Page 56 of Tame Me Daddy

Maya bumped my shoulder affectionately. "That's what family does."

Family. The word hit differently than it would have six months ago, when family meant the people who had tried to force me into their narrow definition of acceptability. Now it meant the people I had chosen—Grant, Maya, our community, the ranch itself.

"I never expected to find this," I admitted. "When I ran away from home, I was just trying to escape. I never thought I'd actually find somewhere to belong."

"Well, you did," Maya said matter-of-factly. "And we're all better for having you here."

Across the room, Lily was demonstrating something to Catherine, her hands animated and her face alight with enthusiasm. David had his arm around Melissa, their heads bent close in quiet conversation. Matthew watched Lily with that mixture of exasperation and adoration that characterized their dynamic. Each of them living their truth without apology.

The evening carried on with dancing, laughter, and the warm glow of celebration. But beneath it all ran an electric current of anticipation. Every time Grant's hand brushed mine or his eyes caught mine across the room, I felt it strengthen—the magnetic pull between us, the promise of what would come when the social part of this evening concluded.

I fingered the key pendant at my throat, feeling its weight and the weight of all it represented. No longer hiding, no longer ashamed, no longer fragmented. Just me—all of me—recognized and cherished.

Complete.

*

Grant led me through the hallway to one of the private suites at the back of The Sanctuary. Unlike the themed rooms designed for specific activities, this suite felt like a luxury hotel room—all cream-colored linens and subtle lighting that cast soft shadows across the walls. When the door clicked shut behind us, the sounds of celebration faded, replaced by a silence that hummed with possibility. I watched Grant's face change, the social mask slipping away to reveal something more primal, more intimate—the side of him only I was allowed to see.

He moved toward me slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. When he reached me, his hands cupped my face with a reverence that made my breath catch. His thumbs traced my cheekbones, and I saw everything in his gaze—desire, yes, but something deeper too. A recognition that transcended the physical.

"You were perfect tonight," he murmured.

I smiled, leaning into his touch. "So were you."

His fingers drifted down to the collar, tracing its line around my neck. The metal had warmed to my skin, but his touch still sent shivers coursing through me. The key pendant rested in the hollow of my throat, rising and falling with each breath.

"Mrs. Hernandez asked if this meant we were getting married," I said softly, remembering her not-so-subtle hints that morning. She'd caught me alone in the kitchen and pointed meaningfully at my bare ring finger, saying something about "making things official" in her mix of English and Spanish.

Grant's lips quirked upward. "Did she now?"

"Mmm," I confirmed. "She has strong opinions about the proper order of things."

His thumb traced the line of my collar as he replied, "In many ways, this is more meaningful. Marriage is a social convention. This—" He paused, his fingers lightly brushing the key pendant, "—this is about who we really are together."

The words resonated through me, affirming what I'd come to understand about our relationship. The collar around my neck wasn't just jewelry or even just a symbol of our romantic and sexual connection. It embodied something deeper—our commitment to nurturing every part of each other, even the parts the outside world might not understand.

"Though I wouldn't rule out marriage eventually," Grant added, his eyes warm. "I like the idea of calling you mine in every possible way."

Something fluttered in my chest at his words—not panic, not even surprise, but a quiet recognition. Yes, I could imagine a future where we built on this foundation, where our commitment evolved in all the ways available to us.

His hands slid down to my waist, drawing me closer. "But tonight isn't about what might come later. It's about this moment. Us. Here."

With those words, our private celebration truly began. In the public ceremony, we had exchanged promises with witnesses. Now, in this private space, we affirmed those promises with touch and taste and whispered words meant only for each other.

Our dynamic shifted fluidly, the way it always did when we were alone. Grant's protective dominance and my willing surrender merged beautifully into a dance of give and take. His commands came as gentle guidance rather than demands, and my responses flowed naturally from the trust we'd built.

"Turn for me," he murmured, his voice a silken command that had me pirouetting obediently. The zipper of my dress descended with tantalizing slowness under his firm touch, the fabric parting to reveal the lace lingerie I'd chosen for this special night. His breath hitched audibly as he drank in the sight, an unspoken compliment that sent a thrill of satisfaction through me.

"Did you select these for me, Baby Girl?" His voice dropped an octave at the pet name, igniting a warm spark deep within my core.

"Yes, Daddy," I confessed, the title slipping from my lips with ease and reverence. His fingers traced the intricate lace adorning my hips. A flame kindled beneath my skin at his touch.

"So exquisite... So perfect for me." Our bodies swayed together in a dance of desire; two lovers familiar yet forever exploring new depths of intimacy. Teasing flirtation gave way to raw passion; tender affection danced with unrestrained lust.

His strong hands roamed over my body, pinching and teasing sensitive nipples until they were hard peaks begging for more attention. The wetness between my legs was mounting as he continued his exploration. My back arched off the bed in response to his touch - not trapped but sheltered under him - cherished entirely.

The collar around my neck served as a constant reminder of our bond during our heated exchange. Its weight felt right against my skin as Grant's fingers traced it reverently before his lips followed suit, leaving trails of warmth in their wake. It anchored me in the moment – a tangible symbol of our shared commitment.

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