Claiming (The Submissive 8.5)

so often distributed among the strands, there was a gem that looked like an emerald. But surely it couldn’t be.

He lifted it out of the box. “The technical name for it is a carcanet, but it looks so much like a collar, I can’t help but think my family was getting kinky five hundred years ago. Sasha?”

She couldn’t speak. She could barely breathe. Matter of fact, she wasn’t even able to think very much.

“Sasha?”

“You’re giving me a piece of your family jewelry? That’s five hundred years old? I can’t even . . .”

“I want you to have it. I want you to wear it.”

“But, Sir. It’s priceless.”

“As are you.”

She shook her head, unable to wrap her mind around the idea. “Sir,” she started, but was unable to finish.

“Sasha, I’m not going to argue with you about this. But it would mean a considerable amount to me if you would wear my collar. You’ve been doing so. I’m just changing the collar.”

“To priceless jewels.”

He held up the necklace. “This is nothing but metal, some rocks, and some pieces of sand that got stuck in an oyster. Believe me when I tell you, it is nothing. It means nothing to me compared with you.”

Tears filled her eyes, but she nodded, accepting the gift of his collar. “Thank you, Sir. I would be honored to wear your collar.”

Joy washed over his face and wasn’t until that moment that she knew how much it meant to him, too. “It is I who am honored,” he whispered.

He leaned forward and his lips gently brushed hers. She tried to pull him closer, but he pulled back. “Abby and Julie will be here in a few minutes to help you get ready.”

“But I’m ready now,” she said. “Why do Abby and Julie have to help me get ready?”

“Damned if I know. But it was the condition they asked for in exchange for keeping quiet about the ceremony.”

She rolled her eyes. “I love those two, but seriously?”

He stood up. “I don’t get it, either, but they seem excited about it. I better get out and let them come in.”

Sasha leaned back in the couch. “Oh, all right. Send them in.”

He left, chuckling, and when he opened the door she heard mumbles from outside. Within seconds, Abby and Julie rushed in. As soon as she saw the excitement in her friend’s eyes, she knew exactly why Cole had agreed to their request. She didn’t think it was possible to be more excited, but seeing the two of them proved her wrong.

Julie actually had tears in her eyes. “Do you remember when you helped me get ready for my collaring ceremony with Daniel?”

“I remember.” Even though she’d helped her get ready, Sasha hadn’t been able to stay for the ceremony. It had been too soon after the incident with Peter. She was still too injured, both physically and mentally, to offer support for Julie in her BDSM journey. And in her heart of hearts, she’d thought Julie was taking things too fast with Daniel. But she had still wanted to support her friend, so she’d helped her get ready.

Sasha looked behind Julie to where Abby was standing. She held something in her hands. Abby smiled. “It’s a dress. That’s why Cole set out the dressing gown. Julie and I thought you should have something a little formal.”

“Yeah,” Julie said. “Of course, we were afraid you’d think something was up when you saw that on the bed.”

“Well, I definitely knew something was going on. The only outfits he’s set out this week were the servant’s uniform and the croquet dress. Besides, the last time he wore a three-piece suit he also had a cane in his hand.”

“We didn’t show him this dress,” Abby said. She placed a long white garment bag on the bed and motioned Sasha to come forward. “It’s Scottish lace. Julie and I thought that would be appropriate.”

Abby glanced quickly over her shoulder to make sure she had Sasha’s attention and then she unzipped the bag. Sasha gasped as she took out the gorgeous gown. It was white and covered in fine delicate lace.

“Oh my. It’s exquisite.” Sasha ran a tentative hand over the lace. “It sort of looks like a wedding gown.”

Julie came up behind her and looked over her shoulder. “This designer does make some gorgeous wedding gowns and I’m sure this particular one has been used as a wedding gown before. But we thought it was perfect for your collaring ceremony.”

“Besides,” said Abby. “A collaring ceremony is a lot like a wedding ceremony.”

Sasha looked at the dress, certain she had never seen anything more gorgeous. “I love it.”

“I knew you would.” Julie gave her a hug. “I remember thinking the night of my ceremony that I hoped you’d one day find your own happily-ever-after. Never in two million and a half years would I have thought that someone would be Cole Johnson.”

“That would have been two of us,” Sasha agreed. “And now I can’t imagine being with anyone else.”

Abby stood to the side, watching them both with a knowing smile. “Just you both wait. It only gets better from here.”

Julie sniffled. “I knew I wouldn’t make it through this day without crying. Where are the tissues?”

Sasha’s phone rang right as Abby passed a box to Julie.

“I’ll let it go to voice mail.” She couldn’t imagine talking to anyone right now anyway.

“You might want to check that,” Julie said. “It might be Dena.”

Sasha found her phone where she’d left it on the couch and sure enough, it was Dena.

“Hey there,” she said.

“Hey girl,” Dena said. “I so wish I could be there for you today.”

“You’re on bedrest. I know you’d be here if you could.”

“I don’t know why Cole had to take you all the way to England to collar you. But I’ll give him points for originality.”

Sasha laughed. She couldn’t wait to show Dena her new collar. “I can’t believe you guys kept it a secret from me.”

“You have met your Dom, right?” Dena asked with a laugh. “When he tells you to keep something secret, you keep it secret.”

“Don’t tell anyone but he’s really a softie.”

“I’ve seen him in action. Trust me, he may have a soft side, but he’s no softie.”

Sasha muttered an agreement, but deep inside she was pleased that Cole showed his soft side only to her. It was like they had a secret they only shared with each other.

“I better let you go,” Dena said. “I’m sure Abby and Julie are champing at the bit to get you ready.”

They said their good-byes and Sasha turned back to her friends. “What else do I have to do to get ready?”

In hindsight, that wasn’t the best question to ask. Another hour later, they’d discussed how they wanted to do to her hair, how much makeup she should wear, and if she needed shoes. Sasha didn’t quite understand the shoe thing, but Abby was busy texting, and when she looked up she said no to the shoes.

When they finally let her look in a mirror, Sasha couldn’t believe the transformation. The combination of the dress and the light makeup made her look different than usual. But she could see this excitement in her eyes that absolutely transformed her. Hell, she felt different.

“Cole is going to die when he sees you.” Julie stood behind her in the mirror. “You look beautiful. And you know what else?”

Sasha shook her head.

“I don’t even have to ask how you’re doing; it’s written all over your face.”

Sasha laughed at Julie’s mention of the phrase she told her she wanted someone to use one day. “Thank you.”