His Human (The New Neighbors #2) - M.A. Innes Page 0,61
up from the curb as you exit out of the vehicle, so I will carry you.” His logic was interesting, but I just leaned into his embrace and let him lift me out of the car so I wouldn’t fall over the curb.
I heard a low laugh that was definitely Cameron and turned toward the sound. “Was this your idea?”
Cameron chuckled. “Nope, this was definitely not my idea.”
“What is he doing?” I lost track of where Cameron’s voice had come from as Master shifted us around and set me down on what seemed to be a sidewalk or pavement of some sort.
“Oh no, I’m not going to be the one to ruin this surprise.” Cameron wasn’t helpful either, but the laughter in his voice said he wasn’t worried about whatever was going on.
“You must stop attempting to ruin my surprise, my little human.” As Maverick chastised me with a teasing sound in his voice, another unfamiliar person spoke.
“Yes, he is quite small for the average male. But should not rebukes come with some kind of physical reminder as well?” The new voice was not human, but I didn’t recognize it.
Wait.
Physical reminder?
Before I could voice my opinion on that, Maverick spoke up. “No, their domination-based relationships come with additional social conventions. Physical punishments and reminders have specific rules around them and I must not use them in public situations without prearranged permission. They are called limits.”
“Interesting.” The new guy clearly hadn’t dated humans much yet, but he was obviously interested in BDSM.
But what the hell was going on?
“If you would take your places, please?” I could hear excitement in Maverick’s voice, but I still wasn’t sure what kind of surprise party he’d arranged. Especially since it was the oddest way to start a party ever.
I heard movement all around us and then everything got quieter. I wasn’t sure what was going on around us so I dropped my voice low. “Master?”
“Yes?”
“What’s going on?” Who was even around who’d heard me call him Master?
Maverick must have realized I was getting stressed because he wrapped me in his limbs. “There is nothing to worry about, my little human.”
He made a quiet, frustrated sound. “If it would not wrinkle our clothing, I would pin you tight against me to soothe your fears.”
That made me smile. “This might not be the right place for that anyway.”
He huffed. “You are my bonded mate. I may show you how much you are treasured in any situation.”
Trying not to laugh, I trailed my fingers up his limbs as he held me steady. “Human social conventions, remember?”
That just had him huffing again and running his tentacles over me. “Humans are very adaptable.”
Yeah, we’d get used to all kinds of things eventually, but I wasn’t sure anyone would ever be able to ignore him wrapping me up and packing me around like a baby in one of those carriers.
One tentacle stroked down my cheek. “You are my special bonded mate. I just wish to show everyone how much you mean to me.”
He was so fucking sweet.
But before I could tell him that, he was wrapped around me again, shifting me toward the left. “Walk with me and then I will take off the blindfold.”
He was careful with me as we moved onto the grass and walked toward more voices. They were so quiet I couldn’t recognize anyone specifically, but I knew if Cameron was there it was probably other friends.
When we stopped, everyone went silent around us and Maverick shifted so he was standing in front of me. It was the longest seconds of my life, but I waited quietly as Maverick moved his limbs up to the blindfold and released it.
Oh wow.
Refusing to stress, I focused on Maverick and let everything else fade into the background of my mind. Maverick stroked over my face and then moved down to hold my hands. “I have been researching human customs, and one of the ones I found the most fascinating was human bonding rituals.”
Oh wow.
“Your species has many cultures and many ways of expressing the desire to bond, but for our relationship, I wished to combine two.” Maverick gestured toward the small crowd, specifically to my mother and to Cameron. I caught sight of Nolan and a confused-looking man next to him before I focused back on who Maverick had pointed to…
My mother.
She just waved and gave me a thumbs-up sign.
Cameron was trying not to grin.
He was a dick with a terrible sense of humor and she was clearly insane.
“With the help of your family and friends, I have tried to combine ceremonies that would show our relationship and our bonding.” Then, as we stood surrounded by family and friends and flowers of all types, Maverick got down on what was his equivalent of one knee on a small cushion that was placed between us.
“My bonded mate, my little human, would you do me the honor of becoming my husband?” Everyone held their breath as I started to cry and nodded.
“Yes.” Still nodding, I leaned down and kissed him, hugging him tight as he stood up. “Yes.”
I was getting married.
Right then, from the looks of the decorations and crowd of people including a wide-eyed man who looked like a judge.
As Maverick held me, he ran one tentacle over my head. “Kneeling is a curious custom to show submission, and while I place myself in your care as your husband, you shall place yourself in mine.”
He looked over at Cameron expectantly and held out one limb.
I couldn’t see what Cameron gave him, but as Maverick turned back to me, I knew.
A collar.
I took a quick peek at my mother and she was crying too and had clearly been reading one too many dirty books because she was quietly blubbering up about what a good Master he was.
For Pete’s sake.
Only Maverick…
As he turned back to me, holding the slim silver-looking collar that probably cost more than I made in a year, he looked proud and calm. One glance at his face said what he wanted from me. Taking a deep breath, I slowly lowered myself to the ground until I was kneeling in front of my Master.
Everyone in the small crowd was absolutely silent as he wrapped the collar around my neck and gently locked it. As it settled into place, he stroked over the collar and smiled at me. “You are the most beautiful bonded mate I have ever seen. Inside and out, you are a fascinating creature, and I am so grateful you have placed yourself in my life.”
I didn’t have the words to express how I was feeling, so I closed my eyes and thought about all the wonderful ways he showed me how important I was, and how sweet he’d been to me from the first time we’d met. I thought about how excited he’d been to find new ways to explore dominating me and I thought back to the first time he’d spanked me.
“What is that change in you, my little human?” He stroked over my face and down to trace the collar again, and it was impossible to miss the delight in his voice.
“That’s how much I love you.” I opened my eyes and carefully rose to kiss him gently. “I love you, Master.”
Leaning my head into his touch, I smiled and tried to hold back the tears that kept spilling down my cheeks. “You are the mate and Master that I always wanted but never thought was possible. You are my Prince Charming and I will gladly call you mine for as long as we both live.”
Prince Charming should always come riding in on a spaceship.
Or a taxi.
~~~
M.A. Innes and Shaw Montgomery are two sides to the same squirrely brain. M.A Innes is the part of my imagination that leads to kinky and curious things like age play and puppy play. Shaw is the aspect that likes sweet BDSM but isn’t taboo in nature.
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