Chapter Eight

Chapter EightThe following Wednesday afternoon, I smiled at my laptop screen. I’d had a whole lot of downloads since uploading my last batch of photographs onto royalty-free-images sites. It was almost funny how such a high percentage of those downloads were simply of Inaya’s grandmother’s pets. People tended to love pictures of animals.Logging out of my sales account, I closed the internet server and then opened up my photo-editing software. I needed to get working on the shots I’d taken earlier at the marina.Humming to myself, I downloaded them onto a USB stick and then inserted the thumb drive into my laptop. It wouldn’t take me long to—My phone chimed.I nabbed it from where it lay beside my empty cup and glanced at the screen. My body went still. Cole. I had a text message from Cole. On a Wednesday. And it very simply read: I have a question.So did I. Like what was with the mid-week message? Not that I wasn’t pleased to hear from him, just taken aback.Sitting up straighter in my seat, I typed: Hit me with it.I chewed on the inside of my cheek as I waited for a response.It quickly came: If I bought you something, would you wear it for me?I blinked, surprised all over again. Resolute that I absolutely was not going to read anything into his wish to buy me something, I replied: Depends what it is. I’m not dressing up as a Teletubby or anything for you.Moments later, another text came through: I have no idea why your brain went there, but that’s definitely not what I have in mind.I snickered. Okay, so what do you want me to wear? It was probably lingerie or something kinky. If he replied ‘Ball-gag,’ he’d receive a swift no.A photograph popped up on my screen. It was a close-up of a woman’s neck, modeling what could easily be mistaken for a pretty choker. The shiny silver chain was as exquisite as the diamond-studded infinity pendant. Diamonds that were a stunning deep red. Making the piece even more beautiful was the detailed camera charm that dangled from the pendant.How did I know that it wasn’t a simple choker? Easy. I’d seen submissive women at the Vault wear similar pieces. This was in fact a collar. A brand of ownership. And so I couldn’t help but be somewhat confused, since neither I nor Cole were part of the BDSM lifestyle. Unless there was something he’d yet to tell me about himself.I texted: It’s beautiful, but I’m not a sub. I set down my phone and took a swig from my water bottle, wondering what could possibly have brought this on.My phone beeped once more. I picked it up again, seeing yet another text from Cole: Not in the typical sense of the word, no. But you give yourself over to me. You yield all control. And don’t think I haven’t noticed that you mentally settle whenever you do.I had no doubt that he’d noticed. Cole didn’t miss much, from what I’d so far observed. So this isn’t you wanting to officially collar me? You simply want me to wear it at the club?I’m not asking that you wear it twenty-four/seven, no. Though I’d like it if you did.I frowned, confused. Why?Three little dancing dots appeared on the screen as seconds ticked by with no response. I bit my lip and absently plucked at my earlobe as I waited. I considered calling him, since it would get me faster answers, but then another message appeared on the screen: Because then every time you touch or look at it, you’ll think of me. I told you that you slip into my mind often. It’s only fair if it’s a two-way street.He was so fearlessly blunt. So unashamedly honest. I admired the hell out of it.I was contemplating whether or not to confess that it already was a two-way street when a second paragraph popped up: Like I said, you settle when you give over to me. It’s your release valve. I don’t like that you don’t have one when I’m not with you. The collar would be a reminder that you’re not alone, it would be something to center you when you need it. So, will you wear it for me?God, this bloke would be the death of me. He would. I generally wasn’t moved much by ‘sweet,’ but there were times he’d do or say things that would make me melt inside. You have a real way with words.That’s not an answer, Iz. Will you wear it?Seeing an opportunity to have some fun, I replied: There’ll be a price.Name it.You have to agree to let ME book a private room for our Friday night at the Vault. He’d vetoed it in the past.Done.I smiled. He might find himself regretting that.A courier will deliver the collar at some point today. You home?Today? The bloke didn’t waste time, did he? Yes.Good. Let me know when it arrives.It was a few hours later that I found myself signing for a package at the entrance of my building. That done, I headed back to my apartment. Really, Cole could have sent me a plastic bowl and I’d be excited to receive it purely because it was a gift from him. But the piece of jewelry I now carried was way better, and I was eager to get it out of its box.I was a few feet away from my front door when Briar’s opened and she stepped out.A smile curled her lips. “Hey. What you got there?”Without thought, I held the box tighter and angled my body so she couldn’t touch it. “Nothing.”Briar’s face scrunched up. “Why are you acting all weirdly possessive and protective of a parcel?” Her eyes went bright. “Ooh, what’s in it?”Pulling my keys out of my pocket, I vaguely replied, “A gift from Cole.”Intrigue lit up her face. “What kind of gift?”Sighing, I unlocked my door and gestured for her to follow me inside. I went straight to the kitchen, aware of her closing the front door behind us.“Well, what is it?” she prodded as I rested the package on the counter.“Come see for yourself,” I invited, grabbing scissors from a drawer. I carefully sliced through the packaging tape, opened the parcel, and took out a red velvet jewelry box.Briar moved closer. “My, my, my. It would appear he’s sent you some bling.”I opened the box and felt my mouth soften. The collar was so much prettier in real life than on the picture. All shiny and twinkly and exquisite.Briar gave me a guarded look. “You know what this is, right? You know it’s not just a choker?”I nodded. “It’s a collar, yeah, I’m aware. He texted me earlier to ask if I’d wear one, even though we’re not in a typical D/s relationship.”Her brows flew up. “He texted you during a week day? Hmm, another baby step. This collar, however—not so teeny a step. I take it he wants you to wear it at the club?”“And outside of it. He said he wants to be on my mind like I’m on his, so wearing something he bought me would serve as a reminder. Also, it seems like he hopes I’ll view it as a personal talisman of sorts; something I can touch that will center me when I need it.”Briar’s face went all warm, and then a smug smirk shaped her mouth. “Well, I think we can safely say that he’s knowingly crossing the casual line.”“I’d like to think so. But I have to bear in mind that people in arrangements buy each other gifts.”“Not all do, though. I’ve been in an arrangement with Grover for a while. We never exchanged gifts.”“Plenty of subs receive collars from their sort-of-partners at the Vault.”“But although you hand over control to Delaney, you’re not a sub in the BDSM sense of the word. Being officially collared or wearing any mark of ownership doesn’t carry the same meaning for you that it does to those who are firmly in the lifestyle, does it?”“Well, no—”“Just the same, Delaney’s not an actual Top. His need to openly state his claim like this doesn’t come from the same mental place that it would for a Dom.”“You know, you could just call him by his first name.”Briar lazily lifted and dropped her shoulders. “I like his surname better. Anyway, as I was about to say before you rudely interrupted me, I don’t think his motivations were purely to ensure he’d be on your mind and that the choker would serve as a touchstone. He wants his claim to you to also exist outside the club—he’s just struggling to make that jump.”“That’s how I’m reading the situation.” I folded my arms. “If it is the case, why do you think he could be struggling?”“He might feel that taking a chance could fuck everything up, considering his past relationships didn’t work out.”Possibly. People’s baggage from their previous relationships often touched their future ones if they weren’t careful. I knew that from personal experience.“But that isn’t stopping him from breaking his own rules. He gave you a ride to and from the Vault last weekend, and he made it clear that he’d be doing it from here on out. Right?”I dipped my chin.“That’s essentially mixing your private and club lives, which he initially never intended to do. Personally, I find it kind of exciting wondering what rule he’ll break next.”“That’s the thing, though. I can’t allow myself to expect for another rule to be broken. That would be also expecting more from him than he’s consented to give, and I promised myself I wouldn’t do that. I have to accept the situation as it stands and merely hope he does take this further. Which, yes, is also me protecting myself from how gutted I’d be if nothing came of this.” I puffed out a disappointed breath.She rubbed my arm. “Yeah, I get that. Honestly, I think he will push for more. I only wish there was something you could do that would speed it along. But there isn’t. The choice has to be his.”I nodded. All I could actually do was what I was already doing—give him time. I was fine with that, because he’d be worth the wait. My only worry was that I was misreading his intentions. “What if we’re wrong in thinking that that’s what he wants? What if he doesn’t take any more steps, and I remain stuck in limbo waiting for something I’m never going to have?”Her expression soft, she rested a hand on my arm. “I get why you have little faith when it comes to your romantic life. None of the guys in your past valued you the way they should have, which is full-on tragic. But Delaney looks at and treats you like you mean something to him. I swear every muscle in his face relaxes the moment he sees you.”“But—”“No, let’s not do ‘buts.’ Let’s be positive. I know it’s scary being stuck in limbo like this, not knowing if taking this bet will pay off, but what would be worse? Giving him a chance to make his way to you only to later find that he can’t, or to cut your losses now and then live your life wondering if you made a mistake?”“The latter, but—”“We’re not doing ‘buts,’ remember.”I exhaled a frustrated sigh and set my hands on my hips. “I just want you to note that if you have similar issues when your turn to get wrapped up in a bloke rolls around, I’m gonna be throwing all this advice back at you.”“Understood. So, you’re definitely going to wear the collar?”“Yes. He agreed to pay the price. Though he doesn’t know what the price is yet.”“Hmm, and what is it?”I smiled. “I get to book the private room we’re using at the basement on Friday—a condition that was inspired by a suggestion you once made.”Understanding lit her eyes. “You’re going to book the lap dancing room.”I nodded. “Uh-huh. Time for some revenge for all the teasing he does.”She let out a delighted laugh. “You’ll have to let me know how that goes. Now put on the choker, make sure it fits.”I carefully lifted it out of the box, and Briar helped me put it on.Standing back, she did a little clap. “It’s so pretty. Snap a picture and send it to him. I’ll bet my life he jerks off to it. Ooh, and have him send you a dick pic.”I felt my brow furrow. “Why would I do that?”“So I can see how well hung he is, of course. You won’t tell me shit. What else am I supposed to do?”“Maybe drop your curiosity about his cock size.”“Sounds complicated.”I rolled my eyes. “You’re such a perve.”She grinned. “Yeah, I know.”***When I got ready for an evening at the Vault on Friday, I was sure to put on the collar. It did not surprise me in the least that Cole’s gaze dropped to it the moment I hopped into his car. Those blue eyes heated. Glittered. Blazed with possession.My body instantly responded. My pulse kicked up. My stomach tightened and fluttered. Sheer, unadulterated want unfurled in my gut.As usual, he looked smart and sharp and far too compelling for any woman’s composure. Mine included.Leaning toward me, he skimmed his finger over the infinity pendant. His eyes snapped back to mine, alive with raw need. “I’m going to fuck you while you’re wearing that and nothing else,” he said, his voice low and deep and jagged.I smiled. “Hello to you, too.”His lips twitched. “Hey.” He planted a soft, drugging kiss on my mouth. “Missed that taste.” Straightening in his seat, he switched on the engine.He hooked one arm behind my headrest and glanced over his shoulder as he reversed the car one-handed. There was nothing sane about how that stirred up my hormones. Nothing. But they stood up and bloody cheered.Lowering the volume of the music playing, Cole flicked me a quick look as he drove toward the exit of the lot. “What room did you book?”I had to smile. The casual note in his tone was a ruse. He didn’t like not knowing—I could sense it. Ha.“You can’t honestly think I’ll tell you, considering you always insist on surprising me.” Tonight, for me, was about some playful payback.“Figured you’d say that,” he muttered. “I don’t like surprises.”“Neither do I. That doesn’t stop you from refusing to satisfy my curiosity.”“If you satisfy mine, I’ll make it worth your while.”I was about to snort, but then the opportunist in me rose up. I knew that, given how dominant Cole was, he wouldn’t easily agree to not touch me for the duration of the lap dance. And if he did agree, he’d likely say ‘fuck it’ at some point and pounce. Then I wouldn’t get my revenge for all the teasing he did.But he wouldn’t break a promise. So if I managed to wrangle one out of him in advance, I could be sure he’d stick to his word. Revenge would then be mine. And I had no doubt that all his frustration would translate into a subsequent bout of wild, scorching, mind-numbing sex.Folding my arms, I twisted in my seat to face him. “All right, I’ll tell you. The thing is, though … There’ll be a rule you have to follow while we’re in the room. Promise me here and now that you’ll stick to it, and I’ll tell you what room I booked.”He looked at me askance. “A rule, huh?” He paused, shifting gears. “I’m not good at following rules.”“You prefer to dish them out, I know. Well then, I guess you’ll just have to wait and see.” Watching him grind his teeth, I stifled a smile.“Fine,” he eventually blurted out. “I won’t break your mysterious rule. Now tell me.”My smile broke free. “You really don’t like being out of the loop, do you? I can relate. It isn’t much fun.”He lightly squeezed my thigh. “Tell me.”I remained silent for a few seconds, aiming to ramp up his frustration. “We’re going to the lap dancing room. You’ll be treated to a private show. But, much as it goes in the real world, there’ll be one thing you’re not allowed to do.”His lips parting in stunned surprise, he shot me a look. “You expect me not to put my hands on you when you’re giving me a fucking lap dance?”I full-on grinned. “Yep, since you already promised you wouldn’t when you agreed to our deal.”“I didn’t know exactly what I was promising.”“So not my problem.”He softly cursed under his breath. “Once the dance is over, I will fuck you until your throat’s sore from screaming—I promise you that.”It was a promise he later delivered on.