“That’s a wonderful memory to have.”
“I’m lucky that so many of mine are good.”
“I don’t remember much of my father. Certainly nothing as visceral as the ones of you and Peter.”
I don’t have the same wealth of memories of my mum. Hindsight is a painful thing when you regret your actions. I didn’t build the connection with my mum that I should have when I had the chance. I don’t have the opportunity to rectify my mistake. I might have worked to make up for that in the final months, but I spent years living my own life and barely considering Mum.
“Stop it. Your mood and feelings play out over your body. I can see when you’re sad.” Aiden looks at me with concern on his face.
“I’m just thinking about Mum and the time I wasted. Leaving me here to do nothing but think isn’t a great idea.” I didn’t give myself a lot of time to just be. My mind is making up for that now.
“You’ll have to sit for a while longer. I’ve only just started.”
“How long do you usually work on a piece?”
“If it’s for a collection, usually longer as there will be several finished canvases. I’d normally do at least two sittings with the model. Each for about half a day.”
“Half a day?”
“Yes. Life modelling isn’t as easy as it looks. It’s hard on your joints and your body.”
“I can see that now.” My arm was already starting to grow numb.
His eyes wash over me before focusing on a specific section. They burn into me, scorching my skin with the intensity.
Aiden’s still sports a large bulge at his crotch.
“Do you always get hard when you paint women naked?” I jest but would hate to find out that he was like some trashy photographer, sleeping with all his models.
“No. I can say that you’re the only one to have this effect on me. As usual, you’re a distraction, Miss Natasha.”
“Have I told you how much I like it when you call me that?”
“I hope to use it much more regularly from now on.” He looks right into my eyes as he says it. My body softens, rapt at such simple words, but words that speak to a part of my soul that longs to hear them.
I inch my hand that was resting on my hip to the apex of my legs. Aiden watches as I move, but doesn’t challenge me. I cup my sex and let my fingers tease. My eyes watch Aiden for his reaction. He’s abandoned his paint and looks at me with renewed vigour. He turns to face me, the swelling in his shorts now thickened and straining against the fabric.
My body heats further. “Describe what you see, Aiden.”
“You’re teasing yourself. Your fingers want to play with your pussy. Your breasts are full and ripe. The nipples have hardened ready to be touched and licked. Your jet-black hair falls over your shoulder, framing your body and giving contrast to your creamy skin.” Aiden’s voice grows deeper, rumbling with lust. The sound is like liquid pleasure over my skin, setting my nerves on edge, expecting the slow build of desire from further carnal touches.
I shift my hips and give myself room to rub my pussy with my finger. I see the conflict in Aiden—he wants to come to me, but he knows I haven’t permitted him. He instinctively knows when I want him to adopt the Dominant-submissive relationship. That instinct will be required more and more if this relationship is going to be successful.
“On your knees and come to me. You can watch, but no touching until I tell you.”
“Yes, Miss Natasha.”
Aiden drops to the floor with a light thud and prowls over to me. His eyes dart between my hand and my breasts as if he can’t choose between what he wants to watch. To make the decision harder, I lean back on the cushions and begin to play with my nipple with my other hand.
“Would you be comfortable doing this when I take you to Solace?”
He answers as if he’s in a daze. “Yes. It might take some getting used to. And I don’t want to share you, but yes.”
“I don’t want to share you either, so I think that makes us even.” I couldn’t imagine letting any other Dominant put their hands on Aiden. My possessiveness over him has only grown, and the incident with Sarah has magnified it further.
If I still had any doubt as to who he belonged to, that had evaporated like water in the desert.
My fingers work gently, brushing against my clit. I roll onto my back and part my legs, ensuring Aiden can see exactly what I’m doing.
The ache in my heart to have Aiden is stronger than the need to dominate him at this moment. I don’t want there to be any doubt about us. No doubt as to my feelings.
“Strip,” I command. The loose cotton Aiden wore is removed in a matter of seconds, but he doesn’t rush the gun. He waits, and it fills my heart once more.
“Don’t hold back. This is about us. I need to feel you inside of me.”
“God, yes.” He doesn’t wait for more instruction, but climbs over my body, between my spread thighs and covers my breast with his mouth. His tongue slips around the nipple, before he flicks the tip, sending shivers of lust through my body. I can feel the head of his cock, resting impatiently at my entrance.
My pussy is soft and hungry to feel the stretch of Aiden as he enters me, and the achingly beautiful satisfaction that comes after passionate sex.
After everything that happened today, I want to indulge. I reach around and guide Aiden’s cock to my entrance, and he does the rest, pushing slow and steady inside of me. We both moan in unison, the satisfaction delicious.
I wrap my legs around Aiden’s waist and run my arms around his neck. He leans up on his forearms and seeks my lips with his. The kiss connects us more intimately, despite Aiden already penetrating me. He thrusts his tongue into my mouth as he rears his hips back and surges forward. The slow, staccato movement jolts my body in the bed of pillows, hitting deep inside.
He’s all I can feel, all I can taste, and I don’t want to feel anything but him, ever again.
Our bodies remain entwined as we take our time, making love, showing each other the depth of feeling. If Aiden isn’t kissing me, he’s resting his forehead against mine, murmuring incoherently about love and lust and forever.
As he continues his steady pace, my nerves come alive, primed to spark and dance as my climax takes my body. I shift us, pushing Aiden onto his back and straddling his cock. My slick thighs betray how aroused I am. I gently rock back and forth. His hands start to explore, climbing from my hips to my waist and grabbing at my breast.
Aiden sits up and takes a nipple between his teeth, biting and sending spasms of delight to my pussy. I pump up and down on his cock, now more eager than ever to climax.
Aiden’s arms wrap around me, pulling me against his body. Our mingled breaths and pants, an erotic soundtrack to our lovemaking, whisper in our ears.
I grind down, rubbing my clit against the base of his cock, and my muscles contract in pleasure. Tension builds in the pit of my stomach and all the way to my toes as I work my body harder and faster. A flare of heat tears through my body as I push to reach the climax that will shatter me.
“I love you. I love you so damn much,” Aiden grits out as his jaw clenches down, waiting for me to find my release.
“Yes… Yes…”
His mouth sucks my nipple and flicks the tip as my orgasm explodes through my body, running through every nerve fibre like a lightning strike. My hips take over, pistoning back and forth as my lungs scream for air.
“Fuck… me… yeah…” Aiden pants as he digs his fingers into my hips, anchoring me to his cock.
I collapse onto his chest. A warm, sated blanket covering my body as I rest on his chest.
“You’re the most beautiful woman as you come, you know that?”
“If you say so,” I mumble. I slide off his lap and drape my leg over his, not wanting to break our physical connection. I didn’t need to worry about the emotional one.
I look into his blue eyes, sure that the future will most definitely hold more days and nights, entwined
with Aiden. “This is us. I want to make us work. D/s is part of us, and I want to continue to explore it with you as my partner. I love you.” I didn’t want Aiden to be in any doubt.
“I love you, too. And as long as you believe in us, then I’m all good.”
“All good?” I raise a quizzical brow at him.
“Yep. You’re fierce, strong, and the sexiest woman I’ve ever met. Who happens to love me. So yeah. I’m all good.”
He wraps his arms around me, pulling me tighter against him. His eyes betray the weight of his words, and I know the meaning of them runs deep for Aiden. For such a young man, he has incredible maturity when it comes to communicating his emotions. Something I should learn to do better.
“Thank you. I love you, and I’m all good, too.”
Three Months Later
“Thanks for the update, Andrew.”
“Anytime. I’ll let Sarah know you called.”
“Do.”
It’s difficult talking to Andrew about Sarah. Luc put her into counselling after the attack, as she displayed severe abandonment issues. The therapist at Luc’s practice started her in a group session and was exploring dialectical behaviour therapy with her.
Andrew returned from Ireland and was stunned to learn what had happened. He wanted to help Sarah, which Luc explained, would certainly help.
I still feel a pang of guilt for my part in all of this, and it is a constant reminder of how I need to be careful with Aiden.
“Was that Andrew?” Aiden asks as he brings in a cup of coffee.
“Yes. She’s doing well. Making progress.”
“Good to know.” There’s a coolness to Aiden’s voice that I can’t begrudge. Sarah did assault him.
I change the subject to the question I need to ask before tonight. We’d be going to Solace later, but with any luck, Aiden will be collared by then. I had a beautiful leather piece made for him. It was a round braided necklace with silver links to lock it and easily passable for just a regular necklace. Only we would know the significance of the piece. It suited Aiden, and nothing would bring me more satisfaction than fastening it around his neck before we entered Solace.
“Aiden, there’s something I’ve meant to give to you.”
“Oh?”
“It’s something that holds a great deal of significance to me. I’ve never wanted this with any of my other partners, but with you…”
“Good. I’d be worried if you thought we were like your other relationships.”
I get up and bring the wooden box from the top of the mantle over to Aiden. “Here.” I hand him the box and wait for him to open it.
“A necklace? Not what I was expecting, but it’s really smart. Thanks.”
“It’s not just a necklace. It’s a collar. A sign that you belong to me.”
“Like a pet?” He scrunches his face up.
“Not the analogy I was going for. It’s a sign to any other Dominants that you belong to me. That we love and trust each other. When you wear my collar, it is an extension of your submission. You agree to give yourself over to me. To do as I command. To put your faith in me. In us.”
“I see.”
The air buzzes, like a charge is waiting to spark, setting me on edge.
“Do you understand the significance of this?” I inch closer to the edge of my seat.
“I think so.” He has a slight frown on his face. “Is it similar to this?” He digs into his pocket and pulls out a small, black box. “Here.”
My hand shakes as he hands me a box that could only hold one thing as important as a collar is to me. I crack the lid and the hinge creaks as I lift it open. A stunning solitaire diamond, mounted on delicate shoulders of intricate white gold, sits in a bed of velvet. It’s beautiful.
“This ring was my grandmother’s. Grandad crafted the diamond himself back when he was working in Antwerp. I’m not sure when a piece becomes an antique, but I couldn’t see you wearing something that was brand new.”
My eyes flash between the ring and Aiden. He doesn’t say the words that I’m anticipating but lets me grow accustomed to the diamond in front of my eyes.
“Am I right?”
“Sorry, about what?”
“About the collar being like an engagement ring?”
“Oh. Well, I think there are some key differences. A collar is something you choose to wear. It isn’t permanent, although some people make it so. It holds none of the legal bindings of marriage, of course.” I am rambling. Emotions tear at my chest. Love overwhelms me, but fear and doubt and confusion threaten to beat it down.
I’ve never set my sights on marriage like others. It had never been what I had wanted or needed in my life.
“This ring is for me, what a collar is for you. I told you I am all in. That’s forever. I am yours as much as any man can belong to a woman. Marry me, and I’ll wear your collar.”
“Did you forget who’s the Dominant in this relationship?”
“No, Miss Natasha. Never.”
“Then do I misunderstand you? You are trying to persuade me to marry you by giving me something that I want in return.”
“You might choose to see it that way. I see it as we’re both getting what we want. Each other.”
“You’re sure about this? A collar is between us. In our relationship as Dominant and submissive.”
“And marriage is beyond that. I want to look after you, care for you, and grow old with you. You are my soulmate. I am your submissive, but I’m also your partner. I want to show the world the significance of what that means to me.”
“It certainly is an interesting proposal.” I smile.
“Somehow I didn’t think you’d be the getting-down-on-one-knee kind of woman.”
Maybe. I do prefer him on both knees.
“Did you just happen to have this on you today? It’s a hell of a coincidence if you’ve been waiting for me to bring up wearing my collar.”
“The ring’s been in my pocket for the last couple of weeks. Just waiting for the right time. I didn’t know about the collar, but I will wear it. For you.”
“On your knees.” I point to the floor with a grin. He slides from the sofa and onto both knees, positions himself between my legs. I hand him the box with a smile.
“Miss Natasha. Will you do me the honour of marrying me?” He prises the ring from its nest and offers it to me. I hold my left hand to him, and he slides the diamond onto my third finger.
“Yes. Yes, I will marry you.” I nod to the box where his collar is resting. He hands it to me, and I take the necklace in my hands. I unscrew the silver clasp and put the box to the side. Aiden leans forward and slightly bows his head. I fit it around his neck and lock it into place.
It’s as sexy as hell and suits him down to the ground. I never want him to take it off. My heart swells to the point my chest physically hurts and tears stab at my eyes.
“What do you think?” I shake my hand and wiggle my finger at him, diffusing the burst of emotion ready to leak all over my face. “Is Peter okay with me wearing this? It’s a wonderful heirloom. I feel a little awkward taking it.”
“I think you’re the most beautiful woman in the world. You didn’t take it. I gave it to you, and Grandad gave me the ring after Gran died. It’s mine to give to the right woman. That’s you. And now I get to show you off to everyone. And not just the people of Solace.”
I cup his chin and draw him against me for a slow and lingering kiss.
This man was it for me. The collar around his neck and the ring on my finger are the physically representations of our love. It might not be conventional, and our age may raise a few eyebrows. But did that matter? Shouldn’t I have the opportunity to be happy with whomever I choose?
“Does that mean I get you every morning now as well?” I smile behind our kiss.
“If that’s a way of asking if I’m moving in, then yes. I’ll give notice on my place and look at renting a proper studio space.”
“We have time to s
ort the details. We have the rest of our lives.”
The calf-length pencil skirt has a split running to my thigh giving a glimpse of the pattered lace tights I wear. My hips sway with confidence that comes from having Aiden walk a step behind me on my right flank. Knowing he is there, and he is mine, boosts my mood more than any top-space ever had.
I head over to the cosy bar nook and see Seb and Luc have already arrived. I slow my stride and head to say hello. Aiden follows and stays a respectful pace behind. He’s been learning at our visits to Solace. Each time we arrive I am full of pride.
“Evening, Seb. Luc.” I nod in their direction and approach the small bar. I scan the area and see Jess and Izzy perched on the small chaise in the back of the room.
“Aiden, you can take a seat with the girls. We won’t be here long.”
“Yes, Miss Natasha.”
He goes and takes a seat with Izzy and Jess. His body shows no sign of nerves or that he’s uncomfortable. It’s difficult to wrestle my gaze from him, but I win, giving my attention to the gentlemen at my side.
“Care to explain the sizable ring on your finger?” Seb tips his crystal cut glass in the direction of my hand resting on the bar.
“Oh my God, you’re like some beady-eyed woman. I’ve only been standing here for a minute.”
“That rock doesn’t shout subtle, Natasha. You could blind someone with it.” Luc joins in.
“It’s a nice ring, yes.”
“Oh no. You need to do better than that. You’ve been with Aiden for a few months, and now you’re sporting a diamond, and he has a collar around his neck.”
“Congratulations on your observation skills, Sebastian.”
“Careful, mate. Full names means she’s riled.”
“Okay, it might have come as a surprise to you. It did for me as well. I wanted to collar him, and next thing I knew he had a ring in front of me.”
Finally More: The Evermore Series Book 5 Page 23
