by Tara Sue Me
used to, but she thought she finally had.
Holding hands, they walked into the studio and she noticed he held a folder in his opposite hand. They greeted the artist and a few minutes later they were both seated at a table. Lennox tapped the folder.
“I’m going to show you the design before he starts,” he said.
She guessed it was probably so if she hated it, he could change it. She came close to telling him that there was no need, that she’d love anything he drew for her. But he wanted to show her, she decided. She wasn’t going to argue. Especially since she wanted to see it so badly.
“Thank you, Sir,” she said.
He opened the folder, and she held her breath as he slowly slid the sheet of paper out. He kept his eyes on her while he flipped it over so she could finally see.
Marie was speechless and covered her mouth in surprise. She couldn’t keep her eyes off the drawing.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
“You like it?”
She tore her gaze away from the drawing so he could see the sincerity in her eyes. “I love it.”
It was a delicate drawing, made to look like a fragile bracelet, and consisted of two lines twisted together. On the inside of her wrist, there would be a charm with LM inside.
“I didn’t want anything too outrageous.” Lennox traced the drawing with his finger. “But I wanted it to be seen. And with your comment about dancing, I didn’t want it too in-your-face either.”
She took his hand and entwined their fingers. “It’s absolutely perfect. I can’t imagine anything any better.”
He picked up her hand and kissed her there. “I love you.”
“Are you ready?” The tattoo artist asked.
Marie had never felt more ready for anything in her life. She gave him a big smile. “Yes,” she said so enthusiastically, even Lennox laughed in amusement.
The artist waited, though, and instead of moving forward, he gave Lennox a nod.
Lennox took both her hands. “Marie, I know we’ve discussed this at length, but now that we’re here, I want to do it one more time.”
With those words she felt her love for him grow deeper. But while she appreciated him checking with her, there was nothing that was going to change her mind. She would let him speak his mind though.
“If you get this ink, that’s it. We’re permanent.”
God, she hoped so. “Yes, Sir.”
“I wouldn’t be sitting here, claiming you with my mark, if that wasn’t what I wanted. But I’m asking you, to be sure. Is this what you want?”
She squeezed his hands. “I want your mark on me so badly, Sir. Even more so if it’s permanent.”
He lifted her right hand, the one that would soon carry his mark and would tell the world who she belonged to, and kissed the inside of her wrist. He kept hold of it as he lowered it to the table.
“I’m going to hold your arm in place,” he said giving the tattoo artist a nod. “And I don’t want you looking anywhere except at me.”
“Yes, Sir,” she said.
It was harder than she’d anticipated to keep her eyes on him once the tattooing process began. She closed her eyes and sucked in a breath as the pain hit.
“Eyes open and on me,” he commanded softly.
She opened her eyes, but only because it was him asking.
“I know it hurts.” He took hold of her left hand. “Take it for me and give it back to me by squeezing my hand.”
She knew he was strong, yet she hesitated.
“Now, Marie.” He was still speaking softly, but that in no way diminished the authority in his command. “It’s not for you to take on your own. Share it with me.”
It sounded so simple, to squeeze his hand. To be honest, she didn’t think it would do any good. But since he insisted, she squeezed his hand and maybe it was the placebo effect, but it didn’t seem to hurt as much.
“Thank you, Sir,” she whispered, and looking into his eyes, she knew that dance was no longer the only thing she could count on.
• • •
LATER THAT NIGHT, they greeted their guests at the cottage. Marie wore a simple dress of white linen. It wasn’t a color she would normally wear, but Lennox had picked the outfit. She’d raised an eyebrow when he brought the gown out, but he shut down her questioning with a look.
She watched him out of the corner of her eye. He looked devastatingly handsome in his dark suit. He caught her staring at him and smiled, putting an arm around her and pulling her close.
“Looks like Fulton and Andie have arrived,” he said, indicating the couple walking up the driveway.
“Are you going to talk to them about . . .” She let the sentence drop off. There were too many people nearby who might overhear, and now wasn’t the right time to bring it up in public.
“Yes. I’ll probably pull them aside in a bit.” His arm tightened around her. “You’ll have to come with me.”
“Of course, Sir.” Then to Andie and Fulton, she said, “Hey, guys. Come on in.”
“Oh my god,” Andie said holding out her hands. “Let me see it!”
Smiling, Marie held her wrist up for her friend to see. “It’s still got ointment on it and it’s all pink.” But she described the design since it was still bandaged.
Andie oohed and aahed. “It sounds gorgeous.”
Marie agreed. “I know. I love it.”
Andie looked up at Fulton. “I want a tattoo.”
Fulton shot a now see what you’ve done look to Lennox who just laughed and held up his hands. “Don’t blame me, the tattoo was her idea. All I did was design it.”
Fulton looked down at Andie. “We’ll talk about it later.”
“Speaking of talking,” Lennox said, obviously wanting to change the subject. “We need to chat sometime tonight.”
Fulton must have noticed the somber tone of his voice, because his head shot up. “Everything okay, boss?”
“Yes, just something I need to take care of.”
“Okay,” Fulton said. “Just let me know when you want talk.”
Lennox and Marie went around the rooms, speaking to their guests. She knew most of them since a good number had been associated with the academy in one way or another over the years. Only a handful she didn’t recognize and they were associates of Lennox from the real estate world. Marie was surprised that she didn’t feel uncomfortable, especially with so many people in attendance. For once it seemed she didn’t mind being the center of attention. Even if she wasn’t naked.
“Why the giggles?” Lennox asked. “Is something funny?”
“I was thinking how it was funny that I don’t mind being the center of attention today. I’m not even naked,” she said with a smile.
He laughed at that. He seemed to be laughing a lot lately. It made her happy.
He leaned over as if he were about to whisper something scandalous. “I can always ask you to get naked, you know.”
“I know you could.” She just knew that he wouldn’t. At least she didn’t think he would.
He winked at her, which made her think he considered doing it. Most people in attendance were in the kink world, so it wouldn’t be inconceivable of him to do so. Probably just highly unlikely.
When he took her hand and led her to the front of the room where most people had gathered, she had to wonder if he wasn’t going to have her undress after all. He didn’t indicate that she should kneel, so she just stood beside him as he got everybody’s attention.
“Ladies and gentlemen. Friends and colleagues.” Marie watched as Lennox flawlessly commanded the room. “Thank you so much for coming today to help Marie and me celebrate our union as Dom and sub. As many of you are aware, our journey has not been easy. Nor has it been short. We had to work, oftentimes very hard and without knowing if we would be successful in the end. But instead of breaking us apart, our journey has made us closer.
“This morning, our union was further solidified when Marie willingly took my m
ark upon her wrist. There are no words to describe what this means to me. Through all my troubled days, she has been my steadfast rock. And yes, I invited you all here tonight to celebrate, but also to stand with us as we continue our new journey. But before I do that, I have to do one thing.”
He turned to face her and she realized she had no idea what he was getting ready to do. Nor could she name the emotion she saw in his eyes. He took both her hands and gave them a gentle squeeze.
“Marie,” he said. “I love you. And I’ve told you this before, but perhaps you’ll humor me and let me say again. I could not have made it through all that I have without you by my side, and that has taught me that I never want to try.”
Keeping both of her hands in his, he knelt down on one knee. She sucked in a breath. What was he doing? Could it be?
He was smiling now, though she saw some tears building in his eyes. He let go of one of her hands, and took something out of his pocket. Her free hand flew to her mouth at the sight of a small ring box.
“Marie,” he said. “I love you. Please be mine in every way possible. Will you marry me?”
Her cheeks were wet with tears. Whatever she thought he might have been about to do, this was not it. Yet she’d never been happier. She nodded and whispered, “Yes. A million yeses.”
Wearing a grin from ear to ear, he stood up and slipped the ring on her finger. She didn’t even have a chance to see it, because he held her hand and lowered his lips to hers as the entire room erupted in applause.
“Lennox,” she said. “I love you so much. You have made me so happy. Thank you.”
“I should be the one thanking you.” He shook his head. “Without you, I would still be living in the past. Holding on to a ghost. Unable to move forward.”
She didn’t have anything to say to that, so she lifted her hand and caressed his cheek. He turned his face and kissed her palm.
“Did you see your ring?” he asked.
She smiled through her sniffle. “No.”
He took her hand and held it up so she could see. It was a beautiful solitaire, elegant in its simplicity, and everything she would have wanted in a ring. Had she ever thought about having one, that is.
“I love it. It’s beautiful.”
He whispered in her ear. “Not as beautiful as you.”
They could talk no more because all at once they were surrounded by their friends and academy family, all wanting to congratulate them and see the ring.
Marie breathed a sigh of relief when Andie made her way through the crowd a few minutes later and was able to drag her away to a quiet corner.
“Wow. Talk about a big day and a half.” Andie held up Marie’s hand and gazed at the ring. “That is gorgeous. He did well.”
Marie looked at the front of the room where Lennox was chatting with several men. “Yes, he did.”
“So now I get to tell Fulton that I want a ring and a tattoo.”
Marie laughed. “Are you ready for a ring and a tattoo?”
“Nah, not yet. Maybe soon.” Her friend grew silent then and Marie felt the tone of the conversation change. “Do you know why Lennox wants to talk to us?”
“Yes, but I think it’s best that you hear from him.”
“Something tells me I’m not going to like what I hear.”
“Trust me when I say it’s for the best. And everything is going to turn out all right.”
She wasn’t able to say anything else, because at that exact moment, Lennox approached with Fulton following close behind.
“Why don’t we slip upstairs into the studio?” Lennox asked.
They walked up the stairs to the studio space that she knew was oftentimes still painful for Lennox to enter. He had come a long way, but he wasn’t completely there yet. They’d decided together not to change the studio, in the hopes that the room, filled with children from the community, would continue to bring healing to them both. As they walked to the open-air room, they caught sight of easels filled with children’s drawings and paintings. Only then did Lennox relax, which allowed Marie to do so as well.
“First of all,” Lennox started. “I’m sorry if my invitation to chat caused you any stress. I just wanted to make sure we talked tonight. Especially now that Marie has agreed to marry me.”
He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss.
“You know I took some time off at the end of last year to do a bit of consulting work. And to be honest, I thoroughly enjoyed it.” When Lennox looked her way, she smiled and nodded for him to continue. “Marie and I have decided to take a year off. We’re going to spend some time alone together. We’re also going to travel and do some consulting work.”
Fulton and Andie both stood, shock evident in their stunned expressions.
“I never planned to make a career out of the academy,” Lennox explained. “It was something I did to try to make up for Winnie’s death. And while it has done well, it’s not my burning passion.”
Andie was the first to overcome her shock enough to speak. “I can understand that. Cooking is my burning passion. Well, next to Fulton, that is. I can’t imagine going even one day without cooking or baking or being in the kitchen. So I think it’s good for you to go off and find what you want to do.”
Fulton, of course, was more practical. “What does that mean for the academy? The summer session starts in a week and we’re already at capacity for fall.”
“That’s what I wanted to talk to you two about,” Lennox said. “I know Andie has moved into the lighthouse with you and I was thinking it would make sense for you two to be acting heads. I think it’ll be good for a couple to be in charge.”
“You do?” Fulton’s arms were crossed as he glanced toward his sub. “What do you think, Andie?”
Andie blew out a breath. “I don’t even know what to think. It’s so much to take in. The two of you not being there for starters. For a year. It just won’t be the same.”
“I’m sure we’ll pop in every now and then,” Marie said. She’d known their plan to step away would come as a shock, but she was also almost completely positive that once they thought about it, they’d think it was a good plan.
Lennox put his arm around Marie’s shoulder. “Of course we’ll stop by. And it goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway. If either of you ever need one of us, for anything, we’re only a phone call away.”
“Damn,” Fulton said, but there was a grin on his face. “This is not why I thought you wanted to talk.”
“And there would be a significant salary increase as well,” Lennox added. “For both of you.”
“It’s not about the money, you know,” Fulton said.
“Oh, I know.” Lennox winked. “But it doesn’t hurt either, does it?”
Fulton laughed, but didn’t deny his words. “How about this? Let Andie and I think about it, and we’ll get back to you by the end of the weekend.”
The two men shook hands. “Deal,” Lennox said.
“Where are you going to travel to first?” Andie asked.
“An old friend of mine is getting married.” Lennox looked over at Marie. “She and her soon-to-be husband have moved to New Orleans. We’re going to head out that way and probably stay a week or so.”
Marie had spoken to Rachel several times in the last few months and had grown to like the woman very much. She had yet to meet her fiancé, but she knew Lennox talked to him. It had been ages since she’d been to the gulf coast, and for once in her life, she was looking forward to being away from the island.
Lennox slipped his hand in hers, and leaned down for a kiss. No, Marie didn’t mind being away from the island. She had learned that it wasn’t the island that she wanted, it was Lennox. And her home was wherever he was.
Epilogue
Terrence Knight couldn’t keep his eyes off the strawberry blonde in the corner. He couldn’t quite decide how old she was, though. At times she looked to be about eighteen, but she moved seductively and sensually in a way that made her appear older
. Besides, it was a private BDSM club. He knew the owner, and the owner would not allow anybody under the age of twenty-one into his club.