Finding Master Right (33 page)

The damn tears started again. She hadn’t realized just how much she’d missed something that at first had seemed so degrading. Just one strip of leather. So simple and seemingly insignificant. But the last month had felt empty without it. And Ambrose’s . . . It just wasn’t the same.

It couldn’t have been the same, because she’d been Banner’s all along.

She watched the emotions flitting across his face. The feelings she had for him made her want to jump up and fling herself into his arms. Her body and heart had known him as her Master for ages, even when her mind had been too proud to admit it. It had been too scary to acknowledge that they had wanted the same things. She’d spent so long convinced they were on different pages, that seeing where their needs and desires intersected had been almost impossible. But as much as she’d hoped to make things work with Ambrose, it had proven again and again that her submission already belonged to his best friend.

Banner stared at her for long enough to give her a mini-panic-attack. Had she not proven it enough? Did he not believe her?

Finally, he shifted, then stood up. “Let me fix that.”

He opened the bedside table and drew out her collar. Had he kept it there the whole time? A moment later, he was over her, buckling the black leather into place around her neck. With it, came an overwhelming rush of love and devotion.

“You are mine, little slave.”

His.

He kissed her with all the love and longing she’d felt while they were apart. Months ago, he’d told her a submissive was a Dominant’s greatest treasure.

She’d never fully understood what he’d meant until now. Banner commanded her, protected her, treasured her.

In return, being his filled a well of longing inside her. She knew she could be strong and independent, but this connection—this deep and true bond—was what she chose. With his collar around her throat, and Banner kissing her tenderly, she knew she wasn’t losing herself at all. Instead, she was gaining him.

Epilogue

The Caribbean breeze swept through the open sliding door, making goose bumps rise on Kate’s wet skin.

“Take those off,” Banner ordered.

The only time she’d been allowed to wear clothing this week was bikini bottoms to the beach. It kept sand from reaching delicate places. But they were back in the beach house now, and Banner was looking at her as a wolf eyes its prey. They’d been having sex several times a day, all week. How was he keeping up?

The private vacation was sorely needed after the two weeks they’d just had. A piece of machinery had exploded in one of Banner’s factories, causing mandatory overtime for many of the workers, including Banner. And if that weren’t enough, Kate’s client, Sean, had been discharged again and she’d been on pins and needles before walking into work every day, afraid to see him return. So far so good, though.

“You think you can go again, old man?” she teased.

His eyes narrowed. “Old man?”

Seductively, she slid off the polka-dot bottoms, then backed up a few steps as he stalked toward her. Before she could get far, he lunged and grabbed her arm. She squealed and tried to get away, but he landed three stinging smacks on her wet ass.

“Shower,” he barked, holding back a smile.

She was glad he had kept his sense of humor, even as their relationship deepened. The intensity of the Master/slave dynamic was broken up by goofy, giggly love.

“Yes, Sir,” she said with a salute.

Growling, he followed her to the bathroom. She could practically feel his gaze on her ass, so of course she swayed it seductively.

He groaned. “You’re killing me, Trouble.”

“It’s only fair. You almost killed me with orgasms earlier.”

With a chuckle, he started the shower. “You’re complaining? Women everywhere would love to die from orgasms on a private beach in Saint Thomas.”

“Don’t I know it! They ogle you when we go into town.”

“Men ogle you too. Why do you think I keep you locked up here as much as possible?”

He whipped off his bathing suit, and she licked her lips and gave an impish smile. Roughly, he grabbed a handful of hair and yanked her head back. “Don’t tempt me.”

“Noooo,” she whined. “I was kidding. My lips are still chapped.”

His expression was smug as he leaned forward and kissed her deeply, delving into her mouth, exploring and playing while she gasped and tried to keep up.

“Get in the shower before I fuck you right here,” he said when he pulled away. He smacked her ass again.

She gave him a saucy look. “Yes, Master.”

In the shower, she waited for him to follow, but he stayed outside the door. “You’re not coming in?”

He shook his head. “You first. I have something to talk to you about after.”

Her curiosity was piqued, and with it she felt a twinge of dread. Needing “to talk” often meant bad news. He’d wined and dined her, tied her up, fucked her, mastered her, had done all sorts of crazy, romantic things—what could they possibly need to talk about? Were things not going how he wanted?

She watched him walk away, then stepped into the water. When it hit her skin, she realized how sore she was. Though they’d spent time relaxing, reading while cuddled up together and making plans for the future, there had been
a lot
of action. And the bastard had a kink for keeping her tied in uncomfortable positions, pushing her limits, testing her tolerance for pain.

She hissed when the water hit the cane marks on her thighs. “Jerk,” she mumbled under her breath, wearing a secret smile. She loved it, but he already knew that.

After washing away the sand and salt from the beach, she turned off the shower. Banner was waiting there with a towel, and sadly, he was wearing a new pair of shorts. His gaze stayed on her face instead of looking her over appreciatively, as he normally did.

His lips tipped down somberly. Anxiety tied a knot in her belly. What was going on? Did something happen with Rook again? Or his mom? Things seemed so much better the last few months.

“Are you okay?” she asked, wrapping the towel around her torso.

He gave a firm nod, and then he motioned toward the bedroom. “Go get ready for me. I’ll be there in a sec.”

Curiosity filled her more and more with each step into the bedroom. They’d been having so much fun. She couldn’t remember a time when she’d felt happier, more loved, more cherished, and more full of hope and life. Banner was everything to her. Why did she feel like something bad was about to happen?

She tried not to let her worry show as she climbed onto the bed. When he said “get ready for me” he wanted her kneeling, hands behind her back, head down, knees apart. Despite feeling as if she might throw up, she got into position, making sure it was perfect for him. Had she been too bratty? He seemed to like her joking around at times. He even said it gave him a reason to punish her, which his sadistic side loved.

Heavy footsteps sounded on the hardwood floors, and she felt his presence in the room. She fought back the urge to lift her head to try to read his expression. She’d wait like the good girl he taught her to be.

He stopped in front of her. The heat from his body so close to hers warmed her down to her toes. He ran his fingertips from her shoulder, down her arm, then across her collarbone. She arched into his touch, loving the way it felt on that vulnerable part of her. His hand drifted to her throat and held her there softly.

She swallowed hard. When he held her throat, it always made her feel safe and protected. It was sexy because it was dangerous, but something about trusting him near her throat was deeply satisfying.

“Very nice,” he rumbled. “But you’re missing something. Where’s my collar?”

Crap. “I took it off.” He’d given her a day collar just before this trip. The simple chain was beautiful but especially so because of its meaning—the commitment and love it symbolized.

“Why?”

Was she in trouble? Was that what this was about? “I don’t like wearing it in the ocean. I’m scared it’s going to get ruined.”

There was silence for a moment, and she prepared for the worst.

“Why didn’t you put it back on after?”

She looked up at him, hoping he would see the honesty in her eyes. “I was going to but you told me to get into position.”

His face remained unreadable.

“I’m sorry, Master.” She ducked her head. “I didn’t mean to insult you. It’s not like I lost it or anything. It’s right on the—”

“Shh.” He put a finger over her lips, and she fought back the urge to suck it into her mouth. This didn’t feel like sexy time. Something was bothering him. “It’s okay,” he said. It sounded as though he was fiddling with something in a bag. Then the noise stopped. “Look at me.”

She did. He looked as if he was holding something behind his back. What was he hiding?

His forehead crinkled, and he stared down at the ground. “Kate, I . . .” He paused, seeming to be at a loss for words. “Fuck. I had this all planned out, and now I’m getting tongue-tied.”

Had what planned out? Giving her a gift? Was it a new collar? But why?

With a sigh, he lifted his gaze to her face. “You know I love you. But do you know how much?”

She nodded. “A lot. Just like I love you a lot.”

“More than a lot. I can’t even explain it.” He heaved a breath, then continued. “We’ve come such a long way. I thought I knew what I wanted in a slave. You weren’t what I pictured at all.”

“Heyyy,” she teased.

“I thought I wanted perfection, but what I
needed
was you.”

“But I
am
perfect, Master.” She gave him a mischevious smile, partly to cut the tension and make him relax.

“You are.” He looked at her, then, with so much love it made her cry. “You’re perfect for me.”

She swiped at tears that welled.

“I’ve already collared you. That’s a big commitment, and you know with you it means forever to me.”

Nodding, she wondered if this was leading toward something she’d been thinking about for a while. But she didn’t want to get her hopes up.

“Kate.” He sighed, then shifted his weight. “I want to be with you forever. Not only as your Master, but as your husband.”

He brought his hands forward and in his palm sat a small box. When he opened it, an antique diamond filigree ring sparkled in the sun from the skylight.

For a moment she was so dazzled she couldn’t speak.

“I’m asking you to marry me, Kate.” His voice broke. “Will you please marry me?”

She started to sob. Did he think for a minute she’d refuse? He wrapped his arms around her and held her as if she were the most precious person in his world. Her tears ran down his chest.

“You idiot!” she finally said, pulling back. “You had me so worried!”

“What?”

“I thought something was wrong! With your family . . . Or that I was in trouble or something.”

His eyes widened. “No. No, nothing like that. I was just nervous.” He ran his hand over his face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you. But . . .”

She tried to control her emotions but only managed a ridiculous sort of crying laugh.

“You didn’t answer.”

Answer? “Oh!” She looked down at the ring. “Yes! Of course the answer is yes.”

Hands shaking, he took the ring out of the box. “It was my grandmother’s.”

She held out her hand, and he slipped it on her finger, feeling as though she were watching a scene from a movie. She’d never been the type to picture getting engaged—how a guy would propose—as her friends used to do. But now that it was happening, she couldn’t imagine it being any better, even naked, damp, and teary.

His eyes turned worried. “Do you like it? If not, we can pick something else. I won’t take it personally—”

“I love it.”

“Wait there.” He grinned and walked over to the dresser.

In the mirror across from the bed she caught a glimpse of how the ring looked. Even from a distance, it sparkled and somehow made her feel prettier than before. She couldn’t stop grinning. Her aunt and uncle would be so happy for her. They loved Banner as if he’d been in the family forever, and her uncle would be so proud to walk her down the aisle.

He came back holding her collar and tied it around her neck, looking smug.

“I can’t wait to tell everyone.” She stared at his handsome face and wondered how she’d gotten so lucky. If he hadn’t gotten an invite to that costume party, there was a chance they would never have met. “Janine has been pushing me to propose to you.”

“So that explains why Chris brought it up a couple weeks ago.” He laughed. “I already had the ring sized, but I wanted to ask you while we were here.”

“Oh, I’m sure Janine put him up to it.” She looked toward the laptop on the desk in the same room. “I wonder if I could get her online to show her.”

Banner frowned, sending a nervous and excited flutter through her. “When you just agreed to marry me? While you’re naked in my bed? No fucking way.”

She blinked at him innocently. “Well, I could put on a robe.”

With a growl, he toppled her over.

She gave in, laughing as he bit her neck possessively. As sore as she was, she couldn’t refuse a man with such a sexy growl, especially one who’d just put a ring on her finger to go with the collar around her neck.

His. Now in every possible way.

A
CKNOWLEDGMENTS

First and foremost, we have to thank our agent, Nicole Resciniti, from the Seymour Agency. If she didn’t pluck us up from the self-publishing pool and convince us to take a risk on a traditional publisher, we may not have even written this book. Banner and Kate thank you, and every reader who identifies with them, or gets something from this book thanks you too.

Thanks to our editor at Penguin, Kristine, and the hard work she’s put into guiding us, answering all of our silly questions, and showing an interest in our writing in the first place. We look forward to continuing to work with you in the future. I can’t think of a kinder, more patient editor to have been given.

Of course our book wouldn’t be what it is without our beta readers. Lina Sacher, who’s become one of our most trusted set of eyes when we complete a book—or think we’ve completed it, only to find out it needs more work! Janine, our good friend, fan, and long-time lover of smutty books, who showers praise upon us so our heads grow so big we can barely fit through doorways. Good thing we have Cari Silverwood, close friend and fellow author, who’s not afraid to stick a pin in our egos in the name of improvement. Thanks to you guys, we revised and revised until our eyes bled to make this book as perfect as it can get.