by Suzy Shearer
Knowledge dawning, he shouted, “You fucking bastards! You set me up again!”
“Oh gee, finally figured it out, did you?”
Steven thumped him on the back and kissed Emily’s cheek. “Welcome, little sister, to our family.”
Kaden slapped him on the shoulder and shook his hand, pulling him close. “I love you, man, but you were making the biggest mistake of your life. Promise you’ll take care of her, Jake.”
Then he kissed Emily’s cheek, but Jake pulled her a little closer to him. The crowd around them began to disperse as Ash shook Jake’s hand, “Look after her, Jake, or I swear I’ll cut your balls off while Kade and Steven hold you down. You made her cry, and I don’t like having my sister cry.”
“Never again, Ash, I promise.”
At last Jake laughed then pulled her away from everyone and up the stairs to one of the private rooms. He sat down and pulled her toward him, so she was standing between his legs.
“Can you ever forgive me?” She looked at him askew, not sure if he meant casting her aside last night. “I should never have let you go. I’m sorry. It frightened me to know how much I loved you. I was scared if I told you, you’d leave. I thought you only saw me as the man assigned to help you.”
“And I thought that was how you saw us. I thought you only took me on because of Master Ash.”
“Never. I know I held you at a distance. I was frightened, really scared, Em. I’ve never been in love before. I should have risked it all and told you.”
“And I should have told you, too.”
“You really mean it? You really will accept my collar?”
“I have, and I will because I love you, Master Jake.”
“Oh, Emily.”
He pulled her head down and kissed her soundly.
“Emily, this isn’t simply as a sub and Master. I want you forever. I want you in my arms when I go to sleep at night and when I wake every morning. I want us together from now on. I can’t let you go.”
“Are you sure, Master Jake?”
“Positive. Tell me again that you love me.”
“I love you, Master.”
“No, tell me.”
“Jake. I do love you, Jake.”
He sighed, a deep, happy sigh as he finally pulled her onto his lap.
“You’re coming home with me tonight, and we won’t ever be parted again.”
“You want me to live with you?”
“Of course, Em. I refused to be parted from you ever again. I’ve been a fucking fool, and I’m not going to be one again. Kaden was right when he called me an ass-hole, I truly was. Now I intend to make it right. Tomorrow we’ll get your stuff and move it into my house.”
“No, I can’t.”
“What? Why not?” He sounded bewildered. “We love each other. Please, Emily, I don’t want to be separated from you ever!”
“No, no. I only mean I can’t tomorrow. It’s my brother’s birthday. There’s a big celebration planned at my oldest brother’s house.”
“Thank goodness. Okay, in that case I’m coming with you.”
She grinned, still trying to come to terms at all that had happened. Her heart was singing, beating a rhythm of happiness inside her chest. “You are?”
“Of course. I have to meet your family. After all they’ll be mine soon.”
She felt all the air leave her lungs with a loud whoosh. “Pardon?”
“To satisfy the vanilla world, we’ll get married as soon as possible. You’ve put your life in my hands to protect and love you, but I know the vanilla side don’t understand a collar.”
She stammered, “Marr—married?”
He seemed worried, maybe a little scared. “You will marry me, won’t you, Em?”
She nodded, slightly bewildered by all that had happened. She stuttered and said, “I … us? Yes, yes, I will.”
She heard him suck in a big breath then blow it out. Before she had a chance to say anything else, he kissed her again.
“God, I love you that much, Em, my Little Bird.”
She snuggled against him as close as she could. They sat for a while in silence. Suddenly Jake pushed her aside and stood. He held out his hands to take hers.
“Come on, get your stuff and let’s go home. This has been a rather emotional night, and I find I want you all to myself.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jake woke the next morning and watched the woman asleep peacefully beside him. They’d spent the night at her tiny apartment because of the party. Emily had explained her brother lived close by and she had cooked food that she was expected to take. She’d driven home after giving him the address of her apartment. Jake had stopped at his house long enough to collect a change of clothes, fill his wet-pack, and feed Linus. He knew he should be angry with his friends, but instead he thought his heart was beating with joy loudly enough to wake the neighbors.
He touched Emily’s face softly. How could he be this lucky? He’d been such a fool. If his friends hadn’t stepped in, he would have lost her forever. She’d confessed as they lay in bed last night that she had intended to flee. He knew his heart would have broken if she had left. But then, he’d intended to do the same thing. He’d intended to throw himself back into overseeing projects.
Why the hell had he been so fucking stupid? Why on earth hadn’t he told Emily how he felt?
Well, fortunately it all worked out. He and Emily would have to talk about their future, but he knew it would be with the two of them together. This had been a rush and unexpected for both of them. Emily stirred. She opened her eyes and smiled at him.
“Good morning, my beautiful sub.”
Her eyes sparkled as she answered, “Good morning, my Master.”
“Any regrets?”
“None.”
“I love you so much, Emily. Forgive me for causing you such pain.”
“I do, Jake. I love you, always and forever.”
“Em, are you sure? I mean, it’s not because of what happened, you know when I made you face the past.”
“No, Jake, it isn’t. Even before then I was fighting against the feelings I had for you. I didn’t want to fall in love with you because I knew Ash had made you take me on.”
“He did and I did resent it, but at the same time I really wanted to protect you. That first night when I held you in my arms I wanted to protect you forever.”
“And despite holding my emotions in check, you were all I wanted to see, to be with.”
He kissed her. It was really different. He could actually feel his heart beat faster. It was as if his whole body was singing with happiness. Reluctantly, he let her go when she said she wanted to go to the bathroom and needed to have a shower. He watched as she walked naked, enjoying the view of her cute ass. He loved all her padding, her curves and ample flesh. He sat up and waited for her to return.
When he heard the shower turn off, he waited a few minutes before asking loudly, “What time do we have to go to the party, and where did you say it was?”
Emily came out of the bathroom, dragging a t-shirt over her head, smoothing it down and over her jeans. “Eleven and it’s a couple of streets away from here.”
“It’s only eight-fifty. In that case, we’ve got time to go shopping first.”
“Shopping?”
“Yep.”
Jake took his turn in the bathroom, and then when he came out, he said, “Ready? Come on.”
He took her hand, and they left the apartment. Driving into one of the huge shopping complexes, Jake took her to a jewelry store run by one of the mistresses from Silk Rope. Ushering her inside, Miranda saw him and began clapping.
“Great ceremony last night, Jake.”
“You in on it, too?”
“Of course, I don’t think there was anyone who didn’t know, except you and Emily.”
He shook his head as she told them to sit. “Really?”
“Yep, everyone knew. You’re such a big lug, you know that?”
�
��Yeah, I know.” He could hear the sheepishness in his voice as he answered Miranda.
“I’m guessing you want to replace the hair tie with something a bit more substantial. I’ll get a few for you to see.”
She left them but returned shortly with a tray. On it were several collars.
“I’d prefer a leather one with a ring for whenever we’re at Silk Rope, Miranda.” He sorted through to pick up a black leather one with red stitching and a metal ring at the front. It was lined with soft red suede. He tested its weight then tried it on Emily’s neck. “Mm, maybe a little thinner. Have you got one the same style?”
Miranda left but came back quickly. “Try this one.”
He fastened it around her neck. “Much better. I’ll have this one.” He grinned at Emily. “This is like my favorite corset. Okay, Miranda, now I want a day one.”
****
Emily thought the morning was surreal. This time yesterday she’d been crying into her pillow, thinking her life was over. She was sure she would never see Jake again and she was intending to leave the area forever. Now Jake was selecting collars for her to wear and planning to marry her. She wanted to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming.
Miranda left then returned with another tray covered in various day collars. Jake immediately picked up one. It was made with many thin ornate lengths of sterling silver wrapped in several places with more silver wire. At the back was a small chain holding the two sides together with a padlock.
“I want this.”
“It’s handmade. See if it fits okay, Jake. If not, I can easily get another one made from the artisan.”
It seemed as if the collar were destined for Emily. It fitted as if it were made just for her. Miranda held out a mirror, and Emily gasped. It was beautiful, encircling her neck perfectly. She bent her head so Jake could remove it.
“No. It stays on. From now on you will wear this always except when we are at Silk Rope, and then you can wear the leather one.”
“Yes, Master.” Emily couldn’t help the laughter in her voice, her happiness bubbling over.
“Anything else, Jake?”
“Engagement ring and wedding ring.”
She laughed as she stood then said, “Going all the way, Jake.”
“I’m not going to risk losing her. I want a solitaire in white gold, Miranda.”
“I’ve got just the thing.”
She brought out a fourteen-carat white gold engagement and wedding ring set. The engagement ring was sleek and designed like a handcuff with the diamond nestled at the top between the arms of the cuff. It even had a tiny lock. The wedding band was made of interlocking cuffs within two solid bands of white gold. Jake laughed in delight when he saw it. He slipped the engagement ring over Emily’s finger, and she held back a tear. It was another perfect fit; it was amazing. He took it off her finger and handed it to Miranda.
“Can you have it engraved now?”
“Yes, our guy’s out back. What do you want on it?”
She gave him a piece of paper and a pen. Emily didn’t see what he wrote as he gave it back to Miranda.
“Do you want a wedding band for you as well?”
“Of course. I’ve written what I want engraved on both rings for Emily. Actually, better get the day collar engraved as well, on the lock.”
He removed the collar from around her neck and gave it to Miranda.
“I’ll give this to our engraver now, then come back and get your finger size.”
When she returned she measured Jake’s finger and wrote it down.
“When’s the wedding?”
“As soon as possible.” Emily regarded at him in shock. “You will marry me as soon as we can get the paperwork done, won’t you, Emily?”
“I. I. Yes, I will, it’s … hell, I didn’t expect this.”
“I love you, and I’m not letting you go again. I still can’t believe what an idiot I was.”
Miranda cleared her throat and smiled at the two of them, “Okay, in that case, if this wedding is happening soon, I’ll have the two bands made during the week.”
Ten minutes later she gave Jake the day collar and a bag containing the engagement ring and leather collar. Jake locked the collar back after showing Emily the engraved “Jake’s” on the tiny locket. After paying, they left the store, and Jake drove her back to her apartment. Sitting her on the only couch in the place he knelt in front of her.
“Emily, I honestly love you more than life itself. I’m sorry it took hitting me over the head to make me realize that I couldn’t possibly live without you.”
He slid the engagement ring from its box and she held out her hand. He showed her the inside engraving—“Jake’s property” and last night’s date.
“I truly am yours, Jake, my Master. Now and forever.”
He slipped the ring onto her finger then pulled her down onto his knees on the floor. When he’d kissed her thoroughly, he sat her beside him. She stared at the ring on her finger, still not quite believing all that had happened.
“Kade, Ash, and Steven can help me move your stuff over, that’ll teach them.”
“You don’t mind they forced your hand?”
“No.” He lifted her hand and kissed each finger then her palm. “Definitely not. I was a stupid fool, and they knew it.”
“I thought I’d never see you again. I thought you didn’t want me.” Emily’s tears filled her eyes again, and she wiped her hand across them.
“Don’t cry, Em, I’m truly very sorry. I never wanted to let you go, but I was scared you’d reject me. I thought I was standing in your way. I thought if I let you go, you could accept a Dom who would take care of you.”
“I understand, Jake. I do because I felt the same way. All I wanted was you. I simply can’t quite believe all this.”
“I know.”
He glanced at his watch.
“We’d better get going, Little Bird. It’s past eleven.”
“Damn. Okay.”
“Pack a bag for tonight, you’re staying at my place. The guys can help me move your things tomorrow.”
“Maybe they’re busy.”
“Don’t care.”
Jake grabbed his phone off the couch where he’d left it and wrote off a text to his three friends. He showed Emily.
B @ this address 9AM 2morrow 2 help Em move, you fucking bastards.
“You can’t send that! They’ll think you’re still angry at them.”
“Too late, it’s going. Anyway, it’ll pay them back for interfering,” he growled as he pressed “send”.
“Jake, you know if they hadn’t we’d both have gone away.”
He put his forehead against hers. “Don’t remind me. Shit, I was such a fool.”
“We both were, and you have your friends to thank that we’re together.”
“I know. It’s okay. I’ll make it up to them tomorrow.”
Jake sent off her address to the three men. Then they got to their feet, and Emily collected the two dishes from the fridge, giving one to Jake.
“Can you carry this one, please?”
Jake also picked up her overnight bag, and they went down to his car. Following her directions, they arrived at her brother’s house. She was nervous, her stomach churning. No one knew she’d even been going out. Well, they knew she went out each Friday night and Saturday to the BDSM club. But they had no idea there was a man involved. Now she was about to introduce him as her fiancé. She wondered how they would take it all.
“Little Bird, it’s going to be fine. Just relax.”
“How did you know I was worried?”
In a superior voice he replied, “I’m your Master. Of course I know.”
He kissed her when she rolled her eyes, and then they got out. Together they walked down the side of the house to the rear and in through a back door. Her brother, David, had built an enormous family room at the back of the house and already there were at least forty people laughing and talking. As she and Jake appear
ed the conversation stopped. Then her eldest brother, David, came over and gave her a bear hug after taking the dish from her hands and giving it to one of their cousins who happened to be passing.
“Emmy. You’re late,” he said. Then he eyed Jake suspiciously.
Before she had a chance to apologize, Jake held out his hand, after casually giving his dish to someone else who was standing nearby.
“Hi, I’m Jake Nichols. Sorry we’re late. My fault, we had to buy an engagement ring.”
His words were greeted with shocked silence, and then everyone began shouting at once until her brother demanded loudly for quiet. Emily was stunned. She’d intended to mention the engagement after the family had gotten used to the fact she was actually dating.
“What! When did this happen?” David spluttered.
“I proposed last night, and she said yes.”
Emily glanced up at Jake. She could see he was ready for an argument. Emily’s heart was leaping about inside her chest as her brother sized up Jake, then finally grinned.
“So, you’re the reason our little sister has finally shed the past.”
“Guilty.”
All at once Jake was in a bear hug as David slapped him on the back.
“Thank you, thank you. We’ve been so worried, and she wouldn’t talk to any of us. We knew something had finally happened when she started crying on Christmas day. Our mother’s been absolutely frantic with worry these past eleven months. And then Mom had that damn stroke on top of everything. Come let me introduce you to her. By the way, I’m David, her eldest brother, and that’s Mark, the baby of the family.”
He pointed to an attractive man as he came toward the three of them, his eyes glistening with tears. A group of two men and a woman trailed him, all seeming as if they would cry. Mark thanked Jake as profoundly as David had, and the two men dragged him off to meet Emily’s mother.
“You go talk to the others, sis. This is only for us males.”
Not liking what her brothers did but not game enough to ignore them, she moved away, watching as the two men escorted Jake into the kitchen.
