Page 90 of Taming Her

And she really wasn’t in the mood for waiting.

He closed the door, then without turning on the light he stepped past her to the dark window. “The bride and groom’s car is there.”

She stood close. “It’s cute, and look, there’s cans tied to the bumper.” She sighed and nudged him with her shoulder. “They really have had a perfect day, it went without a hitch.”

“I’ve had a perfect day with you.” He set his hands on her shoulders and stroked her collarbones. “But there is one more thing?” A sudden seriousness deepened his voice.

“What?”

“I need to ask you something.”

“Anything.” She searched his eyes for a clue. There was nothing.

He stroked her neck with his fingers, tracing it left to right. “Once before I asked you to wear my collar.”

“When we went to Cauldron, yes, I remember.”

“And you took it off.”

She hesitated. “Shouldn’t I have?”

“I’d have preferred it to stay around your neck.”

“Sorry… Sir.”

His lips twitched, almost a smile.

She loved what her saying that word did to him. It was like flicking a switch deep in his subconscious. “So what do you want to ask me?”

He dipped his left hand into the pocket of his pants and withdrew a slim leather collar with a silver buckle and small silver lock sparkling with tiny crystals. “This one. I want you to wearthiscollar.”

“If that’s what you want?”

“No, it’s about so much more than what I want, Ava. It’s about what you want, too.”

She waited for him to go on.

“This collar, when worn around your neck, complete with lock, means you really are mine. Mine to adore, protect, punish, and pleasure. It’s not something that is removed in a flash of temper or during a quick argument. Once it’s on, it’s locked on. If it comes off, we part ways, permanently.”

“I don’t want us to part ways.”

He traced her jawline. “Neither do I. God, neither do I.”

“So I’ll wear it.” A rush of happiness flooded through her. “For you.”

“And for you.” His brow creased. “It’s very significant, this collar. I’ve never asked anyone to wear a collar permanently, the same way I’ve never asked anyone to wear a ring.”

“So it’s like a ring?”

“It’s a circle.” He held it up. “To signify there’s no beginning and no end to my love and devotion to you.”

She nodded.

“And the lock, as well as locking us together, means you also have the key to my heart.” He closed his eyes, shook his head. “Fuck, I just love you so much. I always have.”

“Griff.” She kissed his cheek then stroked the patch of smooth skin her lips had brushed. “I won’t leave you again, not like before. I’m sorry for that.”

He opened his eyes.

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