“Melanie.” Vanessa broke away and strolled over to Mel. She placed her hands on Mel’s waist and kissed her lightly on the lips.
“Vanessa. You look beautiful,” Mel said.
“And you look exquisite.” Vanessa looked Mel up and down, drinking her in.
“It’s all thanks to you.” Mel smoothed down her dress. “I love this dress. The color is gorgeous.”
“I thought you might like it. But I’m not talking about the dress. I’m talking about you.”
Mel’s face grew hot. She had done all manner of kinky things with Vanessa, yet a simple compliment from her made Mel blush like a schoolgirl. She looked around. “What’s all this?”
“It’s my annual charity fundraiser. Well, it’s my company’s fundraiser. The city’s rich have deep pockets. This is a way to use it for good for once.”
“Why did you bring me here?”
“Because I want you here. By my side.”
Mel’s heart swelled in her chest.
“Here. I have something for you.” Vanessa held out a flat square jewelry box. “Open it.”
Mel opened the box gingerly. Inside was a thin silver choker. It had a round ring hanging from the front of it, nestled between two small sapphires. It was subtle enough that it appeared to be nothing more than a fashionable necklace. But Mel knew what it was. A collar.
“Do you like it?” Vanessa asked.
Mel traced her fingertips over the necklace. “Yes. I love it.”
“Turn around. I’ll put it on for you.” Vanessa fastened the choker around Mel’s neck, the brush of her fingertips making the hairs stand up on Mel’s skin. She spun Mel back around. “A perfect fit. It suits you.”
Mel reached up to touch the necklace. The ring at the front sat perfectly in the hollow at the base of her neck.
“Let’s head inside.” Vanessa held out her arm for Mel to hold and they walked toward the building.
They attracted quite a few stares on the way in. To a crowd filled with wealthy conservatives, two women together was still scandalous enough to turn heads. Vanessa either didn’t notice, or didn’t care. Mel couldn’t stop touching her necklace.
They stepped through the door. The mansion was just as spectacular on the inside. Mel and Vanessa followed the stream of people into a large, packed ballroom. A band played cool jazz from the front of the room. There was a bar to the side, and a silent auction set up in one corner.
Mel didn’t get a chance to gawk. As soon as they entered the room, Vanessa was ambushed by guests wanting to talk to her. Vanessa would introduce Mel, then the conversation would move on to business matters. Vanessa occasionally dropped Mel little bits of information, but mercifully didn’t expect her to join the conversation. As Vanessa chatted away, Mel simply stood next to Vanessa, luxuriating in it all. The music, the food, the mansion itself. It was magical.
“I hope you didn’t find that too boring.” Vanessa had fended off the last of the guests. “Politeness requires that I at least make small talk with most of the guests. There are some very important people here tonight.”
“I don’t mind. I’m happy just being here.” With you, Mel almost said.
They wandered over to where the silent auction was set up. Mel scanned the prizes. Each was more extravagant than the last. There wasn’t a single item going for less than six figures.
Vanessa picked up a brochure for a holiday on a private island in the middle of the Pacific. “How would you like to come on an island getaway, my pet?”
“Seriously?”
“Yes. It’s for a good cause after all.” Vanessa scribbled an outrageous number on the clipboard. It was by far the highest bid there, and it had to be at least three times what the trip was worth.
Mel’s eyes widened. “Vanessa, I couldn’t…”
“You can and you will.” She put the clipboard back down. “It’s already done. We can go during the summer when you’re done with your internship.”
Mel was both too dumbfounded and excited to reply.
“Come on. Let’s go g