Page 170 of Body and Soul

He nodded solemnly. “Then let this collar be a tangible reminder of your place at my feet, of the strength you will always find in your submission.”

With careful hands, he wrapped the band of leather around my throat and buckled it snugly. Nothing had ever felt so right on my skin.

I closed my eyes and a single tear tracked down my cheek, but it was a tear of joy. I couldn’t believe I was here, kneeling at the feet of such a man. And inside of him were others I’d come to love as well in their own way. I couldn’t imagine my life without any of them.

I let out a shuddering breath. “Thank you, Sir.”

Shepherd had me rise and led me to the closet. He selected a black mesh crop top and tight leather shorts for me to wear, articles of clothing I never would have dared to put on my body mere months ago, partially because it left the old brand at my hip exposed. But I wasn't that scared, cowering boy anymore, and the old brand was gone now, covered up by a tattoo of a Russian nesting doll.

With Shepherd's guidance, I had blossomed into someone new—someone confident, someone proud of who I was. The feel of the leather against my skin as I slipped on the shorts made me feel powerful and alluring. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and hardly recognized the man staring back at me, all sharp angles and edges, a shining black collar encircling his throat like a work of art.

“Stunning,” Shepherd murmured appreciatively, drinking in the sight of me. “Let's go show you off, shall we?”

We left the apartment and drove across town. It was a Saturday night, which meant the parking lot was full, but Shepherd had a reserved space near the doors.

Inside, I trailed behind Shepherd through the crowd milling about the dimly lit lounge of The Playground. Elegantly clad dominants and submissives alike lounged on the leather couches scattered artfully around the space, sipping their drinks while engaging in hushed conversations.

The air was heavy with the mingled scents of perfume, leather, and an undercurrent of something sharper, more primal. I saw Gavin chatting with Xavier over by the bar, but didn’t wave. I wasn’t supposed to engage people without Shepherd’s permission, a rule I had asked for. It saved me from having to mingle and converse with people if I didn’t feel like and gave him a little more control, grounding me. The Playground, though, now felt like a second home. We went every weekend, and sometimes on weekdays, if there was paperwork that needed tobe done. The people in Shepherd’s kink community had become an extended family of sorts, and I was beginning to know all of them by name.

Life came rushing up, her stiletto heels clicking against the floor. With all the rhinestones and glitter adorning her pink corset and boots, she looked like some kind of kinky BDSM fairy.

“Oh! Shepherd!” She waved excitedly before bounding over to us to air-kiss him on both cheeks. “There you are! You look so nice!”

“Life,” Shepherd replied, a rare, genuine smile gracing his angular features. “You're looking positively... vibrant, as usual. Say hello, boy.” He turned to me, placing a hand on my shoulder.

I flashed Life a smile. “Hello, Mistress.”

Life's eyes sparkled as she turned her megawatt smile on me. “My, doesn’t he look delectable tonight? Is that a new tattoo?”

“Yes, Mistress. I had it done last week.”

“Well, it looks good on you, sweetie. And I heard you were getting ready to graduate from your apprenticeship? Congratulations!”

“Thank you, Mistress.” I pressed my lips together and glanced around, surprised she’d heard so soon. It’d only been decided earlier that day, and Shepherd was the only one who knew outside of Cherry and Ketchup.

But I spotted my answer on the other side of the room. Cherry flashed me a big smile and waved, lowering her feet from Ketchup’s back like he was a footstool. She got up and bounded over, tugging Ketchup along on a leash of his own.

Cherry came to a stop before us, her fiery red curls bouncing. “Hey Eli, looking good! Oh! Hey, you got a collar! How adorable!”

I ducked my head, unused to so much praise and attention. “Thank you, Mistress Cherry.”

Ketchup knelt at Cherry's feet, eyes downcast. His own collar bore a tag that read “Property of Cherry” and had a big metal cherry charm on it.

Life clapped her hands together. “Well, I hate to love you and leave you, but Cherry and I have some... pressing matters to attend to with our little boy toy here.” She winked salaciously. “You two have fun now! Ciao!”

I glanced at Ketchup, trying to read his expression as they led him away. His face was flushed, eyes wide and darting between Cherry and Life. It was hard to tell if the glimmer in his eyes was excitement or fear. Maybe a bit of both. I’d be scared too if Cherry and Life were my mistresses.

Shepherd placed a hand on the small of my back, guiding me in the opposite direction. “Come, boy. I have plans for you.”

As we made our way through the throng of bodies, I couldn't help but marvel at the sheer variety of people and dynamics on display. Leather-clad masters led their collared submissives on leashes, while elegant dominatrixes in corsets and stilettos circulated with riding crops tucked under their arms. The air crackled with an undercurrent of sexual energy that had my skin buzzing with excitement.

Shepherd led me out of the private lounge and down a hallway. We passed several closed doors, some emitting muffled moans or the sharp crack of a flogger, before Shepherd stopped in front of a blue door at the end of the hall.

He produced a key card from his pocket and swiped it through the lock. The door clicked open and Shepherd pushed it inward, gesturing for me to enter first.

I stepped over the threshold and felt my breath catch in my throat. The room was spacious, with high ceilings and walls painted a deep, calming blue. The lighting was low and warm, emanating from dozens of flameless candles scattered aroundthe room, their flickering lights casting dancing shadows on the walls.

Coils of rope in every color imaginable hung from hooks on the walls, while intricate webs of rope were suspended from the ceiling, creating an almost artistic aerial landscape.

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