Chapter 16

Q

~My absolution~

~My treasure~

It was done.

Tess was mine.

Legally.

Spiritually.

Every fucking way she was mine.

My fingers tightened on the leash, dragging her closer. I loved having control. Having her restrained in such a debasing but incredibly powerful way. The anxiety I’d carried finally faded.

I had what I needed. I had her oath. I owned her soul.

My lips captured hers again, tangling with two emotions. I wanted to strip her right there and take her—injuries be damned, witnesses be fucked.

But at the same time, I wanted to beat Frederick and Franco for forcing my truth to light.

They had no right to dress Tess that way, or provoke me into accepting there was nothing wrong with our relationship. Suzette had been out of bounds.

I was going insane having Tess half-naked. She was my ~wife~. I wanted her covered.

~But then you won’t be able to stare.~

And I wanted to stare. So damn much. Tess was a fucking masterpiece. Full and feminine and so fucking tempting.

Pulling away, I readjusted my rock-hard cock. It hadn’t calmed down since I’d set eyes on her when she entered the marquee. Her white dress had been stunning. ~She’d~ been stunning.

~She still is.~

I groaned, drinking in her garter belts and lace. Goddammit, I had no willpower. No control. She may wear the collar but she dragged me around by my cock. I panted for her.

I would sit at her feet and fucking beg just for a taste. One glorious taste.

“Shit, Tess…I need you. I need to sink inside you and come. I’m going to explode.”

My cock hurt jammed in my trousers. My balls throbbed with the need to come. It didn’t matter my body was drained. My shakes weren’t just from nerves but agony slicing through the painkillers.

Nothing would stop me from taking her. I didn’t care if I was slightly lightheaded and queasy. Sex. Sex would make it all better. Sex with Tess.

Happiness danced down my spine.

Sex with my ~wife~.

Tess laughed, patting my naked chest. I hissed between my teeth as her gentle touch caught a bruise. The pain and pleasure shot to my cock, rippling with need.

~This isn’t a laughing matter~, esclave. ~I’ll turn your smiles into moans of ecstasy.~

“I need you, too. But you need to rest, Q. Don’t expect me to bow to you tonight.”

“Bow to me? I want you so fucking much I’d ignore the safe-word with how much I need you.”

Tess looped her arms around my back, following my tattoo. “Sparrow, Q. Sparrow until I get you into bed.”

I groaned, anger giving me energy to get through the next few minutes. “You can say sparrow all you like, but it won’t stop me from taking you.”

~Taking the final piece of you.~

Her lips parted, understanding my unsaid threat. “You can’t—you need to heal.”

Grabbing her close, I muttered, “I’ll heal when my cock is inside your beautiful ass. Now say your goodbyes. We’re leaving.”

Reluctantly, I let her go.

With wide eyes, she moved away to hug Suzette. The leash on her collar tugged my fist. I opened my fingers, letting it slip free.

She was swallowed by the small crowd, all wishing congratulations. Every guest stole time with my wife. Time. That bitch was yet again getting in the way of me and my goal.

Tess disappeared under well-wishes—the only part of her visible was her loose curls and black feather headdress. Shit, I needed to cover her. I cursed everyone staring at her beauty.

I wanted to gouge their eyes out for seeing what was mine, but smug male pride tempered my rage. She was mine. Not theirs. They would never be allowed to touch. Only me.

Didn’t fucking matter though. My cock was too hard. My instincts too feral.

I stormed forward, tugging at my jacket to throw over Tess’s body.

Then darkness smothered my world as the little cocksucker who spoke out during the wedding, wriggled through the crowd and intercepted Tess. He tapped her on the shoulder.

She turned to him.

She turned to him,~smiling~, wearing the fucking sexiest corset and black lingerie. Her breasts tantalized, spilling over the supple leather. Her long legs closed the distance in a hug.

She motherfucking~ hugged~ him. Dressed like that.

~I want his blood.~

My heart shot painful adrenaline through my body. No amount of stitches, gunshots, or broken ribs could stop me from beating the little cunt into a pulp. Tearing my blazer off, I closed the distance.

“Tess, get away from him.” Ripping her from Twerp’s arms, I slammed my jacket around Tess’s front.

She gasped, pushing at my blazer imprisoning her. “Q—what on earth?”

I breathed hard, never taking my eyes from the little fucker who’d had his hands on my wife.

What in the flying fuck was ~he~ doing at my wedding?

“Q, calm down. You’re not thinking straight.” Tess’s voice only pissed me off.

The boy curled his arm around a pretty brunette dressed in yellow. He brought her forward, distracting me for a second—intentionally showing he had his own girl and respected that Tess was mine.

“That’s a rad tattoo you’ve got, mate. Never been a fan of needles myself but I can appreciate the art.”

Tess jumped in. “Q, this is Brax Cliffingstone and his girlfriend, Bianca. They traveled all the way from Australia to see us marry, so a thank you for coming would be nice.”

A thank-you? They flew on ~my~ fucking money. Suzette would no doubt present me with a bill a mile long once we got home.

“Brax, Bianca, this is my husband, Quincy Mercer. I could go on and on about how amazing he is but that’s irrelevant—you can guess how special he is because I married him.”

~Husband.~

She called me her husband.

~Special.~

She called me special.

The words starved some of my anger, relaxing my screeching muscles.

Twerp’s blue eyes met mine, apprehension tangling with false bravado. “Hey, mate. Nice to meet you finally.” He stuck out his hand. “Congratulations.

“I’m super glad you guys were able to work out whatever issues you had. I’m stoked for you.”

What the hell had Tess told this delinquent? ~Her emails~. My teeth gritted. The emails she sent when she blocked me out. She’d talked to ~him~ when she couldn’t talk to me.

The frustration and anger rose, reminding me of the intense pain Tess had caused.

Fuckwit’s eyes fell on Tess’s cleavage. It was fleeting. But it was there.

My neck rolled. Fists clenched.

Yep, couldn’t do it. I’d kill him.

I yelled, “Suzette. ~Donne moi quelque chose pour couvrir Tess ou je vais —”~Give me something to cover Tess or I'll—

A black embroidered dress appeared from nowhere, matching the crimson sparrows of my velvet blazer. “Here you go.

“I’ve come prepared.” Suzette gave me a wary look, holding up the wraparound dress for Tess. I dropped my blazer, shoving Tess toward Suzette.

I had to admit Suzette had done an amazing fucking job—I wanted to murder her, but she deserved a substantial raise for putting this venue together in five days.

My heart hammered while Tess slipped into the dress. Suzette secured it with a large bow at the back. The second Tess was encased in something suitable, I relaxed a little. Just a little.

Tess smiled. “Thank you. I feel better not being so exposed.”

Me, too. I’d been ready to murder everyone.

Suzette grinned. “Not that you have any cause for being shy, but I understand.”

Goddammit, my nerves. The overbearing monster inside prowled, snapping its jaws. The beast wanted to go suicidal. I felt threatened. Threatened by a boy from Tess’s past.

There was no reason to be. But try telling that to a beast that didn’t listen.

~He’s just a stupid boy who will never deserve Tess. Me, on the other hand—I still didn’t deserve her but too fucking bad—she’d married me.

A headache overshadowed the rest of my injuries. I managed to unlock my jaw enough to say, “~Merci~. And I’m sorry for my temper.”

I scanned the room out of habit, searching for anyone out of place. The guests smiled, milling around now that the service was over. Not that they were guests.

Mrs. Sucre didn’t count, nor did Frederick, Angelique, or Franco. There wasn’t one unfamiliar face. Apart from the dickshit in front of me.

“It’s okay, mate. Totally understand.” Brax nodded, opening his mouth to say something equally annoying in his Australian twang.

I couldn’t do it.

Growling under my breath, I said to Suzette, “You’re in deep shit for inviting him.”

Tess scowled, whacking my shoulder. “Q. That isn’t fair. She did it for me.” Smiling gently at Fuckwit, she added, “Sorry, Brax. Q’s been through a lot the past couple of days.

“We really ought to be leaving. He needs to rest.”

A geyser of temper exploded from my mouth. “Did you just call me ~weak~, Tess? I’m perfectly capable thank you very much. I’m not going to pass out from a simple conversation.”

Twerp jumped in. “Hey, don’t be mad at her. Look, maybe it was the wrong thing coming here, but I wanted to see Tess and make sure she was happy. I love her. I wanted to wish her all the best.

“And you too—if you stopped being such a jerk.”

~Fuck, that’s it.~

Thank god I wasn’t wearing a shirt because it would’ve ended up splattered with his blood.

Tess leapt in the middle of us. “Brax, stop it. Q, don’t judge him until you know him. He’s a good friend and you need—”

“I don’t need to do anything,~esclave~. He’s seen you naked. I’ll never be his friend. So don’t expect it to be all rugby games and fucking unicorns.”

Tess blew curls out of her eyes, exasperation rather than fear on her face. That just irritated me further. Did I look so banged up I was incapable of inflicting pain?

~I can rectify that.~

The girl dressed in yellow giggled. “I doubt you’ll see us again after today, but if it makes you feel any better, your wife has seen my fiancé naked, too, and I don’t want to beat her up.”

My eyes stretched wide. I couldn’t come up with a response. I hated the thought of Tess being anywhere near this boy. I hated to think of anyone owning her heart. I was beyond jealous.

I was fucking possessive and the beast inside only made it worse.

I wanted to piss a circle around Tess, blatantly claiming she was off bounds to everyone but me.

~Calm down, idiot.~

My heart raced, but Tess laughed. “I’m glad you don’t want to hurt me, Bianca. I’m just happy you and Brax are together. And please accept mine and Q’s congratulations.”

She had no right to offer anything of mine. I wanted them off this island, not to exchange pleasantries.

My rib twinged, letting a hug of pain fill my chest. ~God, I’m tired.~

Fuckwit grinned. “I asked Bianca to marry me two weeks ago. I know it’s really fast—but sometimes you just know, yeah?”

Tess softened, glancing at me. My anger petered out, replaced with vengeful lust. My cock sprang to attention, dragging me under her control again. Damn woman and her magic. “I totally agree.

“Time means nothing when you know.”

I swallowed, trying so fucking hard to keep the sexual need from my eyes. Forgetting about Fuckwit—he was nothing to me—I murmured to Tess, “Sometimes all it takes is a look.”

Tess’s lips parted, and the strain of the past few minutes didn’t mean a thing. The desire between us was all-consuming, and I was done with this place.

Narrowing my gaze, I murmured, “Time to stop playing with the guests. You’re coming with me.”

Tess blushed. “That would be rude. We can’t just—”

“Yes. We. Can. Now, Tess. ~S'il vous plait~.” She wasn’t being fair. ~I~ was the injured one. I was the one in need of TLC.

These guests could fucking wait until I’d had my wife beneath me, on top of me, tied up, and ravished. “You don’t want me to ask again. You won’t like what I’ll do.”

Suzette broke the thick tension. “You can’t go. Not yet. I’ve got a small reception planned next door.”

I couldn’t think of anything worse.

I was married. I wanted all these people gone. I wanted to be alone with the one person who truly understood me. I wanted my wife.

“No. Suzette. Rearrange it. Tomorrow, I don’t care.”

“I’m sorry, Suzette.” Tess shrugged. “Q really should get some rest.”

I grumbled in my chest. I hated she thought I was hurt. I wanted a bed, yes, but I wasn’t planning on fucking moaning about my injuries and going to sleep.

Did she not sense everything I was transmitting to her? Did she not understand that I could suffer two broken legs and ~still~ need to be inside her?

Fine. If it made our escape faster, I would play the poor patient angle. “You know. I am feeling a little tired—I need to be in ~bed~ with my ~wife.~”

Tess threw me a look while Fuckwit sucked in a gasp.

My eyes tightened, taking in his innocence—his pompous timidness. This boy had nothing on me. I could blow him fucking over and defeat him. What did Tess ever see in him?

Frederick suddenly threw an arm around my shoulders, eyeing up Brax. Shoving his traitorous hand out, he smiled. “Hi. Nice to meet you. I’m Frederick Roux. Business partner to this sour groom.”

Fuckwit half-smiled, taking the offered handshake. “Nice to meet you. I’ve researched your company. Congrats on all your success.”

Frederick laughed, letting go to nudge me. My teeth clamped together at being manhandled, especially because it highlighted just how much I ~did~ need to lie down. Fuck, I hurt.

“Nope, not my company. All this guy’s. He’s the mastermind.” Slapping me on the back—making me groan—he added, “Congrats, Mercer, Tess. So happy for you both.”

Tess beamed, running fingers through her hair. “Thank you for everything you did for us, Frederick. Rome, and Lynx…well you know—”

My stomach lurched, thinking how close I’d come to losing her. My fingers found the tracker under my skin. It would have to be removed.

The Taser Lynx used had short-circuited it, but at least it’d done what I needed.

I’d held on and proved the point I set out to make. It cost a lot more than money but it brought shitloads of protection.

Fuckwit watched us, his forehead furrowed. “Did something happen?” His eyes narrowed. “Is that what happened the past few days?

“You look like you’ve been in a pretty serious fight.” His gaze flickered to Tess. “You’re not in any danger again—are you, Tessie?”

I coughed.

A swirling tornado of anger ripped me apart.

“Tessie?” My voice was whip-thin and blade-sharp. My body was still sore, the pain eroding no end of painkillers, but all I wanted was a fight. I wanted to hurtle this asshole away from Seychelles.

Away from my wife. Away from any claim he thought he had on ~my~ woman.

“ ~Never~ call her that.”

Tess pressed her warm form against mine. “Q—don’t. Brax calls me Tessie. It’s a nickname that’s completely innocent.” Turning to Brax, she finished, “And no, I’m not in any danger. Not anymore.

“Thanks to Q.”

“But you will be if you call her that again,” I snapped.

My fists ached to ram into his jaw.

The celebrant arrived, smiling—completely oblivious to the standoff between us. “I have the paperwork that requires signing. Please choose your two witnesses and come with me.”

“Perfect timing,” Roux mumbled, throwing me a look. “Come on, Mercer. I’ll witness another one of your documents.” He followed the celebrant.

Tess let me go, grabbing onto Suzette. “Would you do the honor? Please.”

Suzette’s eyes watered. She looked from me to Tess, holding her heart. “I’d love to.”

Great. Fucking fantastic. Yet more time stopping me from getting my wife naked. The second this was over. I was gone. With or without Tess. Who was I kidding?

I would never leave her—especially with Fuckwit here.

The three of us trailed after Frederick, leaving Twerp and his little girlfriend. The celebrant had set up a station with a small table, leather binder, and pens. A crisp piece of paper rested on top.

I sighed.

This whole mingling after the wedding bullshit was fraying my nerves. I didn’t know if it was the pain making me cranky or the fact Tess’s past was trespassing on my future. I just wanted to leave.

~Soon.~ Sign then I was free.

The top of the paper held an intricate flourish with the words:

~This is to certify Quincy Mercer II descended from Quincy Mercer I and Veronica Fable married Tess Olivia Snow descended from Stephen Snow and Mary Carlton, both sound of mind and able body, in holy matrimony before the witnesses of…~

“You sign here, Mr. Mercer.” The celebrant pointed to a column stated ‘groom’.

Taking the pen, I printed my name, then signed. The simple act of holding the pen aggravated the muscles in my arm from Lynx’s bad batting skills.

I needed more drugs—especially if I planned on delivering my threats to Tess.

Beneath my signature, it changed from groom to husband.

Shit.

Husband.

It hit me for the second time.

~I’m Tess’s husband.~

This time it was a battering ram compared to the tiny realization. I was ~hers~. Forever.

Tess’s body heat seared into mine, reaching over to steal the pen. Planting a chaste kiss on my cheek, she printed her name…then paused.

My heart stuttered as the pen hovered over the signature of ‘wife’.

“Do I sign with my old name or…” Her voice trailed off, her eyes meeting the celebrant.

The man smiled. “Your new one, of course. If you’re taking your husband’s name, sign it as Tess Mercer.

She froze.

Every instinct and bestial sense sprang to high alert. I tried to see past her outer shell, searching for the real reason why she didn’t want to sign the fucking form.

Swallowing back my temper, I said as soft as I could manage, “~Tu vas bien?~” You okay?

She looked into my eyes, tears making the blue shine like the sea. I almost crashed to my knees with the sheer unconditional love in her depths. “I’m no longer Tess Snow.”

My stomach twisted thinking about the girl who I’d watched transform into a woman. Ever since I woke up to her whispering in my ear at Lynx’s house, I’d known she’d turned an irrevocable corner.

She left Tess Snow behind the moment she smeared her cheek with the blood of her victim.

She spread her wings and soared, putting her past where it belonged and embracing everything I’d always hoped she would.

Every time I looked at her, I sensed it, sensed the depth and sweet depravity of my woman. I’d never meant to change her—but she’d changed herself. She’d become more—just more in every way.

I cupped her cheek, bringing her nose to mine. Tracing her throat, I caressed the top of the brand—the only part visible above her collar. She shivered, biting her lip.

“You walked away from that name, ~esclave~. It no longer defines you.”

“What does define me?” she whispered.

“Your invincibility. Your conviction. Me.”

“You?”

My fingers drifted over her collar, tugging on the leash. “Yes. You wear my name now. You wear my fortune.”

“I’m Tess Mercer.” Her soft voice turned to a pant, flushing my body with want. My cock twitched in my trousers, ready to take her. Ready to finish this.

“You’re so much more than that.”

“What?”

~“Tu es à moi.”~ You’re mine.

“Yours,” she breathed, swaying she pressed her lips against mine. The instant her soft mouth touched me, my vision shattered into colorless light.

The countdown to taking her increased its incessant tick.

I wouldn’t last much longer. I ~couldn’t~ last much longer.

Her lips kissed along my cheekbone, ending on the shell of my ear. “I was going to deny you, husband. I didn’t think you were strong enough to take me.

“But you haven’t stopped making love to me since the moment I entered this marquee. I believe you’re strong enough. And I want you to take me away. Take me completely.”

She pulled back, permission blazing in her eyes. “I’m ~all~ yours. Every inch.” Gone was the fear about letting me inside the final part of her. Gone was the hesitation at exploring the unexplored.

My muscles locked into place, fighting a full-body shudder. My cock punched the buckle of my belt, demanding to have her ~now.~

Tess left me standing like a fool, sealing the marriage contract with a flick of her wrist. Tess Mercer.

My Tess.

My ~esclave~.

Frederick grabbed the pen with a wink. “You’re looking at her like you’re about to eat her. You guys better leave before you end up saying screw the guests and giving us a show.”

I let him finish signing before punching him in the shoulder. “We’re only here because we’re Suzette’s prisoners.”

Suzette giggled, taking the pen. “Fine, I know a man in pain when I see one. Go. I’ll rearrange the reception for tomorrow.”

A thick arm wedged between us, scrawling illegibly on the paper beneath all four signatures.

~What the—~

I looked over my shoulder. Franco.

He shrugged. “Hey, couldn’t let you get hitched without the top quality authority of your favorite bodyguard. I just made that thing legit.”

I rolled my eyes. “Trust you to ruin everything.”

Franco chuckled, giving Tess a one-armed hug. He’d discarded his gray blazer, revealing the white shirt beneath. His sling matched the fabric, hiding the fact he was injured. Sort of.

The bandage around his hand had been changed, and the minute I could breathe without needing to sink into Tess, I would source a world-class doctor to replace his thumb.

He would also receive a huge bonus.

Pulling away from Tess, Franco said, “You look incredible. I’m very happy for you both. I’ll always have your back, Tess.

“You’ve earned my deepest respect.” Tess dropped her eyes, unconsciously tugging the collar around her throat. Her cleavage was deep and fucking enticing.

“I’ll forever be in your debt for helping me get him back. I think you deserve a long holiday and someone to pamper you.” Her eyes darted to Suzette—not at all subtle and way too insinuating.

Ah, for fuck’s sake what was with weddings and hook-ups?

She added, “Don’t be an idiot, Franco.”

His mouth fell open; eyes just as wide.

I grabbed the leash from her collar, wrapping it around my fist. “Enough,~esclave~. He’ll figure it out.

“And if he doesn’t, there are plenty of other body parts that can be sliced off to make him understand.”

Franco spluttered. “Hey, what?” His green eyes landed on Suzette who turned bright red. She coughed, backing away, the tips of her ears flaming.

I didn’t have any time for other people’s lives. Mine was all I wanted and I was done being the center of attention.

Tugging the leash, the collar slipped a little, glinting with an inscription:~property of Q Mercer.~

My eyes slammed closed. I was ruined. High on the need to claim.

My cock twitched, clawing its way through my trousers to my wife.

Yep, I would never be removing that collar.

Screw the reception. Screw the guests. I was done.

“We’re leaving,” I snapped.

Tess’s eyes popped wide but slowly she nodded, tasting my need, echoing it back.

~I’m married~! I survived. And now I would claim my wife.

“Spoilsport,” Frederick muttered good-naturedly. He clasped my shoulder, crunching me into a painful hug. “Fair enough. We can have the reception tomorrow on the beach.

“I’m sure Suzette has a few days’ worth of events for us to enjoy.”

Franco rolled his eyes. “That woman is a nuisance.

“She’s too damn organized and when the hell did she become so freaking gorgeous?” His eyes trailed to Suzette who’d broken apart from our group, returning to Angelique.

“Since always,” Tess stated, crossing her arms.

Franco frowned. “You’re forgetting that I was the one who carried her into Q’s house.

“She weighed nothing more than a bag of feathers, her hair shorn, her skin covered in burns, and her fingers completely mangled.” His eyes tightened, looking at Suzette laughing with Angelique.

“I’ve seen her at her worst. All I see is a broken girl who needed so much help.”

I agreed completely. That was my issue, too. “That’s how I see her as well. But maybe it’s time we looked at her with new eyes. She’s no longer that girl.”

I glanced at Suzette, truly seeing the strong woman she’d become. Pride filled me. Compared to the broken slave she’d been—it was incomparable.

Franco’s eyes widened as if truly seeing Suzette for the first time. He cleared his throat.

“You should talk to her, Franco, get to know her,” Tess pushed.

I threw Tess a look. That was enough. I hated tampering in people’s lives, and Franco’s was his own. Tough shit if he couldn’t see past the past.

The celebrant placed the signed wedding agreement into a black folder, passing it to me. “Congratulations. I wish you a lifetime of happiness.”

Clutching the document I would treasure forever, I muttered, “More than just one lifetime. Thank you.”

Keeping Tess’s leash tight in my fist, I marched forward, fully expecting her to heel. What, like a fucking dog?

Goddammit, my thoughts were all over the place. I needed silence. Just us. Swiping a hand over my face, I tugged on the leather. “Tess—come on.”

She came forward, her lips playing with a scowl and a smile. “You’ve really got to rein in your temper.”

I bared my teeth. “Too late to try and change me,~esclave~. You married me—knowing full well who I was.”

And that made me the luckiest son of a bitch alive.

She laughed. “I would never want to change you.” Her eyes flittered over to Angelique and Suzette who stood talking to Fuckwit and Bianca.

“I should go and say goodbye, though—I don’t want to be rude and abandon everyone.”

I shook my head. “No. You’re coming with me. This instant.”

I wouldn’t go back into the Bermuda fucking triangle of after-wedding politics. We’d barely found freedom as it was, and it’d taken far too long.

Frederick brushed past, heading for his wife. “I’ll tell everyone, Tess. They’ll understand.”

Her cheeks pinked. “Okay, thank you. Guess we’ll see you tomorrow.”

No chance. I wasn’t leaving that bedroom for weeks.

“Only if you’re still able to walk,” I breathed in her ear.

Her body jolted, and I took the opportunity to wrap my arm around her, guiding her toward the exit.

“If you so much as speak to another person leaving this fucking tent, I’ll put you over my knee in front of everyone.”

~And I’ll love it~. My stomach lurched at the thought of ~finally~ getting her alone.

Tess breathed hard, her breasts rising and falling. “You shouldn’t get so wound up. Your heart needs a rest.”

I laughed darkly. “Let me worry about my heart—you worry about yours.” Slamming to a halt by the doorway, I whispered, “Because I’ll make it fly out of your chest with what I’m going to do to you.”

Tess wiggled in my grip, brushing against things that needed no other stimulation.

Surveying the black shrouded tent, I sighed with satisfaction. Everything had come true. Tess was no longer broken. I’d fought against the underworld and won.

And now, now I intended to spend a few weeks on this island recuperating and making delicious sinful love to my wife.

Pressing Tess against my rock hard erection, I murmured, “I want to see you naked.

“I want you wearing only the collar and your high heels.” Pushing her out of the shadows and into the light, I growled, “Come on,~esclave~. Time to consummate.”

Tess stood before me, breathing hard.

I locked the sliding door, proceeding to draw every curtain so no one could see in. However, it didn’t go dark, thanks to the sun streaming in from the glass roof.

I couldn’t stop looking at the collar around her throat. ~I want you naked. I want to drive into you holding that leash.~

My heart raced, burning off the remaining painkillers in my system. Every inch of me ached, but all I wanted was Tess.

I didn’t care about the burning in my legs or the slight twinge whenever my heart beat too fast. The bullet wound in my leg didn’t stand a chance against the desire in my blood.

I could recoup later. Right now. I had husbandly duties to perform.

“Get in the bedroom,~esclave~.”

I planned one more game to end our crescent moon.

Tess was mine in every conceivable way. She was back to the strong and amazing woman I fell in love with and today, I would finish my claiming.

She’d given me permission.

She was ready.

I would finish what I started in Tenerife.

The stress of the wedding left my system, leaving me levelheaded and able to focus on nothing but her. The world was inconsequential now we were alone.

I trusted the team of bodyguards bobbing around the atoll to keep us safe. I trusted my friends to stay far away from our villa until I was drained dry and Tess could barely walk.

And I trusted that tomorrow, I might be able to be nicer to Fuckwit, after reminding Tess just who she would spend the rest of her life with.

Tess hadn’t moved.

“I won’t ask again. Get in the bedroom.”

Tess bowed her head, watching me with lowered eyes. “Q?”

I inched toward her, suffering a rapidly building itch to chase—to hunt.

~I’m going to consume you, wife.~

“Yes,~esclave~?” I dropped my eyes down her front; my mouth watered to slice the dress from her. I wanted to drink in her gorgeous body—to drool at the tempting fucking corset.

I wanted to stare—now that no one else was watching.

Tess inched backward, activating the beast inside by submitting to me. “I’m giving you the last part of me—but I have one request.”

My legs locked to the floor. What request? ~She doesn’t want pain? She doesn’t want rough?~ My eyes searched hers, but her secrets were hidden.

I cocked my head. “One request…”

Her gaze glowed with love. “I ask that you look after yourself. Let me do the work if you need to. I don’t want you bursting your stitches or having a heart attack. Let me be the one to take you.”

I threw my head back, a loud laugh escaping. “~Vous pensez que je suis fragile putain?~” You think I’m that fucking frail? Humour danced in my voice. “I’ll show you who’s frail, Tess.

“You should know me by now pain turns me on. I don’t care I’m beaten black and blue. I don’t care that I have holes and cuts for fucking miles. All I care about is your pussy.”

Her cheeks pinked. Never taking her eyes from mine, she inched toward the corridor, walking backward, swaying her delicious tempting hips, her red heels clicking on the tiles.

“I’m fixated on touching you, tasting you, fucking you. Nothing else matters but that. Do you understand?”

I moved forward with her, hiding my limp, cursing the pain in my thigh.

Her breath was shallow, pinpricks of colour smudging her chest. “I understand. You’re suffering the same illness as me.” She kept backing up. Every step made my cock harder.

“What illness is that?” I whispered, my fists opening and closing in anticipation. Her skin was flawless again. No wax burns or bite marks. I needed to rectify that.

After all, this was the consummation of our marriage.

“I can’t stop thinking about your fingers inside me, or your tongue licking. And,~maître…~”

Tess dragged delicate fingers along the wall, following the curve to the bedroom.

My ears burned for the rest of her sentence. I entered the space, crowding her to stand in the centre. “Go on…what were you going to say?”

~Tell me. Fucking tell me before I explode.~

The moment she stood still, her breathing quickened, sending the innocent room swimming with heady need and want. Her chest rose. “I love your cock, husband. Your fine, long, scrumptious, thick cock.

“I want to suck it. I want to bite it. And when you’re soaking wet from my mouth I want…”

~Fucking hell.~ My stomach tore itself to pieces.

I stormed toward her, grabbing a fistful of hair. “What, ~esclave~. What. Tell me.” My cock throbbed. It fucking whimpered for the blowjob she’d so eloquently described.

Her eyes locked onto mine. “When you’re wet, I want you to take me. Take my virginity. Fill me. Claim me. Because everything about me is yours.”

I couldn’t do it.

I smashed my lips on hers, groaning deep into her mouth. Her tongue battled mine as if she’d waited for one hint at violence to unravel.

Her moan echoed in my heart as we devoured each other in a fierce fast kiss.

Breaking apart, our eyes locked. The life I lived ceased to exist. I stood on the edge as my past was sucked away, leaving my soul humming with finality. It was as if a new chapter began.

A fresh page, unsullied with badness or sickness or pain. Completely new, completely pure, utterly ready for our new life together.

I couldn’t describe the freedom whistling inside me. The knowledge I could hurt this woman and she would love it, but I didn’t ~have~ to hurt her.

The drive, the incessant beast and monster, finally learned how to be…soft. My temper faded, leaving me ~gentle~—truly gentle for the first time in my life.

“Tess—” I cupped her cheek, so madly fucking in love with her. My eyes fell to her collar, then to her dress.

The beast clawed a little, teasing me with the overwhelming urge to shred the clothing and throw her on the bed.

But the softer, gentler side was stronger for once. I would take Tess—the last piece of her, but I would do it in a way I’d never done before. A way I never thought I would be able to do.

A way I never thought possible.

Sweet. Loving. ~Tame.~

There would be no need for bondage, spanking, or blood play. For that one wondrous moment, I wanted soft. I wanted to feel her breath on my skin and not her nails.

I wanted to shudder beneath her lips and not her teeth. I wanted lovemaking not fucking.

I didn’t want to fight.

“You’re beautiful,” I murmured, drugging myself on her. My aches and pains faded, losing power over me the longer I stood in her arms.

Her face turned up, a smile on her lips. “~You’re~ beautiful. Beyond beautiful.” Her hands landed on my chest, her fingertips pressing ever so lightly on my tattoo. “May I, ~maître~?”

My eyes grew heavy but not with domination. With love. She completely bewitched me, leaving me scattered in this new playground where caresses and kisses were more welcome than bites and screams.

I nodded, sucking in a breath as her fingers crept down my chest, heading around my waist. Taking a delicate step, she fitted her body against mine in the sweetest embrace.

I couldn’t breathe. I could barely keep the emotion from bubbling through my twisted soul and spewing out of my pussy fucking eyes.

My chin rested on her head, gathering her to me, squeezing her in an endless hug.

“We’re each other’s, Q.” Tess pressed a kiss on the healing brand over my heart. “I never want to be apart.

“I know we’ll fight and argue and force each other to distraction but I will never stop loving you.”

My arms banded tighter. My cock grew impossibly harder. My chest felt too small to contain the triple-quadruple sized love growing inside.

Pulling away, I said, “We will never be apart. Even when I’m angry you’ll still be able to melt me with one word.

“Even if I’m being an augmentative jackass, I’ll still bow to you and only you.” Dropping my head, I whispered against her mouth, “You own me, Tess.”

The second her lips touched mine the unsullied page of our future splashed with life. A future I had the privilege to live unfolded before my eyes: images of Tess barefoot and laughing.

Colors of birds and wings and happiness. Each ideal came and went in a wash of ink, dispersing with unknown memories.

Tess moaned as my tongue entered her mouth, licking her, tasting her. Her lips opened, welcoming me deeper.

Our heads tilted, following each other in perfect synchronicity as the kiss evolved from tender to passionate. Her breath filled my lungs; my fingers burned to touch.

Never breaking the kiss, I found the bow at her lower back, undoing the restraint. Following the billowing material, I released the dress.

Tess shimmied from the silk, letting it fall from her shoulders. Her hands slid up my back to my arms, removing my blazer in the same slow intoxication.

Our kiss continued, lips locked, hearts linked as my jacket fell to the floor.

Her hands went to my waistband, quickly undoing the zipper and button, allowing the trousers to cascade down my legs, leaving me completely naked.

My hard cock sprang upward, freed from its prison, thudding against my stomach. The head prodded a bruise—a small undercurrent of pain in this dream of lust.

But everything was bruised—so the pain didn’t matter. All pain became great pain. And Tess was the greatest pain of all.

She affected me right where it mattered.

I was immortal holding my paramour.

Tess tried to pull away, but I kept her mouth glued to mine. She moaned again as I kissed deeper, tasting every morsel, demanding her utmost attention.

With questing fingers, I found the garter belt clips and undid them. Reaching around, I unthreaded the first corset lace, working my way slowly, teasingly up her back.

~You’re mine to unwrap. The ultimate gift.~

What the hell did I do to deserve her?

With every loosened lace Tess shivered, her mouth working harder on mine until her fingers landed in my hair, tugging me ruthlessly.

I stumbled, unwilling to use stomach muscles that’d been beaten with a baseball bat. We tripped together, never letting go or breaking the kiss. Our lips were hot and wet.

Our thoughts connected—our bodies linked.

Regaining our footing, I undid the final lace. Unwrapping the corset from her body, I dropped it to the floor. Tess breathed a sigh of relief.

Her breasts went from squished and high to natural and heavy.

Her nipples called to me—wondrously beckoning to my cock. I wanted to thrust between her breasts. I wanted to grace her perfect throat with a necklace made from cum. So much I wanted to do.

~And I can. She’s my wife.~

A bolt of ultimate happiness chased away everything I’d lived through. Lynx and his fucking mind-games were over. I would get over my issues with towels and never look back.

Tess had defeated me in more ways than one. In so many ways that mattered.

My balls twitched in anticipation. A shooting pain radiated in my stomach. I couldn’t tell if it was the overbearing need to fill her or if my body suffered under pressure.

Either way—I ignored it, focusing on her heat and liquidity.

Tugging on the leash trailing between her breasts, I jerked her close. She gasped against my lips, her tongue dancing with mine in a tango full of need.

I wanted to make love to her forever.

~I~ will ~make love to her forever.~

Nothing would stop me from spending the rest of my days worshipping this woman.

My eyes opened, diving into hers. Our lips never stopped taking but messages were sent and understood.

~I love you.

I adore you.

You’re mine.

I’m yours.~

Her hands dove into my hair, pulling me ever closer. Her touch claimed every part of me—she lived in my skin, my heart, my mind.

I drowned in her taste. I wanted her crying as she came. I wanted her unravelling on my tongue.

With strong arms, I plucked her from the floor, walking her to the bed. We never stopped kissing, licking. Time had finally obeyed me—stopping in this wonderful moment.

The world ceased to spin—letting us indulge.

When my knees hit the mattress, I lowered her gently. Her weight transferred to the crisp white bedspread; her blonde hair fanned out in lazy waves.

I broke the kiss, leaning over her. “Fuck, you’re so damn ~magnifique~. ”

Tess rolled upright, not caring her hair fell around her shoulders, hiding her breasts. With sharp determination, she pushed my lower belly, placing me where she wanted.

Her fingers wrapped around my hips and she gave me exactly what she promised. Her mouth swallowed my length in one long delicious pull.

“Holy shit,~esclave~.”

My brain stuttered out, blanking every sense, every thought. All I could focus on was the slippery heaven of her lips. Every nerve ending went straight to my cock.

Her head bobbed, sucking hard—almost violently in her speed and possession. I was her hostage, governed by a body desperate for release. She was my witch. My whore. My wife.

“Tess—fuck.” My hands landed in her hair, fisting her thick curls. My ass clenched, rocking into her wet talented mouth. Her hand grasped the base, stroking me in time with her sucks.

My eyes rolled back, giving every inch of control to Tess. For once, I didn’t care she’d taken away my power. For once, I had no issues with her being in charge.

~She owns me anyway.~ There was no difference if she took what she wanted or accepted.

“My mouth is yours, master. Always,” she murmured, kissing the tip, sliding back down—down and down—her teeth whispering over delicate flesh.

Her fingers found my balls, rolling them, squeezing. They tightened, drawing close to my body, so hot, so fucking ready to blow.

“Q…I want to drink you,” Tess said, wrenching my head back as she deep-throated me.

I groaned, losing my eyesight completely. “God, Tess. Your mouth is fucking magic.” My body stiffened, bliss blasting down my legs. My stomach clenched, working through the pain, wobbling in her hold.

~I want to come.

So come.

I can’t.~

All enjoyment faded.

I crashed from my blowjob high to a crevice of lows. My mind filled with images of the slave sucking me. Her tentative lips—her juvenile touch compared to Tess’s mastery.

~Shit.~

Pushing Tess away, I swiped a hand over my face. ~I don’t want to tell her.~

Did I have the strength to tell her what Lynx did? That another woman had been forced to lick the same cock forever belonging to Tess?

~Secrets will ruin you.~

Tess had accepted me despite knowing nothing of my past. She loved me in spite of knowing my present.

She promised to never leave, regardless of what happened in the future, and I couldn’t dishonor her by not being honest.

“Is everything okay?” Tess’s lips were swollen, waiting for me to slide back inside and forget—forget about everything.

But I couldn’t.

Falling to my knees, I took her hands. I didn’t know where to start. She had to understand my reasoning before I blurted out the horror.

Taking a deep breath, trying to find my runaway courage, I said, “I was so fucking frightened when I couldn’t find you, Tess. When you were taken, I lost a part of myself.

“I willingly gave that part up to hunt for you—mainly because in some dark recess—I thought I’d never see you again.

“You own me completely, so when you were missing, I had nothing.”

Her fingers twitched, linking around mine with encouragement.

“I did things,~esclave~. I butchered men and feel no regrets. I tortured traffickers and feel no remorse. I do things society wouldn’t approve but I don’t care because ~I~ do.

“It fits within my law—do you see?”

Tess shook her head softly. “Your law? Q…what are you talking about?”

It was surreal holding her dressed only in a collar, pantyhose, and knickers. I kneeled before her naked, spilling my heart. Way to pick a fucking time.

But I couldn’t go any further until I’d purged myself. She needed to know how fucking sorry I was.

“Q, you’re scaring me. Why are you telling me this?”

Swallowing hard, I replied, “Because it’s time you know the truth about me. I’m doing this. I’m truly going to spill everything in one messed up conversation.”

“I don’t talk about my family because my father was a heinous fucking bastard who raped and murdered women. I hated what he did. And I shot him.

“I brought a gun and premeditated murder all because I couldn’t listen to the screams anymore. But the moment I pressed the trigger, his tendencies shot into me.

“His evilness found a new host—in a boy who was his father’s true heir.”

I wanted to cut out my tongue. I never wanted to tell her. I always believed my past would remain hidden, yet I’d just spewed it on our wedding night.

Tess captured my chin, stroking my bristles. “There’s nothing evil about you, Q. You aren’t—”

“Let me finish.” Her acceptance granted false hope. I was nowhere near done.

I had to rip off the bandages—exposing myself sharp and quick. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t finish and the secret would fester for the rest of my life.

I needed Tess to forgive me. Please, forgive me.

“You guessed right at dinner. I had a sister. Her name was Marquisa. She died at my father’s hand, and I was too young to kill him.

“I lived with the man who raped and killed my sister because I was weak.” I glossed over the grotesqueness, not willing to flay that particular memory.

Tess sucked in a gasp, her naked breasts rising with horror. “Q—no. That’s awful.”

“I wasn’t going to tell you—I didn’t want you to know, but I have to tell you something else—and I hope to God you don’t fucking hate me.” My eyes latched onto hers, filling with fear.

“Don’t despise me. I don’t know what I’ll do if you do.”

Tess stiffened. Her lips popped wider, alarm flushing her skin. But she didn’t untangle her fingers from mine. I took strength from that. “Why would I despise you, Q?

“I’ve accepted everything about you. Nothing you say can change that.” She was so beautiful, so pure.

I hung my head. God, I hoped so. “I haven’t been faithful to you, esclave.”

Her face turned white; her fingers turned to icicles. “Excuse me?”

~Fuck.~ “Lynx made a slave girl suck me. I didn't want it. I fought it and chose to die rather than be unfaithful, but I had to tell you. I can’t live with the knowledge I let it happen.

“It wasn’t for long and I never broke my honor to you in my heart. But I had to apologize, so it never comes between us.”

Tess didn’t move.

My heart charged like a monstrous thing, wheezing for forgiveness.

When she didn’t say anything, I squeezed her fingers. “Please. Say something.”

Slowly, she tugged her hand from mine. My stomach hollowed out.

Then she laced her fingers in my hair, holding me still, peering deep into my eyes. “You chose death over some woman giving you oral sex?” She blinked. “Why?”

“Why?”

“Q—you almost died…all because—”

“I almost died to protect my integrity. That’s the only part of me I have left. Don’t you understand? I’ve killed my father. I’ve seen my sister be raped and murdered.

“I’ve watched and done nothing as my mother drank herself into the grave. I’ve built my life on nothing. I’ve run from a past I want nothing to do with. I have no control over that. ~None.~

“But I do have my honor. It’s the only thing I ~can~ control.” I gritted my teeth. “I survived with the darkness in my blood by one means only. I thought you’d figured that out by now,~esclave~. ”

Her blue-grey eyes glossed with sadness, radiating kindness. “No, Q. I haven’t figured you out at all, but this is helping.”

I rushed ahead, hoping to make her understand. “Honor is my driving force. The only thing I can rely on when the monster gets too strong or the beast takes control. Honor is the only law I obey.

“I broke my unbreakable law when that woman sucked me. It ruined everything I stood for because I broke your trust in me.”

Tess’s lips clamped together. I captured her tears with a fingertip. “Don’t you see,~mon amour?~ I would rather die than have that honor taken away from me. It’s my only guideline on right and wrong.

“And I love you too much to besmirch it. Please, I need you to understand and forgive me.”

Tess cried softly, her cheeks flushing with emotion. “Forgive you? Q—there’s nothing to forgive.”

I trembled. My back hurt, my body screamed with pain, but I couldn’t move. Not until I believed her. Not until I’d been granted absolution from this angel who was my wife.

“Please…just say you understand.”

Her hands captured my cheeks, kissing me hard. “If you need to hear it, then yes I forgive you.” Her lips landed on my jaw, my cheekbones, my eyelids.

“I would’ve forgiven you for anything because ~he~ made you do it. Q—you have nothing to feel guilty about because it was outside of your control.”

She stopped kissing me, temper blazing bright. “What I can’t forgive is you willingly sacrificing your life because you let your morals sign your death sentence. We were almost too late, Q.”

“Do you think I would’ve cared if I found you in bed with another woman—against your will—compared to hanging dead in a dungeon?

“Yes, it would’ve killed me to know you’d been with another girl but at least you’d be alive.”

She sucked in a breath, gathering courage like a cape. “You’ve told me more today than you ever have, so I’ll share the same courtesy with you.

“When you helped break me of Leather Jacket’s hold, I went through things I never want to discuss. I don’t know how much you saw or heard, but I would’ve willingly slept with him.

“In fact, I begged him to. I’m not proud of it. I hate myself for it—but I would do it again if it was the only way to live. Because my life isn’t my own anymore.”

My stomach rolled at the residual panic in her voice. Even now, after everything I’d done, they still had power over her. But I would make it disappear. I had a lifetime to make the past vanish.

For both of us.

Tess kissed me, tasting of salt from her tears. “Do ~you~ understand? Your life isn’t yours to gamble anymore, Q. It’s mine.

“I don’t care about your honor—if you’re in a life and death situation you do whatever you can to stay alive. I order you to do whatever’s necessary.”

“Because your soul is mine and I refuse to let you go.”

I couldn’t speak. My heart galloped at the simplicity of the fucked-up situation. “If you own my life, who owns yours?”

Tess smiled. “You, of course. No matter what happens, it’s always yours. I will never stop loving you, Q. It scares me how much I need you.

“But from now on, your honor comes second best to me—do you hear?”

I desperately wanted to kiss her and stop this spilling of fragile truths, but the confessions lightened my heart. “So you…forgive me?”

Tess nodded. “I forgive you.”

I slouched, crushed by pain, weak with relief. Running my fingers up her stockings, I voiced one more truth. “I want to be normal. I want to love you without needing to hurt you.

“I’m sorry for what I am.”

Tess grabbed my face, her fingernails digging into my cheeks. Her eyes glowed with anger. “Don’t. I don’t want you ever to say that again. You ~are~ normal.

“And there is no right or wrong. It’s time we accepted it. I love you. So much. Take me, Q. No more talking. Make me your wife completely.”

She lay back, looking down her body at me kneeling at the foot of the bed. Her swollen lips made me hard, her tear-stained cheeks made me grateful.

The knowledge she’d forgiven me shed the guilt I’d carried, removing a layer of pain at the thought of losing her.

My lips twisted into a smile. “You’re my wife already, but I have no issues pounding the message home.”

She laughed, shattering the angst, replacing it with desire. Everything we’d discussed disappeared, leaving us empty and healing and ready to move forward.

Who knew airing dirty laundry was a good idea? But it was. I’d never felt lighter—minus my beaten and bruised body.

I ran my hands up her inner thigh; Tess shivered. “I’m going to undress you till you’re only wearing that incredible collar.”

“Um, I can help you if you like…” Her arm flew upward, hitting something hard. She twisted, looking above her. “Oh—”

Above her head rested a basket overflowing with purple crepe paper. Pressed into the wrapping were gifts. Tess pulled it toward her, her eyes widening. “She really does think of everything.”

I stole the basket from her, raiding the small container. Inside rested a blindfold, cheap handcuffs, small flogger, chocolate body paint, glittery purple vibrator, and lube.

Body paint? ~Yuck~. Blindfold? ~Don’t need~. Handcuffs? ~They’d last all of two seconds~. I tested the sting of the fake flogger. It lacked a perfect snap, but could work.

My eyes landed on the vibrator. And I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

Tess plucked the note from the side. “Enjoy, newlyweds. We look forward to seeing you at breakfast tomorrow. Love, Frederick, Angelique, Franco, and Suzette.

“She looked at the toys, her eyebrow raising. “That’s a lot of people to chip in for some vanilla playthings.”

“They have no imagination. The best things to use are the most mundane.” I dragged a fingernail up her thigh, loving her shiver.

She breathed shallow, hypnotizing me. Her breasts were soft globes with tiny erect nipples, her skin slightly indented from the boning of the corset.

She lay back slowly, never looking away.

My cock swelled. I thought for a second of using the blindfold, flogger, and cuffs, but the need for gentleness hadn’t left. It cushioned my thoughts, keeping my beast distracted—tamed.

The toys didn’t excite me. I didn’t want to tie Tess up—I wanted to feel her fingers in my hair. I didn’t want to hurt her—I wanted her moans of ecstasy.

Connection. Sex. No pain.

Just her. And me.

On me, over me, on my tongue, on my cock. I wanted to fucking worship her with every inch.

Never breaking eye contact, I pulled the vibrator and lube free, before tossing the basket over my shoulder. It landed loudly, scattering items beneath the dressing table.

Tess’s mouth parted. “You don’t want—”

I grabbed my cock, stroking once, twice. Loving the anticipation…desperate to tease. “Not today,~esclave~. Today I’m taking your moans as payment rather than your tears.”

Her face scrunched, battling a wash of love. “How do you read me so well? How did you know I needed just one time where it was gentle?”

I rose upright on my knees, crooking a finger for her to come closer. Her toned stomach flexed, arching, closing the distance so her lips were millimeters away.

Gazing into her eyes, I murmured, “I know because what you feel, ~I~ feel.” Resting my hand over her heart, I whispered, “I need you like we haven’t shared before. I need to take you this way.”

“~I~ I can’t explain it.”

She sighed. “I can—it’s because we’re in tune. We shared parts of ourselves we thought the other would never accept.

“The knowledge that this is ~truly~ forever... it’s given us freedom to be soft.” Her lips captured mine, pulling me deeper into her drug, cancelling out my aches, flaring liquid heat in my veins.

“I’m the luckiest woman in the world.”

Returning to my position between her legs, I placed the vibrator and lube on the floor. Pushing her downward, I smiled. “You have that wrong.

“I’m the luckiest master in the world.” With the pads of my fingers, I caught the top of her stockings. She bit her lip as I rolled them down her silky skin.

I removed her shoe, tugging the sheer material clear.

My cock throbbed to be inside her, loving the tension, the quivering delight in the knowledge we weren’t going to fight—not today. Today we would share something entirely different.

Repeating the process, I removed her other stocking, placing them with her shoes on the floor. The only things remaining were her knickers and collar.

A small slice of who I truly was rose. I bent over her hips, biting through the lace with one sharp cut. The material broke, falling away easily when I tugged the ruined lingerie down her legs.

The moment I glimpsed what I’d wanted since Suzette tore off her dress, my mouth went dry. ~“Mon Dieu~, Tess, ~tu es si belle putain.~” Goddammit, Tess, you’re so fucking beautiful.

I stared between her parted legs. Her golden hair was maintained and soft, her folds glistening with desire.

“Q—please…” she moaned. The leash from the collar fell between her breasts, a splash of blackness on her perfection. I looked for the permanent scar branding her neck forever.

The beast inside purred, knowing it was undeniable now—this woman was mine. I no longer needed to carve my autograph into her every night, making sure my imprint lived in her skin—it was done.

Officially. Unofficially. In every way humanly possible.

My symbol of commitment existed on every facet of her.

I pressed the wedding band around my finger with my thumb. I was hers, and I couldn’t be fucking happier.

Licking my lips, I pressed a gentle kiss right over her clit.

Her reaction was explosive, bowing upward, her fingers clutched the bed. Her sensitivity was insane compared to the control she maintained when I hurt her.

She’d truly let go. Not caring about anything but my hot breath on her core and the deliciousness of what was to come.

I kissed her again, licking once with a pointed tongue. She moaned—loudly.

Her pleasure sent a ripple of pre-cum spurting from my cock. My quads clenched as the sublime reaction made me crave more. ~More.~

I pounced on her, covering her pussy with my mouth, sucking in her delectable taste, willingly turning my world topsy-turvy with how drugged and intoxicated I was.

Her body rippled every time I licked her. Her mouth fell wide as I pushed my tongue deep, deep inside. Her muscles contracted, dragging my tongue even further.

The first ripple of an orgasm warned me to pull back. I didn’t want her coming—not yet.

There was something else I wanted. Something I would take. But first…

Groping for the vibrator, I silently positioned the glittery phallus at her entrance. I nibbled her clit, distracting her with my tongue.

Her fingers groped the bed as I sucked harder, flicking her folds faster, driving her higher.

The gentleness and sweetness inside felt so different to a lifetime of needing pain. I got off on her mewls of pleasure just as much as her moans of agony.

Born of a sadistic monster, I couldn’t fight what he’d poured into my blood. But tonight, all I needed was Tess.

Nothing more. Nothing less.

With another lave of my tongue, Tess left sanity, becoming a ball of lust. I loved that I’d driven her to the place where nothing else registers but sex. I needed her there—to enjoy what was to come.

Still sucking on her clit, I pressed the power button. The vibrator came to life, humming, sending shockwaves through her folds, echoing on my tongue.

She screamed. “God—Q. More. It feels—fuck, it feels—”

I didn’t let her finish.

Sliding the vibrator deep, I licked harder, overloading her system with pleasure.

Her hips rocked, forcing my mouth to crash against her pussy. Her hands disappeared into my hair, shamelessly pulling me into her. My neck ached, my back bellowed, but I wouldn’t stop until she came.

“Q—yes…shit, yes.”

I chuckled at Tess’s language, gawking at her wriggling body above. Her breasts jutted out, her nipples hard as fucking rocks. God, she tasted divine. I wanted to eat her forever.

My tongue ached to give way to teeth—I wanted to bite her. Just one tiny nip. But I kept up the relentless pressure, driving the vibrator deeper inside.

Her pants and whimpers were fucking erotic, twisting my belly. My cock throbbed with her every moan, demanding to replace the vibrator and come.

But as much as I wanted to come, I wanted to be somewhere else when I did. This was for her. Just for her.

My tongue picked up speed, urging her upward. ~Go on,~esclave.. ~Come. I want to hear you scream.~

Pressing the power button, I cranked the speed. Her body jerked; her fingers yanking the sheets beneath her in a savage pull. “Oh,~God~!”

I smiled, flicking my tongue, ignoring the sweat running down my temples. My wrist hurt from thrusting the vibrator. I was insanely jealous of the innate object penetrating my woman.

I could orgasm just by Tess coming apart.

“I’m going to—Q—stop if you don’t want me to—” Her head arched, hair flying in every direction as her body bunched.

Humming against her clit, I murmured, “You have my permission. Come, ~esclave~. Fucking come on my tongue.” I pressed the button one last time.

The vibrator turned from teasing to torturous, but Tess writhed in sensual surrender.

Her hips pulsed in time to the thrusts I delivered, my head bobbing with her, keeping my tongue busy on her core.

“Q—shit, I’m coming. Q!”

Her entire body convulsed, her fingers became fingernails, clutching my head, rocking her hips into my mouth. Her cries demanded, searched, ~seethed~ for something.

~I know what she needs.~

I loved that she was right. This was normal. For us. Pain was our happy place.

She wanted it.

So I gave it to her.

I bit her clit with a feral growl. My heart collided painfully with my ribs, but I didn’t care.

She came.

And came.

And ~came.~

Her cries echoed around the room, turning her limbs from quivering with tension to melting with satisfaction into the bed.

I breathed hard, aching and stiff, but very fucking smug. She’d come, and it was all because of me.

Her eyes opened, looking almost black from her release. “Q…” Her head lolled, fingers falling from my hair. Her voice was heavy, slurred, completely sated. “That felt incr—incredible.”

I loved her sleepiness. Her vulnerability. I adored what it meant for me. My reward.

Removing the vibrator, I kissed her pussy. I grinned as her oversensitive clit shivered beneath my lips.

Turning off the toy, I left it on the floor. Tess kept her eyes closed, not moving from her open-legged position. I went to stand, but my body was mutinous, bellowing with pain.

A simple movement of standing took five times as long as normal. I gritted my teeth, straightening out the kinks in my spine, gathering the lube, and climbing into the bed.

Every movement clashed like agonizing cymbals. My body needed rest. I needed sleep, but I didn’t want to miss out on the best opportunity of my life.

I wouldn’t let any headaches or battle wounds stop me from finishing what I’d started.

Tess was mine.

The second I lay down, Tess snuggled her back against my front, sighing deeply. I relaxed into the pillows, cupping her breast.

The heaviness of her flesh activated every protective, possessive part inside. A guttural growl sounded in my throat. “You have the most incredible body. Made just for me.

“So accepting of anything I do.”

She snuggled closer, tugging a pillow to cradle her head.

I twisted her nipple, my mouth watering to give her tits the same attention as her pussy. Tess didn’t move or make a sound.

I laughed gently. “Are you sleeping, mon coeur?” Nuzzling her neck, I breathed hard. Her soft form in my arms was too much.

I couldn’t stop my hips rocking, pressing my cock against her ass, seeking a release.

Tess moaned, wriggling closer. Her heartbeat fluttered under my touch. A minute ticked by while I held her. Slowly, energy entered her sex-sated limbs. She stroked my forearm wrapped around her.

“I’m not sleeping, maître. I know what you want from me.”

My heart leapt. I clenched my jaw, forcing my hips to stop. “I won’t force you, Tess. If you’re still afraid…”

She pressed a gentle kiss on my bicep. “You’re not forcing me. I want you. Just…take me gently.

“I’ll do whatever you want—but you have to tell me what to do.” Her voice wavered, but I didn’t focus on her nerves, only on her permission.

My eyes snapped closed, loving her more in that moment than ever before. She’d put herself completely into my control. Trusting me to do this right. Loving me enough not to fear me.

I didn’t need whips and chains to earn her complete submission—she’d given it to me—right here, right now.

My cock wept as I stroked her shoulder. ~“Allonge toi sur le ventre, mon cœur.”~ Lie on your stomach, my heart.

Tess obeyed. I helped her roll over, scooting her body to the center of the bed. I braced myself with an elbow, looking down the sweeping lines of her back to the perfect pillows of her ass.

~Fuck, I want to mark her.~

The violent thought disappeared as fast as it came. My palm itched to strike—to paint the white with red, but the urge faded, leaving me with heavy sweetness.

Placing my fingertips on the base of her neck, I pushed the tangled strands away, leaving her back completely clear. Pressing a kiss to her shoulder blades, I murmured, “Don’t tense. Trust me.”

She nodded, breathing shallow as I very carefully, very slowly, dragged my fingers down her spine, over every bead, along every hollow, tracing the hills and valleys to the fullness of her ass.

Every touch sent my heart pounding; my cock jerked.

Her face was unreadable but she flinched as my finger trailed her crack. ~This. This is mine.~

Her face scrunched, eyes squeezing shut as I dropped lower. She looked so damn shy—so provoking.

My voice dropped to a deep command. “Tess—don’t fight me. Obey me and you’ll unravel.”

She forced out a heavy breath. “I trust you.” Her face smoothed once again, her body becoming boneless.

My breathing turned heavier. Sitting upright, I positioned myself, straddling the back of her thighs. I fisted my cock, pumping once, twice, fucking adoring the view of her untouched ass below.

So timid, so pure. But I knew the real Tess. She wasn’t timid or pure. She screamed for pain. She would scream for this.

And the combination of the two made me the luckiest, happiest son of a bitch in the history of fucked-up individuals.

Spreading her cheeks, I pressed firmly but gently against the puckered muscle. Her eyes squeezed tight, fingers whitening around the sheets. “Q…”

~“Se détendre.”~ Relax. I ran a palm over her lower spine, fighting the quick urge to strike. Shit, I wanted to mark her—just once.

Her tension melted away again, turning her body limp.

With my other hand, I reached between her legs, pressing two fingers inside her soaking pussy.

“Remember how hard you came, ~esclave~?” My fingers twitched, coaxing the pleasure to rekindle—linking her synapses of release while probing her ass, getting her used to my request—knowing she would let me in…eventually.

“You screamed when you came. Remember my tongue on your clit?”

Her mouth twisted. “Yes, I remember. I loved you using the vibrator—but I craved your cock.”

“And you’ll get it, ~esclave~. So fucking soon.”

I was ready to blow just talking.

She moaned, rocking her hips into my hand. I pressed harder against her hole, letting her get used to the invasion. Her back trembled, but she didn’t pull away.

My fingers gathered some of her wetness, gliding over the puckered muscle.

She bit her lip, her body radiating heat. “Don’t tease me, Q. Get on with it.”

I chuckled, leaning over her to bite her waist. “I’m enjoying you too much to rush this, Tess.” Diving two fingers into her pussy, she groaned, pushing her face into the pillow.

Withdrawing, I ordered, “Open your legs wider.”

I let her go, grabbing the lube and uncapping the strawberry-scented gel. Tess kept her eyes closed as I smeared a generous amount on my fingers.

Her legs inched open, revealing how wet and swollen she was.

“Goddammit, Tess. You have no idea how much you turn me on.”

Her eyes locked onto mine, drifting to my cock. “I think I do. I want your cock.

“You’re making me wait and it’s making me wetter, hotter…if you don’t take me soon, I might have to do something drastic.”

I grinned, draping my broken body half on hers, half on the bed. “You want this?” I thrust against her thigh, gritting my teeth at the wave of desire locking my quads.

“Yes. I want you.” Her breathy voice hitched as I spread her cheeks again. With unforgiving fingers, I turned her dry skin slippery with strawberry gel, never taking my eyes from her face.

She bit her lip, forehead furrowing as I ringed and teased.

“Tell me—what does it feel like?” I whispered. Her back clenched as I pressed harder. Her body responded to the pressure by trying to escape. Her hips tilted downward, dislodging me.

“Ah, ah, no running from me. You know I don’t like it when you deny me.”

I swirled the lube, clenching my jaw. Fuck, I needed to breach her. “Tell me...”

“It feels—” Her teeth snapped together as I surged forward, flexing my hips against her thigh, branding her with my aching, burning cock. “It feels strange. I don’t know if I like it or not.”

~I’ll make you like it.~ I would make her love it.

Kissing her shoulder, I couldn’t help sinking my teeth into her flesh. Giving her pain to latch onto, I thrust forward, breaking the seal, entering her with my fingertip.

The collar kept her throat prisoner and my hands itched to tug the leash. To hold the reins and ride her.

Her body quivered, hiding her moan against the mattress.

She was so tight—so unwilling to let me intrude. It drove me mad. The beast inside panted to just take and fuck. But the softer side knew I had to prepare her.

I would hurt her in other ways—but not this.

Thrusting in and out, I eased her body to accept my intrusion. Strawberry surrounded us, smelling sickly sweet.

“Now how does it feel?” I rocked my hips. “See what you’re doing to me, Tess. I’m so fucking hard.

“No other pain in my body compares to the ache in my balls from needing you.” My voice rasped over her, scattering goosebumps on her skin.

She panted. Little pulses of energy hijacked her spine, tipping upward to meet my touch. “It still feels strange. And wrong.”

I chuckled, pressing deeper. “There’s nothing wrong about this,~esclave~.” I bit her shoulder again. Every passing second drained me of sweetness, giving me the darkness I knew so well.

My thigh twinged, the muscles in my torso were sore and stiff, but I couldn’t stop.

I rubbed against her hip, gritting my teeth as a sharp wave of release threatened to explode. “Goddammit,” I growled. ~I’m so fucking turned on.~

Tess breathed, “More…don’t let me overthink it. Give me more.”

I groaned; my frayed self-control snapped a little. “You want, and I’ll give. Your wishes are the reason I’m alive.”

Withdrawing my finger, I unfolded another, probing at her entry. I gave her no warning or time to adjust. Two fingers breached her body.

She bit the sheets, a groan erupting from her lips. Her heart slammed against my chest.

Tugging the leash, reminding her I owned her life, I whispered, “Are you afraid,~esclave~?” I pressed a row of kisses along her neck.

I needed to be closer—which was fucking ridiculous ‘cause I half lay on her already. I wanted to blanket her. I wanted to lie on top of my wife and let her know there would be no escape from me. Ever.

I wanted her to know my body would protect hers, all while taking payment in the most delicious ways.

Holding my weight on one arm, I fucked her with my fingers.

She nodded. “Will it hurt?”

For a second, I considered pulling away and sliding into her pussy instead. Her wet heat was so fucking close. It would be so easy to enter and come.

The monster in me agreed, growling at the thought of spanking her, punishing her for not being strong enough to give me what I wanted.

But tonight was special.

Tonight was the first night of the rest of our lives. I wanted to celebrate with something we would never forget. I fucking needed her. So damn much. I wouldn’t deny myself.

“It won’t if you don’t fight. Do you trust me?”

Removing my fingers, I leaned back to spurt a generous amount of gel onto my cock. The instant the cold liquid hit my overheated tip, I groaned.

Sparking pleasure erupted in a small cloudy bead, mixing with the lube. ~Fuck me, I almost came.~

How the hell was I supposed to touch myself and enter her without blowing?

My heartbeat crashed against my ribs. Angling Tess below, I arched my hips.

Tess sucked in a breath. I shuddered with lust, hovering over her like a demon possessed. My cock dripped with strawberries, wedged between her ass cheeks.

“Yes. I trust you.”

I drew blood, biting my lip to stop myself from driving into her. My eyes turned gritty and sore—need thickened my blood.

Tess looked behind, her eyes tracing my chest to where we joined in a sticky mess of pink gel. “Do it, Q. Don’t make me wait.” Her voice wobbled but a small tinge of passion hid within her fear.

Her hips rocked, gluing us together.

“Goddammit, Tess. You’re seriously overestimating my self-control not to hurt you. I want you. So. Fucking. Bad.” My hips thrust of their own accord. “Having you like this, it’s driving me insane.”

She smiled softly, feeding off my need, relaxing into the power I gave her. “I told you. I trust you.” Her hand came up, wrapping around the base of my cock.

~Goddammit to fucking hell~. My elbows gave out; I crashed against her body. A throaty growl erupted from my chest sounding exactly like the beast inside. “~esclave~—”

Her tight little fingers stroked my girth—stealing every thought, every pain—taking me completely prisoner. “Yes, ~maître~?”

I couldn’t remember my name, let alone speak. Her fingers spread the gel from tip to base, squeezing the throbbing erection until my head pounded. My teeth were dust from clenching so hard.

I couldn’t do it anymore.

“Arch your back. I can’t wait any longer.” I tore a pillow from the top of the bed, wedging it beneath her hips. Her mouth popped wide as her ass presented at the perfect height.

I fisted my cock, rearing back to sit over her. My legs screamed at the sheet against my stitches but I was past fucking caring.

Tess looked over her shoulder. Her eyes wide, face white, but her breathing wasn’t panicked. Slowly she reached to her ass, spreading her cheeks.

The simple offering blew my fucking mind; I throttled my cock. I wouldn’t last. I ~couldn’t~ last. Not when I was so close.

Keeping her ass spread with one hand, she reached with her other to grab my length. She didn’t say a word, guiding me downward.

Her fingers didn’t stroke or tease, they just delivered me to my ultimate goal.

Our eyes locked and I fell forward, planting my palms on the mattress on either side of her. I let Tess take me. I gave her all control—hoping to hell I could hold on long enough to push inside.

I’d wanted to play with the leash. I’d wanted to tease and play. But this—this incessant need to be inside—it couldn’t be denied.

“Take me, Q. ~Je suis à toi~.” The instant the head of my cock pressed against her puckered muscle, I lost control of my mouth. “Fucking fuck, Tess. I'm about to fucking come all over your back.”

She laughed softly. “Don’t. Wait till you’re in me. I want you to come inside me.” Her fingers tightened, pulling me forward while forcing herself back.

There was resistance, heat, pressure—a barrier that wanted nothing to do with my cock.

Then release.

A giving, a softening.

“Ah!” Her eyes squeezed with a pain; her fingers fell from my erection, clutching the sheets.

Every muscle in my body locked down as I forced my way forward, millimetre by millimetre, stealing her virginity.

She breathed hard, her body shivering with uncomfortableness. I thrust a little, easing my size into her body.

~Fuck, she’s even tighter than I thought.~

“Oh…ah…” she groaned, jerking with agony. I knew I should stop. I knew I should retreat. But I couldn’t.

My cock had taken control and I pulled back only to rock forward, invading deeper, stretching wider.

My entire body trembled. My eyes snapped shut; all I could focus on was the incredible tightness around the rim of my shaft.

Her hand latched around me again, squeezing hard. “Stop—let me get used to you.”

~Shit. Stop?~ That was asking for a fucking miracle. Growling through a tight jaw, I said, “You take me. Control the speed.” I locked my elbows, afraid to move an inch incase I slammed into her. “Take.

“Your. Time.”

A second ticked past where her body hummed with tension. Finally, she nodded. We didn’t say a word as her fingers shook around my length, holding me still while her back tensed, arching upward.

~Fuck. Fuck. Me.~

Her hesitation was the worst kind of aphrodisiac. It fed me. Fuck, it fed me. I lost all softness, wanting to bite and spank and own.

She pushed again. I groaned as my tip travelled deeper, growing hot with her body, throbbing in time with my heartbeat.

Her ass resented my claiming but she never stopped working, never stopped inching me further.

Tess gritted her teeth. A tear trickled down her cheek.

I froze. “Stop. If you’re in pain, stop.”

She shook her head. “Do it. You take me. I’ll work through the pain. Please, just do it.”

Two sides of me. Husband and master. The husband hated the idea of his wife in pain. I wanted to cut off my cock for causing her such discomfort.

But the master loved his slave’s agony, drinking on it—getting high on it.

I struggled to stay coherent.

Tess’s hand fell away, placing both palms on either side of her face. Her eyes squeezed tight, giving me complete control.

“I’ll try not to hurt you,~esclave~,” I grunted, grabbing her hips to anchor myself. With my jaw clenched, sweat trickling down my temples, I rocked into her.

Time lost all meaning as I worked her, teaching her body I could fit—giving her no choice but to accept.

Centimeter by centimeter, I took her. Fucking worshipping this woman who trusted me so damn much.

Tess’s back glistened with moisture as my last thrust hit resistance.

I’d claimed her. My cock was as far as it could go—balls resting against her cheeks.

“Damn, you feel amazing,” I whispered, bowing over her, kissing her salty shoulder.

She trembled. “You’re so big.”

I chuckled. “Thanks for the ego stroke, ~esclave~.”

Her lips quirked. “I meant you feel huge. I’m throbbing and aching and sore and…”

My arms bunched. ~Go on—fuck her.~ The incessant demand thundered in time with my heart. But I couldn’t. She needed time to adjust—to grow used to the tightness.

Wrapping the leash around my fist, I tugged gently. Her spine curved, moving with the collar around her throat.

“What else…you stopped yourself. Tell me. I want to know.” I dragged my teeth along her shoulder, lapping up her fear.

“I’m not going to lie and say it doesn’t hurt. That first thrust was worse than awful. But now…it’s fading. I can feel every inch of you.

“Every nerve ending is assaulted by overwhelming fullness, but the pain is changing…” A look flittered across her face, then she clenched.

I lost my fucking sanity.

Her tight strong muscles clutched my cock, milking me with fire. My stomach seized, my back bowed, my eyes rolled.

My hand came up, landing with a loud smack on her ass. ~Shit. I didn’t mean to do that.

“Je suis désolé.”~I’m sorry. “It just—fuck it feels good.”

She did it again, dragging a stream of curses from my throat.

She laughed, creating even more pressure and sensation around my cock. I slammed a hand on her lower back, forcing her into the mattress. “God—you keep doing that and I’ll blow.

“I’m holding on barely, Tess.”

“What do you want, Q? Tell me... I want to know.”

I groaned. My vision filled with flushed skin, blood, and tears, but I swallowed those tendencies. I didn’t need them. Not today.

“I want to come in your sweet ass. I want to bruise you, so you’ll know this belongs to me—just like every inch of you does. I want to show you how much I fucking love you.”

Her inner muscles squeezed, hurtling me closer to the edge.

“Do it. I want all of it. Lose yourself in me.”

~Lose yourself in me.

Lose yourself.~

Damn, how I wanted to. But I couldn’t. Not completely.

With shaking arms, legs, fucking shaking everything, I thrust forward.

Her lips went slack; her eyes popped wide. “Oh.” The surprise echoed around the room. My stomach squeezed tight.

“Does. It. Hurt?” I growled, clutching her hips. I thrust again, rocking more than fucking—making love.

Once.

Twice.

~Stop!~ I had to stop.

Sweat beaded; I battled waves after waves of a very determined orgasm. My balls were marble hard. My quads burned from tensing.

Tess rocked back. “More. Give me more.”

“Tess—” I couldn’t fight anymore. She wanted more. I’d give her more. I fell over her back, imprisoning her to the mattress. My forehead pressed against her shoulder blades and I thrust.

Man, I fucking thrust.

She cried out. My heart lurched to a halt but her cries turned to moans. It wasn’t pain lacing her voice—it was pleasure.

“Describe it—what do you feel,~esclave~?” I whispered hoarsely. My eyes landed on her collar and the inscription:~property of Q Mercer~. I swallowed a groan of happiness.

“Like...pressure...you’re rubbing and bruising and it feels so strange, but it also feels....

I drove inside. “Feels?”

Her lips parted in a moan. “It feels good. So good.”

My heart winged. I rocked again, biting the inside of my cheek, staving off another wave of pleasure. “I told you it would feel good.”

Her hips arched, pressing into mine, crushing my balls against our bodies. “~So~ good,” she panted. “More, Q. Take me.”

And that was the extent of my self-control. I’d run out of strength.

Seeking her ear, I bit her lobe. “I’m going to take you now, Tess.”

She hummed in her throat.

My fingers looped around the leash, holding her firm. I would ride this woman. This insanely incredible woman. “I’m going to claim you as your husband, master, and owner.

“I’m going to fill you so deep, you’ll scream.”

“Please,” she whimpered, her body writhing beneath mine.

And that was all I needed.

My forehead resumed its position between her shoulder blades. I let go. My mouth fell wide as pleasure I’d never felt before rocked down my spine.

Insanely sharp, spurring me on, slicing my soul into pieces.

I gave myself over to ecstasy. Tess cried out as I made love to her.

Harder.

Harder.

Long and invasive strokes.

Claiming.

Taking.

Loving.

Fucking.

Tess’s fingers opened and closed on the sheets, her pants meeting mine, her body rising to meet my every thrust.

Every second I came undone, losing my sense of self, giving my past, my darkness, my hopes and dreams to my wife. The master of my heart.

I lasted another ten seconds.

Ten mind-splintering seconds of bliss.

The desire in my blood lit a match, annihilating everything in my blood.

This was just the beginning.

The beginning of my eternal happiness.

The beginning of a future I never thought I would have.

~I’m married. My sins aren’t awful. My desires aren’t frightful.~

Tess was my complete circle. She was my home. My refuge. My best friend and partner. We’d found each other not just for this lifetime but forever.

My beast purred. My monster stretched.

~I’ve been tamed.~

And I fucking loved it.

I came.

Fucking came in rhythmic pulses. Splashing Tess with everything I had to give.

Wave after wave of thick, painful release shot from my balls. It ricocheted down my legs to my toes, building intensity before crashing from my body into my wife.

~My wife.~

I came hard and deep into the woman I’d married.

The woman I’d claimed.

The woman who would always be mine.