by Maggie Ryan
Brushing his lips against the exposed skin of her neck, Logan lifted his weight from her, but remained above her. "I wish for the first ceremony at Haven to be the one where I place my collar around your throat." He was extremely satisfied to see the flash of pleasure in her eyes. They hadn't yet spoken of his desire to collar her, never discussed such an intimate commitment ceremony, but he knew he fully intended to see his collar encircling the delicate column of her neck.
Elizabeth felt her face heat as the implication of his words coursed through her. Though she had played at various games through the past several years, it had only been since she'd met Logan that she felt a true desire—a need really to take that additional step. A step that, once taken, would signify that not only was she to be this man's wife, she was his submissive.
Remembering the explicit ceremony when Jason had collared Nancy, she felt her stomach flip. Logan's words hadn't really been a question. He wasn't overtly asking her permission—he was informing her that she would kneel before him in the ballroom at Haven, their close friends standing as witnesses to the ultimate commitment of a submissive to her Dominant.
"Yes, Sir," she said softly, giving her consent, accepting his demand. Logan's smile and the look in his eyes showed his pleasure that she wished to wear more than his ring. He bent forward to kiss her once more before moving off her and helping her to sit up. They straightened the bed covers, and were soon showered and dressed to begin their day.
"I'll see you tonight," Logan said as he walked her to her car. "It will be good to see everyone again."
"Yes, it will. I'm just wondering what Craig wants to discuss."
"Probably something about fixtures. I don't care, since he and Jason are doing all the cooking," Logan teased, smacking his lips and patting his flat stomach. "He can talk all he wants, because it just leaves more food for me." He bent forward, gave her a quick kiss and then opened her car door. Shaking her head, she smiled as he buckled her seatbelt, kissed her a final time and waved as he shut her door.
*****
Elizabeth was still smiling as she sailed into her office to find Nancy already busy at work.
"Well, good morning, lazy bones," Nancy said, sitting back and smiling across their desks at her business partner. "Excuse me if I was wrong, but didn't you specifically tell me to be on time today, since we are only working a half-day? Weren't you the one who said we have a lot of work to do?"
"Blame Logan," Elizabeth said, preparing her coffee before sliding into her own chair.
"Ah," Nancy said, with a knowing grin. "Playing the 'my Dom made me do it' card, are you? Well, seeing that you are smiling, and I'm not detecting a wince as you sit, I'm guessing it was for a pleasurable reason?" She giggled, delighted at the pink color that began to creep up her friend's neck to color her cheeks. "What am I saying? You'd be smiling even if your ass was purple. So, which is it? Do tell." When Liz didn't speak, Nancy leaned forward. "I'm serious—do tell!"
"You're getting as bad as Ariel. Is there nothing private anymore?"
"I'm not demanding to look at your panties," Nancy quipped. "And you are a member of HOPEFUL after all. Remember, we all vowed to share everything in our desire to, um—help and support each other."
"More like desire to be nosy and live vicariously through each other," Elizabeth retorted, and then laughed. "And speaking of vows…"
"You set a date!" Nancy exclaimed, and was ready to jump from her chair when she saw Liz shake her head.
"Not exactly."
"What does that mean? Not exactly what?"
Taking another sip of coffee, Liz looked around their small office, as if expecting to see a group of paparazzi lurking about hoping for a juicy story. Surprised at the feeling of shyness that was creeping over her, she turned back to Nancy. "I know you'll think I'm being mean, but since we're having lunch with the others, can you wait?"
About to roll her eyes and demand that Liz explain 'not exactly', Nancy saw the look on Elizabeth's face. She felt her stomach tighten as she realized that she hadn't seen that look in quite a while—her best friend looked… not frightened, really, but definitely cautious. Her need to know instantly took second place to her desire to make sure Elizabeth was okay. "Sure, I can wait, honey," she assured her friend. "But, could you at least tell me if you are all right?"
"I promise, I'm fine," Elizabeth said, her smile, more than her statement, helping convince Nancy that she was speaking the truth.
"Okay then, I suppose it will help me learn patience," Nancy said, her eyes going to the large clock on the back wall. "It's just a good thing you only plan to string me along for three hours. I don't think I can last much longer than that."
Laughing, the two women relaxed as they began to discuss their schedules, checking appointment books online and deciding on dates to spend at their storage units, as well as finalizing the planned trip to Round Top for shopping. They also discussed the final steps required to complete renovations at Tastsinn.
"It's really great of Logan to add all this security," Nancy said, as she looked at her computer screen. "Um, we haven't talked about it lately, but do you think part of this is because of Greg Spenser?"
Elizabeth felt her stomach clench as she considered the question. She had never imagined that she would be the object of such hatred. "I think so," she admitted. "When Logan found out that Greg showed up at the trade fair, and was screaming about us and how we give sexual favors to draw clients, in spite of the restraining orders Jason and he insisted we take out, that's when additional security really became an issue." Her eyes automatically went to the cameras that had been installed in their small office, another level of security their men had insisted upon after hearing that Greg continued to spread nasty lies about Divine Designs and its owners. "God, why can't the man just leave us alone and concentrate on his own company?"
Nancy rolled her eyes even as she reached across the desk to take Liz's hand. "Probably because he has no firm. I mean, Ryan and Julie were smart enough to jump ship, and all this hatred is backfiring on the guy. I wish he'd just pack up and move to another city. Garrett has a great deal of influence in Houston, and I assure you, he is using it to keep Greg's company out of as many new projects as he can. The man is unstable, and I for one am glad our guys are taking this seriously."
"I know," Liz agreed, nodding. "But still, it's just so hard to imagine all the energy it takes to keep hating anybody so much."
"That's because you are sweet and think of everyone else before yourself. Besides, I'm betting that one of the reasons for Logan's increased membership fee, and that long waiting list for Tastsinns, is because he demands safety in all things. Doms appreciate the fact that their subs feel safe playing at the club."
Nodding, Elizabeth had to agree. She knew for a fact that Logan's club was the most popular BDSM club in Houston, and a huge reason for that was the fact that he took every single aspect of personal safety to heart. Though the cost had been an enormous hit on his bottom line, she had been proud when he'd asked her to help design a security system that wouldn't make the club look like a prison yard, but would still ensure additional safety for his members. They had selected alarm lights to be installed above any door capable of closing in the club. If activated, the lights would strobe, and all activity throughout the club would instantly come to a halt until the cause for an alarm had been determined.
"He's promised himself that no one will come to harm on his watch," Elizabeth said.
"It's an expense he could have foregone, but I believe he'll recoup it when the second floor opens."
With a final squeeze of hands, the two women put the topic aside and worked on plans for their own firm's clients.
At one o'clock, they locked up the office and walked to Elizabeth's car. "You know how lucky we are?" Elizabeth asked, beeping the doors open. "I mean, think of all the poor souls who sit in cubicles eight hours a day, every day. Do you ever feel guilty when we cut the day short just so we can have fun?"
/> "Nope," Nancy said, hopping into the car. "We've worked our butts off to get to this point. We agreed when we formed the company that life was too short to spend days slaving away, our noses to the grindstone, only to discover that we wasted the opportunity to truly enjoy life. Besides, a girl needs to eat!"
Elizabeth laughed as she merged into lunch hour traffic. "Agreed, but seriously, we only worked for about three hours, and—"
"You worked three hours," Nancy contradicted. "I've been working since seven. I'm ready to eat lunch, enjoy our meeting, and the cook-out later. If you feel guilty, you could always forget the steaks and shrimp Jason is bringing and come back to work."
"Hmm, perhaps an afternoon off is deserved," Elizabeth said, having no desire to miss spending the remainder of the day with her friends.
"Good, that's my girl. It is sweet of Helen to host the lunch, and then Ben invited everyone for dinner. It will allow more privacy, as we won't have to worry about having a waiter or other customers overhear what we say at our meeting, and we don't have to worry about a time-frame since the guys will join us later. Do you have any clue as to what Craig wants to discuss?"
"Nope, but I'm hoping we'll find out tonight. It seems impossible that we haven't gotten together before now."
It had been almost five weeks since the trip out to Haven, and though the girls spoke to each other often, this would be the first time all the club members would meet as a group since Ariel's engagement.
"Yes, and I think we should ask Helen if she wants to come with us for the weekend," Elizabeth continued, as they drove towards River Oaks, the affluent neighborhood where Ben and Helen had their home. "I don't want to assume that all of y'all feel the same, but I'd hate to leave her out if she'd like to join us."
"I'd love to have her," Nancy reassured her. "She's a wonderful woman, and it's really great that not only does she seem to truly love us, but has no problem with any of her own kids' chosen lifestyles."
"Yes, it really is remarkable when you think about it," Liz agreed. "I think she'd have fun, and maybe keep Ariel in line." The women laughed, both looking forward to the meeting, and Nancy desperate to discover exactly what had caused her friend to be late.
An hour later, the women were seated around the large kitchen table. Plates held the remains of a delicious variety of salads that Craig and Barbara had prepared for the luncheon.
Placing her napkin by her plate, Helen looked at whom she considered to be her four daughters. "Barbara, thank you for this fabulous feast, but, honey, it really isn't necessary for you and Craig to always provide the food. It isn't necessary for Jason to cook tonight either, but I admit, it is wonderful the way everyone seems to work so effortlessly together."
"We love doing it, Mom," Barbara assured her. "He is teaching me so much and we always have fun during the lessons."
"What sort of lessons?" Ariel asked with her customary giggle, her eyes wide, as if to deny her true curiosity as to what exactly was Craig teaching her sister.
"As so it begins," Nancy said, with a smile aimed at Liz. "I bet Miss Nosy wouldn't have the patience I did this morning."
"Why do you need patience?" Ariel asked, her gaze now moving between her three friends. "What are you hiding from us, Liz? You are supposed to share, remember?"
"Exactly what I said," Nancy agreed. "She's made me wait all day, but refused to explain until we got together."
"Three hours is hardly all day," Elizabeth corrected, with an exaggerated sigh.
"I'll leave you girls to your meeting." Helen pushed back her chair and walked around the table, bending to kiss each woman's cheek. "Don't feel you have to rush. Just make sure you come find me when the boys arrive." They all watched as the woman they had come to love and admire turned to leave them to their meeting.
Elizabeth saw Nancy's nod. "Mom, wait a minute, please. We wanted to ask you if you'd like to join us."
Helen's look of surprise caused Nancy to jump into the conversation. "We'd like you to come to Round Top with us," she clarified, and saw Elizabeth realize how her statement could have been misunderstood.
"I think it would be fun for all of us, but I'll understand if you don't want to go. The hotel is just a small one, and the shopping isn't in an air-conditioned mall…"
"I'd love to," Helen said. "I haven't been to a flea market in years. And didn't you mention that you plan to visit Harry?"
Elizabeth nodded. "Yes, he has his home and a studio a few miles away. We've called to make sure he's available, and he's assured me that he will give us all the time we need to decide what implements can be restored or repaired for the Woodshed; choose additional toys for Haven, to be offered in Nancy's boutique," she paused, and grinned at Nancy, "and, of course, pick out a very special item for Jason."
"Hold that thought," Barbara said. "If this is going to get juicy, we need dessert."
Helen returned to sit at the kitchen table, watching with pride as all four women stood up to help. Elizabeth and Nancy began to clear the table, while Ariel put the rinsed dishes into the dishwasher. Barbara arranged the dessert on a platter and brought it to the table. After filling everyone's glasses again, the four girls joined Helen. Before Elizabeth could begin, Helen reached over and patted her hand.
"I want to say thank you for inviting me. I must confess, I thought you were extending an invitation to join the HOPEFULs." At the dismayed look on Liz's face, she quickly continued. "No, honey, I'm not saying I wished you had. I believe your group is perfect the way it is. I will always be available to listen to anyone who needs to talk, and I hope you all know how very proud I am of you. You mean the world to Ben and me. We don't want you to leave us out of the really important moments in your lives, but, sweetheart, I understand the need you girls have to be there for each other on an even deeper level."
"Thank you," Elizabeth said. She felt incredibly lucky to be marrying into a family that gave her Ben and Helen as in-laws.
"Now, please pass me a scone before Ariel and Nancy eat them all," Helen requested, feeling just as lucky to have Elizabeth formally joining her family. She laughed as Elizabeth swatted away Ariel's hand when she playfully attempted to snatch the scone off the plate.
"Okay, let's begin," her future daughter suggested.
Chapter 10
"Speaking of Harry, the first order of business is to let y'all know that we've finalized the schedule for our Round Top trip," Nancy began. "We've managed to snag another room at the bed and breakfast, and while it isn't anything fancy, it does provide a place to rest and regroup after being out all day digging for treasures. Since Jason and Logan haven't been jumping with joy over the prospect of joining us, they have agreed that it suits them to allow us to have a Girl's Weekend."
Plans were finalized as it was decided that they would need to rent a large vehicle in order for them to haul back any treasures found. Once the subject had been exhausted, Nancy saw Elizabeth take a deep breath, as if steeling herself. Giving her friend's hand a quick squeeze beneath the table, she spoke. "Okay, Liz, I've broken my record at being patient. What did you mean about vows this morning?"
"You will let me know when I need to leave?" Helen asked, reminding the girls that she had no intention to intrude on the more intimate details of their lives. She was confident that if any one of them wished to discuss something with her, none would hesitate to come to her in private.
"Yes, we will, but don't leave just yet," Elizabeth answered. "I think I'm going to need your opinion, okay?" At Helen's nod, she continued. "Nancy, I must say that I am proud of you. I know you thought that we'd decided on a wedding date, but we haven't. However, we have decided that neither of us wants a large wedding and that we want to have the ceremony at Haven." She saw everyone nodding, all understanding the reason. "Um, but Logan has also decided that, well…" she hesitated, her hand unconsciously moving to her throat, her gesture causing Helen and Nancy to look at each other.
"He wants to collar you," Nancy supplied. Elizabeth looke
d up in surprise, but then relaxed and nodded. Seeing the smile slowly appear on Liz's face, her eyes going soft, Nancy leaned over and hugged her. "Congratulations. That's wonderful."
"Will you do it privately, or have a ceremony?" Helen asked, feeling safe enough to ask questions.
"I'm not sure," Liz answered, her brow furrowing for a moment. He just said that the first ceremony at Haven will be to place his collar around my throat."
They all smiled, seeing the small shiver she couldn't suppress.
"God, you can't imagine what those words did to my insides." With a shake of her head, she grinned. "Well, I'm sure you and Mom can. But, back to the point… I guess that means he desires a ceremony?"
"It could," Helen agreed. "But it could also mean he just plans on collaring you there. How do you feel about it?"
No one attempted to hurry her response. The majority of young women considered their wedding ceremony to be the most important event in their lives. But not the women seated around the table—they all took a deep level of submission very seriously, not just pretending to enjoy a bit of dominance during sexual play. They all considered a collaring ceremony to be just as important as any wedding. It was not something to be taken lightly. A woman could spend years serving several Doms, or just one, and still not be collared. It wasn't a commitment given without serious thought. It involved a level of complete trust on the submissive's part, given to her chosen Dom. He accepted the need to not only protect her, but the weight of responsibility to ensure both partners were fulfilled.
"I always wondered how I would feel," Elizabeth said softly. "I mean, before Logan, I don't think I would have ever been comfortable having such a ceremony witnessed by anyone. They tend to be very, um, intimate."
