Page 32 of Slave

I finished the entire glass of water while he watched me. A year ago it would have bothered me to be watched so closely. Now, it didn’t faze me, especially when it was him. I wasn’t sure why that was exactly since Ian’s gaze always made me nervous.

Setting the glass back down on the table, he moved it out of the way before reaching for the black box I’d noticed earlier. Master opened it to reveal a metal circle. It was silver in color, plain but pretty.

His voice brought me out of my haze. “Do you know what this is, Brianna?”

I shook my head, “No, Master.”

He reached out and brought my chin up until my eyes met his. “This is for you. It will mean you belong to me.”

My collar? I was confused again. This was a necklace, not a collar. Would he really give me something so beautiful to show his ownership?

As if he could somehow read my mind, he continued. “I am giving you a choice, Brianna, and it is an important one. If you choose to wear this, you will be mine. Your needs, your wants, your well-being will belong to me. And you should know something else. I do not share. You will belong to me and only me for as long as you wear this.”

Then he was silent, and my mind raced through everything he’d just said.

When he spoke again, his voice was softer. “What do you choose?”

I didn’t have to think about it. Not really. I’d already made my choice. He was my new Master, and as long as he wanted me, I would be his. But instead of answering verbally, I showed him my desire. Sliding somewhat less than gracefully from my chair, I knelt before him with my hands in my lap and my head bowed.

There was no movement from him at first, but I could feel his eyes on me. And then he stood. I felt him move behind me. “Lift your hair,” he requested, his voice soft, but firm. I did, and soon felt the coolness of the metal brush against my skin. A soft click sounded in my ears as he closed the clasp. I was his.

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Stephan

It was done.

I’d collared her.

The process had gone much easier than I’d expected. There had been no hesitation on her part, and for a moment, I’d wondered if she really knew what she was getting herself into. But of course she did. Brianna understood more than any eighteen-year-old should.

As I closed the clasp on her neck, a surge of possessiveness rushed through me. She was mine. My hands ran up the span of her neck and into her hair, moving it back into place. Beautiful.

“Stand up.”

She rose slowly, and I saw her fingers come up to touch her new adornment. I could tell she liked it, and her happiness brought a smile to my lips.

Moving so that I was once again in front of her, I placed my hands on either side of her face and angled it up, silently asking her to look at me. Her eyes locked with mine. They were bright, like a burden had been lifted from her shoulders. I would take care of her, I vowed, for as long as she would allow me.

And to seal that promise, I lowered my lips to hers, softly pressing against her mouth. I kept it chaste with my lips firmly closed, even though I wanted so much more. She did not kiss me back exactly, but she didn’t resist either. Her mouth relaxed and gave, following my lead.

I pulled back, but her eyes remained closed for several seconds. When they finally opened, her eyes found mine again. “Do you like your new collar, Brianna?”

She smiled and said, “Yes, Master. Thank-you.”

Looking down, my fingers skimmed along the surface of her collar before meeting her eyes once more. “It’s metal so you will not need to take it off to bathe. It is to remain around your neck at all times unless I say otherwise.”

“Yes, Master.”

This was the longest she’d ever held my gaze, and I realized that as much as I loved her bowed before me with her head lowered, willing to serve, I also loved staring into those beautiful blue eyes of hers. My hand came up to stroke her cheek. “We have some things to discuss, Brianna,” I said, motioning to the chair she’d recently vacated.

Once we were both seated again, I instructed her to raise her head as I wanted her to look at me. “I want to go over a few things with you, and I want you to feel free to ask me any questions you may have about what my expectations are. In return, I expect you to answer any questions I have for you with complete honesty. Will you do this?”

I saw her swallow and knew she was nervous. “Yes, Master.”

“Good,” I said. “First, I want to discuss your schooling.” The look of surprise on her face was almost comical, but I suppressed my reaction and went on. “From what I’ve learned so far, I’m assuming you did not finish high school. Am I correct?”

“Yes. I mean no, I didn’t graduate.”

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