Page 17 of Green Lights and Obsession
She ignored his order. Didn’t he understand the significance of this? This was a big deal. She wanted it, but she was also afraid he would leave. A tattoo on her ass, she didn’t normally stare at her backside. That was something she could someday forget about if needed.
The feeling of that collar meant more. It was a design they came up with together years earlier. If this went bad, she’d always have the memory of him putting it around her neck. Of him buckling it into place. It signified something.
It made her realize she wouldn’t be able to survive if he left a second time. There was nothing about her life that kept her wanting to move forward. If he owned her in every way possible and then left. She would simply cease to exist. Like a lingering smell that comes with a breeze but disappears as quick as it came. As if it never existed in the first place.
The problem was that she didn’t know how to express it. She didn’t know what to say or what he could possibly do to change her mind. Maybe with a little more time. He’d only just gotten back into her life.
In less than five days, Jay had reentered her life like she’d never dreamed. Hell, even the first hour of being in his presence the other day had her wanting to be back by his side. She wanted nothing more than to be on her knees for him. The idea of his touch, she craved it.
Daisy realized she’d been so wrapped up in the moment, of what this could be, she didn’t stop to think of the consequences. If they were caught, it wasn’t her life she was scared for. Jay Gatsby was her weakness and she couldn’t let her family find out. The Family would bring a pain worse than death.
“Be with me, when you’re with me.” He swallowed.
“We need new rules.” She took a breath before slowly turning around. She gathered her hair and held it up and to the side, out of the way. Why was she doing this? They needed more time. It was like she was on autopilot, she could only allow it to happen.
“I agree.” His fingers traced over her shoulder then he moved to place the collar around her neck. “You’re mine as much as I am yours.” He buckled it into place.
Her fingers brushed across the smooth leather then the loop. She slowly turned around to face him. His eyes lit up as they landed on the new collar.
“You said something about a party? Jay, we can’t be seen in public together, not like anything.” She sighed.
“Oh, Daisy.” His hand went to the collar. His fingers toyed with it. “A masquerade with dim lighting, loud music, and an open bar. Nobody is going to be paying any attention to anything other than the entertainment and themselves.”
“I suppose you just happen to have something for me to wear.” Her eyes narrowed.
He half smiled, giving her that crooked grin that said he was excited about whatever he picked out for her to wear. “Trust me.”
That was the problem. She did.
CHAPTER TEN
JAY
Invitations were flashed and scanned as they prepared to enter the building. Even the guards in suits wore masks. When it was their turn, Jay simply pulled out his business card, and the guard gave him a knowing nod and smile. Curtains were pulled back, and they walked a long, dimly lit hallway.
“Did you not get an invitation, Gatsby?” Nick questioned from behind him. He’d been walking arm in arm with Jordan.
“Don’t get the wrong impression of me, old sport. I did the organizer a favor recently, and he told me to give the name and I could bring a few friends.” Jay cleared his throat as they approached the end of the hallway.
Another set of curtains were pulled back to reveal a sea of anonymity. Not a single bare face was seen. Most wearing full and extravagant masks. Lights rolled across the ceiling, revealing aerial artists with hoops and fabric. Accents of silver and gold sparkled on tabletops, and reflected off the soft led candles.
The bass of the music wasn’t often, but it was heavy enough to be felt from the soles of the feet as they crossed the floor. The music was soft enough to hear the person next to you, but loud enough to cover the sounds of those ten feet away. Speakers were placed strategically around the room to blend in with the decor.
It was dark and moody with pops of glitter and shine. Opposite yet mesmerizing. Between the masks and the lighting, faces were shadowed. He knew Daisy’s concern was being recognized. Someone would have to know her extremely well and be directly in her face to notice it was her.
Daisy relaxed on his arm. Her grip softening yet remaining present. He swore she wouldn’t be recognized, and she finally seemed to believe it. Her hair was twisted to the side with a layer of fabric that blended in so well, someone might believe she had streaks of purple and silver in her hair. It went with her mask.
Her mask was something he acquired before he found the dress. Silver and purple that covered all but the eyes and lips. It sparkled along the edge as it curved to the face. He found the silver slinky dress as he was passing one of the shops yesterday. It was displayed in the window and he’d stopped dead in his tracks. The straps were made of diamonds and the back was low.
Daisy had somehow talked him into taking off her collar since they would be out with friends. He wasn’t happy about it until she told him he could tie some ribbon to her neck, so he did. A wide purple strip wrapped around her neck and was tied into a bow at the back.
“Let’s grab a drink, Nick.” Jordan tugged Nick further along. “We’ll be around.”
That was probably one of the things he appreciated about Daisy's friend, she liked alone time with her beau as much as he wanted to spend some precious time with Daisy.
“This is beautiful.” Daisy's eyes grew as she looked around the room. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
He smiled. Most of him was happy to be out with her. It felt natural to have her on his arm for all to see, even if they wore masks. A small part of him was upset at how excited she was over something so small. The way she’d been treated recently. She was practically locked up in that house her husband called a home. Caged and stunted.
