Page 79 of Undisputed Player
I slid the heel on slowly, savoring the way the black silk hugged her foot, the way the delicate ankle strap wrapped around her skin.
My fingers lingered as I fastened the buckle, adjusting it carefully. The red sole flashed as I positioned her foot, and the sight sent possessive satisfaction surging through me.
"How does it feel?" I asked, my hands still cradling her ankle.
“Fancy,” she whispered.
With her left foot, I took even more time. I traced the arch with my fingertips, feeling the delicate bones beneath the soft skin. Her breath hitched when I pressed my thumb against her sole, feeling all of her precious self.
I fastened the ankle strap with deliberate care, my fingers brushing against her skin with each adjustment. The urge to press my lips to the top of her foot was overwhelming, and this time I didn't resist.
I leaned down and kissed the soft skin, feeling her sharp intake of breath.
The red soles caught the light as she shifted slightly, speechless, and I had to bite back another groan. She was wearing my shoes now, marked with my choice, claimed in yet another way.
"One more thing.” I finally released her feet and reached into my jacket pocket, pulling out the jewelry box and opening it to reveal the silver chain inside.
This was my version of a collar—elegant but unmistakable, the silver chain designed to sit snug against her throat. The "J" pendant was prominent, crafted from silver and diamonds that cost tens of thousands.
“Wow,” she breathed, her fingers fluttering to her throat. "It's beautiful, but I can't?—"
"You can," I interrupted, standing and moving behind her. "And you will."
I gathered her hair in my hands, lifting it to expose the nape of herneck. The chain was thin but sturdy, dainty just like the slender of her throat.
"This isn't just jewelry, princess," I told her as I fastened the clasp. "It's a promise."
The choker settled against her throat perfectly, the "J" pendant resting in the hollow above her collarbones. It was snug enough to be felt but not uncomfortable—a constant reminder of who she now belonged to.
"There.” My hands rested on her shoulders as I admired my handiwork in the reflection of the dark window. "Now the world knows you’re mine.”
She touched the necklace with trembling fingers, and I could see the understanding in her eyes. This wasn't just a gift—it was a collar. Beautiful, expensive, but a collar nonetheless.
"It’s…” she started quietly.
"It's perfect," I corrected, my hands tightening possessively on her shoulders. "Just like you."
The weight of the diamonds against her throat, the way it caught the light with every breath, was everything I'd imagined and more. She was marked now.
We gathered Leo's overnight bag, going through his checklist of essentials. I watched Estelle fuss over each item, her protective instincts on full display. She was such a good guardian, so fierce in her love for him.
We made our way to the car, and I had to bite back a grin watching her navigate the uneven street in her new heels. She wobbled slightly with each step, clearly unused to the added height, her hand gripping my arm for balance.
The Louboutins looked incredible on her feet, but she moved like a newborn deer learning to walk. It was adorable and strangely heated, her having no choice but to rely on me.
"Easy, princess," I coaxed, my hand never leaving her waist, steadying her over every crack in the sidewalk. "Take your time."
"These shoes are ridiculous," she muttered, but there was no real complaint in her voice. "How do women walk in these things?"
"Practice," I mused, savoring each small touch, each moment she needed me for support. The possessive pride I felt seeing her in the dress I'd chosen, the shoes I'd placed on her feet, the necklace bearing my initial around her throat, was unraveling me.
In the car, I caught her subtly checking her reflection in the visor mirror, a small smile playing at her lips. She touched the choker at her throat, adjusted the dress's neckline, and smoothed her hair.
She was pleased, I realized. Pleased with how she looked, with the gifts, with me. The knowledge sent a surge of satisfaction through me so intense it bordered on euphoria. She was feeling truly beautiful.
The drive to Jovie's was filled with Leo's excited questions about the sleepover, but I was more focused on Estelle beside me. The emerald silk shifted against her thighs when she crossed her legs, and her fingers occasionally drifted to trace the "J" at her throat, like she were testing its weight, its presence.
Every small movement was hypnotic.
