Leigh appeared broken in some ways, withdrawing from him, forced to withdraw from their friends. Maybe they would have to move just to find work. He was glad they were only renting their house now and hadn’t purchased one yet. With no jobs and no home ownership, they could pack and move and start over.
Not that he wanted to do that. Their friends were here, even if right now they couldn’t associate with them out of fear of outing them.
Well, they could associate with them, but not anywhere near the club, or at a fetish event. It had to be completely vanilla. Most of their friends were either out, or in circumstances that if they were outed, it wouldn’t harm them or their livelihood.
Still, it wasn’t something they’d signed up for. He didn’t want to expose them.
Yes, the statement Nick’s publicist had issued had helped in some ways. He barely noticed any paparazzi today compared to just a couple of days ago. It didn’t, however, eliminate the haze over their lives, the what-if, the taint that maybe something improper had been going on.
And it didn’t get them their jobs back. He knew, because they’d both tried. Leigh had called her bosses that morning. When he’d talked to the principal, she’d said it didn’t matter, because they were already getting parent inquiries about it and his ability to teach was severely impaired because the students were talking about it.
He had to find a way to pull Leigh out of her funk, and he hoped that maybe by going on with their lives, by moving forward, maybe that would happen.
My poor mom’s not going to understand any of this. Explaining to Leigh’s parents might be a little tricky, but not nearly as confusing as his mom would react.
Then again, she does want grandkids.
What he hated most about all this mess, beyond the obvious, beyond the stress, beyond even the fact that they’d both had their hearts broken by someone it turned out they didn’t know at all, he hated that Leigh had lost that little spark. No light shone in her eyes now. He hadn’t heard her laugh in days.
All because he hadn’t said no and walked away from Nick when they had the chance.
Trevor.
Whatever the fuck his name is.
The only good thing about all this was he no longer had to worry about waking up alone because of his snoring. The nasal strips worked wonders. He wore one every night now, and Leigh awoke cuddled tightly against his side.
He couldn’t even brag that he’d banged an A-list movie star in his life. He was too ashamed of having failed Leigh as her Master. That he left her open to being hurt. He knew she would disagree with that sentiment, that she’d signed on for this and had been just as attracted to Nick as he’d been.
Trevor.
Dammit.
* * * *
Even though Lucas knew she’d protest the expense, he still went out and bought a wedding band set the next day.
The engagement ring he’d actually had for a while. He’d been out one day at the mall and a jeweler there had a sale. It’d almost been a whim, and he knew he could always give it to her as a Christmas or birthday present, but it’d felt right at the time.
He knew he always wanted her in his life.
Especially so now.
That night, after making her dinner, he dropped to one knee in front of her on the couch and proposed.
Her teary yes was a relief to hear, because part of him had still worried she might not want to go through with it.
Might not want him any more after everything that had happened.
He took care of the arrangements, knowing it’d have to be both vanilla and secret. After talking to Seth, Leah, Tilly, and Loren, they told him they’d take care of the arrangements and make sure to pass the word to their friends that it would be a vanilla affair.
Only because of their parents.
They managed to file for their marriage license without attracting any undue attention, either.
Not that it helped Lucas and Leigh any in terms of getting new jobs. Leigh had already put in a bunch of applications at law firms from Tampa to Orlando to Naples. It was still too soon to tell yet, but she hadn’t received any rejections…yet.
He was busy scouring the Internet job sites for any position where he could parlay his science teacher experience into a new career. Yes, by having Nick’s statement out there, that would help rehabilitate their reputations…eventually, but he still wasn’t sure.
At least they could plan their wedding, and they decided it would be that Saturday. Two weeks after Nick had walked out of their lives.
Then they could get on with the rest of their life, together, wherever life took them.
* * * *
Lucas had made plans to meet up with Mike and Jenny at the Sarasota Square mall if he felt they were being followed, but after leaving home early Saturday afternoon and driving around a little, including a parking stop in a grocery store’s lot, he didn’t spot anyone on their tail.
Relief filled him. “I think we’re okay.”
Leigh stared out the window. “That’s good.”
He wanted to joke with her, tease her that for someone about to get married, she sure didn’t seem happy about it. He knew the truth—it wasn’t the wedding that had her down, it was the whole situation.
At least she seemed a little less morose that morning.
Progress, no matter how small, was always welcomed.
Once Lucas was sure they weren’t being followed, he called Mike and let him know it was safe for them to continue on to Seth and Leah’s. The plan had been to go to the mall, lose their tail inside, exit a different entrance, and ride with Mike and Jenny.
He was glad it hadn’t been necessary. He hated having their lives, their privacy, under scrutiny they didn’t invite.
Damn that man.
And damn him for not having the balls to talk to them directly. To chicken out and leave them swinging in the air.
Then again, maybe that was just how they did things in Hollywood, big stars leaving a trail of destroyed people in their wake.
How could I be so wrong about him?
He’d really felt they had something, had a connection. And Leigh, too. It wasn’t like he was alone in this. They’d both fallen for Nick.
Too bad Nick was an illusion, an act. Nothing more than a role. He’d played it well, too. And it sucked that now Lucas couldn’t even watch Nick’s movies without wanting to cry.
Never. Again.
Nope. He wouldn’t put his heart on the line—or Leigh’s. From now on, it was just the two of them. Maybe they’d still play with people on occasion, after getting to know them damn well first, but no more partners. He didn’t need anyone but Leigh, anyway.
Leigh reached across the seat and laid her hand on his thigh. He gently took her hand in his. “We’ll be okay, sweetheart. I promise. I know it looks kind of bleak now, but we’ll get through this and be stronger for it in the long run.”
“Yes, Sir,” she softly said.
He gently squeezed her hand. “Remember, our parents will be there today. Don’t say that in front of them.”
“I know. But it makes me feel better.”
His heart broke a little more. “Then do what you need to do. I’ll cover it somehow.”
They’d never had a public collaring, but he knew what the next part of this plan needed to entail. He’d already made an appointment for them later that night, a wedding gift of sorts, a full commitment.
He was going to get her right ankle tattooed, the way he’d been playfully threatening for months. He already knew she wanted it. It would look like a dainty ankle bracelet, with his initials dangling on the inside and contained within a flower, small enough they’d be difficult to make out unless someone was close enough to look hard.
And if they were that close to her ankle, they’d already know all about him and her, and wouldn’t be asking awkward questions.
Being married, at least, made it logical she’d have his initials there.
When they arrived at t
he gate to Seth and Leah’s house, he drove past it as a precaution.
“Did you mean to do that, Sir?” she asked.
“Yes, just checking.” He drove down to the next intersection, made a U-turn, and headed back.
No one duplicated his path, or even slowed down or pulled over as if to watch where they went.
Satisfied that, no, they weren’t being tailed, he pulled in at the front gate and punched in the access code. Only when the gate swung shut behind them did he fully relax.
* * * *
There weren’t many cars at Seth and Leah’s yet. Lucas parked them close to the house, backed in so their license plate wasn’t visible unless someone was actually walking in the yard, snooping around. Once other cars arrived, their car wouldn’t even be visible from the road.
She loved Lucas for setting this up, even though she wished he hadn’t spent the money on the set of rings. They’d sat down last night and worked up their budget. Slashing out all extras, and doing things like cutting back on their cable and cell phone packages, if they didn’t draw a paycheck for seven months, they’d still be okay.
Not great, but okay.
Surely they’d find something in seven months, even if it was just flipping burgers at a restaurant. Anything. Finding some sort of interim job, even if not replacing their current pay, would extend the length they could fiscally make it without drowning.
They might even be able to move into a small apartment, saving them more money, although she hated like hell to downsize. It would mean either getting rid of things or paying to put them in storage, which defeated the purpose of downsizing to save money.
While it was nice that the bad kind of excitement in their lives was dying down, it only served to emphasize the new hole in her heart where Nick had quickly taken up residence. Now she had time and energy to reflect on that.
She and Lucas had agreed no more bed partners. It wasn’t worth the possible emotional carnage. She’d touched the stove and found it far too hot for her liking, thank you very much.
She could have handled the hurt of Nick walking away from them if it hadn’t been for the betrayal of their trust in the process. Of them finding out who he really was via the press and not from him. She got it. She got why—or, at least she thought she did—he kept his identity a secret. And being brutally honest, had she simply run a Google search for his name, Trevor Nichols would have popped up at the top of the search results.
She knew that because—belatedly—she’d done just that.
And felt like even more of an idiot.
I’ll never pick on Clark Kent again.
Leah had the door open and stood there, waiting, as they walked up to their front porch.
She pulled Leigh in for a long, strong hug. “How you doing, sweetie?”
She swore she wouldn’t cry today. Not any tears that couldn’t be mistaken for tears of happiness in the natural course of events.
“I’m hanging in there.”
Leah gave Lucas a kiss on the cheek. “Come on in. Loren and Ross are here, and so are Eliza and Rusty.”
Apparently they’d brought the trellis arbor over from the club that saw frequent use for collaring ceremonies. It’d been decorated in real jasmine and ribbons of purple and blue. She loved purple, and Lucas loved blue.
“It’s gorgeous,” Leigh said, hugging Leah again. “Thank you so much.”
“Don’t thank me, thank Tilly. She kind of took over.”
“Tilly? Taking over? Here’s my shocked face,” Loren snarked as she joined them, pressing her lips together in a straight, even line before she hugged Leigh and Lucas. “She had fun.”
“Where are they?” Lucas asked.
“They’ll be here soon,” Loren assured them. “She’s picking up the cake.”
“Cake?” Leigh turned to Lucas.
“Yes, cake,” he said with a smile. “I’m pulling the Dom card. I know you wanted to save money, but I put it on the credit card. We just won’t be using it for a while as we pay it down every month.”
Leigh’s parents had offered to contribute to the wedding expenses, but she’d politely declined. She was an adult, for chrissake. It wasn’t like she was some young, virginal bride.
Today, she wore a sundress with blue and purple flowers on it, one of Lucas’ favorites. He’d picked it out, and the sandals she’d wear. She knew he had something else in store for her that night, but she already knew it wasn’t a trip to the club. She’d outright asked him that, and he’d told her no, but he had something else in mind.
Beyond that, he refused to say.
She hoped he wasn’t going to spend money on them staying at a hotel or something overnight. Then again, he hadn’t told her to pack anything, and hadn’t packed anything for her.
Most of their friends had already arrived early by the time her parents and Lucas’ mom arrived. All three of their parents looked a little confused, understandably, but didn’t voice it out loud.
They were happy their kids were finally getting hitched.
And Lucas’ mom didn’t hesitate to hint around about grandchildren.
Not that they could afford any. They’d both lost their health insurance when losing their jobs. Another logical reason getting married made sense—if one of them got a job before the other, being married meant being eligible for health benefits. And they’d save money when they filed their taxes.
She wished she could shut off her logical brain, but it just wasn’t happening.
Kel and Mal were handling the photography and videotaping the ceremony for them. Free. Kel had insisted on that, saying that it was their wedding present to the newlyweds. And he’d even told them that if they ever needed a place to live to save money, the apartment over by Venture was available.
It might be an offer she’d have to take him up on sooner rather than later, but she’d rather wait until she was sure they were no longer the target of paparazzi before doing that. It wouldn’t be good to live on the other side of the building from the BDSM club they and their friends frequented.
When it was time for the ceremony, everyone gathered on the lanai, with Loren presiding over the ceremony.
“Friends and family, we’re gathered here today to celebrate the col—union of Lucas and Leigh.”
When Leigh looked, she spotted the playful sparkle in Loren’s eyes, especially since several of their friends suddenly started coughing to mask what suspiciously sounded like laughter.
Yes, that had been deliberate. Leigh had no doubts about that.
She glanced at Lucas and spotted the way his mouth was quirked in a half-smile, his struggles not to break out in laughter finally raising her spirits for the first time since everything happened.
This is my wedding day, dammit. It’s supposed to be fun.
She took a deep breath and smiled.
He squeezed her hands, hard, and mouthed, Thank you.
Loren continued. “Those of us who’ve known them for a while know the special bond they share, the love they have for each other. It’s been an honor knowing them and I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say we’re glad we can be part of your special day…”
Leigh took another deep breath as she stared into Lucas’ eyes. Yes, she loved him and, unlike someone who should probably remain nameless in her mind, she had no doubts he’d be there for her for the long haul, dependable, her rock.
He had been already, for years.
Lucas wouldn’t have asked her to marry him if he didn’t think he could live up to the role as her husband. Just like he wouldn’t have collared her as his slave if he hadn’t thought he was up for the responsibility of being her Master.
Sure, the immediate future might be a little rocky for them, but she had every confidence that, together, they’d make it through to the other side and be better, stronger for it.
As they took their vows, she realized this was exactly where she needed to be, and who she needed to be with.
“…I now pronounce you husban
d and wife. You may kiss your bride.” Loren leaned in and whispered, “Or your slave, your call.”
Lucas smiled as he pulled Leigh close, kissing her, one hand lightly cupping the back of her neck as he did.
She had to fight the urge to drop to her knees. It didn’t feel right that this was happening and he wasn’t able to put a collar on her, too.
She had her necklace, though.
Perhaps he’d even followed her silent train of thought, because after he kissed her, he reached out with one finger and touched the pendant on her necklace and whispered, “Mine.”
She smiled. “Yours.”
Chapter Seventeen
Fortunately, their parents had already left by the time Lucas called it an evening so he could get Leigh to the next part of their wedding night. And either he hadn’t spilled the beans to any of their friends, or he’d successfully sworn them all to secrecy, because no one was talking, if they even knew his plans.
“So, where are we going?” she asked as they headed away from Seth and Leah’s.
“Nope,” he said, smiling. “Mrs. Howell, you shall see when we arrive.”
She settled back in the seat and held her left hand up, looking at the engagement and wedding rings and not really believing they were there. “Why do I have a feeling I’m in for a looong night?”
“Worried?”
“I didn’t say that. But I know you.”
“Then you should know it’ll be memorable.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
“Patience, sweetheart. This is what you signed up for.”
“I know. It’s one of the things I love about you.”
When he pulled in at the tattoo shop, she knew. The thrill running through her was equal parts desire and fear. Yes, the thought of permanently wearing his ownership on her body was not just a hot fantasy he could use to prime her pump during play, but was something she really wanted him to do.
It looked like he was about to check that fantasy off the bucket list for her. One of many he’d helped her scratch out over their time together in this dynamic.
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