All Souls' Night - Renee Rose Page 0,238

Pulling out my phone, I shoot a quick message to Bentley. He might as well charge me for it because it’s not going anywhere. I also ask him for something else, another small favor.

Collar in hand, I make my way back into the kitchen. Dahlia’s trying so hard to scrub the burnt mess that’s just adhered itself to the metal. Chuckling, I reach over, pluck it from her fingers, and toss the whole thing in the trash.

“But I—”

“Listen, belissima. I know we don’t know much about each other, but I would love to spend eternity getting to know everything about you. If you’ll have me.”

Her eyes grow large. “Are you serious? What happened to one and done?”

I take the collar and clasp it around her neck before following the longest strand with my finger. She shivers as I stroke the soft skin underneath. “I was a fool to ever think I could be finished with you.”

With a growl, I descend upon my little morsel, my tongue sliding past her lips and dipping into her mouth. Groaning, I pull her closer, deepening the kiss. How did I ever think I could send her away? We stay there, locked in our embrace, for what feels like an eternity. Time stops completely as her tongue intertwines with mine. Groaning, I tilt her head back to deepen the kiss. I pull her in closer, grinding against her, easing some of the tension pulsing through me.

Her hands fist into my hair, her body quivering with need. In a swift motion, I pull her up into my arms, letting her legs wrap around my hips. The heat from her core scalds me, ramping up my desire even more. As I set her up onto the counter, the doorbell rings. Pulling away, I stare down at her, both of us gasping for breath. As much as I love Bentley for helping me right now, I could certainly kill him for the interruption. Dahlia looks up at me, her lips swollen, pupils dilated and wide with need. My minx will have to wait just a bit longer. I yank her down from the counter and drag her into the sitting room. “Wait here.” She gives a quiet whimper but, as much as I want to continue, there are other matters that have to be attended to first. Bopping her nose with my finger, I give her one more quick kiss. “I’ll make it worth it. I promise.”

I fling the door open, and usher Bentley inside. His huge grin tells me he already knows everything. But I don’t care. Everyone will probably know soon enough. “You’ve found room for both?” he asks.

“Let’s just say I found a way to let go.”

“My congratulations. Just be lucky I have such an extensive stock.” I reach for my wallet, but he holds out his hand and shakes his head. “Today is a day for love. Come by my office tomorrow, and we’ll settle then.”

Nodding my thanks, I take my packages and hurry back to Dahlia’s side, slipping the small ring box into my pocket. That one will be for much later. She’s sitting on the couch, her whole body a bundle of nerves. I can’t wait to whisk her off into my bed and help her expend that energy. But, first things first.

“I want to make this official. Kneel before me,” I order her.

She doesn’t argue, but instead eases herself off the couch and sinks down in front of me. Pulling out the bigger box, I set my other package down and hand her the empty one. I reach around, undo her current collar, and place it into that box.

“I want to keep this collar because you look absolutely delectable in it. However,” I take the box from her and set it on the couch, “if we’re going to begin our life together, I want us to have something that’s made just for us.” The other box contains a simple, solid collar with a heart hanging from the O-ring.

“Scegli l’amore?” she says.

I chuckle at her pronunciation. “We will have to work on your Italian, but it means choose love.” Slipping it around her neck, I finger the heart for a moment, my own swelling with happiness. “Will you wear this collar, and bind yourself to me for all eternity?”

“Yes, Sir,” she whispers. “I’ll be yours until I die.”

Hauling her back up to her feet, I crush her body against mine. “You will not die, belissima. I will not allow it. As soon