Claimed

The box was too heavy to set on the table, so he placed it on the floor beside the couch, straining from the effort. He retrieved the key from its hiding place in the fake panel of the wall behind the couch. As he unlocked the box and stared at the neatly stacked rows of gold bars, gold coins, precious gemstones and hundred dollar bills, he went through his plans once more in his head. His house back in the city was listed with the broker, and this cabin would be listed as well, come spring. He would email the broker with a PO Box, once he and Kelsey got settled across the border.

He removed the folder he’d recently placed in the box and opened it to examine the new passport he’d had made, the one belonging to Amelia Bennett, with a photo of Kelsey beside the name. He’d paid quite a bit for it online, but it looked identical to his own and matched the driver’s license he’d had made for her in case any additional identification was needed. He replaced the passports and picked up the small blue velvet box, balancing it on the palm of his hand.

He could hear the water running in the bathroom and wondered how Kelsey was getting on with her chore of washing the base of the toilet and the floor around it with an old toothbrush. He did enjoy having her stand at attention while he completed his inspection. Try as she might, he always found room for improvement, which led, of course, to a necessary punishment before he sent her back to try the task again.

He walked into the bedroom, the velvet box still in his hand. He watched Kelsey on her knees from the door of the bathroom, her ass facing him, the bare lips of her sweet, pink cunt peeking between her legs as she moved.

“Kelsey.”

She jerked at the sound and he heard her sudden intake of breath. Remaining on her hands and knees, she turned her head. “Yes, sir?”

She looked so beautiful, her luxuriant coppery hair cascading in a tumble around her face, her eyes large and luminous beneath sharply etched cheekbones, her small, perfect breasts tipped with dark pink nipples that made his mouth water. If her expression was more empty than alive, she more than made up for it with her obedience and sexual responsiveness. And once he got her down to Mexico, things would be different, he was sure of it.

Though he’d planned his surprise for after dinner, suddenly James couldn’t wait another second. “Get up,” he said. “I have something for you.” He led her to the throw rug in the center of the bedroom where he usually had her kneel, but when she started to sink to her knees, he stopped her with a smile. “No,” he said, “you stand. This time I’m the one to go on bended knee.”

He knelt awkwardly on one knee and held up the blue velvet jewelry box while Kelsey stared down in surprise. For the first time since he’d claimed her all those months ago, he felt the kind of boyish nervousness he used to experience at the bank when he talked to her, his heart filled with unrequited longing. He smiled to hide the feeling and opened the box.

Kelsey stared down at the contents—matching wedding rings of twenty-four carat rose gold. James lifted out the smaller ring and reached for Kelsey’s left hand. He took a breath and launched into the speech he’d been practicing in his head ever since he’d purchased the rings several days before.

“These rings,” he said, “are symbols of the endless circle of our love. With this ring, you are bound to me for eternity in obedience and submission.” He pushed the ring onto her finger, and then took the second ring, placing it in her hand.

“Go on,” he urged, trying not to let his irritation enter his voice as she just stood there, a blank expression on her face. She wasn’t used to taking action on her own anymore. That odd, vacant look he hated had entered her eyes. He decided to ignore it. He wouldn’t let her ruin this moment. “Put it on my finger,” he said, his voice coming out more brusquely than he’d intended.

She did as she was told, slipping the gold band into place. It felt cold and heavy against his skin. James continued his speech. “With this ring, you acknowledge me as your husband, your lord and Master, who will cherish and love you all the days of your life.”

Kelsey said nothing.

James wanted to slap her. Instead he stood and took her arm, pulling her into the living room. She just didn’t understand yet, that was all. She’d used to be so intelligent, he recalled suddenly, back when he’d first fallen for her. It was one of the things he’d admired about her. She wasn’t only beautiful, she was bright, and quick to laugh—a deep, throaty laugh that made others laugh with her.