by Suzy Shearer
“It’s okay, Anabelle. It was found in the car that they used. The police think it must have come off when you were struggling.”
She seemed very relieved as she held out her wrist, but I took it instead.
“Wait until your wrists have healed, dearest. It may rub against the scabs and open up the wounds again.”
“Oh, of course, I didn’t think. Okay.”
I put it in my pocket.
Somehow, Jen and Dean ended up staying for lunch and by the end of the meal, we were all laughing and enjoying ourselves. We ended up throwing the leftovers on bread for dinner and finally called it a day around nine. Dean and Jen promised they come again and I knew we’d made some new friends.
Over the next few weeks, Anabelle slowly healed physically. Mentally, she wasn’t as good. She was having nightmares most nights and finally agreed to see the police counselor. I was overjoyed to see the nightmares reduce as she had her sessions until after four weeks they were only happening occasionally.
Her face healed well. The stitches on her foot came out and the broken ribs mended. By Christmas, she was almost back to her normal self—albeit with occasional serious moments. Jen and Dean Cooper had joined our gang of misfits and fitted in perfectly. They were both in their late forties, they had a married son, but he lived overseas and they only saw him when he visited or they went overseas for a holiday.
We all decided Christmas was being held here.
The eight of us had no other ties but to each other and it seemed natural to hold the festivities here. Jen and Dean’s son and his family were coming out to visit in the New Year. There were enough bedrooms for everyone to spend the night. We could all let our hair down with no worries about getting home later.
When Anabelle woke on Christmas morning, before she had a chance to do anything, I made her put on a robe before leading her downstairs to the dungeon, and before any of our guests arrived. I’d already dressed, been down and prepared the room while she still slept. I’d filled the whole room with lit candles and now the smell of Jasmine with a hint of Neroli filled the air as they flickered and glowed.
Puzzled, she glanced around and kneeled on the floor. She only wore a very sexy see-through nightdress, but that would have to go. I wanted her naked for what I was about to do.
“Remove the gown.”
She lifted it over her head and tossed it aside. In the candlelight, she looked even more amazing. The soft flickering glow from all the candles seemed to kiss her body.
If we’d had friends who shared the same interests, I would have asked them to join us, but instead, it was simply the two of us. For all I knew, some of our close friends may indulge but I’d never asked and it had never been mentioned. Anyway, it would be only the two of us and maybe that made it more intimate, more real. I did know I was nervous as all hell. This was a big step in our relationship, the next one. In a way, it represented more than getting married, if Anabelle accepted wearing my collar, it would mean she was putting her life in my hands. It meant she had faith and trust in me to never hurt her. In light of what had happened to her, I wouldn’t blame her if she refused. I’d fallen down badly on my role as her protector, her guardian, and let her be harmed, almost killed.
My hands shook as I held out the collar and asked her to raise her eyes.
“Anabelle Rowley, I wish to take you as my submissive. If you accept, I will always remember that your submission is a gift and treat it as such. I promise to love, honor, and cherish you. I will always honor my role as your protector.”
Her eyes were shining and she slowly smiled as I opened the collar. I held my breath as I lifted the collar close to her neck. Would she let me lock it into place?
With trembling hands, I laid it around her neck and locked it in place. The soft click seemed to echo around the room, reaffirming my commitment to this wonderful woman. She was literally beaming at me, and I knew at last she was wholly mine in body and soul.
“Anabelle, I have locked this collar around your neck. I acknowledge and will always honor your unwavering willingness to submit to me. I give you this collar with all the love I have for you and with all the joy you bring to me.”
I had to breathe deeply. I was completely overwhelmed in the moment. My heart pounded that loudly, and I could hear my blood swishing in my head.
“My dearest, I have loved you since the first moment I saw you. My promises to you are that I will always be faithful, I will always respect you, and I will always cherish you. You are the most important thing in my life. Without you, I am nothing. Your needs will always be held above mine, as you are placing your life in my hands. I promise I will always protect and love you.”
I took her hand in mine. Tears were running down her cheeks as she smiled up at me. I could see her shaking with emotion, her hand trembling in mine. I inhaled another deep breath before I asked her the most important questions I think I ever would.
“Do you accept my collar? Do you accept the loving ownership this collar represents as a sacred vow between us?”
She went to speak but only gave a croaky gasp. Her turn to take a breath as she nodded her head and coughed. “You are my Sir.”
Those simple words elated me. I wanted to sing, I wanted to shout. I looked at her as she grinned broadly through her tears.
“I am your property, my Sir, and always will be. My submission is my gift of love to you.” She touched her free hand to her collar. “I accept your collar freely. I give myself to you completely. Sir, you are my heart, my body, and my soul forever. I am yours.”
My heart leaped about wildly, still seemingly as loud as a jet plane.
Damn tradition!
I pulled her to her feet and kissed her with all the love I adoration I had for her.
“I love you so much, Anabelle Rowley.”
“And I love you, John Ethan. You are in my heart forever.”
“I failed you once, Anabelle, never again. Never again will I let anything happen to you. I… I promise.” I couldn’t stop the wobble in my voice, I would never forget what had happened.
Anabelle touched my face very softly.
“It’s over. There’s no way you could have known, no way you should blame yourself. I don’t.”
I pressed her tighter to me, my head resting against hers.
I had no idea how long we stood there. It was only the voice of Charlie calling out for us that brought us back to earth. Quickly, Anabelle slipped her nightgown and robe on while I blew out all the candles. Then hand-in-hand, we went back upstairs.
“Oops. Did I interrupt something?”
“No. We’d finished.”
Anabelle blushed to the roots of her hair as Charlie laughed and kissed her.
“Merry Christmas.”
She wished him a merry Christmas back and raced off to dress. I hugged him and wished him the same. Justin appeared from the kitchen area and I gave him a bear hug too.
“Hey, what’s going on? You’re extremely happy this morning.”
“I’m bloody marvelous!”
And I was! I wanted to shout from the windows, I wanted the world to know. Instead, I laughed and offered the boys a coffee. They followed me into the kitchen where they chatted while I fixed drinks all round. Anabelle came back out. She appeared radiant and I couldn’t help sweeping her into my arms and kissing her.
“Wow! You’ve really got into the Christmas spirit, John.”
“Can’t help it, I’m truly happy.”
Justin looked at Anabelle laughing beside me. He spied the collar.
“Ah, now I see. Congratulations.”
Charlie squinted at his partner, puzzled, but Justin winked, saying, “I’ll tell you later, my love.”
Right then, we heard Becky and Cass arrive and we went to greet them in the hallway.
“Dean and Jen are unloading their car.”
I went out to help the others while Anabelle helped Becky. Once everyone had dropped their bags in the bedrooms and settle
d down, we made breakfast on the barbecue—the works. Eggs, bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes, some gourmet sausages I’d discovered in a little artisan butcher in the local village. Plenty of toast, tea, and coffee as we all sat outside and watched the morning slowly unfold.
The day was a highlight for me, and not merely because I’d collared Anabelle. As well, I’d found friends—great friends who added to my life. Having no other family or commitments meant the day could unfold without any pressure. We swam, we ate, and we drank. We exchanged gifts and sat on the deck, watching the sun set and the kangaroos feed.
What more could anyone ask?
Chapter Thirty
Anabelle
Could I be any happier?
I doubt it. John surprised me at Christmas by collaring me. It was really beautiful, He’d filled the dungeon with candles and spoke. His vows were so moving and I hoped I could say the right things as I managed to answer him. As soon as he held out the collar, I knew what was happening. I’d read about collars and the ceremonies that happen, and I knew what was appropriate to say. But I had to admit to getting very choked up, I found it hard to speak at first.
Oh God, I loved that man!
It made Christmas Day perfect with our wonderful friends.
My body had healed and I thought my mind had as well. I no longer saw the police counselor, and I was feeling very good mentally about what had happened. I could actually speak or think about it rationally now and not burst into tears each time. It would never leave me, I knew that, but the fear and terror had receded into the background. Knowing they were dead was a big part of my healing—I had to beg forgiveness to The Buddha for that, but I was only human.
I thought John had the harder time dealing with it. He blamed himself and nothing anyone could say would convince him otherwise. It was like this dark specter hanging over our happiness. He didn’t say much, but it was always there in the background, lurking despite me saying I didn’t blame him on several occasions.
Finally, I’d had it out with him. I’d accepted what had happened and he needed to as well. We talked all about it and I was shocked when he broke down sobbing.
“I’m your protector. I was supposed to keep you safe! I didn’t!”
“Dearest, it isn’t your fault. No one could possibly have known what would happen.”
“I should have. When you told me someone was following you, I should have known. I shouldn’t have accepted it was Baines, I should have realized there was more to it. I should never have left your side. This was definitely all my fault.”
He burrowed his face in his hands, sobs wracking his body. I felt helpless.
“John. Dearest, please look at me.”
Finally, he lifted his tear-swollen face.
“Who rescued me?”
He shrugged and I persisted. “Who?”
“I had help.”
“But who pulled strings? Who was with Dean? Who stayed at my side the whole time in the hospital?”
“I did.”
“That’s right. Tell me truthfully. If you hadn’t been there, would I be alive?”
Tears were streaming down his face and now I was crying too.
“I don’t know, I honestly don’t know. Probably not.”
“You forced their hand, made them go in when they did.”
“Yes.”
Brutally I said, “John, they were about to rape me and then they were going to kill me—slowly and painfully. You stopped that. You saved me.”
He flinched, his face ashen, as I spoke, but he nodded.
“You know I’m right. You know there was no way you could have predicted what would happen, that I would be kidnapped.” I took his hands. “You know, don’t you?”
“I know.”
“Then accept it happened and let’s move on. I’ve never blamed you. You are my protector. You are the person who saved me.”
He clung to me then and we cried together. It did us both good and finally John accepted there had been nothing he could have done to stop Riley. Without that shadow hanging in the background, John and I settled down into life.
Since the kidnapping, I’d done a lot of work from home. My intern, Stacy, was working out exceptionally well. She had the same design aesthetic as I did. Her work and mine had a similarity that fitted perfectly in the salon. Over the past few months, I’d spoken to John about the future, our future. I would be fifty-six in March and wanted to spend more time with John. He wanted to travel, see more of Australia. He wanted to cruise around in the boat he’d bought. He respected my work and would never ask me to retire, but since my kidnapping and my very real brush with death, I realized exactly how short life actually was. I talked through an idea I had and he liked it.
I shared my ideas with Charlie and he supported them wholeheartedly. He and Stacy worked well together.
One day after the New Year, I went into the office and pulled her and Charlie aside.
“Stacy, I love the work you’ve been doing, but I want to know where you see yourself ten years from now. Please be honest.”
“Gee, I thought that was obvious. I want your job.”
Charlie burst out into raucous laughter.
“Well, at the moment I’m not prepared to give it up, but I think we can work out something. I’m very pleased with the gowns you’ve designed. They fit in well with my aesthetic and have the same stamp as a Bella gown. If you accept, my idea is for the next twelve months, you design all gowns under sixty thousand. You work closely with Charlie and Carrie, allow them to help because they both know more about the business than you do at the moment.
“I will also expect you to learn everything about the ordering side of things and take that over. Charlie has the management side down to a ‘t’, but he will also teach you the areas you need to know. If things work out, then after twelve months I’ll start working a couple of days and leave the rest to you. My intention is to pull back completely within two years, but, and this is important, Stacy, if you deviate from my brand name this won’t work. Clients expect a certain design from the salon. They expect quality, they expect personal treatment. They spend a lot of money on one dress and should be afforded every courtesy regardless of how much of a pain they are.”
“I understand completely, Belle, I really do. I want nothing more than to continue building your business. I do know what a wonderful reputation you have and I’d never do anything to harm it.”
“That’s good news.” I could see how exhilarated Stacy was. She couldn’t wipe the grin off her face. I wanted to reassure her as well that I was flexible with the gowns.
“Please understand, Stacy, I don’t mean I’m rigid in my designs. Of course you will put your own stamp on things, but like I said, the quality, the detail, and the brand’s reputation have to remain at the top.”
“Anabelle, I can actually take over your job in a couple of years?” she asked with a twinkle in her eye.
“I’m pretty sure it would be in safe hands, so yes.”
“Oh wow! Belle, I won’t let you down, I truly won’t. I love working here.”
“In keeping with your new responsibilities, I’ll raise your salary then review it again in twelve months’ time.”
“Thank you!” She gave me a hug, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears.
Charlie stood and left the office, returning with three glasses of bubbly.
“Congratulations, Stacy. Welcome to management.”
“Thanks, Charlie, and thank you from the bottom of my heart, Belle.”
“You are most welcome. If you continue the way you have then I’ll know my boutique is in safe hands. Congratulations.”
I was extremely happy.
It was a big thing to put my baby in someone else’s hands, but I was very confident Stacy could, and would, fill my shoes. We chatted for half an hour and then went back to work. I rang John and told him what I’d done.
“I won’t be fully retired for another two years, but I’m cutting back how much I
do and I won’t come into the office as much. I’m thinking I come in on Thursdays and Saturdays because those are our busiest days.”
“Sweetheart, you do what you think is best for the business. You know I’ll support any decision you make, but it will be great if you’re home from Sunday through ’til Thursday morning. We can do a few short trips, maybe take the boat out cruising.”
“I’d love that, sounds perfect.”
“We’ll talk about it later.”
“Got to get back to work. I love you.”
“Love you, I’ll pick you up around six.”
“See you then.”
****
When May finally rolled around, I knew I was pretty good. At last, the past was simply that—the past for both of us. On rare occasions I’d remember my ordeal, but John was always there to hold my hand and let me cry if I needed to.
On May fourteenth, he took me out to dinner in the city. It was twelve months to the day since we met. It was all candlelight and champagne. The food was out of this world, although when I thought about it later I couldn’t have told you what I ate. John looked amazing. He’d worn his tux again. I had on a slinky evening gown I’d designed and made. I thought I was super sexy and super-hot.
It was lovely to sit and reminisce about our time in the villa. We toasted Rolly and hoped he was enjoying a life filled with apples. We had a wombat on the property that John had christened Rolly Junior because he had become friendly and always expected apples whenever he spied us. He would barrel down the track on his stubby legs when he heard us coming, expecting to be fed.
We finally reached our desserts.
John had some sort of dark chocolate cylinder with smoked hazelnut praline and salted caramel ice cream while I indulged in a classic Paris-Brest filled with hazelnut praline cream. When my plate arrived, it had a little tiny box alongside the pastry. I stared at it, puzzled, then at John. He shrugged his shoulders, as I picked it up and opened it. Then I almost burst into tears.
