And then…

Something pours from me, and it’s not me.

I feel it on my fingers. Ian’s seed, spilling from me as I convulse in the aftermath of an intense orgasm.

It’s everywhere. On me. In me. I feel a brief shock of panic that is quickly quelled with a tender kiss to the shoulder. One last shudder brings the largest gush of cum yet. It’s me. It’s him. It’s us.

Something happens. My body starts to slip into a post-sex coma that is mediated with a hug and a whisper in the ear.

“We’ll start your training soon, Katie.”

I think I’m nodding. I’m not sure. The darkness of sleep is claiming me.

Chapter 7

IAN

“I need something a bit more… subtle.”

The saleswoman backs away from the counter so she can return the tray of necklaces she got out not even five minutes ago. “I’ll try to find something, sir.”

Ah, how I love that word. Even more coming from a pretty woman who screams subservient. And this woman does. She can’t be older than me. She’s either Kathryn’s age or slightly younger. A tall, feminine beauty wearing a smart pantsuit and samples of the jewelry you can buy in this boutique. A ruby necklace. Diamond earrings. Emerald and opal rings adorning both fingers.

In another life I would have been a jeweler. It’s always been a hobby of mine, although I can’t claim to have a ton of knowledge. There’s something shockingly wonderful about a striking set of jewelry, especially on a young lady who knows how to bow her head while also keeping her eyes up and on yours.

She gives me a wan smile as she pulls out another tray of chokers. “How about these, sir?”

I examine them, trying to imaging my darling Kathryn wearing any while I flog her ass, pull her hair, and force my cock down her throat. If the saleswoman is smiling, then I’m grinning like a horny idiot.

“It has to be refined.” I hold up a black choker glittering in tiny crystals. “While also blending seamlessly into any outfit a woman pulls from her wardrobe.” Kathryn has two main styles. There’s the pantsuits, usually black, navy, or white. Then there are the tight skirts and cocktail dresses. Either way, she is not a flashy woman. She lets her body and hair do the talking for her appearance. Anything I buy her has to be good enough for her everyday wardrobe…

…And it has to be completely nonthreatening. And not too expensive, because that would offend my Katie, and I can’t have that.

I’m taking great risks looking at these necklaces. But I want to spoil her. I’m a man who is used to buying gifts for the lucky women in his life. Jewelry, clothes, perfumes… even women like Stephanie May, who will be getting million-dollar-contracts soon, would weep to open a box from this boutique. Kathryn? She’ll probably demand to know where I get off buying her trinkets.

She can buy her own, you know.

That’s not the point. The point is that if I’m going to train her to be a sub in my own vision, she’s going to need a collar.

Just the thought of wrapping a collar around her neck and then formally taking her… God, where do I get off indeed?

Preferably I can get off inside her more often.

“Are there any particular gems you’re interested in?”

I look back at the saleswoman. Funny. Have her buttons disappeared since I last looked at her? If I didn’t know any better, I’d think this woman was flirting with me. The nerve. “Diamonds would fit her best.” I enunciate the her. While Katie and I haven’t decided to be exclusive in any way, I don’t mind scaring off other women with the idea I’m spoken for, let alone buying jewelry for a woman. Right now my mind and body are happy taking all of Kathryn Alison in new ways.

My smile is probably making this woman’s panties wet, because, you know, it’s fueled by erotic thoughts. Of Kathryn.

Shit, wanna know something grand? After we had sex Friday, I watched her quickly nod off to sleep, her poor body spent all over my bed after I gave her what I desperately wanted to give. I wasn’t lying when I said she needed to overcome her aversion to mine – or any man’s – seed in her if we’re having scenes. Otherwise, what’s the point? The likelihood of her getting pregnant is negligible. We’re both completely clean. There’s nothing but her fears keeping me from emptying my load inside her, feeling my cock expertly massaged by her muscles until she takes every last drop from me.

You know why it’s hot. What man doesn’t want to feel everything that makes him well, a man, shoot into the deepest parts of a woman’s body?

I never anticipated she would be so against it. Then Friday happened. A Friday I won’t forget anytime soon.

We made love. Made love. I haven’t made love often in my life, but that was… definitely it. I’m ignoring my feelings at the moment. Living in this blasted moment. Fantasizing about that bombshell and all the ways we’re going to please each other.

Assuming I don’t break her and scare her away forever.

This is why I can’t get attached. This is why I have to fight back those moments claiming me when I claim her during sex. I can’t yet lose myself in the ideas of yes, yes, I love you. Few women have heard me utter those words. I’m not sure I’ve ever meant them.

Right, the choker.

“Diamonds, but not gratuitous.” I search the case for anything resembling what I have in mind. “They must be sophisticated but not garish. I want her to be able to wear it in casual clothes without drawing too much attention to herself.”

“Of course.” The woman pulls out one last tray, full of diamond-studded chokers of various grades and gaudiness. “These would be your best bet.”

I borrow an eyepiece and study the quality of the diamonds. Some of them are embedded into long, spidery silver ribbons. Too likely to get in the way during sex. Others are sparkling upon leather and cloth. Those would clash with Kathryn’s wardrobe.

Instead, my eye is drawn to a simple collar in the corner. It’s a chain made of white gold. Chains are good. Chains are adjustable, so they can either be a tight choker or a loose necklace. Versatile. Good for a woman’s wardrobe.

Each hole in the chain is filled with a sparkling diamond. Since the holes are tiny, the diamonds are too, which means they glitter but don’t stick out too much. Kathryn could dress up a casual outfit with this or kick up her formal wear a notch.

Not to mention how it would look when it was the only thing left on her body…

I double check the quality of the diamonds and then ask where they come from. I may be a rich bastard, but I’m not without a conscience. Once I’m reassured, including with paperwork, that the diamonds are wholly ethical, I tell the saleswoman to box it up while handing over my credit card.

“She’s a lucky woman,” the saleswoman says.

I break eye contact with her before she can flirt with my any further. Trust me, I know the difference between a polite salesperson and someone testing my boundaries. If I weren’t seeing Katie, I’d probably flirt back and see how submissive this woman acted.

“Have it delivered to this address by tomorrow.” I slip the woman a piece of paper with my address on it. No way I’m carrying that thing home. Katie doesn’t know it yet, but I’m hoping to wrap that pretty choker around her throat this Wednesday night.

Two days. I hope she’s ready.

I barely have my things together when I receive a call from my mother. The cool city air feels refreshing on my face as I step out to answer my phone.

“Ian!” I rarely hear her this flustered, and I immediately stop in the middle of the sidewalk. The sound of a taxi nearly mowing down a poor pedestrian almost drowns out my mother’s voice. “Are you anywhere near the hotel?”