Read The Collar Page 27


  His eyes were hungry as he watched her draw the dress over her head and then kneel in front of him.

  “I wish to claim you as mine,” he said, once she’d settled. “To be your Master.”

  Though she knelt at his feet, she looked up as she answered. “I want to be yours. To wear the mark of your control.”

  “Be certain of what you ask for, Angel.” There was a warning in his voice, but she couldn’t determine what it related to.

  “I am, Sir.”

  He didn’t question her again. He simply took the collar and placed it around her neck. With the soft click of the lock, Dena felt her world settle into place.

  “You are mine,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion.

  “Yes.” Silent tears ran down her face. “Thank you, Master. Thank you.”

  “Show your Master your appreciation.”

  She bent to kiss his feet, wetting them first with her tears before her lips could brush their tops.

  “Yours,” she whispered against the right.

  “Forever,” she promised the left.

  The evening air held just a teasing touch of the cooler weather to come with autumn. For the long minutes after she resumed kneeling, Jeff simply stood and watched her, and she grew increasingly aware of the colder temperature. Her tears cooled against her skin and her nipples pebbled. Even still, she felt the warmth of his love and protection.

  “I think I could stand here and look at you all night,” he finally said. “Simply stand and delight in seeing you wear my collar once again.”

  “Maybe we should try that someday, Master.”

  He growled. “Say it again.”

  “Master,” she repeated, knowing what he wanted to hear.

  “Again.”

  “Master.”

  He pulled her to her feet and, without saying anything, crushed his lips against hers in a demanding kiss. She leaned in to his embrace, thrilled by the possessiveness in his touch. He was rough and hard and demanding and she loved and craved every second of it.

  When he pulled back, they were both panting.

  “I decided against candles tonight,” he said.

  “I look forward to experiencing what you have planned.”

  He seemed decidedly devious when he spoke again. “Go stand between those two trees.”

  Looking at the spot he indicated, she wondered if she’d spoken too quickly. He’d obviously been busy earlier, because ropes hung from the branches, ready for his use. She stood in place while he came up behind her and slowly and efficiently cuffed her wrists and ankles, effectively binding her spread-eagle between the trees.

  “How do you feel, Angel?”

  She pulled experimentally against the rope. There wasn’t much give. “Like we should have done candles, Master.”

  He chuckled and dipped a finger between her legs. “But your body betrays you. You’re excited about this.”

  It was true, so she didn’t see the point in saying otherwise.

  “Your earlier statement—what was it? You want to wear the mark of my control.” He moved so he stood in her line of vision, making certain she saw him as he removed a pocketknife and cut a small switch from a nearby tree. He sliced it through the air a few times and then struck his palm with it. “The group play party is tomorrow night. You’ll no doubt still be wearing some of my marks. What’s your safe word, Angel?”

  “Wings.” She didn’t feel aroused anymore, but she tried to relax anyway.

  “Why do you look so frightened? I haven’t done anything yet.”

  “I just … You’ve never …”

  “Look at me.” He held her under her chin so she had no choice. “What did I say I was doing with the wax play, the time I first collared you?”

  The calmness she found in his eyes helped ease her anxiety. “Proving you’re the best.”

  “And in the years since then, do you think I’ve grown better or worse?”

  “Better, Master.”

  “And my feelings toward you, are they stronger or weaker?”

  “Stronger, Master.”

  “Anything you’d like to say?”

  “I’m sorry I doubted you.”

  “Apology accepted. Now, on a scale of one to ten, with one being mildly frightened and ten being scared shitless, what number are you?”

  “Three, Master.”

  “I can live with that.” He let go of her chin and moved behind her.

  He started with gentle taps of the switch along her upper thighs, interspersed with gentle passes of his fingers between her legs. Gradually, he increased the taps so they became like little licks of electricity dancing along her legs and buttocks. Still he kept stroking her, sliding fingers in and out of her and teasing her clit.

  “What number, Angel?”

  “Mmmm … Negative ten, Master.” She tried to rock her hips, but he’d bound her too tightly.

  “Very nice. Perhaps I should actually start now?”

  Her eyes flew open. “Master?”

  The switch whistled through the air and landed with a sharp line of pain on her right butt cheek. Before she could say anything, his hand was back between her legs, stroking the fire within her again.

  “Oh, yes,” he said. “That’ll leave a nice mark. That was one. I’m going to give you ten. You are not allowed to come until I’ve finished all ten. If you do, I’ll add ten more.”

  She figured there was little chance of that happening. “Yes, Master.”

  But by number four, she discovered she’d vastly underestimated him. Between his fingers, the delicious pain, and the wicked things he whispered in her ear, she was dangerously close to coming.

  “Please, Master, let me come,” she nearly shouted, trying to stand on her toes.

  “Poor Angel. You have six more before you can come.”

  Number five landed precariously close to her pussy, and she moaned as his expert hands transformed the pain to pleasure.

  “I’m trying to decide,” he said, “if I want to fuck your pussy or your ass.”

  Numbers six and seven fell on her sweet spot, right where her ass met her thigh.

  “I love sinking into your pussy, but it’s been a long time since I’ve had your ass. It’s so tight, the way it clutches my dick. What do you think?”

  Number eight hit right above the back of her knee, and once more he circled her clit. She bit the inside of her cheek to keep from coming.

  “Angel, I asked a question.” Three fingers pushed inside her pussy.

  “I don’t care, Master, please.”

  “I didn’t bring any lube, and I’m not going back inside to get it.” There was a rustle of clothes, and she knew he was naked. “Two more and then I ride you hard and make us both happy.”

  Nine and ten were quick and hard, but she barely knew they were over before the head of his cock was driving into her. With one swift thrust, he buried his length inside. He reached above her head and pulled loose the quick-release knots so she fell back into him.

  He held her steady, one arm around her chest while the other held her hips in place. And though she couldn’t move, he worked himself in and out, taking them both to the edge. His thrusts were relentless, and when he dropped a hand to rub her clit, she let herself go.

  He gave a grunt of satisfaction. “Love the feel of your release when I’m buried deep inside you.” He circled his hips, grinding against her in a way that allowed him to hit new spots. “I want you to come again.”

  Somehow he moved faster and deeper, and within seconds, she was coming again. This time he followed, holding still and releasing inside her with a grunt of complete pleasure.

  He held on to her, not letting her go because her feet were still bound. “Hold on to me,” he whispered. “Lean on me.”

  She let herself relax against him, and after she assured him she was good, he let go of her just long enough to unbind her ankles. With his customary gentle strength, he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the blanket.


  For a time they stayed in each other’s arms, watching the stars come out and speaking in whispers. They spoke of their future, their hopes, and their dreams.

  And when it was fully dark, she leaned closer, placed his hand on her belly, and whispered a secret.

  Epilogue

  Nathaniel

  One week later

  “Mr. West,” my admin, Sara, said when I picked up the ringing phone. “Mr. Parks is here to see you.”

  “Send him in,” I said, standing up to meet him. I’d been awfully curious as to why Jeff wanted to see me when he’d called the day before to schedule a meeting.

  As the door opened, I crossed the floor to shake Jeff’s hand. “Come on in. It’s good to see you. What brings you into the city?” I waved toward a small sitting area. “Have a seat.”

  “Thanks.” Jeff sat down. “Dena wanted to do some shopping.”

  “Sounds like another woman I know. Speaking of Abby, she told me your news. Congratulations.”

  He smiled, and I noticed how different he looked. Nothing like the guy I’d first met, with his always-stern expression. He looked happy now.

  “Thanks,” he said. “We’re trying to settle on a date.” He leaned forward. “I know you’re busy, and I’m sure you want to know why I’m here.”

  “I was surprised when I got your call.”

  “It’s about the group. I know you and Abby are joining when you move, and the senior members would like for you to take an active role as soon as possible.”

  “What kind of role?”

  “You know what happened with Dena?” At my nod, he continued. “She’s not the first submissive to be mistreated by a Dominant in the group.”

  I had heard murmurings the few times we’d been with the Delaware group. I knew a friend of Julie’s had been badly whipped. “Sounds like there’s a problem.”

  “There is, and we’d like for you to help us. I’m here on the group’s behalf to ask you to take on the responsibility of restructuring the group, especially the mentor program.”

  “That’s no small task.”

  “I know, but we think you’re what the group needs: an experienced Master with an outsider’s perspective.”

  “Can I say I’ll think about it and let you know?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “If I agree, I’ll be working with Abby. You need a submissive’s input, too.”

  “Of course.”

  Abby and I were still working through the details of our newly extended playtime. Working with the Delaware group might be mutually beneficial. I thought back to a conversation Abby and I had had recently, during which she’d admitted how much she’d enjoyed the demo we did in Delaware. Since then, I’d been looking for ways to push her. This might be just what we both needed.

  A way to expand all our limits.

  Read on for a sneak peek

  at the next seductive book in Tara Sue Me’s

  Submissive Series

  Coming soon from

  The smell of lust filled the room. In fact, the sexual tension was so high, I would bet most of the women present longed to be in the place of the lovely redhead. Currently standing in front of Cole Johnson, the Partners in Play group’s newest senior Dominant, the petite woman trembled slightly. Although she was fully clothed, she displayed a vulnerability I was all too familiar with.

  “Daniel told me she’s been having difficulties focusing,” my husband and Dominant, Nathaniel, said. We were at a play party being held at a private residence. He stood behind me, and though we were somewhat removed from the group, he still whispered. “He said he hopes the session with Cole will help.”

  “With everyone watching?” I asked. “That seems unlikely.”

  “I guess we’ll see.”

  We couldn’t hear Cole’s voice, he spoke too softly. The submissive’s gaze drifted from him to the crowd watching. Bad move. Quick as a lightning strike, Cole grabbed her chin and forced her to meet his eyes.

  “On me,” he said, the threat in his voice noticeable before it dropped back down to a whisper.

  “Perhaps he believes if she can focus while in the middle of a crowd, she can focus during anything,” Nathaniel said.

  There was probably some truth to that. The submissive certainly didn’t appear to be tempted to look our way again. Then again, Cole had placed his hands on her shoulders and started a slow stroke up and down her arms. All the while, he kept his eyes locked on hers. I doubted there were many women who would be able to think about anything else if he was looking at them like that.

  After a few minutes, he stepped back and spoke to her again. “As far as you’re concerned, you and I are the only people in this room. Understand?”

  She answered with a softly spoken, “Yes, Sir.”

  “Louder,” he said. “Own your words.”

  “Yes, Sir,” she repeated, this time with more confidence.

  “You are to keep your eyes on mine the entire time we’re together unless I tell you to do otherwise.”

  “Yes, Sir.”

  “What’s your safe word?” Cole asked.

  “Red, Sir.”

  “Thank you. Take your shirt off.”

  Her gaze briefly flickered to the floor.

  “That’s one, sub,” Cole said, and she sucked in a breath. “Tell me what you did.”

  “I looked at the floor, Sir.”

  “And what were you supposed to do?”

  “Keep my eyes on yours.”

  Cole nodded. “Take your shirt off the proper way.”

  This time, she kept her focus on him while she unbuttoned and slid the shirt off her shoulders. It fluttered to the ground.

  “Very nice,” Cole said. “Now, remove your bra.”

  I wasn’t a Dominant by any stretch, but I’d been an active submissive for long enough to know and recognize hesitation. Hell, I’d done it often enough myself, but I always learned something new when I was an observer. It was certainly interesting seeing things from a different prospective.

  Cole took a step toward her. “On the checklist you filled out, how do you have public nudity listed?”

  “As won’t object, Sir.”