Lyon on a Leash (23 page)

It’s not red, she argued in silence. “Why?” she pressed.

“I…I…never mind.” He spun around and left the room.

“Well, that was informative.” She stared at the closed door for a few seconds but the sound of an incoming e-mail drew her attention back to the monitor. It was from Julia, the woman from Marcus’ past.

I appreciate you informing me of Marcus’ changed status. I apologize and meant no disrespect. I did not know or mean to encroach. As you know, he served me for a few years and we were close. He was my friend as well as my submissive. I would like to reconnect as friends. Please give him my best wishes.

Julia

Vera read and re-read the message. “I’ll be…” The woman wanted to talk to Marcus? Is that what she meant by “reconnect”? She wondered what his real thoughts were of the woman contacting him, asking for assistance. Vera had no doubt he would have assisted the woman without blinking, if not for her. Had Marcus been sending Julia money before she became engaged? Marcus hadn’t said. Maybe that’s why he assumed he’d be paying some of Vera’s bills.

A quick look at the clock showed lunchtime was near. Maybe she’d go home and they could talk about Julia. She grabbed her purse and headed for the door. So what if she was a little early, they’d need the extra time to talk.

Marcus sat in his office, putting the finishing touches on the graphic design for his customer. He sat back and looked at the piece. In his estimation, the new logo, which featured four mythical creatures, for the engineering company was some of his best work. His chest lifted with pride as he stared at the bold design. After a moment or two he printed a few copies to mail and saved the file. The sound of the garage door opening startled him.

He stood and headed to the kitchen, his thoughts turning to what he could fix her for lunch. Smiling when she entered the door, he shut the refrigerator and held up a head of lettuce and a plastic container. “Hello, my lady. Salad with grilled chicken breasts or seafood Alfredo?”

Her smile seemed forced as she pointed to the head of lettuce.

His smile dipped as he wondered what bothered her. “Is everything all right?”

She took a seat at the granite-covered island. “I sent your former Mistress a reply.”

He nodded as he washed his hands and then retrieved the cutting board.

She told him what her initial response had been and he wasn’t surprised. He and his current Mistress were ideally suited. Neither of them shared well.

“Thank you,” he said when she paused.

Her brow lifted.

He continued gathering the ingredients for their salad.

“She replied with a back-handed apology. She said she didn’t know you were in service but still wants to be friends with you.”

He knew his Mistress wouldn’t go for that and he was glad. No matter what Julia said, she would want more. He wondered what had happened to her husband.

“Do you want to keep in contact with her, as friends, I mean?”

“No, ma’am.” He was no fool. Plus, he planned for this to be his last relationship. His friends would know Vera as his woman.

“Did you support her, financially, when you served her?”

“Yes, ma’am. I gave her money to help pay her bills.” He shrugged. It wasn’t a big deal to him. If Vera would allow him, he’d help pay her bills.

“Did you live with her?”

“No. I had my own place.”

“Was she a professional Domme?”

“No. She was lifestyle, she chose to live alone. Or have her subs come to see her. After she had the emergency and had to move away, I found out that there were three of us. That was probably the reason she wanted to live alone.”

Her brow rose. “You went for that?” Her voice raised a notch.

He understood her confusion. “I didn’t know. That’s why this time I asked up front. It’s a deal-breaker for me. If I had known then, I don’t think I would’ve allowed myself to become so attached.” The pain he’d felt at the discovery of the other men in Julia’s life had faded to a memory. But at the time he’d been devastated. When he confronted her about it, she’d downplayed the other two men, reminding him of the large amount of time he and she had spent together.

Her gaze met his. “You think she wants to hook back up with you?”

Shrugging, he took the succulent strips of grilled chicken from the microwave and placed them on top of the salad. “Don’t matter, I’m not available. I don’t plan on ever being available to anyone else again.” He slid the plate to her and grabbed the forks from the drawer.

“Oh, really?” She chuckled, picking up a piece of the chicken and popping it in her mouth.

“Really. I’m happy right where I am. I’m not going anywhere.” He hadn’t meant to sound so unyielding, but they’d been together for almost five months and he’d often wondered when she’d admit they had something special.

She snaked her arm across the counter and took his hand. “I’m glad. I wasn’t sure how this would work out. I’ve never lived with anyone before or been in a serious relationship.” Her gaze swept the kitchen and returned to his. “But I’m glad I followed through on this and met you. I needed a special person, someone who’d get me, quirks and all. I got you and damn if I’m not happy about it.” She swallowed hard, but held his gaze.

He suppressed a frown, unsettled to see her so hesitant.

“Will you wear my collar?”

He froze and then squeezed her hand, afraid to let go. The only time she’d mentioned a collar was when she’d placed the temporary one on him at the auction.

His throat tightened. He couldn’t utter a word. Instead, he walked around the counter and swept her into his trembling arms. A moment or so later, he dropped his forehead to hers and took in large gulps of air.

With a deep breath, he pulled back and slid to his knees. Clear, dark brown eyes returned his stare. He telegraphed his unfailing commitment to their bond, his respect and desire for her.

Goosebumps exploded over his flesh as she received his silent adoration.

“With honor, ma’am. It would be an honor to wear your collar.” He wrapped his arms around her waist and laid his cheek against her stomach.

Her fingers ran through his hair. Every once in a while, she scratched his scalp. “Do you mind if we forego a collaring ceremony? I’d rather we take a trip somewhere and relax,” she said.

“Whatever you want.”

Grabbing a fist full of hair, she pulled him back and looked in his face. “No, Marcus. I need to be sure what you want for this. Do you want a collaring ceremony?”

He thought about it for a moment. He’d been to a few and while it’d be nice, it wasn’t necessary, especially since she didn’t want one. “No. I just want to be marked as yours.”

She searched his eyes a few seconds more and then nodded. “Okay. I’ve been looking around and will make a decision on one soon.”

He stood, reining in his surprise that she’d been thinking about a collar for him. He’d thought the e-mail from Julia had prompted her to act. Joy suffused his heart. She’d been thinking of binding them together all along.

“That sounds good, Mistress. Do you have a preference for the type of gift I should present to you?” Although she wouldn’t wear a collar, a part of their agreement was she’d wear some token of his to show she was taken as well.

“A bracelet would be nice.” She smiled.

He’d prefer she wear his ring, but maybe later. The atmosphere in the room lightened. Even the retelling of her conversation with Brinks didn’t bring him down from the euphoric high of knowing he was to be collared.

“You think he’s tapping guys?” he asked when she’d finished.

“Not really, but I think I finally found something to goad him with. He left the room in a huff after I teased him about it.”

“He’s a dick.” Marcus removed their plates, rinsing and then stacking them into the dishwasher.

“He’s something,” she said from behind him. Her hand rested on the top of his neck. He dropped his head forward. Her other hand reached around the front of him, grabbed his awakening manhood, and squeezed.

He moaned at the sensation.

He felt her breasts to his back, flush against him. His breath hitched as her other hand pinched his hardened nipples.

“Yes,” he whispered.

“Yes?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He let his head fall back.

Her voice dropped to a naughty whisper that never failed to make him hard as steel. “You’re mine, Marcus. Whatever you need, I’ll give it to you.” Her warm breath brushed against his ear as she continued to stroke him.

He tried to speak around the pleasure building inside. But her words, coupled with her actions, were more potent than anything he’d ever experienced.

“This is all mine. Nod if you understand.”

His balls were tightening. Everything zeroed in on the pulsing of his dick. Somehow, he managed something that must’ve passed as a nod, although he wasn’t sure.

“Good.” She released him and he almost cried. But they’d been here before and he knew he had to wait. He took in large gulps of air as she slid from behind him and walked to face him. It took a moment for him to bring his body under control, but when he could breathe normally he opened his eyes.

With an enraptured look on her face, she traced his lips, cheeks, and forehead. “You are so handsome, my lion.”

His heartbeat accelerated as she stepped closer. He felt her breath on his neck as her fingers traced his collarbone.

A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “My collar will rest here, close to your heart. Do you understand what that means, Marcus?”

Something in her eyes made him hesitate. He was unsure if they had the same understanding of what being collared meant. His first Mistress had placed a collar on him the first week and he’d accepted it meant he was to serve her alone. But she’d hidden the fact she had other men in her life. He didn’t want anything unclear between them.

“I have a limited understanding.” He widened his stance as her hand trailed down his stomach to hold him again.

The warmth of her hand seeped through the fabric of his shorts. His breathing slowed as she slid her hand up and down his hardness. Lost in spiraling emotions, he almost missed her next words.

“For us, it will solidify our relationship. Once collared, I want you to call me by my name. I like the way it sounds when you say it. You’ll call me Mistress on special occasions.”

He nodded, unable to speak as his heartbeat sped and his balls tightened.

“I will belong to you just as you belong to me. I give you pleasure, just like you give me pleasure. I’ve got your back, Marcus. You’re mine alone.” She licked his closed lips and then suckled the bottom one.

Her hand stopped.

His body vibrated with the force of his desire. He groaned with blind need.

She dropped to her knees, pulling his shorts down. A moment later, she kissed his swollen tip. Holding the smooth head of his rod lightly between her lips, she sucked gently. Her fingertips ran up and down his smooth shaft, tracing the veins and ridges. His body jerked when her teeth grazed him.

Dazed, he floated on wings of unparalleled pleasure. His thighs twitched in anticipation. Muscles bunched as he fought the raging desire to move. He whimpered, clenching his hands at his sides as she sucked him harder, deeper.

She ran her tongue and teeth over his skin. His stomach muscles danced and quivered as the fire raged within. She spent a moment on the part just underneath the head, tonguing the crease of his glans.

He trembled, fighting with everything in him to not give into the urge to pump into her mouth. Sweat poured down his neck. His chest heaved as though he’d run a mile. His fists clenched and unclenched as though he could grab time and slow it down. He wanted this exquisite feeling to last.

Mmmm…” she moaned.

The sound vibrated all the way up his cock, shredding his composure. He wasn’t sure if it was the collar, or the knowledge of their relationship becoming closer, but his vaunted control slipped. With each suckle on his cock she pulled him closer to the edge of a volcanic eruption. Everything he wanted was in this woman and she was on her knees, dressed in a navy blue power suit, blowing him in the middle of the day. That bit of knowledge shoved him over the edge.

“Arrgh!” he screamed as his cock erupted. His body arched and then bowed. By some miracle he remained on his feet. He shuddered through his release. A watery film covered his eyes. His hands had reached behind him and clamped on to the countertop. His mind whirled in disbelief. He’d come without permission. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d done that.

He felt rather than saw her stand. He wanted to apologize for his lapse, but lacked the strength. Through hooded lids he watched her brush her pant legs. A smug grin hovered around her lips. She reached down, pulled up his shorts, and patted her lips.

“Mmmm…thanks for lunch.” Standing on tiptoes, she placed a kiss on his lips and stepped back. “That was tasty and just what I needed to make it through the rest of the day.” She slapped his ass, grabbed her purse, and left him stunned.