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Even better, he seems to treasure each mark as much as I do. He kisses each bite reverently and smears antibiotic cream on the ones where his teeth broke the skin. But he doesn’t look ashamed. Or reproachful. He relishes those marks—and what they stand for—as much as I do.
He’s my Master. The one who understands me inside and out. Who gives me exactly what I need without hesitation and demands what he needs in return.
Nestled against him in bed with Sheba curled against my back, I fight the drowsiness threatening to claim me. I want to stay awake and remember this night, our first night. I want to catalog every moment, so I can lie awake in the future and feel the silver ring pressing against my cheek. Remember the heat of his body driving away the chill. His arms holding me tight.
“I have to leave the day after tomorrow on another trip,” he whispers against my temple.
I stiffen against him, my eyes flying wide open. I don’t voice any protest, though. I already know how often he travels based on how many times he boarded Sheba. In fact, if I’d bothered to look at the calendar at work, I probably would’ve noticed the upcoming trip.
I have all day tomorrow. I’ll soak up as much of him as I can.
Though now I hate the thought of losing even two hours of precious time while forced to share him with my family.
“How long?” I finally ask, pleased that my voice doesn’t quiver.
He still tightens his arm around me, drawing me up so I lay on his chest. Funny, now I can see his face perfectly. I glance at the window and see the full moon rising in the sky, shining through the blinds.
“Just a few days.”
It might as well be years. Each hour without him will feel like a death sentence.
“I’ll be home for New Year’s Eve, and then I’ll fly out again the first of the year.” He gentles his voice even more, holding my gaze. “That trip will be longer. Ten days.”
My chin trembles. I try to think of something to say to cover up how wrecked I am on the inside. “I guess you’ll have to put more marks on me to bring in the New Year, so I’ll have something to look at until you’re home.”
He traces my lips with his finger and then winds his hand in my hair, slowly drawing me down to him. I go willingly, though I’m afraid he’ll taste my tears on my tongue.
“My brave little slave. Don’t you know that you can’t hide anything from me?”
I squeeze my eyes shut and will the tears to dry up. “I’ll be okay. You don’t want a 24/7 slave.”
“No, I don’t,” he agrees, rubbing his lips back and forth against mine. “But I never said you couldn’t stay here if you want.”
I pull back enough to look into his face. “I could stay here?”Where I can smell your pillow and touch your things and dream about this night in your bed?
“Of course. Sheba would be more than happy to keep you company and you’ll be safe with her until I come home.”
I nod. “Yeah, I think I can do that.”
He smiles and tucks my head against his neck. “I knew you could. I’ll have a few rules for you to follow, but I’m sure a smart, obedient sub like you won’t have any problems at all.”
I try to lift my head so I can glare at him, but he refuses to let me move. “What kind of rules?”
“Oh, easy ones.” He lets out a smug laugh that makes me dig my elbow into his rib. He doesn’t even grunt. “You’ll see. I’ll leave a list that you can only read after I’m gone.”
I can only imagine what kind of rules my devious Master might devise to keep me occupied in his absence. “And if I don’t?”
He works his mouth down to my ear through my mess of hair. “Then I’ll have to punish you.”
Grinning happily, I close my eyes and promptly fall asleep.
12
Inever imagined the one Master who could punish me into full submission would have such a sense of humor. When I casually grumbled about the wrinkled remains of the spruce sweater I planned to wear today—and how everyone always remarks about my dark clothes—Charlie refuses to let me wear even a splash of color at my ears. Black sweater, black jeans and, yep, black boots complete my ensemble.
And his.
Sam’s eyes practically bulge out of her head as we walk through my parents’ door at exactly 3:00 p.m. dressed in very appropriate goth attire. He even wears a long black trench coat and his motorcycle boots that so intrigued me.
