Tell Me - Ashe Barker Page 0,50
would both recognise its significance, as would others in their lifestyle. But there was nothing about it to compromise the privacy he knew to be so precious to Thea.
“So, you will wear it then? No change of heart?”
“Of course I’ll wear it, Sir. I’d be honoured.”
“That makes two of us. Are you ready then?”
Thea nodded.
“Lift up your hair please, and turn around.”
He took the box back from her, and Thea did as he asked. Despite her composure when she first entered the club and knelt before him he noticed that her hands were shaking now. He extracted the collar from the satin lining and dangled it between his fingers.
“Are you certain, Thea? This is a big decision. From here, there’s no going back. Not for either of us.”
“I don't want to go back.”
“By allowing me to lock this around your neck, you’re accepting that I will control you from now on. This is a permanent symbol of your submission to me. It makes me your Master.”
“You are already that, Sir. My Master. The collar just acknowledges the way I feel. The way I’ve always felt about you.”
“And by giving this to you I’m making a statement too, about the way I feel. You know I love you, don't you? That I’ll protect you, always. I’ll never harm you. I’ll do all in my power to give you what you need, even when you don't know yourself what that is.”
“I do know that Master. I trust you. I love you.”
Tony kissed the exposed nape of her neck, then slipped the collar around the slender column. He snapped the locking rings into place and released the strip of corded leather and gold to drape around her throat. The collar was light, and long enough to be comfortable. Thea lifted her hands to finger the narrow length.
“How does it feel?”
“It feels wonderful, Sir. I love it.”
“Some couples prefer a formal collaring ceremony. We could do that, if you like.”
She shook her head. “I don't feel the need for that, unless you want to. I know how this is, between us. I don’t need anyone else to formalise it.”
He was pleased to hear that, not being especially given to public declarations himself. Still, he wanted to explore this with her, be sure they were in agreement. “What about marriage? The usual, vanilla way.”
She turned to him, her expression surprised, before she seemed to remember her submissive manners and dropped her gaze. “I had never considered that, Sir.”
He took her hand and squeezed. Thea bowed her head lower to rest her cheek on his wrist.
He leaned forward too, modulating his voice to a murmur, for her ears alone. “This arrangement we now have is as binding as any marriage. You know that and I know it. But it’s private. Others won't be aware this bond exists between us, even within the D/s community. That could be awkward—at work for example. Or if we have children.
She turned her head to look at him. “Children? Do you want kids?”
“We’ve never talked about it. But in the future, we might. Who knows what might happen?”
“I don't mind being married. If you think we should.”
He grinned at her. “Such enthusiasm for the married state. Your traditional approach is refreshing. Shall we just agree it's a possibility, if it seems expedient? Later.”
Thea nodded. “Yes, Sir. Later.”
“So, now I believe we have something to celebrate. The dungeon I think.”
*****
“Hold out your hands, Thea.”
She did so, and Tony fastened a leather cuff around each of her wrists. He knew she particularly liked this pair, they had a soft lining, very comfortable. He intended her to become a lot less comfortable in the next few minutes, but he was happy to start by playing nice.
“Hands above your head please.”
Again she obeyed without question. He attached the clips on each of her cuffs to a large metal ring suspended from the ceiling in the dungeon. He adjusted the height of it so that she was pulled up onto her toes, even higher than the lift provided by her sexy heels. She was stretched out before him, her body on display, in full view of any other members who wanted to watch their play. In recent weeks he’d come to appreciate the special intimacy of their private scenes, but he still loved the freedom of scening in public, the decadent, rule-breaking, taboo-busting escapism of it. He knew this was much of the buzz for Thea too. That and sub-space, obviously.
“I’m going to blindfold you.” It