Mine (10 page)

She shook her head, trying to absorb everything. Steven had been behind this? Why? But the more she thought of it, the more she realized she didn't care. Steven was nothing to her—he was her past. Dmitri was her future. “I thought you only wanted a D/s relationship.”

“Presley.” He frowned deeply at her. “What did I tell you when I first collared you?”

She recalled his exact words, touching the diamonds on her neck. “Together, we're better, aren't we?”

He lifted her chin with his finger, his smoky eyes reaching right into the depths of her. His finger followed hers along the diamond choker. “What does this symbolize?”

“That I'm yours.”

“Yes,
mine.
And what is mine—what is special to me—I protect at all costs. Sadly, silence was the way to protect you.
”
Without any warning he kissed her, hard and demanding, pouring all of his emotions into the kiss.

And she fell into him, into his love.

Dmitri inhaled the warmth of emotions surrounding him, bringing forth the balmy touch of happiness. He'd gone through struggles in his life. He suffered through the confusing years before he'd come to understand himself as a Dominant. Then he'd endured the loneliness after Charles had died. Everything he'd gone through brought forth the drive to do right by others. Each step he'd taken in life was because of someone else. Even putting Club Sin into Miles's hands was for Presley.

Now he acted only for himself, and that refreshed him.

His fingers tightened around Presley's face through his kiss. Her mouth followed him in urgency to be claimed. Each swipe of his tongue against hers hardened his cock further, pushing his desire to possess her to the forefront.

She moaned into his mouth and wiggled her pelvis against his swollen dick, and he groaned. Overwhelmed by the sheer love he had for her, he broke the kiss, breathless, as was she. He saw the joy in her eyes as he brushed his fingers over her cheek. That gave him more fulfillment than he thought he was due.

He remembered the other thing they had to do tonight. But in the end, his needs won. He wouldn't wait for what he wanted any longer. “I must have you.” For the first time ever, even if Presley didn't know it, he was putting her above everyone else. And at the same time, he was also putting
his
desires first, rather than someone else's. “We don't have much time,” he told her, dragging his thumb over her parted damp lips. “Others will be here soon.”

“I don't care.” She leaned into him, offering herself for his pleasure. “I need you now more than ever. Let them watch!”

Heat rushed through his veins, and he didn't need to hear anything more. He placed a hand on her lower back, yanking her against him. He crushed his mouth on hers, feeling her plea that he get inside her, claiming her very soul. In the tightness of her posture, the stiffness of her lips, and the arousal in her dark eyes, he experienced her craving to be taken by him. Her reactions told him he needed to remind her that she owned him as much as he owned her.

Tonight he wouldn't disappoint her.

He'd never disappoint her again.

His lips slid to her warm cheek, then to her neck, as he kissed the flesh belonging to him. He reached up and began unbuttoning her shirt. “I missed you.” The buttons went
flick, flick, flick,
until he slid her blouse over her silky shoulders. “The distance between us, Presley, it killed me.”

“It killed me, too.” He could hear the desperation in her voice, but he refused to focus on the pain that caused him, knowing he would make it up to her, even if it took a lifetime. He would never hurt her again.

He groaned as she reached for his pants, unbuttoning them and sending those and his boxer briefs to the ground, exposing his hard cock. The warm air caressed his swollen flesh, teasing him. His gaze lifted from her hand to her eyes as she stroked him. With her lacy blouse opened, exposing her white bra, he reached toward her and pushed the bra down, revealing beautiful rosy nipples—a view he had longed to see.

She was all his.

Needing to feel all of her, he unbuttoned her jeans and pushed those and her panties down to her ankles. Her hand tightened around him, moving quickly over his shaft. An inner light sparkled in her eyes, as if she knew she had him right where she wanted him, putty in her hands. That brought out his dominance—it made him want to show her who controlled this moment.

“Enough teasing,” he growled.

Her loud squeak of surprise filled the air as he turned her around. Holding her tight against him, his cock rested in the crack of her ass. He licked her neck, relishing the quiver she gave. Christ, he needed to feel all of her. His fingers explored her breasts and tweaked her tiny nipples. She moaned with each pinch on the taut bud, and then she sighed as he ran a hand down her stomach, cupping her hot mound.

He grunted at her aroused state. “Always ready for me, aren't you, doll?”

“Yes, sir.” She leaned her head against him, shivering in his arms.

Not needing any further invitation, he bent his knees and entered her from behind. Her hot heat surrounded his dick, and he growled with the perfection. Pinning her to him, he wrapped an arm around her chest, as he thrust quickly
.

Each thrust made her moans louder, echoing across the new dungeon. He shut his eyes against the storm of pleasure engulfing him, reveling in the knowledge that
they
were the first to fuck in the club. The dungeon might not be only his any longer, but his mark was there, Charles was there, and now Presley's scent and moans were there. Dmitri needed nothing more.

She began to tremble as his cock slid in and out of her, stroking her inner walls, uniting them. He squeezed her breasts, pulling on her nipples, instantly feeling her cunt growing wetter. Consumed by the need to see her and to become lost in her beautiful soul that had changed his world for the better, he withdrew, turning her to him.

Now, facing her, he bent at the knees and reentered her. He grasped her face, tangling his fingers in her hair.
So beautiful. So mine.
She rose on her tiptoes as he thrust in short and fast movements, sliding into the depths of her, telling him she craved to be close.

He needed the same damn thing.

When he saw the gorgeous flush covering her cheeks, a growl rose from deep in his throat. Sometimes a man fucked. Other times the connection of two bodies was something more—something deeper. Like now, when he ground himself up into her, rubbing his pelvis against her sex. He felt the possession rushing through him. This wasn't about pleasure as much as it was about doing the one thing they could do together—loving each other in this way.

Yet it wasn't enough.

His Dom side craved
more.

Possessiveness to own her soul made him push her gently backward toward one of the circular couches in the center of the room. He lifted her by the waist, lowering her down onto her back and keeping his cock buried deep inside her. In his heart he had so much to show her, so much to say. He grasped her face tight, thrusting hard and fast, with passion and love, telling her exactly how much he had missed her.

Her inner muscles squeezed him, and he noted the pleasure washing across her face, as well as the tears of joy filling her eyes. Her hands wrapped around his biceps and tightened, holding him to her. Deep down, he wanted nothing more than to draw this moment out. To love her all night long in the way she should be loved. But he knew there was more to do tonight.

He had more to give to Presley.

And she deserved to be given it all.

His movements naturally sped up as pleasure wove its way inside him. His mouth brushed across hers as he ate all the moans she gave. Her arousal soaked him as he thrust, in and out, so very easily. “I want you to come, Presley,” he told her, breathless.

“Oh God!” She angled her head back, breaking eye contact. “Sir, can I come?”

“Yes, do it now.” He slammed right to the hilt, feeling her inner muscles do their spectacular dance over his cock.

His climax rose with little warning, her body demanding he finish with her, squeezing him so damn tight. A loud roar shot from his mouth as she screamed his name in the magical euphoria no man should want to return from. His eyes shut, unable to stay open with the force of his orgasm, and he lost sight of her.

Only when he heard her soft sniffles did sense return to him. He reopened his eyes, finding tears in hers. “Why the tears, doll?”

One tear ran down her flushed cheek. “I'm just happy. Really happy.”

He kissed the tear away. “Me too.” Yet he still needed
more.

“I know what you want, Presley. I know what you've wanted for a long time.” He withdrew from her, placing his soft dick on the side of her thigh. “Tomorrow you'll go to the doctor and get your IUD taken out.”

Her eyes widened. “But—”

The words
We're not married
echoed in the silence around them.

He shook his head, dropping a kiss onto her mouth stopping any further argument. “No buts. Just a ‘yes, sir' will do.”

Her breath hitched, more tears filling her eyes, as she whispered, “Yes, sir.” He saw the joy in their pretty depths and knew that he'd given Presley exactly what she wanted. She rose toward him, wrapping her tender hands around his face, making him feel equally loved, and she kissed him.

It was a long endearing kiss that he never wanted to end. For the first time, he felt like he was doing right by the one person who needed him at his best.

He rose from his place between her thighs, pulling her with him to their feet. “Can you forgive me, Presley, for that night I touched you with no thought of you?”

She gave a soft smile belonging only to this woman, so compassionate and loving. “Yes, Dmitri, I can forgive you.”

Relief eased the remaining tension inside him, stitching up the hell he'd gone through this week without her. “My loss of control when it comes to you will never happen again.” Heat and adoration burned between them, so thick he could taste it on the air. “Things needed to change for us to go forward, I know that now. I put Club Sin before you, and I'm sorry I hurt you in that way. You will never come second again, Presley. Always first. That is my promise to you.”

She stared at him for a long moment, more tears welling in her eyes, before she wrapped her arms around his neck. “I love you, Dmitri.”

He chuckled, holding her perfect little body against his, feeling something he hadn't ever felt in his life: Peace. “Ah, doll, I love you, too.”

She angled her head, requesting a kiss, and he gave her one. When his kiss turned a little more heated and his cock twitched for more, he sighed and put distance between them. “While I'd love to stay right here with you, we must get dressed.” He grabbed her panties off the floor and handed them to her.

“Right.” She put her panties on, and as she did, Dmitri saw his semen drip down her thigh.

He liked that symbol of ownership she presented him. But he would love it more when that semen was used to make the family he'd always dreamed of having for himself. He smiled at the wonderful image in his mind of Presley with child. Then he reached for her clothes, placing them on the table next to him.

She raised her eyebrows at him curiously. “I don't get my clothes?”

“Not these, no.” He left her wondering as he himself got dressed, all the while smiling at the confusion on her face. He enjoyed surprising her, and promised himself for the rest of his life he would endeavor to always see her like he saw her now. “I was wondering if you'd wear something else for me.”

“Okay,” she said, hesitant.

“I bought you a dress for tonight.” He reached for her hand, pulling her closer to him. “To celebrate the new start for us tonight. Will you wear it for me?”

“Yes, of course.” She grinned.

He dropped a kiss on her cheek, then moved to the other end of the couch, grabbing the black box with a red bow he stashed there earlier. “Here.” He offered her the gift. “It's yours. Open it.”

Her eyes lit up in the usual way she reacted to presents, and he grinned. Life was pretty damn good right now. Once she opened the box, revealing the gorgeous white mermaid-style gown, her head snapped up in surprise.

“Oh, my God.” Her voice softened as she ran her hand over the silk bodice. “Please tell me those aren't real diamonds.”

He grinned at her, avoiding her question, knowing she would object to him spending such an obscene amount of money on her. “Do you mind wearing the dress for me tonight?”

“Oh, no. I absolutely do not mind.” She took the dress out of the box and hung it in front of her.

Images of what she'd look like tonight filled Dmitri's mind, but he knew his picturing her would be nothing like the real thing. Presley was a stunning woman without makeup and beautiful evening wear. Yet he enjoyed dressing her in fancy clothing, especially for a night like tonight.

When she finally lifted her head and looked at him, he pointed to the left. “The bathroom is there. I asked Cora to stock it for you.”

She gave her sweet, soulful smile. “Thank you.”

As she turned, holding the dress in her arms, he added, “Presley?”

“Yeah?” She glanced over her shoulder; her eyes were alight with happiness.

“Put your hair up for me. Something elegant would be lovely.”

“Yes, sir.”

Twenty minutes later, Presley opened the door to the bathroom in the corner of the dungeon, giving herself a last glance in the mirror. The silky white backless gown stunned her and she thought it seemed too fancy for the nightclub, but she wouldn't argue, either. Dmitri wanted her in the dress. She wanted to wear it for him. She'd done a quick, romantic side updo, using the bobby pins that had been left in the bathroom for her. And she was glad she had curled her hair earlier—it made the updo appear softly elegant.

As the bathroom door shut behind her, a whistle caused her to raise her head. Cora, dressed in a silver chevron dress with her dark hair pulled up, with curls surrounding her face, beamed at her. “Wow. Dmitri sure knows how to pick a dress.”

“Right? I never want to take it off.” Presley smiled, running her hands over the dress that fit her like a second skin. “Are you here for the opening, too?”

Cora hesitated. “Um…yep.” Then she added with a cute smile, “I got here a few minutes ago.” She moved her hands that were around her back to out in front of her, offering Presley a white rose. “Here, for you.”

Presley laughed, approaching. “You're giving
me
flowers? What's the occasion?”

The second Presley accepted the flower, Cora's arms were around her, squeezing her tight. “I know this week has been hell for you.” Her voice was thick, filled with emotion. “I'm so happy everything is back to normal that I could friggin' burst.”

Presley hugged her back. “Me too.” A week ago she hadn't known where things stood, but now everything seemed better. Or at least it was getting there. She loved Dmitri, and she
did
trust him. His word had always been solid. She believed that what had happened between them wouldn't happen again. Maybe it was because now she had more understanding of why Dmitri acted the way he did. With Club Sin no longer in their house, hanging over Dmitri, she would be put first.

And that, as simple as it was, was all she had wanted.

“Okay.” Cora leaned away, taking Presley's hand. “No questions. Just follow. Deal?”

“Um…” Presley eyed the twinkle in Cora's blue eyes with suspicion. “Where's Dmitri?”

“I said no questions.” Cora tugged her forward, smiling back over her shoulder. “Those pretty pink lips need to stay shut.”

Presley pressed her mouth closed tight, sending Cora into a fit of laughter as she led them through the door and past the first security guard. He gave Presley an admiring once-over before offering a sweet smile that didn't fit such a stern face.

As they reentered the nightclub, the loud dance music and chatter from the busy bar stormed over Presley. Cora didn't seem to notice that the club was now full of people, and she hurried them through the VIP area. Presley noted Miles's absence at the balcony before Cora led her down the stairs and out a side door of the club.

The moment the warm dry air hit Presley's face, she gasped in surprise to see Kyler and Ella, dressed in eveningwear, standing by the front of the building. Ella had their baby, Andie, in one arm and held a red rose with her other hand.

“What…?” Presley asked.

Cora winked back at her. “No questions, remember?”

“Oh, right.” Presley rolled her eyes.

They reached the corner of the building, and Ella stepped forward with a beaming grin and teary eyes. Then she handed Presley the rose before taking her into a hug, taking care not to squish Andie. “I love you,” Ella whispered in her ear.

“I love you, too.” Even though confusion swirled in Presley's mind, she hugged Ella back.

Once Ella finally stepped away, Kyler moved in for a hug of his own. “What's going on?” she asked.

“You'll see.” Kyler gazed at her with his soft eyes. “It's all for
you.
”

When they stepped back and out of the way, Presley then discovered Porter and Kenzie standing on the sidewalk farther down, also dressed to the nines. Cora tugged Presley forward, and soon she landed in the arms of Porter and then Kenzie, who offered her another white rose. Tears rose in Presley's eyes. Deep down she knew exactly what this was and what Dmitri had planned, but right now she could focus only on the love and friendship around her.

Porter and Kenzie moved behind Presley, and she spotted Miles and Aidan. She walked right into Aidan's arms before moving on to Miles. Both hugged her tightly.

“For you.” Aidan handed her a red rose.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice thick with happiness.

Cora blew Aidan a kiss and then led Presley across the street toward Aces' fountains, where there was a huge crowd. To her surprise, Presley realized she knew most of the people there. Some people she knew from her work, and some from the animal shelter; some were old friends from Apple Valley, and others were members of Club Sin. There were also a few strangers—people who were in Vegas for a party and just so happened to stumble across the most important moment in Presley's life. Presley laughed in nervous excitement.

She reached Sawyer and Chloe, and both hugged her. Then Chloe gave her another white rose before they moved in behind Presley. That was when Presley spotted Elliott and Mary, close friends of Dmitri's.

Elliott embraced her with warmth, and then Mary wrapped her arms around Presley and said, “I'm glad he's doing it this way. Something special for a special girl.”

Presley wiped away tears. “Thank you, Mary.”

As they stepped in behind the long line of friends following Presley, she turned to Cora, who waved her forward. Presley's stride faltered when she saw two people she hadn't been expecting to encounter tonight.

Near the fountains of Aces stood her parents. Her mother with her short dark hair, wearing a fancy dark blue dress, had her hands covering her mouth, tears flowing down her cheeks. Her father, whose eyes were the same emerald color as Presley's, was dressed in a suit and tie, and he smiled at Presley.

“You're here,” Presley barely managed when she reached them.

Her mother threw herself at Presley, her chest heaving deeply with her happy tears. “Dmitri asked us to be.” After a tight hug, her mother backed away. She lifted a ribbon she had been holding, then motioned for the flowers in Presley's hands.

She offered them, and her mother tied the ribbon around the flowers, turning them into a bouquet. “This is just beautiful, Presley. You are beautiful.” She leaned forward, kissed Presley on the cheek, then looked to Presley's father, Graham.

He moved close to Presley, tucking her arm into his. “Big day, hmmm?”

Presley sniffed and laughed. “Apparently.”

“Come on, then.” He gave his classic dad wink—the one that always told Presley everything would be okay—and tucked her arm into his. “Let's see to getting on with it.”

Cora blew Presley a kiss. “Love you, girl.”

“Love you back.” Presley smiled, then allowed her dad to lead her.

All of Presley's closest friends followed behind them, and Presley felt their love surround her. Her heart banged in her chest, as it seemed like everyone important in her life was there to usher her forward on to her next journey.

She scanned the crowd, seeing her aunts, uncles, and cousins—Dmitri had made sure all of her family was here. This display of love and thoughtfulness stitched up those places in her heart that had fractured from their week apart.

They finally reached the top of the stairs, and Presley's breath hitched as Dmitri's eyes locked on hers. The light from the fountains cast a gorgeous glow over him, highlighting the masculine lines of his face and body.

Her father mistakenly took her reaction as nerves, and he squeezed her hand. “You'll do fine.”

“I know.” She glanced at him and smiled. “I love you, Dad.”

“Love you, too, kid.” His eyes became shiny with unshed tears.

As Presley approached Dmitri, the world seemed to narrow: sounds became distant and her heart rate slowed. After another step, her father turned her in his arms and kissed her cheek. “Go on now, sweetheart.” He shook Dmitri's hand, then joined her mother to Presley's left.

Presley drew in a deep breath, glancing at Dmitri standing next to her. The fountains played, her friends and family looked on, strangers gathered to watch, but all that mattered was
him—
this moment that she'd wanted.

Dmitri's gaze raked her from head to toe before his heated eyes met hers. “No one has ever looked as beautiful as you do right now,” he told her.

The anticipation of the moment made her face flush and rattled her nerves; her voice was seemingly lost to her.

But he didn't seem to notice. Taking her hand, rubbing the back of it with his thumb, he said, “You know why you are here, don't you?”

Summoning all her strength just to squeak out an answer, she said, “Yes.”

His smile was about as confident as she'd even seen as he lowered to one knee. The crowd went wild around her, cheering and clapping. She stayed focused only on
him.
“Presley, you've changed me. Changed me in ways that I wasn't sure I could ever be changed. Not because you wanted me to be someone different, but simply because I wanted to be a better man for you.”

Tears rushed down her face as he added, speaking loudly and proudly for everyone to hear him, “I've made some mistakes. I can't promise I won't make more. But I can promise that I will always love you. I will always respect you. And I will always protect you. You will
always
come first.” Something hard and intense filled his gaze, warming her as he reached into his pocket. Her breath hitched as he opened a little black box, revealing a sparkling vintage ring. “Presley, will you honor me by becoming my wife?”

“Yes!” she all but shouted, and plowed into him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Of course I'll marry you.”

Loud applause and cheering erupted from the crowd. Dmitri laughed as he rose and then placed the ring on her finger. Once the ring settled to where it would stay forever, he kissed her—probably an inappropriately passionate kiss, since her parents and entire family were there, but Presley didn't care. She gave him all of herself, poured all of her love into this moment.

He loved her.

She loved him.

So uncomplicated.

Once he broke the kiss and pocketed the box, he arched a brow. “You're sure about this?”

“Yes, of course,” she replied, thinking the question odd. “I've never been so sure about anything.”

“Good.” He took her hand and turned slightly. “Because we're doing this now.”

“What?” she gasped.

He glanced sideways, those piercing eyes zeroing in on her. “Seven days without you were enough to make me realize I cannot endure that again. There will not be another day that passes before everyone knows you are
mine
.” His chin lifted, pride evident in his voice. “My wife.”

She blinked, pulling her back from the trance those eyes were possible to put her under. “But what about the paperwork? The license?”

“Sometimes knowing the right people creates opportunities,” he said with a sly smile. “We're doing things a little backward, but not to worry—it will be a legal marriage.”

Her head spun. Yes, she had prepared herself to be engaged, but
married
? Now? “Are you serious?”

“Very serious.” He gestured toward the man waiting near the stone statue of an angel on the walkway by the fountain. “You did say you wanted this. Have you changed your mind?”

“No.” She shook her head, squeezing her fingers around his. “I haven't changed my mind.”

His grin was pure happiness, and she imagined just for this split second that perhaps this was a smile that his parents had seen on him as a child. Carefree. Blissfully elated. Knowing his parents weren't here, since they had died long ago, only made her glad Dmitri had so many others who loved and respected him as much as she did.

Without another word, she followed Dmitri to their future.

The dark-haired officiant, dressed in a blue suit, smiled as they reached him. He didn't hesitate; into a microphone fastened to his lapel, he said, “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we're here to witness the marriage of Dmitri Pratt and Presley Flynn…”

Nothing else of what he said registered as Presley glanced up at Dmitri. She realized then how important this moment was to them. This big show told her that Dmitri didn't only want to marry her; he also wanted the world to know she was his wife. This would make news, there was no doubt about it. But she didn't need the show—she needed only
him.

The officiant went on, “Dmitri, please face Presley and take her hands, then repeat after me…”

Again, Presley heard only Dmitri's powerful voice saying, “Presley, I promise to encourage your compassion, because that is what makes your soul shine. I promise to you perfect trust and perfect protection as we go on this journey together. You have seen me at my worst, but now I'm going to love you forever at my best. This is my vow to you.”

Tears rushed down her cheeks, because she knew all of what he said was spoken not only as her future husband but also as her Dominant. She listened to what she needed to say, realizing her vows were different from Dmitri's. That told her that Dmitri had personally written them, and she became aware of how perfect they were. “Dmitri, I accept you as my husband.” As she had accepted him as her Dom. “I promise to live in truth with you, and to communicate fearlessly. I give you my hand and my heart, as a sanctuary of warmth and peace. And I pledge my love, devotion, and honor. This is my vow to you.”

A round of applause erupted, and Presley laughed through her tears, seeing Dmitri's bright smile. The officiant went on. “The future is bright…”

Dmitri leaned in as if no one else was there, as if only Presley mattered now, his crystal-blue eyes only on hers—piercing eyes that had awakened a passion in Presley that she had never imagined existed. That look from him had been the start to a love so pure and perfect that they had inspired others in Club Sin to find that for themselves. “The future is…”