by Jenna Jacob
He turned toward Dylan, who placed a shiny silver necklace in Max’s hand. Facing me once more, Max lifted the dainty silver chain with a cluster of three diamonds dangling from the center.
“I’d be remiss not to thank Master Desmond for igniting the spark of submission that burns so brightly inside you. No matter how much you wanted to deny that burning ember, I saw the glow inside you from day one. While I’d never be so bold to think of replacing him, Samantha, I simply ask for the honor to be your Master today, tomorrow, and till the end of time.
“The circle of love never ends, pet.” Max placed the necklace in my hand and pointed to the diamonds. “See? Desmond. Max. Samantha. The decision is yours, my sweet slut…if you wish for me to guide, protect, and lead you along your submissive path, then kneel and allow me to claim you.”
Max took a step back. He squared his shoulders, parted his brawny legs, and tucked his hands behind his back. Forceful. Commanding. He called to me as a woman and a submissive in a primal and passionate way.
I stood before him, trembling, sobbing, and tracing my fingertip over the circle of diamonds. I was astonished that Max had paid such homage to Desmond and the impact he’d had on my life, not only as his wife but his slave. Adding a separate stone in acknowledgment completely decimated my heart.
Yes, I wanted to kneel before Max, but most of all, I ached for him to claim me.
I lowered myself to the floor and felt as if I were surrendering to him for the first time. Blissful love burst through my whole being and my heart soared as if it would explode. Resting my butt cheeks against my heels, I spread my thighs and lowered my head as Max draped the delicate chain across my palms. I inhaled a deep breath as the chain sent a warmth and calmness to radiate through me, then raised my arms, offering Max the necklace to bind to my neck.
The collar was unconventional, but then so were we.
“Look at me, Samantha.”
Heeding his command, I raised my head and lifted my lashes. Max seized me with a look of love so raw and sharp it stole the air from my lungs. How on earth could I find the right words to convey the depth of feeling that thrummed inside me? My heart ached with the love that burned inside me. I suddenly realized that if I accidently tangled up my words, it wouldn’t matter. Max had always possessed that mystifying and innate ability to know what I was feeling…thinking, even when I didn’t say a thing.
He needed to hear the songs my heart had never sung to him before.
“It no longer matters if Maximus Gunn is your stripper or porn name.” I grinned when he tossed back his head and laughed along with the rest of the crowd.
“God, I’m going to love taming your sassy tongue, wench,” he barked.
“So am I.” I exhaled on a sigh before turning sober. “You uncovered the submissive buried inside me, but you did more. You saved her…saved me. You forced me to face my fears with compassion and love. Even when I drew the blade of my wicked tongue, you simply tossed up a shield. With the patience of a saint and the determination of a warrior…you never backed down.”
“Retreat was never an option, gorgeous,” he softly whispered.
“Thank god,” I murmured before continuing. “Your eyes show me a future I once refused to even dream about again. Your arms shelter and protect me when I need refuge from insecurities. Your voice, whether silky with praise or harsh with command, fills me with the unequivocal demand to surrender. Here, at your feet, I am whole…I’m complete.”
Tears streaked from my face and dripped to the floor between my thighs. I stretched my arms as high as they could go…beseeching him to lift the collar from my palms.
“I kneel before you begging that you will bestow the honor and privilege of claiming me as your slave. I ache to serve and please you, and willingly offer you my heart, mind, body, and soul. You are my world, Master…my whole world is you.”
I dropped my chin to my chest. As I bit back sobs, I waited one…two…three thundering heartbeats before I felt his fingers brush my palm. I choked back a strangled cry of joy as I lowered my arms and rested the backs of my hands on my thighs.
Max knelt in front of me and cupped my chin. Lifting my head back, I gazed up at him. Tears glistened in his eyes and his chin quivered once before he clenched his jaw. Dylan moved in behind me and gently lifted my hair as Max worked the clasp of the necklace open.
Bending, he draped the chain around my throat and pressed his mouth to my ear, and as the latch snicked shut, he whispered, “It’s my privilege and honor to own you, my beautiful Samantha.”
Max sipped my free-flowing tears before he claimed me with a silken, fiery kiss. I melted against his chest as my whole being blazed in completeness, and the club erupted in applause and cheers. Sliding his arm around my waist, Max hauled me to my feet. We faced our friends, now on their feet, still clapping. I wiped my cheeks and choked out a watery laugh. Gliding my fingertips over the three diamonds, I looked over at Max. He was beaming with pride and joy.
“I love you, Master.”
“I love you, too, sweet slave,” he growled, then kissed me again, long and hard.
“All right. All right,” Mika barked above the cacophony. “Usually we put the guests of honor at the front of the food line, but these two love-birds might stay up here all night sucking tongues while we starve to death.”
I grinned against Master’s lips as Mika chuckled.
Suddenly, Max tore from my mouth.
“We’ll finish that, later,” he said with a wink before giving Mika a mock scowl. “God knows I don’t want anyone starving to death. Let’s eat!”
More cheers went up as Max pressed a strong hand to the small of my back and led me to the tables lined with silver chafing dishes. As I reached for a plate to hand to my new Master, Trevor nearly tackle-hugged me with a squeal.
“Samantha, Samantha, Samantha. Lordy, girl, it’s going to take some time for me to get used to calling you that…but, oh, my god! You’re a sub!” Trevor screamed. He was more excited than I’d seen him in years.
Drake shot me a look of apology, yet there was a tremendous look of relief flickering in the man’s gray eyes. I flashed the burly tattooed Dom a look of warning followed by a barely perceptible shake of my head for leniency on Trevor’s behalf. Drake’s lips slowly kicked up with an incredulous grin as he opened his arms for a hug.
I giggled and wrapped my arms around his robust and hairy chest. As he squeezed me tightly, Drake settled his mouth next to my ear. “Remember your place, girl. I decide if my sub needs a punishment, just as your Master will decide your fate.”
I tensed and swallowed tightly.
“Easy, Sam,” Drake murmured. “We’re still friends, honey. I’m simply trying to help keep your head where it needs to be. This is going to be a big transition for all of us, but I’m so fucking happy for you, baby.”
He released me and planted a big kiss on my forehead.
“Thank you, Daddy Drake…Sir.” My voice trembled. I hadn’t thought about the affect my submission would have in regard to my longtime Dom friends.
“Don’t worry, honey. In private, I’m still Drake, and you’re still Sam.”
“Are you hitting on my slave, Drake?” Max chuckled.
“Please,” the Leather Daddy drawled.
“Samantha’s safe, Sir Max.” Julianna grinned. “Daddy Drake hates vaginas.”
“Which is a damn good thing for me.” Trevor grinned.
I suddenly realized both maternal figures were there without their children. “Where are the babies tonight?”
“Tristan and Hope are at our place.” Julianna sent Mika a pleading expression. He didn’t say a word, simply nodded. “We…um, we hired a nanny since another Baby LaBrache will join our family the first part of March.”
“Oh, sister!” Trevor squealed and hugged her tight. “Another baby! I hope it’s a girl; then Hope will have a brother and a sister.”
“I hope so, too.” Julianna wiped a tear away. I knew then it was
n’t just me. Pregnant hormones were hell on all women.
“And you swore you’d never go through labor and delivery again during Hope’s birth,” Trevor teased with a laugh.
“It was the pain talking, not me.” Julianna laughed. “I honestly can’t wait.”
“You’re due in March?” Savannah asked breathlessly. Nick flashed his girl a wink. “February twenty-fourth, here,” she announced, softly rubbing her belly.
Leagh pinned Mellie—whose mouth hung agape—with a knowing grin.
Joshua cleared his throat and placed his masterfully artistic fingers over his girl’s belly and smiled proudly. “February twenty-second, here.”
“What?” Sanna screamed. “Some sister you are! Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Ditto, wench! Why didn’t you tell me?” Mellie countered. The two pregnant sisters started to laugh and cry and hug each other as I teared up.
More waterworks…great!
Tony held up his hands. “Okay, nobody drink the fucking water around here unless you want to be knocked up.”
“I’ve never heard of getting pregnant by drinking water, Sir. However, I’ve heard of it happening after too much tequila,” Symoné laughed.
Tony blinked at the new sub in stunned silence for several seconds before a grin crested on his mouth.
“You’ll do just fine at this club, girl,” he chortled. Raising a hand in the air, he pointed at Symoné. “Looks like we have another feisty sub to keep you Doms on your toes. Step up…the line forms here!”
Symoné’s face turned bright crimson with embarrassment. She flashed a nervous glance at Justice before dropping her eyes toward the floor.
“Pick one line or the other, man, and make it snappy. We’re hungry,” Justice called out as his features quickly morphed from a scowl to a manufactured smile.
The others bought the man’s ruse and started harping at Tony to fill his plate and move on. I, however, wasn’t fooled. Justice clearly had his balls in a twist. I suspected it had to do with a certain auburn-haired, aqua-eyed submissive named Symoné. With the focus on Tony now, Justice stood with his jaw clenched, looking awkwardly uncomfortable as he darted covert glances the sub’s way. And even more so when Symoné lifted her lashes in his direction.
I couldn’t wait to see how this prickly waltz played out in the coming weeks.
When Max and I finished filling our plates, we walked back toward the center of the dungeon. Thanks to some fast-working subs, the chairs used during our ceremony were now repositioned around the tables. He held out a chair, and once I was seated, he eased in beside me.
“Since the others have announced their due dates, did you want to do the same, pet?”
I shook my head. “I’d rather wait until we get the results from the amniocentesis, in case something—”
“Our baby is going to be healthy and happy. I know it in my heart.”
I wanted to share his conviction, but I was barely pregnant, and I was thirty-eight years old.
“Clear your mind, Samantha, or I’ll tie you to that spanking bench and clear it for you,” Max said with a sensual growl.
My heart skittered and my blood warmed as a mischievous grin played at my lips. “You know that storage space, next to the workout room?”
“Yes,” Max replied before taking a bite of his dinner roll.
“Wouldn’t that space make a wonderful dungeon?”
“Christ, I love your kinky mind, slave.”
“I’m glad you didn’t mention that kind of furniture to your interior decorators.”
Max quirked a brow at Sanna as she, Dylan, and Nick sat down at our table. “You’ve been telling tales about me, little one.”
Sanna’s eyes grew wide as a blush rushed up her cheeks. “I-I have?”
“I was teasing him about the interior designers.”
“Oh, I didn’t realize that was a secret.” She blanched.
“It’s not. I’m only teasing you, Sanna.” Max grinned.
“Don’t be giving her a hard time. She’s pregnant,” I chided. Even before Max turned to slam me with an angry, badassed Dom glare—that made my pussy clutch—I knew I’d fucked up. I’d have to backpedal, and fast. “Um…I mean, err, please, Sir. Don’t be mad at Sanna…or me…especially now that I’ve royally screwed up…my sweet, loving, oh, so kind and forgiving, Master.”
Nick and Dylan roared as I tried to dig myself out of trouble. Sanna quickly covered her mouth, but her whole body shook in silent laughter.
Max simply smirked at me and nodded. “You realize I am keeping track of your Dominant outbursts, don’t you, pet?”
“Oh, god,” I whimpered. “You can’t possibly—I mean, no Sir, I didn’t.”
The men across from us only laughed harder.
“I am. So keep that in the forefront of your mind, Samantha.”
“I will, Master.” I swallowed tightly as I anxiously glanced at several of the play stations across the room.
We ate our meal surrounded by friends, talking and laughing. The evening had been nothing short of magical. Altering my status from Domme to sub was met with joyful acceptance. A steady stream of members congratulated Max and me, driving home the fact that all the hours I’d spent fretting over their rejection had been a waste of time. But even more mind-boggling was the number of deliveries the stork would be making come spring.
Still warring with my waning appetite, I nibbled at the food on my plate but mostly just pushed it around with my fork.
“Try to eat a few more bites, love,” Max murmured.
With a nod, I smiled. I thought it ironic that a month ago I would have snapped at the man and told him to mind his own business. Mika had been right; no other Dom before Max had ever crawled so deeply under my skin. I was damn glad he had.
When dinner was done, Quinn, Ava, and Joe hurried behind the bar as the play stations quickly filled. It was strange to watch others do my job but blissfully relaxing to spend unhurried hours with my Master and our friends engulfed in the sights and sounds of the dungeon.
Max draped his arm across the back of my chair and pulled me close to his side. “I’d love to cuff you to the cross and redden your ivory ass, but I’m exhausted. Besides, I think we’ve given the members enough to process for one night.”
The mere mention of being tired had me yawning. “I couldn’t agree more, Master.”
“Come on, pet. Let’s thank Mika and say good night to our friends so I can take you back to our new home and tuck you into our new bed.”
An hour later, Max led me into the bedroom, but we didn’t crawl between the sheets. Instead, he filled the massive Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom as he slowly peeled the clothes off my body.
Earlier in the day, I’d unpacked a box with my collection of candles and had placed them around the edge of the tub. Max lit them all before he turned off the lights and stepped into the churning hot water to join me. Nestled between his long, muscular thighs, I leaned my back against his chest. With his strong, ink-colored arms banded around my waist, I closed my eyes and issued a sigh of pure contentment.
“Thank you for the fairy-tale evening, Master.”
“You’re welcome, precious.” Max kissed the top of my head. “I was proud of your courage. You did fantastic, Samantha.”
His praise warmed me and a lazy smile tugged my lips. As I toyed with the diamonds on my collar, Max’s fingers joined mine.
“Including Desmond in our union melted my heart, but I don’t ever want you thinking or feeling that you’re competing with a ghost.”
“I don’t, baby. But he’s the primary reason you are who you are. Adding his symbol to your collar is a reminder of where your journey started. The third diamond is me…that’s where your journey will end, when we’re both old and gray.”
“So, you’re planning to stick with me all that time?” I teased.
“Baby, I’m sticking with you till the end of time.”
He sank his fist into my hair and tugged my he
ad back before he claimed me in a kiss so filled with passion it stole my breath. We made love in the tub. His every touch was tender and reverent, as if I were made of glass. Any sliver of my heart that wasn’t already lost to Max, he claimed then and there.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The days slid into weeks, and before I knew it, almost two months had trekked by. Yet every morning, like clockwork, Max sat beside me, holding my hair as I heaved into the toilet. He’d carry me back to bed before bringing me hot tea and crackers. The morning sickness left me feeling as if I’d been hit by a train. Thankfully, the nausea would pass quickly and not interfere with the rest of my day. It was a small price to pay and would be nothing but a faded memory by the time our little bundle of joy made its way into the world.
“Did you want to go to the submissive meeting at the club this morning?” Max asked as he stepped from the bathroom wiping shaving cream off his face.
“I’d like to.” I gazed at his naked body. The desire to drag my tongue over every inviting inch climbed inside me. “But I’ll pass if you have something else in mind…”
I set my teacup down and climbed out of bed, smiling as Max raked a heated stare over my bare flesh.
“I’ve got nothing on my calendar except making you beg and plead until Monday afternoon.”
“What happens Monday afternoon?” I purred as I raked my nails down his chest and slowly stroked his awakening cock.
Max sucked in a ragged breath and cupped my already wet mound. “I’ve got a job interview with Dylan and Nick.”
“What?” I blinked in surprise.
“I can’t spend my nights being a club bum now that we’ve got a baby on the way. I need a respectable job. It was either work for Nick and Dylan or take a lion tamer job,” he replied with a taunting grin.
I stuck my bottom lip out in an overdramatic pout. “But I like spending my nights with you at the club and sleeping…or rather playing half the day away.”
“I do, too. Though I’ve got plenty of money in the bank, we need to start saving for our little one’s college education now.”
