Not Negotiable: A Trident Security Series Novella - Book 3.5 (8 page)

As their orgasms ebbed, they struggled to catch their breaths. Parker eased out of her and she whimpered at the loss of contact. He climbed from the bed and disposed of the condom in the bathroom before returning to cuddle her against him. They lay naked atop the comforter, content in a few moments of silence.

He kissed her cheek. “Are you okay, baby? Go to sleep if you want.”

Nestling closer to his chest, she pressed her lips to his neck. “I’m more than okay. If I sleep, will you stay with me?”

“Of course. But before you drift off, I have a request. Unlike my other demands, this one is negotiable.”

She lifted her head so she could see his face. “What?”

“I want you to be my sub, Shelby. I want you to wear my collar. At least while you’re staying with me. I want everyone to know that, for now, you’re mine. We can negotiate and amend the contract after your nap. Will you think about it?”

Holy shit!
She should have seen this coming. All the signs were there, but she’d hoped he would be satisfied with their contract the way it was written.
Well, you’re the one who amended it first.
Could she do it? Why not? He’d been wonderful, taking care of her. This would be a way she could thank him for everything he was doing for her. A collar wasn’t forever. When she was done with her chemo and no longer needed his help, she could return it without consequences—except maybe a broken heart. But his happiness was worth any future heartache. Reaching up, she stroked his cheek. “I’d be honored to wear your collar, Master.”

Parker held her elbow as she climbed the stairs to the second floor entrance of the club. As usual for a Friday night, the parking lot was packed. While she was feeling a little fatigued, she wanted to come and thank everyone for their support. Word had gotten out about her cancer, but she didn’t mind. The club members had all been wonderful, bringing food to Parker’s for them, picking up her mail, watering her plants, or just plain making her smile and laugh. She had one more round of treatment to go and then came the testing to see if she needed more. God, she hoped not. She wanted time to recover for Devon and Kristen’s wedding. As it was, she’d lost some weight and had gone to the bridal shop yesterday with Kristen to get her bridesmaid dress altered to fit again. Whether she could make the reception or not, she was determined to be there as the couple exchanged wedding vows. After all, she’d been the one to tell Kristen about the club when the author was researching BDSM for her next romance novel. The tour she’d arranged was where Devon and Kristen’s love story began.

Stopping at the top of the stairs, she caught her breath. Parker had offered to carry her up, but she wanted to do it on her own.

“You okay?”

She nodded her head, and the lime green tresses of her wig bounced around her shoulders. While Parker had insisted she wear a comfortable, yet fashionable, sweat suit to stay warm, she hadn’t wanted to show off her bald head to everyone, even though her close friends had already seen it. Besides, she was known for wearing her colored wigs, so it wouldn’t appear weird to anyone here. “Yeah, I’m good.”

“Promise me you’ll let me know if it’s too much and you want to go home. I’ll have you out of here in a flash.”

“I will. And Parker, thanks for everything you’ve done for me. I can’t say that enough.”

Taking her hand, he brought it to his lips. “It’s been my absolute pleasure, baby.”

And that was the truth for her as well. It had been an absolute pleasure being with him. Not only had they shared the same bed since the day he’d shaved her head, but they had gotten to know each other more in every way. Their walks with Spanky and evenings sitting on the patio had been their time to talk about everything under the sun. They filled each other in with stories of their youths and adulthood, how they both started in the BDSM lifestyle, and their bucket lists. They talked about movies, books, art, politics, and current events. The only thing Shelby regretted was that she hadn’t gotten to know this man sooner. That had been her fault, but she hoped she was making up for it now.

Parker opened the door and they walked in. She was surprised to see no one at the front desk and guarding the door. In fact, there was no one in the lobby at all. She glanced up at him. “Where is everyone?”

Shrugging, he walked to the antique wood and iron doors which led into the club. “Don’t know. Inside I guess.”

When the door opened and she stepped inside, Shelby’s jaw hit the floor.

“Surprise!”

Oh. My. God.
The bar area was packed, with everyone cheering and clapping for her. And the men…
holy crap
…the men, and one or two of the women, were bald, or almost bald. Tears filled her eyes as Ian, Devon, and Mitch stepped toward her. They had all done this for her.

Ian reached her first and kissed her cheek. “Hey, sweetheart. No tears.” He thumbed away the first ones that fell. “We all wanted to show you how much we love you and that we’re here for you.”

Pushing his brother out of the way, Devon took his place and hugged her. “You better believe we love you, honey. I haven’t been this bald since I entered BUD/s training. I don’t shave my head for just anyone. And before I forget, Masters Jake and Marco send their best, but they’re out of town on an assignment and couldn’t be here tonight. But they’ll see you when they get home.”

Devon released her into Mitch’s arms. “I’ve never been this bald, unless you count when I was born.” After he kissed her forehead, he gave her a mocking frown. “And just so you know, I’m still planning on punishing you somehow for not telling us what was going on in the first place. Our lives are a lot brighter with you in it, and we will always be here for you.”

Shelby was a sobbing mess as others formed a line to greet her and pledge their support. Angie, Kristen, Kat, Boomer, Brody, Kayla and her wife, Roxy, Tiny, and Carter were the first ones in line. It wasn’t until the latter approached her that she realized he was the only guy in the place who still had his hair. After giving her a kiss on the cheek, Master Carter ran a hand through his long, dark blond tresses. “I’m sorry, little one, but I needed to keep this scruff for work.” He waggled his eyebrows. “But if you want, I can man-scape to make up for it. I’ll even trust you with the razor, if you want to do it for me.”

All she knew about the man’s job was that he worked for the government and he had to disappear for weeks at a time. Giggles escaped her at his teasing, but next to her, Parker growled. “I’d be more than happy to take a razor to your crotch, jackass. If you hadn’t noticed, she’s wearing my collar now.”

Carter barked out a laugh and clapped the other man on the shoulder. “Oh, I noticed. Just wanted to get a rise out of you. You’re too fucking easy, Park.” He winked at Shelby. “If he gets out of line, you let me know.”

Smiling at Parker, she answered the other Dom. “I will. But I don’t think I have to worry about that. He treats me like a princess.”

“As he should, sweetheart. As he should.”

The next hour was a blur as scores of members hugged and kissed her as she sat on a stool at the bar. Not once did Parker leave her side. Every ten minutes or so, he’d whisper in her ear, asking if she was doing okay or if she wanted to go home. While another woman might have felt he was smothering her, Shelby was grateful he cared enough to check on her. She would have been lost and miserable these past few weeks if he hadn’t been there for her. And somewhere along the line, she’d fallen in love with him. But was that enough?

Tonight. When they got home tonight she would tell him the only secret that stood between them and pray it didn’t make a difference to him. She would pray that if her cancer went into remission, he wouldn’t let her go back to her lonely condo. Parker Christiansen hadn’t just gotten under her skin, he had burrowed deep into her heart, where she knew he would remain until the day she died—whether that was in the near future or fifty years from now.

* * *

After Spanky finished his outdoor business and returned to the house, Parker locked the back doors. It was a little after eleven, and he’d been surprised that Shelby had lasted that long at the club. Well, not really, since he’d kept her activity to a minimum. They’d spent most of the evening sitting at the bar. He hadn’t wanted her to walk around and get too fatigued.

He’d been as shocked as she had been at the room of bald heads. No one had told him they were doing it, but the outpouring of support for Shelby told him he’d made the right decision about having her let the others know about her cancer.

Turning at a noise behind him, he found her taking a seat on the couch. She was still dressed, but had removed her wig. “You should be getting ready for bed. You have to be exhausted.”

She patted the seat next to her. “I’m good for now. But I want to talk to you about something first.”

His stomach sank as he sat. He didn’t like the way she had said that. “Okay. What’s up?”

Shelby twisted her hands together and her nervousness ate at his gut. He was about to ask her what was wrong when she leapt from the couch and began to pace the room. “I have something I have to tell you, but I’m not sure how you’re going to take it. These past few weeks with you have been amazing…better than I ever thought they could be…well despite the big ‘C’, of course. And I think…” She stopped in front of him and fingered the simple, black, leather collar he’d given her to wear until he could pick out something nicer. Inhaling deeply, she let it out just as fast. “No—not I think—I
know
I’ve fallen in love with you.”

What?
That was so not what he expected her to say.
Holy fuck!
He stood and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Say-say that again, please. It kind of sounded like you said you were in love with me…and I really hope that’s what you did say.”

“I’m in love with you.” This time it was said on a sexy whisper, but the words came through loud and clear.

Parker picked her up in his arms and spun her around before kissing the hell out of her. When he tried to deepen the kiss, however, she pulled away.

“Parker, wait…”

“Wait what?” Why was she stopping? His mind replayed her words and it was then that he realized he hadn’t said the words back to her yet.
You dumb fuck!
“I love you too, Shelby. I think I fell in love with you a long time ago.”

He lowered his head to capture her lips again, but she pushed on his chest. “Parker, please. There’s something else I need to tell you.”

The seriousness in her gaze and voice had him reeling in his desire. He took a step back and gave her some room. “Okay. What is it?” Tears filled her eyes as she bit her bottom lip and he reached up to pop it free. “You can tell me anything, baby. After telling me you love me, nothing else you can say will change the way I feel about you. Tell me.”

“I-I can’t have children.” His eyes narrowed in concern at her unsteady voice, but he let her continue. “My cancer seven years ago was ovarian. It resulted in them being removed along with a hysterectomy. It’s why I never wanted to play with you at the club before. I knew I could easily fall in love with you. But you’re the type of guy who deserves a wife and kids and grandkids. And…”

He was stunned and hurt. “And you thought I’d turn you away because you can’t have kids? Seriously? Did you honestly think I was that shallow?”

“No! No, Parker. I-I just thought you deserved someone better than me. Someone who could give you what I couldn’t.”

“Aw, Shelby. Baby.” He pulled her back into his arms. How much time together had they missed because of her insecurities? “How could you ever think that? I’m the one who’s worried you deserve someone better than me. I don’t know how to be a good husband and father—I didn’t have a good role model growing up. My folks were more concerned with their social lives than their sons. The household staff was more loving to us than our parents were. And so what if you can’t give birth to our children? There are other options like surrogates or adoption. Blood doesn’t make you a good mother. The love you give a child does that. I love you, baby, and like I said before, nothing you can say is going to change that.”

She gazed up at him with watery eyes. “Make love to me, Master?”

Cupping her chin, he stared at her, knowing what she was really asking. Her use of his title indicated that she wanted him to take control—to dominate her. But the other words meant something more. They had started as friends who became D/s ‘play’ partners. Tonight, it would go beyond that. Tonight, they would become lovers—in every sense of the word.

Bending his knees, he picked her up in his arms and carried her to their bedroom. The trust in her eyes humbled him. She was giving him her heart, her love, her world, and he would cherish each one. Placing her on her feet next to the bed, he wordlessly removed her clothes and then his own. When they were both naked, he asked, “Should I get my toy bag, baby? Can you handle that? I promise I’ll go easy, just a few toys to give you pleasure.”

Shelby nodded. “I love and trust you. Do whatever you wish, Master.”

“I love that word from your lips. And I love you, too. Lay down in the middle of the bed and I’ll be right back.” He turned toward the door and groaned. “Honestly, Spanky, we don’t need an audience for this. Come on, I’ll get you a treat.”

The big goofball stood in the doorway with his head cocked, but the word treat had him sprinting into the kitchen. Parker chuckled when the dog met him in the foyer and dropped his treat jar on the floor. He fished out a bone-shaped biscuit and handed it over, before grabbing his ‘toy’ bag from the closet. Shortly after Shelby had moved in, he had taken inventory of the bag and made sure he had everything he would need if she agreed to play with him. Leaving Spanky crunching away, he carried the black duffel back to the bedroom. Seeing Shelby laying seductively across the bed had him harder than he’d been all night. Damn, she was beautiful.

“Spread your arms and legs, baby.”

She didn’t question why, just did as she was told. The heat in her eyes had to be reflected in his own. As he walked around the foot of the bed, his gaze went to her bare pussy, which was already glistening with moisture—for him. He couldn’t wait to feast on her, but first things first. He made quick work of attaching restraints to the bed and shackling her wrists, so she was at his mercy. A double check of each one revealed he hadn’t made them too tight. Her iron levels were still in the anemic range, so he had to be careful not to bruise her. “Comfy, baby?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good.” He pulled a few more items out of his bag and placed them on the bed, before dropping the duffel on the floor. “Bend your legs and put your feet on the bed.”

When she obeyed his command, he climbed between her knees and reached for a tube of lubricant. As far as he knew, it had been a long time since anyone had fucked her ass, if ever. The scenes and ménages he’d seen her take part in at the club were always a combination of oral and pussy sex. But anal plugs were a different story. He knew she enjoyed those. Maybe someday she would let him fuck her back hole, but for tonight, a new vibrating plug would fill her there. She watched as he opened the package and covered the tip of the toy with lube. Spreading her ass cheeks, he ran the tip over her puckered rosette, causing her to moan. “Like that, baby?”