Working for Him by Willa Edwards

Master for her. He had been since the first moment she’d met him. The safety and security she’d felt around him had freed her in a way she’d never been before, allowing her to push her boundaries further, knowing he’d always take care of her. But she’d never been as sure of his emotions. And if they tried this and failed—if she failed him, she wasn’t sure she’d survive.
    “I want to marry you, pet.” He leaned his forehead against hers. His warm breath on her face and his strong hands on her body filled her with deep calm and security. “Not for the merger, not for a business deal, but because you are the pet for me. Because no other woman can keep me on my toes and submit to me so beautifully at the same time like you do. Because these stolen conference nights are not enough.” Their eyes met, his dark gaze enveloping her from head to toe. All that she was, all she could be, was his. “I want more.”
    She nodded, her whole body shaking beneath the elation. “Yes, Master.”
    His lips descended on hers, depriving her of the remaining oxygen in her lungs and sending her into oblivion.
    He pulled back, his hand still holding the nape of her neck hard enough to keep her in place. He reached behind him, plucking the jewellery from its box. The radiant jewels in his hand filled her vision and her stomach flipped. Everything else vanished besides him and the promise held in his grip. He wouldn’t ask her again, and she didn’t care. She didn’t need him to ask. She wanted his collar. She wanted to be owned by him. Only him.
    He wrapped the necklace around her throat. The fit was tight, perfect. The golden perch slid through the robin’s feet and the mechanism clicked, locking shut. Her entire body sagged. Her knees weakened. She leaned into him, needing the support, his warm hard body the only steady space in the room.
    Nothing could make her feel more his than the row of diamonds around her neck. Not his ring on her finger, not his name on hers. Not his declaration to the press or the board. And not a wedding held in the white chapel down the street, with Elvis leading her down the aisle.
    He wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her tight. “It’s all right, pet,” he whispered in her ear, “I’ve got you. You’re mine now.”
    Her heart settled into a slow, easy thump. She was his now. His completely and forever. The rest was just paperwork.

Epilogue
     
     
     
    “I’m so sorry, pet.” Richard dropped his suit jacket onto the hotel chair as they settled back into his room. “I told them I didn’t want any cameras. That we wanted a private ceremony.”
    Serena shook her head, dropping the bouquet of roses onto the nightstand. Their wedding had been perfect, small and quiet, exactly what she had wanted, even with the paparazzi.
    “It’s fine.” She pulled the pins from her hair, releasing the length down her back. “They’d need a picture eventually. Might as well be now.”
    He came up behind her, his hot breath tickling along her nape, his musky scent weakening her knees. “Don’t lie to me, pet,” he whispered against her ear. Her entire body sagged beneath the power vibrating through his voice. She leaned into him, appreciating his strength against her. “You loved all those men calling your name, demanding your attention.” He fumbled along her back, finding the tab to her zipper and sliding it down with a quick aggressive pull.
    She had, but not because she wanted the attention, or cared about having her picture in the tabloids. “I only love that you’d claimed me as yours, for everyone to see.”
    “And don’t you dare forget it.” He shoved the layers of lily and snow down her legs, dropping the bulky wedding dress to the ground and setting every inch of her skin tingling.
    “Never, Master.” She leant back against his shoulder. He placed his lips on her neck, just above the diamond collar he’d gifted her with.
    “Good.” He unhooked her bra and pulled the