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The door opened, and two women entered.
I plastered on a polite smile, and they smiled back, moving to the open seats at the make-up counter provided as a service to the members.
No more time to brood.
Rising, I headed for the door.
But the question still hovered at the back of my mind.
Did we love each other?
Over the past few days, I researched relationships in the BDSM community. I wanted to make sure I knew what I was getting into. I learned that while many couples—or threesome, moresomes—were involved romantically, sometimes, that romantic aspect didn’t come into play. It left me feeling hollow inside, the idea of being tied to somebody I didn’t love. As for James…I would not fool myself. I knew he cared about me, but he had a barrier around his heart that was solid as steel.
When I returned to our private booth, James was waiting for me. My heart did a slow, dizzy spin inside my chest at the smile he gave me.
I had my answer.
James tugged me to him for a soft kiss, and I pushed the lingering worries from my mind. Maybe he didn’t love me. But I was falling in love with him. And I needed this, him, in my life.
* * *
There wereseveral stages in the central area of the Black Star. When James asked what I wanted for our ceremony, my main requests were that I didn’t want to be on the big stage and keep everything simple.
He’d introduced me to Lila from the club. She’d agreed to handle the ceremony and suggested a couple of websites for us to get ideas.
Now, as James led me up the stairs to the smallest platform in the public area, I was glad he’d asked for Lila’s help. She nodded at me, looking coolly elegant in an evening gown of deep blue, one well suited for any formal event.
Music played over the speakers. After we stopped in front of her, the music gave way to a beautiful, rich cello piece I’d chosen as Lila and I discussed the final details last night.
A wedding isn’t so different from this, Tina,she’d told me.
A shiver ran over me as I turned to face James. The look he gave me was so possessive, so...intense. It felt like he owned me already. And I liked it.
Lila lifted a hand, and the music faded to a whisper. As if rehearsed, the crowd responded and turned toward us.
Nerves leaped inside me, but before I could panic, James took my hands.
“Good evening. I’m happy to welcome the members and guests of the Black Star to a most important occasion. We’re honored tonight to share the union between Maximus, a longtime member, and his sub, Tina.”
James tucked a stray lock of hair back from my face.
His gaze locked with mine, and Lila’s voice faded into the background. Nothing around us mattered when he looked at me like that.
“…James and Tina.”
At the mention of our names, James turned to Lila, breaking the spell. I took a deep breath and focused on her as well.
She gave us both a smile and said, “The two of you come before us tonight to exchange these vows between a Dom and a submissive, yes?”
“Yes,” James said, his voice clear and steady.
I nodded, my throat tight and constricted.
“James, you may begin.”
We faced each other.
“Tina, you have given me the gift of your submission, and now you are ready to accept this collar as a public sign of your devotion to me.”