Page 23 of Collared

That felt fucking amazing.

“Does your ass sting?”

“Uhm,” I wiggle it experimentally. “It feels a bit weird? As if someone has just invaded it with a big rod?”

Maël lets out a laugh. “That’s right, ange, that’s exactly what happened.” His purr sounds satisfied. His hair tickles my cheek, and his hand is draped possessively around my shoulder to keep me close. “I could stay like this forever, but our brothers are waiting in the Atrium.”

Licking my dry lips, I scramble for words, my mind slowly filling with a chaos of unhinged thoughts. Is it awfully naive to admit that I had forgotten about the others for a moment?

I remember now. And it’s causing an instant surge in my heart and lungs. Trepidation creeps inside, causing my breath to hitch. This is the moment where I should tell him that I want a time-out, that this…intimacy…was fantastic, but that I don’t want anything to do with the others. But that treacherous feeling of expectation and plain fear combined with those fragments of pride, knowing that I’m making Mamie proud, is a sentiment that outweighs any other feeling.

“Your lover is a crazy fucker, ange,” Maël grins. He gazes down at me and smiles, dotting my forehead, nose, cheeks and mouth with featherlight kisses that make me feel all warm inside. “But he’s crazy about you.” His lips leave a final smooch on my ear, before he finally gets up, leaving me vulnerable once more to my own inner debate.

“The Atrium?” I frown, watching as he detaches the rope from the metal pole before giving it a little pull. Getting the message, I drag myself to my feet as well, frowning. “I’ve never heard of the—ooh, you mean the green house?”

There’s a big, glass house in the woods that, according to history, was used by the monks who used to occupy Monterrey Castle. It looks beautifully creepy, with its large, ceiling to floor windows and its countless lead decorations. Ivy plants and flowers grow against parts of the glass house, obscuring its view. “I thought that was empty?”

Maël gives me a small smile, before bending forward and grabbing the remainders of my uniform. Giving me my clothes, I move to get dressed, although I don’t miss the way his lips curling up into a mysterious smirk. “It is most of the time, except when we have special occasions. Right now is an occasion, because we will welcome you into the brotherhood.”

With only one leg dressed, I grab his arm in blind panic. “Maël, I’m not sure about this. Let’s just—” I shrug sluggishly. Stop this game.

But I can’t say it. Because deep inside of me, I don’t want it to finish.

“Let’s just what?” Maël’s eyes flash as he turns to face me, his taller build looming over me.

I give him a half-hearted shrug. “Let’s just forget about it? I mean, we had a good time, you and me. Perhaps that’s all…”

“I don’t think so. You’re mine now. Plus, you signed that NDA, didn’t you?”

“So?” I clear my throat, internally cursing that goddamn document that has been the source of my trouble ever since we started this chase. Of this metamorphosis my life seems to be in. My thoughts must be visible on my face, because Maël sniggers as he folds the blanket, before putting it back into the drawer.

“Just saying.” Then he tugs harshly on the rope until I take a forced step toward him, he instantly wraps an arm around my shoulder and pulls me flush against his chest. He is once more wearing his tank top, the cloak fluttering loosely around his vigorous frame. I inhale his musky scent, his sweat, his self assuredness, and let him squeeze me close, caress the collar with his lips before he brushes them against my ear.

“You fit in just perfectly, ange, is what I mean. My beautiful pet.”

I yank my face up right in time to catch the naughty shimmer in his eyes. “Pet?”

He smirks. “Well, yeah. We all had different…instruments tonight, I don’t know if you noticed?”

“Of course I did,” I snarl. I think of the bola and the guy on the horse. Terrifying. I think of the knife… “Did he kill that guy with his knife?” I blurt out, frowning.

Maël clicks his tongue. “We want to play, not to murder anyone. Everyone got caught, angel, but you lasted the longest.” He pushes a lock of loose chestnut hair behind my ear, then tugs on the leash as he makes his way toward the door. “And now I get to bring my prize in for all the others to see how you’re mine.” He glances over his shoulder, taking me in slowly. “Don’t be afraid. I know tonight’s your first time, but I’ll take good care of you.”

Something flutters inside my chest and I stop in my tracks. “Maybe this is not a good idea after all,” I mumble to myself.

“You’d rather have me make a few phone calls and be picked up by your new brothers?” He cocks his head, that challenging smirk once more visible. “That can be arranged, sweet Thurel.”

Anger bubbles up inside my chest, intermingling with something close to bashfulness.

No. I fist my hands. I’m not fucking backing out now. He wants me to make a scene, like the spoiled ass he is. Always getting what he wants. I won’t give him the satisfaction.

“Very well.” Tilting my chin, I turn away from him and move toward the exit. “Let’s do this.”

Maël whistles, his chuckle a sensual rasp. “There’s a good boy, sweet Thurel. You see? You and I were made for each other.”

9

MAËL

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