Lyon on a Leash (31 page)

“No. We’re going to do this our way. The collar is an outward symbol, anyway. In my heart, Marcus has been mine since a long time ago. If we decide we want a wedding later on, I’ll let you help me plan that. But this…his collaring, that’s just me and him.”

Marcus squeezed her hand. He agreed with her.

“Marriage?” Marguerite squeaked. “You’re considering that?” Her eyes widened as she looked between the two of them.

“The accident made me rethink a lot of things,” Vera said, picking her words with care. The wrong thing could send Marguerite out on a shopping spree. “There were things that needed to be taken care of and Marcus had to wait until I could sign a few papers. Even though he had access to my accounts, like I have access to his, we both had agreed not to touch the other’s account unless it was an emergency.” She looked up at Marcus and frowned. “We should’ve discussed what constituted an emergency.”

“I had no problem handling your business when you couldn’t talk or had limited understanding. But remember, within five days you could talk and think matters through. I wanted to run everything past you. It’s not my fault that you had things set up so well, there wasn’t much for me to do,” Marcus said, his brow arching, with a smile hovering near his lips.

Her breath hitched as she gazed into his clear, hazel eyes. Her stomach clenched in need. A tingling started between her legs the longer she looked at his lips. That man did things to her body with just a look.

“You were talking about marriage,” Marguerite said.

“Yeah, anyway as my submissive, even my collared submissive, limited Marcus in what he could do and the amount of access he had to my information since he didn’t have power of attorney. As my fiancé, the hospital kept him in the loop about what was happening. I’m glad they did.” She squeezed his hand.

Marguerite looked at both of them and clapped her hands. “Any idea when you want to do this?”

“No,” Vera and Marcus said at the same time and then laughed.

“I love you but you gotta stop trying to run my life,” Vera said, her tone gentling at the sadness she saw on Marguerite’s face. “I’ll let you know in plenty of time.”

Marguerite looked at Marcus. “Vera, I’ve got to tell you, Marcus lived up to his name. He was a lion protecting his turf. You’ve got a good man and I’m sorry for making things more difficult for the two of you.” She stood and walked to the other side of the bed. “Marcus, I apologize…well, for everything. I was wrong and I’m glad my Precious has you to take care of her. There’s no doubt in my mind that you’ll keep her safe and make sure she has whatever she needs. A mother couldn’t ask for more except your forgiveness.” She stretched out her arms. He took a couple of steps toward her and she hugged him tight. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

Vera watched, puzzled, wondering what had happened. Marcus had never mentioned any problems with Marguerite, but the woman was headstrong, so there was no telling. She spied the black box in the briefcase. Her heart leapt with excitement. They’d talk about Marguerite later.

“That’s enough. You can let him go now,” Vera said, itching to get her hands on the box.

Marguerite released Marcus and the two of them gazed at each other for another moment until Marcus nodded.

“Good. Now that we’re a happy family again,” Vera said, eyeing the box. “Give it to me.”

Marcus picked up the box and held it up above her head. “What, this?”

“Don’t be mean. Give it to me.” He placed it in her hand. She frowned. “Very funny. Open it.”

His smile dissolved as he removed the lid.

“Oh my, it’s gorgeous,” Marguerite said, scooting closer for a better view. “Platinum?”

“Yeah,” Vera said as she lifted it gently from the black satin. Her gaze met his. “Remember at the auction, I told you one day I wanted you to wear my permanent collar?”

He nodded. “Yeah, I do.”

“I still want that. For me, wearing my collar is like an engagement. A relationship with serious intentions. That’s why I accepted your bracelet. These things are for everyone else.” Her head tilted toward Marguerite. “You had my attention from the moment you refused to lie to me about not having sex. Over time, you won my heart. Your submission may have been the vehicle, but you…Marcus, you were the driver. Your level of commitment…it’s awesome. How could I not love a man who puts me first in everything? For the first time in my life, I know that there is another person on earth who’d meet my every need. There’s no one else I want in my bed, my home, or my dreams.”

She sniffled, pushing back her roiling emotions. “Like I said, your collar, my bracelet, those are symbols to tell everybody to back the hell up. If that’s not enough, then I have no problem telling everybody you’re not available. Because just like you told me a couple of hours ago, I’m not going anywhere, either.”

Marcus’ lips brushed against hers and she deepened the kiss. It had been too long and she was starving for him.

“I love you,” he whispered against her forehead.

“I know,” she said, chuckling when he grunted and stood back. “When I can use both hands, we’ll do this.” She replaced the collar in the box. He took it from her and placed it on the side table.

“Are you sure you don’t want a small reception? Just me, Drina, and your godchildren,” Marguerite said, her tone lit with hope.

Vera looked at Marcus, her eyes telling him it was his call.

“Absolutely sure, Marguerite. The position I’ll be in beneath my mistress is not something we want the children to see,” Marcus said in a serious tone.

Vera coughed.

Marguerite gasped and laughed simultaneously, clapping her hands in delight. “Sounds like it needs to be a private ceremony.”

Vera’s gaze captured his. The hazel orbs held promise and so much more. She couldn’t wait to get him home.

Vera lay on the king-sized bed, wearing just her bracelet while waiting for Marcus. Head tilted toward the ceiling, she inhaled, positive that nothing smelled as good as the air in her home. It had been two months since she’d left the hospital and Marcus had carried her over the threshold into the mudroom and down the hall to the family room.

Marguerite and Drina had accompanied them and hovered nearby as she eased onto the sofa, sitting with her cast up and on the arm of the chair. When she sighed, everyone got comfortable and sat around visiting. Marguerite and Drina stayed a few days longer.

Pretty soon, she and Marcus were alone. He’d taken on his additional duties as though he’d been driving her to doctor’s appointments, bathing her and combing her hair, and listening to her complaints from the beginning. Whenever she’d get down over her health challenges, he did something off-the-cuff, often creating a game for them to play or abusing a song with his tuneless voice, to snap her out of her doldrums.

Now that the pins and screws were no longer sticking out of her leg, physical therapy had become her new torture. According to her doctor, her muscle tone had improved quite a bit from her first visit. She hoped that meant fewer trips, but doubted that was his intention. The cast from her arm had been removed the previous week. They’d waited until the doctor had removed the metal from her legs for Marcus’ collaring. The man had been serious when he’d said he planned to be balls deep inside her when she screwed on his collar.

A tingling, followed by a wave of heat as the image of the two of them joined, played in her mind. She squeezed her legs in anticipation, more than ready to do more than the lip-locking and oral servicing they’d been doing the last few weeks. That morning, she’d been explicit with her demand for dick, even going as far as grabbing and squeezing him. He’d promised to take care of her. Now the whole day had passed. Granted, they’d had doctor’s visits and other things to handle, but the slow burn from earlier had never left. Instead, her body was on fire and there was only one thing that would ease her ache. It was between his legs and she needed it between hers.

“Marcus!” she yelled, tired of waiting.

“Just one moment.”

“Hmph,” she murmured as she pulled a pillow beneath her head. A moment later, the bedroom door opened. All she could see was the front of the cart, but it was loaded with goodies. There was a platter of fresh fruit. Peaches, grapes, a peeled orange, melons, kiwi, and strawberries.

Her mouth watered.

Her gaze traveling farther down the cart, she eyed the large bowl, numerous towels of all sizes, lotions, and creams. The cart stopped a few feet from the bed.

“You called me?” Marcus asked with a boyish grin.

She struggled to rise. The man wore a flap of material that covered his dick and balls, and nothing more. His wide, muscular chest gleamed beneath the light. His long, shiny hair hung past his shoulders. Her fingers itched to play in the silky strands. Thick legs stood braced apart. Leaning on her right elbow, she stared at the rust-colored loincloth.

It fascinated her.

Did the strings on the side connect to a back panel? Was there a sack holding his balls? She couldn’t see them even when she dipped her head. Was his cock hanging free? Could she taste him and leave that sexy-as-hell piece of material intact? She ran her tongue across her lips, wanting to taste him. The material began to rise.

“Mistress?” He groaned out her name. “I have something planned for tonight. I promise you’ll be happy when I’m done.”

She arched her brow. “Will I taste you?”

“If that’s what you want.” He placed a few pillows behind her to prop her up.

Nodding, she lay back and waited for him to do his thing. Her gaze swept over the landscape of his muscular body while he put the fruit platters on the small tables in their room. She hadn’t noticed the wine glasses until he pulled one out and filled it with her favorite Zinfandel, and handed her a glass.

After taking a small sip, she watched the flexing of his muscles as he poured the water into the large ceramic bowl. A moment later, he added powder to the steamy water. The twin aromas of vanilla and peaches filled the air. A platter of fruit appeared before her. Marcus picked up a grape and placed it against her sealed lips. She hesitated. The only time she’d been fed was when she’d been sick, but the heat in his eyes had her opening her mouth and sucking his fingers as well.

He smiled and continued to feed her an assortment of fruits. She licked the juices from his digits. His eyes darkened and his breathing increased, but he didn’t stop, or avoid her teasing.

He stood after they emptied the plate and returned to the cart, answering one of her loincloth questions. There was no back panel, just a set of firm, high cheeks.

“Nice,” she said, her gaze glued to his backside.

“It gets better,” he said, taking a small cloth and dipping it into the water. Vera agreed and couldn’t wait for him to fill her heated core. The idea sent extra moisture between her legs. With gentle strokes of the cloth, Marcus started at her ears, bypassed her face to her neck, then down her chest.

“Ummm,” she murmured as he paid particular attention to her taut nipples. They ached for the warmth of his mouth. “Suck me.”

His mouth covered her tight bud, the flat of his tongue rubbing back and forth over the peak before his teeth grazed the tip. The suckling sensation sent a flood of pleasure to her core.

“Yes, yes. I need this. She held his head in place as he feasted on her nipples. Shaking with need, she allowed him to devour her other breast. His strong, thick fingers flicked and then rubbed her lower lips. She moved her right leg to give him more room. It didn’t take long for him to fill her with his fingers.

Within minutes, they coordinated a dance between his mouth on her tight buds and his hand between her legs. Back bowed, she strained beneath the erotic torture. Each plunge of his fingers sent her higher.

“Yes, yes….” She was close. She dug her fingers into his back, holding him closer while demanding more. He curled two fingers inside her tight passage, making sure he hit her spot.

“I want to see you come,” he whispered near her panting mouth. “You are so beautiful like this. Please come for me.”

Her body bucked beneath the sensual pull of his words. Without warning, her body seized, her heart raced, and she gulped for air as she was flung over the crest into orgasmic bliss. Her body shuddered a few times, and then settled. A sucking sound caught her attention, and she peeked from beneath lowered lids to see Marcus licking his fingers louder than necessary. The Cheshire grin he wore spoke volumes.

“Now I can finish.” Taking a strawberry, he bit into it and allowed the juices to trickle down his chin.

Vera swallowed hard as his tongue swiped the juices from his face. “Let me do that,” she whispered, hungry to taste him.

“Hmmm?” He took a bite of the peach and chewed it way too slowly. The sweet peach fragrance and the juices on his lips held her transfixed.

“I want to taste you.”

His arm wrapped around her, offering support as their chests bumped. Hungering for his lips, she pulled his head down and licked off the sticky flavors. “Umm,” she moaned into his mouth. “Tasty.”

He chuckled against her mouth. “You taste a whole lot better.”

Her brow rose. “Yeah?”