Page 15 of Unexpected Redemption

“However.” I pause and lower my brow to intensify my gaze. “If you want to think of it as a pre-proposal, that’s okay. In fact, I rather like the sound of that.”

“Are youproposingwe compromise by calling this lovely collar necklace thing apre-proposal?”

“Sure, Lettie baby. Sure.”

She grins like she’s won the lottery, having bested me in a sense, I suppose. Fine by me. I’ll happily let her win anything. I’ve already won her heart.

Game, set, match.

After reaching toward the box, she snatches her hand back, making a fist. Batting her lashes at me, she asks, “If this is a pre-proposal, aren’t you supposed to ask me something then? Something specific?”

Fucking hell. I love this woman all the way down to my bones.

“Violet Holt, will you do me the honor of wearing this collar as a symbol of our commitment to each other? Accepting me as more than your Dom but as your partner? Allowing me to provide and care for you, keep you safe, and ensure you always feel loved and cherished?”

“One question. Do I have to be obedientallthe time?”

“If I were foolish enough to say yes to that absurd question, could you even fake agreement without laughing in my face?”

A quick shake of her head accompanies her returning giggle. “No. Not at all.”

“You only have to be yourself. Just as you are. You’re perfect to me.”

“Then yes. I’d be happy to accept your not-a-proposal-but-actually-a-proposal collar.”

Without denying us a second longer, I rise to claim her lips. She cradles my face in her hands, opening her mouth to let me taste her sweet kiss. Her delicate moans are a familiar soundtrack, the music I always long to hear.

Although I’d love to kiss her forever, I haven’t finished giving her my gift. Plus, if this continues much longer, it’ll escalate. And when I slip inside her body next, I want her wearing only my collar.Tapping into my stubborn determination, I force myself away from her mouth.

Returning to one knee, I carefully take the collar out of the box. “This is the type that you can wear anywhere. It’s discreet enough that those outside the kink community will assume it’sonly a beautiful necklace on a beautiful woman. But if you ever want to go to a club again, everyone will know I’m yours.”

She lowers her chin, tilting her head to the side and portraying the picture of innocence. “And I’m yours.”

I shrug, one side of my face quirked upward. “Semantics.”

“Grammar police?”

My tone deepens as I tease, “Up against the wall, sugar bear.”

She squirms on the bed, pressing her thighs together. “Put that on me, and maybe I will.”

Opening the locking clasp, I spread the collar wide and weave it around her slender neck. Once it’s secured, I back away to see how beautiful she looks wearing it.

She covers it with her hand, eyes closed like she’s absorbing the moment. It reminds me of how she savors the end of our kisses.

When her hand falls away, my heart stops.

There aren’t words that can adequately express her captivating beauty.

I can't decide what part of this vision before me is more alluring. Is it the twinkling of the modest gems or the sparkling white gold chains against her creamy skin? Is it her delicate smile, reflecting her happiness at me in technicolor? Perhaps it's the shine in her eyes as she gazes at me.

Yeah. I think that’s it. A little glint that says she's blissfully aware she's not merely wearing my collar but holding my heart. As we catch eyes, her lips curve upward, conveying her vow to cherish and guard it always.

Fuck. I love this woman.

“Violet, in a million years, there will never be a woman as breathtaking as you.”

Her cheeks flash deep crimson. “If you keep talking like that, I won’t be able to snark at you. I’ll be... what did you call it?”She nibbles her lip and flicks her eyes to the ceiling. “Oh yeah. Compliant.”

---