Claimed (Club Sin 1)

His mouth twitched, as if he were unsurprised. “Have you?”

She nodded, hating how her cheeks still warmed, especially because he gave her that sexy grin to indicate that he noticed. Not to lose her bravery, since she knew deep down she wanted this but fears and nerves had stopped her, she blurted out, “I want to have sex in the dungeon.”

“Of course you want that, doll.” With the playful twinkle in his eye, he skimmed his knuckles up the front of her neck. “I’m pleased you’re allowing yourself to grow, Presley.” He lowered his hand, gave her a hard look, and firmed his voice. “We can discuss the removal of your soft limit tomorrow. For tonight, it’s my choice to play in the bedroom. Understand?”

Her breath caught at the sheer power she found staring intently at her, and she managed, “Yes, sir.”

“Very good, doll.” He gathered her hand in his, and in complete silence, he made quick work in leading her upstairs.

Once she followed him into his bedroom, he tugged her over to the red chaise by the fireplace, and his dark gaze pinned her to the spot. The primal look in his eyes declared the wait to indulge in her body had ceased, and she wanted him to take her.

A slow smile reached his face as his eyes searched hers, then he did a full sweep of her body. When he looked into her eyes again, she squirmed under the passion in their depths. The playfulness she had spotted was replaced by his stern look. “Wait for me right there, love.”

She did as she was told and stood in place while he entered the closet, only to return a moment later holding a gorgeous diamond necklace. Her heart pounded in her ears, and she couldn’t take her eyes off his hand. He drew closer and she got a better look at the necklace, realizing it held sapphires, too. A vanilla person would see a beautiful choker. Presley knew from what she’d read in her erotic novels that to the members of Club Sin, this necklace was a show of ownership.

“I had an appointment with a jeweler this afternoon,” he murmured.

The light in the room sparkled off the diamonds, but she forced herself to look at Master Dmitri as he continued. “You’re an easy woman to shop for, doll. I saw this necklace, and it had you written all over it.”

He was right; she absolutely loved it. “It’s so beautiful, sir.”

“I’m glad you think so, love.” He settled in front of her, and her breath became trapped in her throat as he caressed her neck, causing a thud of passion to thump low in her belly. “Do you know what it means to be collared?”

Liquid warmth slid through her veins. “Yes, sir.”

“You understand then that this collar brands you as my submissive?” When she nodded and tears filled her eyes, he softened his voice. “Now, I want my expectations to be clear.” He chuckled, shaking his head. “Considering you have a bad habit of thinking for me.”

She laughed with him, tears falling down her face, as he settled his eyes in line with hers. “I think we’ve come to the point where you understand when I expect submission from you and what is expected of you.” He arched a brow. “My voice, my look, you are aware, yes?” At her nod and shiver, she received another low chuckle. “I don’t want a twenty-four/seven submissive. The dungeon and bedroom only for servitude, yes?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Very nice.” He stared at her with a fixed gaze, reaching down into her soul and bringing more tears with it. “I want you to know that you were right—I do need someone to take care of me, too.” He cupped her face and leaned in, enveloping her in his woodsy, masculine scent. “You do that just by being you and caring for me in the way you do.” He smiled gently and brushed the tears off her cheeks with his thumbs. “I need that, Presley, as much as you do, even if I didn’t realize it.”

She sniffed, controlling her tears. “I’m happy you do, sir.”

His voice became rougher, and his eyes filled with fierce emotion. “Together, we’re better, aren’t we?”

So simply said but not simple in its meaning. That one line said it all. She needed him. He needed her. “Yes, sir.”

He leaned away, and as she stared at him, a shift appeared in his features. She knew his Dom look well now. His demand for submission was in the hard set of his mouth, the dark sensual look in his eyes, and the firm set of his shoulders. The warmth in his face shifted to pure possession, causing her to tingle from head to toe.

“To your knees.”

As the command slid over her in a wicked heat, Presley slid down, and her knees pressed against the soft carpet beneath her. Master Dmitri stepped in behind her, flicked her hair over her shoulder, and asked, “Whom do you have to please, Presley?”

“You, sir.”

He placed the necklace over her head, wrapping it around the front of her neck. “Whom will you disappoint if you fail?”

“You, sir.”

“Yes, Presley, this isn’t about you being a Club Sin submissive anymore. You are my submissive.” The collar tugged against her neck as he clasped it. “Who will always protect you?”

The heavy weight of the necklace around her throat felt so similar to the touches he’d been using there that she shivered. As if, subconsciously, he’d known his collar would go there; she believed she’d known it all along, too. “You, sir.”

“That’s exactly right, doll.” He strode in front of her, cupped her chin, and captured her gaze. “Who will always love you?”

She blinked, not quite expecting to hear that admission so soon. “Sir, are you saying you’ve fallen in love with me?”