Forty-Eight
JUSTIN
“ADDISON?” I CALLED OUT AS Ben and I sat at the kitchen table on Friday morning.
Last night, before the three of us crawled into my bed, I had informed her she was going in late today. I had something I needed to discuss with them, something I no longer wanted to put off.
“I think she ran over to her apartment,” Ben said, taking a sip of his juice.
Breakfast was ready and waiting, likely going to get cold if the little rebel didn’t get her cute little ass back over here.
As though she heard us, the door opened, then closed. I was facing away from it, so I didn’t see her, but the way Ben’s eyes widened was telling.
Before I could turn around, there was a small hand on my shoulder.
“Is there anything else I can get you two?” she asked sweetly.
I peered over to see the sexy little submissive wearing that leather bra we’d given her at the club, along with a tiny little apron that barely covered the leather G-string. She had on those sexy red heels and was smiling sweetly.
“I think we’re okay for the moment,” I told our naughty little waitress.
“Well, I’ll be right over here if you need me,” she said, motioning toward the kitchen before sauntering away, offering a prime view of her delectable ass.
I glanced over at Ben.
He offered a slight shrug.
So, clearly this wasn’t his doing.
Deciding to play the part, I reached for my fork and started to eat. Ben followed along, doing the same. A few minutes later, after I’d managed to drain my orange juice, I called out to her.
“Yes, sir?” she asked.
“Can I get some more juice?”
“Of course.” She took the glass and went to the refrigerator to refill it.
When she returned, she made sure to move up against me as she placed it on the table.
“Is there anything else?”
“Actually, yes,” I said, my voice rough with my arousal.
Her eyes widened and I could see the excitement there.
Nudging her out of the way, I got to my feet. As she took one step back, I grabbed her waist, lifted her off the floor, and walked her over to the island.
She giggled when I set her butt on the granite, her eyes never leaving my face.
“I figured I should give you your tip now,” I told her.
That damned beguiling grin only widened. “What did you have in mind?”
I knew she was thinking I was going to fuck her right there in the kitchen—which I was—but I had something else in mind first.
“Why don’t you help me, pup?”
Ben moved to my side, one of his hands resting on Addison’s thigh. The second he touched her, she inhaled sharply.
Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out the item I’d slipped in there after I dressed. My pup was already aware of it, so he didn’t seem surprised when I lifted it up and held it in front of Addison’s face.
She stared at it and I knew the instant she realized what it was because tears formed in her eyes. Her attention shot up to my face, then over to Ben’s before coming to rest on mine again.
“Is that…?”
I smiled. “It’s a collar.”
It was a platinum chain with two rings on it. The rings connected the chain links together. They weren’t typical locks, like many collars had. I had opted for something different, something that reflected our connection more than ownership.
I placed the rings flat on my hand, the engraved side up. On one ring, etched in the metal following the shape of the circle was: Mr. Parker’s little rebel. On the other: Mr. Snowden’s precious girl.
In a move that caught me completely off guard, Addison lunged toward me, throwing her arms around my neck, then jerking me closer. I laughed when she began raining kisses down on my mouth.
“I love you, Mr. Parker.”
“I know, pet,” I teased.
She released me, then turned to Ben.
“I love you, Mr. Snowden.”
“I love you, too, precious.”
“Can one of you put it on me?” she squealed, lifting her hair up.
Reaching behind her, I fixed the necklace on her, positioning both rings so that they were at the front, visible for everyone to see.
She touched the necklace with shaking fingers and stared back at the two of us.
That was when I reached into my pocket and retrieved the other item.
Keeping it hidden, I turned to Ben.
“She’s not the only one, pup. I’ve got something for you, too.”
He seemed surprised and I realized how much I enjoyed throwing him a curve ball.
Opening my hand, I held up the cuff links I’d had made for him. They matched the favorite set I owned, with one difference.
He took them from my palm and lifted them up to read the inscription.
It was simple. On both was the word: Mine.
When he looked back at me, I could see the emotion in his eyes. Feeling that strange discomfort at all the sentiment, I decided it was time to get things back on less shaky ground.
“As for the rest of your tip, naughty waitress,” I told Addison, “I think it’ll be best if you lie back now.”
She grinned but didn’t argue.
And for the next half hour, our food got cold while I proved to my two submissives exactly what they meant to me.
Epilogue
JUSTIN
WHILE I THOUGHT THE WEEK would never end, I was sure Landon, Langston, and Luci had been thinking just the opposite.
Luckily for all of us, the week did end and Saturday was finally here.
More importantly, their wedding day was finally here.
Now, I wasn’t big on weddings, didn’t usually attend, choosing instead to send a gift to the lucky couple. It wasn’t that I had anything against them, I simply didn’t care to sit through it. However, when it came to some of the most important people in my life, skipping out wasn’t an option. Yeah, it was safe to say I was turning over a new leaf, learning to accept that I wasn’t in complete control all the time.
On a positive note, they weren’t having a traditional wedding ceremony. Considering three people couldn’t legally get married, it made sense that they were choosing a formal collaring as a way to share their vows. As far as I was concerned, it was the most important part of a D/s relationship. Or in this case, a D/s/D relationship. In the eyes of their friends and family, they would forever be united by the sanctity of kink.
More important than vows if you asked me.
Of course, Luci would be legally marrying one of them for other reasons. I knew the twins were not about to let anything happen and not have Luci taken care of. They should’ve known that we would all be here to take care of her, God forbid that ever happened, but I understood their reasons.
“Are you ready to go?” Ben asked when he stepped into my bedroom.
“In just a minute,” I told him. “Why don’t you go get Addison, make sure she’s ready.”
“Sure.”
While Ben went to get her, I finished with my cuff link and then grabbed my watch. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror and realized, although I was happy for my friends, they weren’t the reason for the smile on my face.
No, that was thanks to my sneaky submissives and their unique way of getting me to open up and finally admit how I truly felt. From the outside looking in, nothing was different, but on the inside…I wasn’t sure I would ever be the same.
However, today wasn’t about me. It was about our friends and the forever they had found with one another.
I couldn’t remember the last collaring ceremony I had been to. When Landon and Langston had officially proposed to Luci at the club, I had been with my father, spending his last minutes on earth with him. I’d hated that I’d missed seeing my partners publicly announce their desire to spend their lives with Luci, but truth be told, those last hours with my father had b
een more important.
Good news was, I would get to see them go through the motions today.
*
An hour and a half later, Ben, Addison, and I arrived at the elaborate grounds that had been chosen for today’s special event. I had learned that Master Ramsey had insisted on this particular venue, telling the lucky threesome that it would be worth it.
In fact, Trent was in attendance, which, I assumed, was why there was so much security and so many damn reporters trying to get a glimpse of the festivities. Not that they would be able to see anything. I was sure Trent had ensured this would be as private as necessary for the type of ceremony Landon and Langston would want. Hell, when they’d proposed, she had been naked in front of the entire club. There was no telling what would take place today.
It wasn’t until we’d made it around to the spot near the water where they’d set up that I realized why Trent had suggested this place. Even I could see the beauty. The water was shimmering in the final rays of daylight, and the backdrop of pink, orange, and blue from the setting sun offered just enough to make it beautiful, but not too much that it would take away from the three people who were going to be the center of attention.
“Wow,” Addison said as she came to stand beside me. “This is stunning.”
“Yes,” Ben told her. “And we better take our seats or we’re going to miss the best part.”
As I watched Ben lead Addison down to our seats, I realized one thing.
Maybe this was the best part.
But not only for Landon, Langston, and Luci.
Perhaps it could be the best part for us, too.
One day.
*
BEN
I HAD NEVER WITNESSED A formal collaring ceremony before. Similar to a wedding, there were vows to be exchanged and, in this case, a collar to be placed. No one could deny that it was a beautiful setting, yet instead of focusing on Luci and her Doms, I found myself completely enraptured by Addison.
From the instant I knocked on her apartment door, I had noticed something different about her.
She was beautiful with the short, sapphire-blue gown I’d had delivered for her to wear. She had spent some time on her hair and makeup and the effect was ethereal. Of course, the collar around her neck drew my eye at every turn. I still had a hard time believing it had been Mr. Parker’s idea. And it was the perfect symbol that reflected the connection the three of us shared. But if Addison wasn’t careful, she would outshine Luci. I knew that wasn’t her intention, but honestly, I didn’t think Addison realized how incredibly beautiful she was.
Not only on the outside but on the inside as well.
Thankfully, things were back on track for the three of us. I now had the pleasure of going to bed with Addison and Mr. Parker each night, waking up to both of them every morning. We shared breakfast before work, we shared each other during office hours, and in the evenings, we spent some time relaxing, then—at least this week—ravishing Addison before we all called it a night.
And the best part, Mr. Parker was no longer hiding behind his need to be in control. He knew he was, which I figured was one of the reasons he’d been able to finally admit how he felt.
But now that we were taking our seats, preparing to watch Luci, Landon, and Langston make this official in front of all their friends and family, I couldn’t help but think about what this day would be like when it was me, Addison, and Mr. Parker up there.
Because that day would come.
Perhaps next week or next month, or even next year. Only time would tell, but the one thing I knew for a fact…I would be putting a different collar around Addison’s neck in the very near future, a formal one, one that would symbolize the future the three of us would be spending together.
And though he wasn’t big on the symbolism thing, I got the feeling Mr. Parker wouldn’t be opposed to anything I had in mind.
After all, a submissive deserved to have more than one collar.
*
ADDISON
LUCI WAS THE ABSOLUTE MOST stunning submissive I’d ever seen.
Standing in front of everyone, wearing a snow-white, pearl-accented corset with silky white thigh-highs, a pretty lace G-string, and white heels, she was absolutely breathtaking. Of course, her beauty was intensified by the handsome tuxedo-wearing twin Doms standing before her.
I couldn’t seem to look away.
As Landon and Langston shared their vows, my breath caught in my chest. Words like love, honor, and cherish, alongside submission, protector, and promises of a life full of laughter and joy were spoken from both men, but it was Luci’s vow that had my heart pausing briefly.
“Master and Sir, as I kneel before you, I acknowledge your role as my Master and Sir, my lovers, my protectors, and the Doms who I promise to honor, cherish, and love for as long as I live. As you place your collar on my neck, I give myself to you completely of my own free will. Along with my promise to obey, I give you my heart, body, and soul, for the three of us are now one.”
I swiped a lone tear from my cheek as I watched Landon and Langston present Luci with a beautiful collar, this one even fancier than the one they’d previously given her. And as they each attached a lock, then placed the keys around their necks, my heart swelled so big for the love that was so obvious between them.
I couldn’t keep from fingering the collar around my neck. Even now, when I thought about it, I wanted to sob. The idea that I belonged to someone—two someones—was nothing short of a miracle. I’d spent my entire life never feeling wanted and now…now I knew that I was.
Mr. Snowden’s arm came around my shoulder and I leaned into him, thankful to have his strength. I knew that one day, that would be me up there, kneeling between my two Doms, offering my submission and my love in front of everyone who cared enough to share the special occasion with us.
Until that day, I was going to spend every minute loving them and cherishing them. I would say obeying them, but hey, a girl can’t let her rebellious streak go to waste, now can she?
“What’s on your mind, little rebel?”
I glanced over at Mr. Parker and smiled. “Nothing.”
His eyes darted past me to Mr. Snowden. “Do you think she should be punished in private? Or right here in front of all these people?”
Mr. Snowden chuckled. “Wherever you feel she’ll learn her lesson best.”
Oh, crap.
***
I hope you enjoyed Justin, Ben and Addison’s story. While I had originally intended for Office Intrigue to be a standalone, I knew before the book was over that Ben and Justin would need their happily ever after. And thanks to Justin’s need to expand the business, there will be more in this series. I’m excited to say, this will be my first all-ménage series.
Want to see some fun stuff related to the Office Intrigue series, you can find extras on my website. Or how about what’s coming next? Find more at: www.NicoleEdwardsAuthor.com
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Acknowledgments
First and always, I have to thank my wonderfully patient husband who puts up with me every single day. If it wasn’t for him and his belief that I could (and can) do this, I wouldn’t be writing this today. He has been my backbone, my
rock, the very reason I continue to believe in myself. I love you for that, babe.
Chancy Powley – I’ve put you up against so many deadlines and despite everything, including holidays, you always come through for me. I don’t know what I would do without you.
Allison Holzapfel – You, girl, are a fast reader. I have never been more grateful for that than these times when I throw something at you and tell you that I’m out of time. You are a rockstar!
Thank you to my proofreaders. Jenna Underwood, Annette Elens, Theresa Martin, and Sara Gross. Not only do you catch my blunders, you are my friends and it is an honor to call you that.
I also have to thank my street team – Naughty (and nice) Girls – Your unwavering support is something I will never take for granted. So, thank you Traci Hyland, Maureen Ames, Erin Lewis, Jackie Wright, Chris Geier, Kara Hildebrand, Shannon Thompson, Tracy Barbour, and Toni Thompson.
I can’t forget my copyeditor, Amy at Blue Otter Editing. Thank goodness I’ve got you to catch all my punctuation, grammar, and tense errors. Not to mention timeline issues. Thank you!
Nicole Nation 2.0 for the constant support and love. You’ve been there for me from almost the beginning. This group of ladies has kept me going for so long, I’m not sure I’d know what to do without them.
And, of course, YOU, the reader. Your emails, messages, posts, comments, tweets… they mean more to me than you can imagine. I thrive on hearing from you, knowing that my characters and my stories have touched you in some way keeps me going. I’ve been known to shed a tear or two when reading an email because you simply bring so much joy to my life with your support. I thank you for that.
By Nicole Edwards
The Alluring Indulgence Series
What’s hotter than a Texas cowboy? Seven Texas cowboys.
All with a heart of gold and a sexy, devious side.
Kaleb
Zane
Travis
Holidays with the Walker Brothers
Ethan
Braydon
Sawyer
Brendon
The Austin Arrows Series
Their Rebellious Submissive (Office Intrigue Book 3) Page 41