Page 106 of Her Dom's Secret Past

I put it in my pocket.

Somehow, Jen and Dean ended up staying for lunch and by the end of the meal, we were all laughing and enjoying ourselves. We ended up throwing the leftovers on bread for dinner and finally called it a day around nine. Dean and Jen promised they come again and I knew we’d made some new friends.

Over the next few weeks, Anabelle slowly healed physically. Mentally, she wasn’t as good. She was having nightmares most nights and finally agreed to see the police counselor. I was overjoyed to see the nightmares reduce as she had her sessions until after four weeks they were only happening occasionally.

Her face healed well. The stitches on her foot came out and the broken ribs mended. By Christmas, she was almost back to her normal self—albeit with occasional serious moments. Jen and Dean Cooper had joined our gang of misfits and fitted in perfectly. They were both in their late forties, they had a married son, but he lived overseas and they only saw him when he visited or they went overseas for a holiday.

We all decided Christmas was being held here.

The eight of us had no other ties but to each other and it seemed natural to hold the festivities here. Jen and Dean’s son and his family were coming out to visit in the New Year. There were enough bedrooms for everyone to spend the night. We could all let our hair down with no worries about getting home later.

When Anabelle woke on Christmas morning, before she had a chance to do anything, I made her put on a robe before leading her downstairs to the dungeon, and before any of our guests arrived. I’d already dressed, been down and prepared the room while she still slept. I’d filled the whole room with lit candles and now the smell of Jasmine with a hint ofNerolifilled the air as they flickered and glowed.

Puzzled, she glanced around and kneeled on the floor. She only wore a very sexy see-through nightdress, but that would have to go. I wanted her naked for what I was about to do.

“Remove the gown.”

She lifted it over her head and tossed it aside. In the candlelight, she looked even more amazing. The soft flickering glow from all the candles seemed to kiss her body.

If we’d had friends who shared the same interests, I would have asked them to join us, but instead, it was simply the two of us. For all I knew, some of our close friends may indulge but I’d never asked and it had never been mentioned. Anyway, it would be only the two of us and maybe that made it more intimate, more real. I did know I was nervous as all hell. This was a big step in our relationship, the next one. In a way, it represented more than getting married, if Anabelle accepted wearing my collar, it would mean she was putting her life in my hands. It meant she had faith and trust in me to never hurt her. In light of what had happened to her, I wouldn’t blame her if she refused. I’d fallen down badly on my role as her protector, her guardian, and let her be harmed, almost killed.

My hands shook as I held out the collar and asked her to raise her eyes.

“Anabelle Rowley, I wish to take you as my submissive. If you accept, I will always remember that your submission is a gift and treat it as such. I promise to love, honor, and cherish you. I will always honor my role as your protector.”

Her eyes were shining and she slowly smiled as I opened the collar. I held my breath as I lifted the collar close to her neck. Would she let me lock it into place?

With trembling hands, I laid it around her neck and locked it in place. The soft click seemed to echo around the room, reaffirming my commitment to this wonderful woman. She was literally beaming at me, and I knew at last she was wholly mine in body and soul.

“Anabelle, I have locked this collar around your neck. I acknowledge and will always honor your unwavering willingness to submit to me. I give you this collar with all the love I have for you and with all the joy you bring to me.”

I had to breathe deeply. I was completely overwhelmed in the moment. My heart pounded that loudly, and I could hear my blood swishing in my head.

“My dearest, I have loved you since the first moment I saw you. My promises to you are that I will always be faithful, I will always respect you, and I will always cherish you. You are the most important thing in my life. Without you, I am nothing. Your needs will always be held above mine, as you are placing your life in my hands. I promise I will always protect and love you.”

I took her hand in mine. Tears were running down her cheeks as she smiled up at me. I could see her shaking with emotion, her hand trembling in mine. I inhaled another deep breath before I asked her the most important questions I think I ever would.

“Do you accept my collar? Do you accept the loving ownership this collar represents as a sacred vow between us?”

She went to speak but only gave a croaky gasp. Her turn to take a breath as she nodded her head and coughed. “You are my Sir.”

Those simple words elated me. I wanted to sing, I wanted to shout. I looked at her as she grinned broadly through her tears.

“I am your property, my Sir, and always will be. My submission is my gift of love to you.” She touched her free hand to her collar. “I accept your collar freely. I give myself to you completely. Sir, you are my heart, my body, and my soul forever. I am yours.”

My heart leaped about wildly, still seemingly as loud as a jet plane.

Damn tradition!

I pulled her to her feet and kissed her with all the love I adoration I had for her.

“I love you so much, Anabelle Rowley.”

“And I love you, John Ethan. You are in my heart forever.”

“I failed you once, Anabelle, never again. Never again will I let anything happen to you. I… I promise.” I couldn’t stop the wobble in my voice, I would never forget what had happened.

Anabelle touched my face very softly.