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We walkto the far back of the restaurant, entering an area behind a set of curtains that’s reserved for private events. This is the kind of place I’ve always dreamed of going to for dinners—a round table with red tablecloth and one scented candle on top, the subtle music from somewhere, plates and silverware that probably cost a day’s worth of meal. Tears well in my eyes as I think back to where I was less than a month ago. If I told my past self that I’d end up here, I would’ve laughed out loud.
Cassio pulls out my chair, and once I’m comfortably seated, he walks across the table and sits down. While everything is new and unfamiliar to me, Cassio looks right at home—as though dining exclusively is typical for him. To be fair, it probably is. Plus, he looks so good in a suit, radiating raw masculine power and intensity.
“Cassio, I was wondering… what do you think about what we have?” I ask, curious to know the answer. I’m more than aware that I still feel the same way that I had when I first met him, the same sensations forming and becoming stronger than ever—stronger than when I sat in the car with him, not looking back at our rundown house, stronger than when he beat up someone for insulting me. I’ve also gotten used to this life, and I need to know what the future holds for me.
“Well, I understand that what we have is a little different than what either of us were expecting,” he starts, loosening his tie and leaning against the chair. With that simple gesture, something immediately pools in my belly. “I know that we didn’t meet under the best of circumstances, and we haven’t put a label on our relationship yet. I know you feel it too. There’s something between us, something that’s a whole lot more than what we initially thought. If I’m going to be honest, I feel different with you, something that I’ve never felt about a woman before.”
He pauses as if he’s collecting his thoughts. I’ve always been under the impression that Cassio’s a man of few words, so this must be challenging for him. Clearing his throat, he lifts his eyes to meet mine. “I never saw the need to have someone beside me because it was unnecessary, not to mention I didn’t have the time to be with anyone. But when I met you, something shifted in me. You brought about these changes. You.”
“I feel the same way.” He starts to smile and stare at me like he’s devouring me. A deep blush rises to my cheeks, and fizzy feelings erupt in my chest.
“Absolutely. I,” he starts again, just as the waiter comes over. Even without looking at the menu, Cassio tells him what foods to bring, and I’m momentarily stunned at the way he handles himself. He’s just talking and ordering food, so why do I find him extremely sexy doing so? I grab the glass of water because all of a sudden, my throat is dry.
“Can we finish all of that?” Growing up like I had, we couldn’t afford to waste any food. There was barely anything on the table, and whatever we had, we finished them to the last crumb. Cassio has ordered as though he’s feeding a family of five.
“We will, the portions are smaller than you think.” Cassio may have a tough exterior, but he never mocks me or laughs at my questions. He always reassures me, especially since I’m still adjusting to this lifestyle—the total opposite to the one I lived before. “Anyway, I brought you here for more than just dinner. There’s something that I want to discuss with you.”
“Actually, me too. Do you want to go first?” He shakes his head and waves for me to speak first. With my hands on my lap, I breathe deeply. “You know what my life’s like. It was so hard at home that I never had any time or desire for relationships. I was too worried about the next meal to think about those things.”
With my elbows on the table, I steeple my fingers and prop my chin on them. For a moment, I forget my next words. He’s so gorgeous sitting there—that chiseled jaw, sharp cheekbones, stubble on his chin, full lips. I used to just daydream about someone like him.
Shaking my head to keep myself on track, I give him a sheepish smile. “Spending this time with you, living in the same house, sharing so many things with each other.” My voice breaks, a bit nervous of how he’ll react. “What I’m trying to say is, I’m not as experienced as you probably think I am. I’ve had zero romantic relationships. I never had any interest, and I mostly kept to myself. I mean, I couldn’t even afford a new dress, so what was the point of going out on dates and stuff?”
His gaze softens, and I almost melt right there and then. “You. You’re the first person who made me feel like a human being, and I can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate that. You treated me as a person, not trash, even though I looked like one when you first saw me. I admit I was initially scared when you brought me to your home, but now, there’s no other place I’d rather be. And I hope you’ll let me stay beside you—maybe forever.”
Cassio holds my gaze as he reaches a hand into his pocket. My pulse is pounding, and when he slides something small towards me, part of me is scared of checking it out. My curiosity wins.
It’s something leathery. I take it in my hand and turn it this way and that. It’s a collar—a leather collar with metal accents. Along the base of the neck, the words “Property of Mr. Cardozzo” are embedded.
I gasp and look up. His eyes are dark and hooded, eyebrows drawn together. He’s waiting for my reaction. Swallowing hard, I raise the collar. “Is this for me?” My voice sounds so small, but there must have been something on my face that gives away my excitement because one corner of his mouth lifts, and his eyes glint with amusement.
He nods. Then, he stands up, taking slow, long strides. With him behind me, he puts his hands on my shoulder, gently pushes my hair to the side, and runs his knuckles on my bare back. My skin is peppered with gooseflesh, and my heartbeat picks up. He takes the collar, wraps it around my neck, and hearing the snap as he locks it, I feel myself getting wet.
Shifting uncomfortably in my seat, I clench my thighs, my breathing ragged.
His. I’m finally his. It’s all I’ve ever wanted since he kicked down the door to my house.
“Y’know, I can relate to everything you just said,” he whispers, his hand gently rubbing the back of my neck while his other hand traces circles on my shoulder. “When I was younger, I never felt anything towards girls—not even remotely close to what I feel for you right now. While everyone else around me was dating or hooking up, I never did. I could never quite put my finger on it, but something was missing.”
He takes my hair and wraps it loosely around his fist, the unexpected sensation sending tingles up and down my spine. “I thought something was wrong with me, but as it turned out, I was just waiting for someone—waiting for you.”
His voice turns husky. “You’re mine. You belong to me and only me. No other man will get to look, touch, and please you except for me.” Cassio moves closer and nibbles on my earlobe. “This collar will be your constant reminder of that.”
At this point, I’m already so sticky between my legs, and I’m panting. I rub my thighs together, longing, craving for something. I let out a quick few breaths as he runs his fingers along the column of my throat.
“Do you understand?” he asks.
“Y-yes.” My voice is dripping with lust, and he wraps a hand lightly around my throat. This time, I almost roll my eyes, already so worked up and ready to explode.
“Yes, what?”
“Yes, daddy.”
His answer was a growl of approval.
This is it. This is the freedom I’ve been looking for. The controlled freedom of having someone else looking out for you is enough for my mind to kick its legs up, loving the life that I would lead from here on out.
