Page 107 of Just Between Us

My cock thickened at the mere thought of it.

I placed the box in her hands. “Go ahead.”

Her eyes opened, and when she saw the jewelry box, her face grew serious. She opened the slender box, revealing a stunning gold necklace. It had two rows of delicate gold and a ring in the center of one chain.

“Oh.” She sighed as her fingers brushed over the necklace. “Royal, this is gorgeous.” A hand came to her throat, and I grinned.

I slipped the necklace from its case and motioned for her to turn around. I gently slipped the necklace onto her neck and clasped it.

She faced me with a bright smile as her fingers toyed with it. “I really love it. It’s so unique.”

I grinned, knowing she hadn’t quite figured it out yet.

Veda turned as I continued: “You deserve to wear something almost as beautiful as you. Something that makes you feel good.”

I teased the skin at her neck before slipping my finger through the circle in the center of the necklace. “But that also makes you mine.”

With a sharp tug, I pulled on the ring, and the collar tightened around her neck. Her eyes went wide with shock before they melted into heated pools of desire.

“Do you like it?” I asked as my mouth brushed the corner of hers. We hadn’t discussed the idea of Veda wearing a collar for me in public, but I had a sneaking suspicion she would be open to the idea.

Veda leaned into me. “I do.”

“That’s good.” I chuckled. “You’ll wear it because you’re beautiful, but also because you know you’re mine.” My lipsfound her earlobe and teased. “But that can be something that’s just between us.”

Veda melted against me, and I sank to my knees, lifting her skirt and vowing to honor and worship her for the rest of my life.

EPILOGUE

Veda

Royal’s ability toset his mood dial tohappynever ceased to amaze me. It was like his personality was permanently set tosunnyand the rest of us were left to bask in his contented glow.

Thankfully I’d brought my sunglasses.

It would be a lie if I hadn’t finally admitted that Royal’s upbeat personality didn’t rub off on me, just a little bit. I mean, how could it not? Surrounded by his friends and family in a coastal Michigan town, life was good.

Really good.

When news of Russell’s arrest hit the regional news stations, my parents had made the drive to check in on me. Even my mother remarked at how the coastal air seemed good for my skinandmy soul. I was sad when their visit hadn’t lasted more than a few days.

Almost immediately after Russell had been arrested, JP offered me a permanent position with King Equities. He promised it would be shitty, but that it would also be good, hard work, and that was something I couldn’t seem to resist.

Hard work and his older brother, apparently.

I grinned over my champagne glass as I tracked Royal’s movements. We had spent the day at Sullivan Farms, where Sylvie and Duke hosted a celebration of life for Maryann. After the family had obtained the proper approval from the Department of Natural Resources, Wabash Lake had been dragged. It was a mixture of aching sadness and relief when her remains were found. The King family could finally find peace. In an intimate service for Royal and his siblings, Maryann was laid to rest at the family plot on Sullivan Farms—a place where Russell could never harm her or her memory again.

As a collective, Royal and his siblings felt that having any kind of celebration for her at the King estate didn’t make much sense. While the house had been fully transferred into Bug’s name, the painful memories inside its walls were still too raw.

Instead, they had chosen Maryann’s birthday to celebrate her life, and Sylvie had offered up her home. Nearly the whole town came out to Sullivan Farms to honor Maryann King, and the show of support was overwhelming.

The rambling blueberry farm had been transformed. Large white tents billowed in the soft breeze. A band played jazzy music, and a few people were swaying on the makeshift dance floor. Momma Faye’s Barbecue catered the event, and I had drowned myself in the most amazing pulled pork I’d ever eaten.

The day couldn’t have been more perfect. I sat and soaked in the moment.

Royal was on the dance floor, shimmying his shoulders and trying to get Wyatt Sullivan’s daughter Penny to warm up to him. That girl could hold a grudge as she rolled her eyes and pretended to ignore him, but I didn’t miss the tiny crack in her facade. When he cast an imaginary fishing line in her direction, I saw the tiny curl in her lip as she fought back a smile.

Undeterred, Royal was pretending to reel her in when Lee stepped in front of her, playing along with Royal’s antics. When Lee flopped like a fish and wriggled his way toward Royal, Penny finally cracked. Her belly laugh got louder when Royal scooped Lee up and hoisted him over his shoulder. Penny jumped and clapped while Royal bounced Lee around the dance floor.

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