Page 42 of Hooked

While he’d adjusted the fit, she smiled through a mist of tears, overjoyed to wear the outward sign of his possession.

“This collar is for play. I know we’re still new, but I want to see you in a permanent collar soon; one that you can wear everywhere, every day.”

“I’d love that, master.” As her fingers traced the intricately tooled leather and the delicate lace, her eyes met his in the glass. When she could speak, her voice was husky with emotion. “This is beautiful. Where did you find it?”

“A BDSM friendly leather artist the club uses made it special for me. She does exquisite work.” He turned her, lifting her face for his kiss. “There is something else that goes with it.”

He held up a heart-shaped lock in antique gold in one hand and a key in the other. The lock he attached it to, a tiny ring in the buckle of her collar, closing it with a little snick.

“This stays in place, pet. Until your master removes it.” He pocketed the gold skeleton key. “There are matching cuffs. Give me your wrists.”

As he buckled them in place, he pressed a kiss in each palm.

“So, Master J—” Mara’s voice snapped her back to the present, as did Joseph’s hand tightening on her hip. Her new friend’s gaze switched between her and the man at her back, grinning broadly. “You’ve claimed our Livia already?”

“I have, little felon. Has Sean been keeping you out of trouble?”

“I’m trying, Joe, but it’s a full-time job.” A familiar male voice shifted her attention to the tall dom who had rescued her from the lobby the first night. He came up behind his submissive wife and surrounded her in a full body hug. His eyes fell to Livia, taking in her collar and Joseph’s arm around her waist. “You work fast, my friend. I’m impressed. I think it might be a club record.”

“Don’t alert Guinness Book just yet. I had an inside edge.”

Joseph’s remark came with a chuckle. The melodic sound reverberated from his chest, to where he pressed against her back, and then radiated pleasantly throughout her body. She leaned against him, enjoying their closeness.

“Master Joseph’s edge is that he’s her boss,” Mara explained.

“Is he now?” Sean replied, an intrigued glint in his blue eyes. “Sounds like there’s a story here. Fill me in over a scotch? I think we still have some of that swill you and Cap enjoy so much.”

Livia saw him nod readily but paused just as quick, eyeing the pitchers of what had to be margaritas on the table. “One normal-sized drink this time, pet,” he ordered. “I want you clearheaded. After the show, we’ll tour the dungeon and find somewhere to play.”

She smiled up at him, dutifully answering, “Yes, master.”

The next thing she knew, he had her bent over his arm in a clinch worthy of an old Hollywood heartthrob.

Left dizzy and aroused, he assisted her to a chair as the girls made room for her at their table. Then he was off to the bar with Sean, both men quickly swallowed up by the crowd.

“Don’t you love/hate when they do that?” Elena laughed as she joined them.

Lexie, who was nearest the pitcher, poured each of the new arrivals a drink. “You look like you could use one of these—stat.” With a welcoming smile, she slid a filled-to-the-rim glass in front of her. “So, you and Master J... Dish, girl.”

She was about to spill her guts when Megan joined them. Her strikingly handsome dominant husband seated her, sank his hand in her hair, used it to tug her head back, and kissed her like he would swallow her whole. Then, with a nod to the group, he took off toward the bar like the other men.

“Is drop-dead gorgeous a requirement for the masters in this place?” Livia asked as she stared after him.

“I think we’ve all asked that same question. Just wait until you get in the dungeon where they’re half dressed,” Megan warned, fanning herself with her hand.

“I’m a little nervous about that,” Livia admitted. “I didn’t make it to the dungeon the last time I was here.”

“No kidding,” Mara replied. “You hightailed it out of here like your thong was on fire. As soon as you busted through the front doors, I saw Joseph in hot pursuit. I would have paid money to be a fly on the wall in the lobby that night.”

“Ooo, do tell,” Megan gushed with a grin. “Did he chase you down and toss you over his shoulder? I freakin’ love when Tony does that.”

“I don’t know if I’d call it a chase, exactly. He caught up with me at the door. I fainted and later woke up in his bed. About the over-the-shoulder part, I’d have to ask.”

“These Decadence masters,” Mara said with a dreamy look on her face, clearly lost in a romantic memory of her own. “Where else in the world could you find so many gorgeous men all with the power to sweep a girl off her feet?”

“Yeah,” Megan sighed. “They also spank you, tie you to the bed, fuck you senseless, and convince you that you can’t live without them. We don’t stand a chance.”

Feminine heads nodded in agreement all around and Livia, who thought it only happened to her, laughed with relief.

---