greeted them with a friendly smile.
“Jake. How nice to see you again.” The lady’s voice was warm as she shook Jake’s hand before turning her gaze to Frankie. “And you must be Francesca.”
“Frankie.
Mrs.
Hamilton,” snapped Frankie. She was aware that Jake had stayed at the hotel for one of his writing workshops recently, but still, she wasn’t impressed by this woman’s over-familiarity. She thought this was supposed to be a classy establishment?
The lady ignored Frankie’s clipped tone and handed Jake a card. “Sign this please.”
As Jake checked them in, the lady turned back to Frankie. “I’m Cleo, manager of the East Wing.”
Frankie frowned. “The East Wing?”
“That’s where all the fun happens at weekends.” She winked in an almost conspiratorial way then turned her attention back to Jake, who had finished signing the necessary paperwork.
“James will take you to your room now. Welcome drinks will be served at six o’clock in the drawing room. Please be prompt. In the meantime, feel free to make the most of our facilities.” Cleo nodded at an older man dressed as an old-fashioned butler, who politely bowed and took their bags.
As soon as they were alone in their room, Frankie shrugged her coat off and looked around. The room was enormous, with a large bay window at one end and a stone fireplace at the other. A bigger than average four-poster bed dominated the room, its bedspread and cushions matching the heavy curtains framing the windows.
Frankie’s eyes were immediately drawn to a very expensive-looking desk against the far wall and her mind wandered to the small laptop she’d secretly hidden in her bag before they’d left. If she could persuade Jake to disappear for a while, she might be able to finish the report she was working on.
Fixing a smile on her face she turned to Jake. “Why don’t you go down for a swim while I unpack? I assume there’s a pool?”
To her surprise, though, Jake shook his head and crossed his arms firmly across his chest. “I don’t think so,” he said in a low voice. “I thought we agreed—no work this weekend?”
“No. You decided. I didn’t agree.”
She turned her back on him to find her bag.
Let him sulk.
If he really was so fucking adamant that she stayed in this stuffy old place, he could at least allow her an hour or two to finish her work.
Jake suddenly grabbed her by the shoulders, swung her round to face him and pushed her hard against the door. She gasped, completely thrown off guard. He held her in place with a steely grip. Then he reached up, took her chin firmly in his free hand and forced her to look at him.
Outrage exploded deep inside her, but before she had a chance to express it, he clamped his lips down hard on hers and forced his tongue into her mouth. Her first instinct was to struggle, but as that was futile she remained completely immobile under his iron grip.
Then, to her horror, an old familiar heat ignited between her legs and she weakened as Jake continued to take what he wanted from her. The kiss was anything but gentle, and Frankie knew, with a sinking feeling, what that meant. Jake was in Dom mode and, damn, she was responding.
No, no, no. I can’t—won’t submit again
. But she couldn’t deny the dull ache in her pussy and her legs trembled slightly with the realization that she was enjoying Jake’s rough treatment of her.
Suddenly, though, just as quickly as he’d grabbed her, he let go again, leaving her standing unsteady and speechless by the door, her lips swollen and her eyes filled with tears. Jake towered silently over her, his eyes burning with raw emotion.
“I said no work this weekend. I want your undivided attention—and your complete surrender.” His voice was gravelly and dangerous when he finally spoke.
That was when it dawned on her that she’d been set up. This was no ordinary hotel. He’d lured her here under the pretense of a romantic weekend, but she knew that when he demanded her surrender like that, he had anything but romance in mind.
Anger simmered deep inside her as his words echoed in her ears. “You bastard,” she hissed. She pushed him roughly away from her then stormed toward a door she assumed led to the bathroom. But just as she reached out for the handle, Jake grabbed her from behind and practically threw her onto the bed. Without a word, he pinned her down with one hand while he pulled her skirt unceremoniously up over her thighs.
Frankie was so shocked, she didn’t react at first. Was he going to force himself on her? He’d never done that before, even when they’d been in the most intense stage of their D/s relationship. She whimpered as he pulled her knickers down just far enough for him to gain access to her pussy, and when he parted her legs and thrust two fingers deep inside her, she cried out in dismay and lust.