"Yes, Master," I whispered. The word still felt delicious coming from my lips—forbidden, yet so very right for our relationship. I'd been calling him Master for almost a full year now, but he still hadn't collared me. I had a feeling he had a special plan for that, though I never dared to ask.
The past year has been life changing. The day he proposed to me, Grayson took me back home to his penthouse. I never went back to my apartment after that. He had someone clear it out and bring me some mementos I'd left over, but from that New Year's Eve, I belonged to him fully. The knowledge that I wasn't just his beloved wife, but also his most prized possession, filled me with happiness and eagerness to please my Master for the rest of my life. I hadn't just found my soulmate in Grayson—I'd found the thing that had been missing from my life all along. And in kneeling for my Master, I had found myself.
"How pretty you look tonight," he muttered as he caressed my cheek. "Go on, then. Bring over that square box under the tree, I want to see you open it. And don't get off your knees. I want to see you crawl some more, Kitty."
I smiled, crawling to the tree, and swaying my ass from side to side so he could get a good look at me. I picked the box up, standing up and placing it in Grayson's lap, barely able to hold back the smile playing on my lips.
"Don't you want to open it, Kitty?" he asked in a low growl.
"Yes, Master."
"Then ask for permission."
"Can I open it?" I whispered.
"Ask properly, Kitty." He pinched my nipple through the blouse I was wearing, making me whimper with need. "Go on, give it another go."
"Please, Master... may I open it?" I tried again.
"Yes, Kitty, you may." He kissed my cheek as he handed me the box, a mischievous grin playing on his lips.
I tore through the snowflake printed wrapping paper and gasped when I saw the midnight blue velvet jewelry box beneath the paper. "What's this, Master?"
"You'll have to open it and see."
With trembling fingers, I gently lifted the lid of the box, gasping when I saw what was inside. A gorgeous gold collar lay atop the fabric, with the sweetest little bell dangling from the front.
"A pretty collar for a pretty Kitty," Grayson told me with an affectionate smile, sweeping my hair off my neck. "Let me put it on you?"
"Yes, Master," I breathed. "Please..."
His fingers felt cool against my skin as he put the collar in place. When I felt the lock clicking, it was as if everything came together. Brimming with happiness, I shared a special smile with Grayson that made me tingle.
"All mine now, Kitty," he said. "I don't want you to take it off again."
"Never," I whispered as he pressed a firm kiss against my mouth. "I want everyone to know I belong to you. Thank you, Master."
He deepened our kiss, the raw passion he felt for me obvious from the way his lips melded against mine, claiming me as his time and time again.
"What's on the agenda today?" he finally asked when I pulled back.
"I have rehearsals in two hours, and the performance tonight at eight," I explained. "Will I see you in the audience tonight?"
"You have to ask?" he grinned at me. "There's no chance I'd miss your first performance, Kitty. You'll make a wonderful Odile. I'm sure you'll make me very proud."
"But..." I bit my bottom lip, giving him a hopeful look. "I want to do something else first."
"What's that?" he asked.
"I wanted to invite Georgie over to lunch," I suggested. "We have something we want to ask you."
"Oh?" Grayson raised his brows in amusement. "And what might the two of you be planning, Kitty?"
"You'll have to wait and see." I gave him a mysterious smile, my heart pounding in expectation.
Georgina or Georgie as we liked to call her, was the pretty young girl with jet black hair who'd been part of the group of carolers singing to me when Grayson proposed. She was one of the beneficiaries of Grayson's scholarship, and an incredibly talented singer. I was close with a lot of the children Grayson sponsored, but sweet little Georgie had a special place in my heart.
Hopefully, Grayson felt the same way. I'd find out soon enough.
***
"Will you pass the green bean casserole?"
Georgie handed me the dish with a bright smile on her face. She looked hopeful, her pale cheeks aglow with embarrassment as she glanced at Grayson. She was always so respectful around him, but Grayson liked to tease her and joke around with her, making her a little more comfortable in his company.
"We had something we wanted to ask you, Grayson," I went on, my eyes sparkling as they met my husband's.