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An hour later,after a shower and a quick sandwich, we curled up in her bed. I had a glass of scotch. She was sipping a light pinot grigio. The TV was on but muted.
I was content, happy in a way I hadn’t been in... maybe ever.
But something was missing.
Until I came to her condo and she confided in me about her ex, I hadn’t realized I neededmorefrom her. From us. For there tobean us.
And there couldn’t be, not as we were now.
We avoided discussing anything resembling a serious relationship outside of a sexual one. Or how we felt about each other—and some of that was my fault.
I hadn’t intentionally established boundaries, but neither had I explained that I felt we were moving past a physical relationship. Nor made it clear I wanted more than that.
“I grew up broke,” I said softly.
Tina eased back and straightened, her eyes connecting with mine. She didn’t speak.
I tipped the glass to my lips and felt the warm scotch on my tongue. I stared off into the distance, not even sure why I’d started with that.
“My mom sometimes had to work two jobs just to keep a roof over our heads and food in our bellies. After cancer took her, I met Franklin and my life turned. Suddenly, I had money, a cell phone, designer clothes, all the food I could eat, but...” I gave her a humorless smile. “None of it made me happy. I just wanted my mom back.”
Tina didn’t say anything. Instead, she linked our hands.
I rubbed my thumb over the soft skin of her hand. “I’m not ashamed of you. I couldn’t ever be. I…hell, I just wanted you to have something gorgeous, unique. Something that made you feel as beautiful as you are to me. You came to the benefit because I asked, and I invited you at the last minute. So giving you a dress to wear seemed…natural. You could’ve worn jeans and a t-shirt, and I would’ve been proud to have you at my side.”
She pressed the back of my hand to her lips. “I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions.”
“I’m sorry, I was too arrogant to reach out and ask what was wrong.”
“I guess this relationship is a learning experience, huh?”
She had no idea. Straightening, I put my scotch on the nightstand, then took her wine and set it next to the scotch.
“Yes.” Cupping her face in my hands, I leaned in for a kiss. Her lips were soft and hinted of wine. I pulled back and held her gaze. “And I want it to be more.”
A shaky breath escaped her, her midnight eyes locked with mine. “More…how?”
“Exclusive. Long term.” I ran my fingers down her neck and said, “I’ve never had that with anybody, Tina. But I want it with you.”
She answered with a kiss.
Before she could pull back, I cupped her neck and held her close, nipping her lower lip. “I also want to claim you…as my sub.”
She eased back, brow furrowed. “Haven’t you claimed me…like a dozen times?”
Chuckling, I stroked her neck once more. “This is a more…public thing. I’ve never wanted to do this, but I want that with you. It’s a collaring ceremony at the club.”
“Collaring?” She wrinkled her nose.
“A collar, from a Dominant to his submissive, Tina—it’s a way of announcing our commitment to each other.” I felt the rapid beat of her pulse as I moved my thumb to stroke her wrist. “If you’re not ready, if you don’t trust me enough, or if you don’t think we know each other well enough yet...”
“No.” She was smiling as she leaned in and pressed a kiss to my lips. “As long as there’s no public display of nudity and I’m not expected to do anything in front of people, other than let you put this…this collar on me, then…okay. You already know I’m yours.”
Those last words shook me to my soul.
I rolled her onto her back on the bed and covered her smiling mouth with kisses.
You already know I’m yours.