Highest Bidder Collection - Lauren Landish Page 0,128

pinched and her eyes narrowed as though she’s really thinking about it. I hope she is.

I grab the gift bag and pull out the pale blue box from within, setting it in her lap. “I want you to wear my chain until you’re ready for my collar.”

She opens the box slowly.

Her fingertips gently trace the thin gold chain. It’s cut with a diamond edge so that it sparkles in even the faintest of light.

I take the box from her hands, removing the chain and holding it up so she can turn for me. She lifts her hair over her shoulders and barely breathes as I lock it into place. I brush her soft skin with my fingers as I lay it against her collar.

“It’s beautiful. Thank you, Master, for such a gift.” The sight of her wearing my chain excites a dark part of me that’s difficult to tame.

“You’ll never remove this. Only to wash, and then it will be put back into place.” I have the accessory in another box in my jacket. But it will have to wait.

She answers obediently, “I promise.”

Chapter 12

Katia

TWO WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS

This doesn’t feel real. I step into the rear entry of Club X, my fingers gently trailing along the beautiful chain around my neck. Each step makes me feel the lingering ache between my legs. Isaac has been thoroughly using me. And I’ve been thoroughly enjoying it.

It’s been over a week of seeing him every night, letting him take me and dominate my body, bringing me to sexual heights that I never dreamt possible. I enjoy our time together immensely, earning my pleasure, doing everything he commands so he rewards me. I live for it. I never stay here though. It’s temporary. Every day I know I will see him, and I obey him when I’m outside of the club. My fingers gently run along the thick wallpaper lining the hall to the private rooms.

I don’t want to stay here, and neither does he. But we have different reasons. He wants me all to himself 24/7. I don’t. I can’t commit to that.

It’s gotten to the point where I can’t wait until nightfall to see him, finding myself anxious all day out of my mind at work, which is unusual for me. Usually the adorable, playful dogs at the shelter can make me forget anything.

But not Isaac.

I feel guilty, knowing that I should be devoting my full attention to my dogs when I'm with them, but I can’t get my mind off Isaac. He told me I’m free not to think about him at work, but I can’t stop. He’s in my thoughts every waking second. All I can think about is pleasing him and becoming a better Slave for him. A better pet. His kitten. A small smile tips the corners of my lips up and my cheeks heat with a blush. I love how he calls me kitten.

Isaac wants me at his house under his command at all times, and he tells me every night that it would please him. I crave it, but I can’t pull the trigger. It’s so close to the fantasy I’ve been dreaming of, but I’m terrified that once I accept, it’ll turn into something terrifying. Something like my past.

The warmth leaves me, replaced with a chill that makes me hold myself, my arms crossed, my hands gripping my forearms. I can’t let that happen.

I make my way to the bed, my thin, see-through robe flowing out behind me, confident in where I’m going even under the dim light. I’ve been through these halls enough over the past week that I won’t get lost. The guards know me, and they know where I belong. Unlocking the door for me and letting me in to wait for my Master.

I suck in a deep breath as I take in my surroundings, enjoying the rich smell and all the luxurious materials in the room. I’m still not used to all this yet. It doesn’t seem real. I’m happy thinking of it as a fantasy.

I walk over and sit down on the lush bed, sighing as I gently place my palms on my upper thighs and wait for him. Isaac has forbidden me to be anywhere else inside the club without him until I wear his collar. I can only walk to his private room, and that’s it. I take in a shuddering breath at the thought of being collared again.

I don’t know why I just don’t accept his collar.