Lindsey opened the door and let Camilla in. Camilla followed her to the living room. Lindsey swept aside the candy bar wrappers and chip packets on the couch and gestured for her to sit down.
“Camilla. Mistress, I-” Lindsey took a breath, gathering her thoughts. “You’re right. I lied to you. When we met, I pretended I was bisexual. That I liked women. That was a lie. I’d never been with a woman, never been attracted to one. Not until I met you.”
Camilla said nothing. Her expression remained unchanged.
“From the moment I met you, I felt this incredible connection to you. I didn’t understand what it was at the time because it was like nothing else I’d ever felt. I just wanted so badly to be near you, to be a part of your life, even though I couldn’t explain it. That’s why I agreed to your proposal. Sure, the money was part of it. But what I really wanted was to get to know you.
“And over those months we spent together, I got to know what an incredible woman you are,” Lindsey said. “I got to know how strong you are. How kind and generous you are. How loyal and loving you are toward the people you care about. And in just a couple of short months, I fell in love with you. And even before I did, I stopped caring about the money. The moment you kissed me in the playroom that first night, I was yours.”
Something flickered behind Camilla’s eyes. A tiny spark of affection, a hint of longing. Camilla felt it too. Lindsey knew it.
“So yes, this started with a lie,” she said. “But that was the only lie I ever told you. Every time I said I was yours, I meant it. Every time I said I miss you, I meant it. Every time I said I love you, I meant it. And I still do. That’s the truth.”
Lindsey folded her hands in her lap and waited for Camilla to do or say something. For what seemed like an eternity, all she did was stare back at Lindsey, an unreadable expression on her face.
“You really mean that,” Camilla said.
“Of course I do, or I wouldn’t have said it. I love you,” Lindsey said. “I love you. I love you. I love-”
Camilla held up her hands. “Lindsey, stop.”
Lindsey fell silent. There was nothing more for her to say. If Camilla wasn’t convinced now, then all was lost.
“I love you too, Lindsey.”
Relief flooded Lindsey’s body. She threw her arms around Camilla’s neck and kissed her as hard as she could. Camilla’s hungry lips were as sweet and soft as ever, and her Mistress’s strong embrace filled her with warmth.
Camilla drew back. “Come home, Lindsey.”
Home. Lindsey looked around Faith’s small apartment, at the couch littered with tissues and her suitcase in the corner. Although this place had been good to Lindsey, it was never going to be home.
But the manor? That was home. And it always would be, as long as Camilla was there.
“Yes, Mistress. I’ll come home.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
That afternoon
, Lindsey and Camilla returned to Robinson Estate. As soon as they passed through those wide gates, Lindsey was transported back to that little slice of paradise that belonged to Lindsey and her Mistress, and no one else.
When they reached the manor, Camilla went about making Lindsey’s homecoming as perfect as their first night together. She called in a chef and gave Lindsey a new dress, a knee-length number made of delicate black chiffon which Camilla had bought to surprise Lindsey the night she’d returned early. They had dinner in the garden, complete with a dessert decadent enough to satisfy Camilla’s sweet tooth. Then they relaxed in the courtyard under the soft lights and the stars.
Lindsey would have been happy to end the night simply falling asleep next to Camilla. But Camilla had bigger plans.
“I have one final gift to give you,” Camilla said. “It’s inside.”
Lindsey followed Camilla back into the house and through the white double doors that led to Camilla’s rooms. Camilla stopped at the playroom door and led Lindsey inside.
Despite the fact that last time Lindsey had been in here, she’d had a bad experience, the playroom still felt cozy and welcoming. As usual, the wooden chest was sitting on top of the table. Camilla opened it up, pulled out the cuffs, and fastened them around Lindsey’s wrists and ankles.
“Now for the final piece.” Camilla placed her hand on Lindsey’s shoulder. “Kneel.”
Lindsey kneeled down on the fluffy rug. Her Mistress’s serious tone sent a thrill through her.
Camilla reached into the box again and produced a leather collar. It was made of the same embossed midnight blue leather as the cuffs around Lindsey’s ankles and wrists. Hanging from a ring at the front was a little gold tag with Camilla’s initials on it.
Camilla leaned down and swept Lindsey’s hair to the side. Then, holding the collar as gingerly as if it were a precious diamond necklace, she fastened it around Lindsey’s neck, securing it at the back with the gold buckle.