Page 47 of Slave

After breakfast, we headed to the university. I’d gotten a list from Karen of the books Brianna would require, and we also needed to get her photo taken for her student ID. I knew it was early, but given what she’d been through, I wanted to give her plenty of time to prepare and get used to the idea. On the way there, I’d told her where we were going and why.

As we got closer to campus and began seeing signs indicating various UM landmarks, her excitement seemed to get the better of her. I was excited for her, too, but she needed to keep her focus. She knew better than anyone how dangerous this world could be. I needed her to do her part to stay safe.

I kept an eye on her as we walked into the campus bookstore. We passed a group of guys on the way in, and they each paused to look her over briefly. I didn’t need to read their thoughts to know what they were thinking. And with that knowledge came that feeling of wanting to mark what was mine.

It was stupid, considering the situation. I tried to shake it off. Putting a hand on her back, I guided her the rest of the way.

Brianna stayed by my side the entire time. I could tell she was very aware of her surroundings, which was good. She needed to be.

We walked out of the bookstore with more books than I thought possible for a twelve-week course. Brianna was holding onto her bounty with zeal. I loved seeing her this happy.

Next, I took her into the admissions building, where they took the student ID photos. An upperclassman sat behind the desk doing some paperwork when we came in.

He greeted us pleasantly enough. After telling him what we were here for, he ushered Brianna into a small room that had been set up for pictures. She went with him, but I could tell she was reluctant to leave my side.

I could see them both through the open doorway. The student worker took his position behind the camera. “All right. Just look right up here,” he said, smiling at her.

I watched her clamp her lips together, and then she surprised me by reaching up to touch her collar.

Then, with a deep breath, she relaxed, looked up at the camera, and gave a small smile. If I’d ever had doubts about collaring her, they were now gone.

“Okay, all done,” the student said, walking back to his desk. “It usually takes about ten days for the ID to be ready,” he said, “so you can come back to pick it up any time after that.” He handed her a paper to sign. She did so and handed it back to him.

Looking it over quickly, he set it down on the desk and looked back up at her and smiled. “Welcome to the University of Minnesota, Brianna.”

I felt her move closer to me. “Thank-you for your help,” I answered for her and hurried us back out the door.

Once we were outside, she seemed to relax again. She hadn’t reacted this way with the woman in the bookstore, so that told me it was the fact that it was a man. That wasn’t surprising, but it could become problematic, as I had no idea if her teacher would be male or female.

We got into the car, and I navigated back out of the campus area, heading straight to my favorite BMW dealer. The car was already purchased. It was just a matter of signing some paperwork.

I didn’t tell her where we were going, so when I pulled into the dealership her eyes widened in surprise. She didn’t question me, but I knew she wanted to.

Getting out, I went to her door and opened it for her. She followed me silently into the dealership where Joel greeted us. “Mr. Coleman, you’re right on time. I have everything you need over here.”

As we sat down, I asked, “How’s your mom doing, Joel? Is she still undergoing treatment?”

“No, Mr. Coleman. She got the all clear from the doc six months ago.”

“That’s great.” I smiled as I took the papers from him. “I’m glad she’s doing better.”

Reading over the paperwork took a while, but Brianna sat stoically by my side. Once everything was signed, Joel made copies of everything and handed me the packet of ownership information I’d need. “The car arrived this morning. Would you like to see it?” Joel asked.

“Yes. I think Brianna would like to see her new vehicle.”

It took her a minute, but then she managed. “Yes. Thank-you.”

We walked to the back of the parking lot until we came to the 7-Series I’d ordered for Brianna. It was exactly the same as mine, except hers was blue, where I had classic black.

The woman in question stayed close to me but remained silent as I made my way around the car. I went to the driver’s side and opened the door. New car smell hit me full in the face.

After giving the inside a cursory look, I turned to Brianna. “Would you like to have a seat in your new car?” She was pressing her lips together again, but after a brief pause she nodded.

Brianna slid into the car. She sat motionless for a few minutes. I debated whether or not to prompt her but decided to wait her out. Finally her hands came up and touched first the steering wheel and then the center console and dash. Her fingers were reverent as they explored, and I had a sudden flash of what it would feel like to have her touch me like that.

This was getting ridiculous. I wasn’t a teenager anymore.

It was Joel who broke me out of my lusting thoughts. “What do you think, miss?”

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