Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 90075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
“Yes, Sir.”
“Do you want to belong to him and only to him, even knowing he’ll struggle with such a thing?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Do you want to forsake all others? Do you agree to never share yourself with another? To never desire another? To never ask me to fuck you with another again?”
I closed my eyes; tears rolled down my cheeks. “Yes, Sir.”
“Yes, Master,” he snapped.
“Yes, Master.”
“Get up.” Snatching his hand off my chin, he straightened and glowered at me as I obeyed. I trembled on the spot, glancing at the crowd we’d summoned. Men and women. Dominants and submissives. All of them smiling softly, knowingly. Eyes full of understanding and acceptance. Ella grinned. Rhodes smirked. Even the bartender chewed on a smile as Nick hissed, “Undo my belt.”
My eyes shot to his.
Did he expect to take me here?
Right in the middle of the bar?
Will I let him?
I hesitated.
“Undo my belt, Ella. I won’t ask you again.”
My hands shook as I unthreaded the leather and unhooked it.
“Slip it out of my jeans.”
I did as he asked.
“Secure it around your throat.”
I stiffened.
The part of me not intoxicated by freedom wrinkled her nose.
Rhodes laughed behind me.
Other Ella muttered something I couldn’t hear.
Nick didn’t move as he stood to his full height and never took his lethal eyes off me.
Slowly, carefully, I raised his still-warm belt to my throat and threaded the leather through the buckle. With no holes tight enough to secure it, I pulled until it looped me like a choker.
“Give me the end.” Nick held out his hand.
I placed the dangling tan leather into his awaiting palm.
Tugging gently, he pulled me into him.
His cinnamon breath kissed my lips as he hissed, “Do you give yourself to me? And only to me. Totally and unreservedly. Knowing that I might fail. Knowing that I might struggle. Knowing that I will love you with every fucking part of me, despite being so afraid of death and all its heartaches?”
A soft sob escaped me.
I wanted to fling my arms around his shoulders and kiss him.
Instead, I bowed my head and took every part he gave me. “Yes, Master.”
“In that case, let’s go home.”
Pulling me forward with the leash he’d formed with his belt, he paused as the crowd slowly parted.
Other Ella walked with me, squeezing my hand as she murmured, “You’re okay with this, right? This is what you want?”
I smiled so damn bright. “It’s what I hoped would happen when I came here.”
“So...you were using us?” She wrinkled her nose. “But I thought—”
“Not using us,” Rhodes interrupted, wrapping his arm around other Ella’s slim waist, keeping pace with us. “Testing to see if this is where she belongs.” He smirked. “Where they both belong.”
Nick pursed his lips but tilted his head in acknowledgement. “Sorry for barging in and breaking any rules. I’ve yet...I’m still not sure what I’m doing.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that.” Rhodes chuckled. “You’re doing a pretty fine job already.”
Nick accepted the compliment with a polite nod. “I’m also sorry for forcing her to stop touching you. I, eh...I wasn’t prepared for the fury—”
“A word of advice?” Rhodes grinned. “Don’t apologise to another Dom unless it’s absolutely justified. And you did nothing wrong. You’re possessive, as you should be. Your task is to protect her. Cherish her. And you did that by claiming what’s yours.”
I thrilled.
I tingled.
His.
I’m his.
The Neanderthal terminology wasn’t frowned upon in here. It wasn’t slandered by feminists or forbidden by outraged protesters.
In here, it was simple: a heart for a heart. A life for a life. A soul for a soul.
And that means...he’s mine.
Rhodes gave me a soft smile. “She’s special. I’ll admit, I’m sad that I didn’t have the opportunity to get to know Hypatia better, but...you’re both welcome back. To drink. To play. To talk and just hang out—to find friends who understand what you’re going through.”
“We appreciate that.” Nick’s shoulders softened a little.
We.
Had there ever been a more magical word?
Other Ella squished my fingers again as we reached the steps to the foyer. “You do belong in this world, Tia. I knew it the moment I set eyes on you.” She flicked Nicholas a glance before whispering in my ear, “He’s a natural, just like you are. And my good lord, does he love you.”
I shivered. “I hope so.”
“You also know you hold all the power, right?” She kept her voice too low for Nick to hear. “You hold his heart and soul, so...be careful with them. Just because you’re the collared one, doesn’t mean you haven’t leashed him right back.” Her voice turned sharp with seriousness. “Don’t ever forget that. Don’t forget that you rule him, even while you kneel for him. Remember to talk to one another. Lean on one another. Our world isn’t just about power exchanges but the depth of connection it brings. The bond that will be forged between you will be unbreakable...so be wary of the intensity your new dynamics will bring.”