The Collaring #2
I smile when I notice Marquis Gray. He’s down on the ground on one knee and holding out his hands. A little boy runs into his arms and laughs as a woman walks up to join them. It’s so sweet and unexpectedly normal.
As I walk up to the three, Marquis Gray shifts the boy to his hip and holds out his hand. “Good evening, Miss Lane. This is my submissive, Celestia.”
I turn to the woman and smile. Her black hair is sprinkled with gray, but her blue eyes sparkle with youthful energy. Celestia has a peaceful countenance about her. “Lovely to finally meet you.”
I raise my eyebrows. “You’ve heard of me?”
“Yes. Marquis spoke highly of you.”
I can’t hide my surprise, considering my failure when I scened with him.
Noticing the expression on my face, he states, “I knew you would take to heart what I shared, and I was not disappointed.”
I bow my head, touched by his words. “I would like to scene with you again.” Glancing at the child, I whisper so only Marquis Gray can hear, “I wish to experience your whip with the right mindset.”
I then turn to Celestia. “Assuming you are both comfortable with it.”
Marquis Gray shakes his head. “It would be a waste of your limited time.”
“Not for me,” I answer, looking at them both hopefully.
Celestia turns to Marquis with a gracious smile. “I am happy with whatever you decide, Master.”
Nodding to her, he then addresses me. “If you find no one else, I will be open to it.”
“Thank you!” I tell them both, excited by the opportunity.
Finding Gwen in the crowd once more, I bounce over to her and announce, “Only one more to go.”
“Great! Now get back out there.”
I keep hoping to catch sight of Leōn. I feel a strong need to talk with him, and I’m longing for some sense of closure.
Seeking out Mr. Onassis, I ask, “Do you know if Leōn is here tonight?”
“He should be,” he answers, scanning the crowd. Glancing at his watch, he frowns. “It’s unlike him to be late.”
I sigh with frustration. “If you see him, let me know.”
“I certainly will,” he assures me, scanning the crowd again.
Walking through the room aimlessly, I run into Dono Marcelo. There has been a burning question that I’ve been too shy to bring up, but I realize it’s either now or never.
Bowing my head, I gather my courage. “There is something I’ve been meaning to ask.”
“What is that, Miss Lane?”
Afraid of his answer, I look the trainer in the eyes when I ask him, “Why haven’t you ever scened with me?”
Raising an eyebrow, he replies matter-of-factly, “I knew you were frightened of me and chose not to inhibit your growth.”
I gasp, caught off guard by his answer.
“Don’t let me keep you.”
I bow my head again and walk away, astounded by his statement.
I hear the chimes ring, announcing the first of the interviews, and Anton walks up to me moments later. “Who is the first person you would like to interview?”
My heart races when I tell him, “Matisse, please.”
Anton escorts me to a private room separate from the main area and orders me to wait.
I sit there alone for several minutes, noticing how comfortable the leather settee is. The perfect furniture for two…
When Matisse enters the room, I immediately jump up to give him a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“I was glad to be asked,” he says, sweeping me up into his arms. He kisses me passionately, stealing my breath away before setting me back down.
Tracing my fingers over my tingling lips, I smile at him and ask him to take a seat. Pulling out my long list of questions, I start peppering him with them.
I’m intrigued when I learn he works in the Garment District. Surprised to hear that, I ask him, “What do you do?”
He smirks when he answers. “I design dresses.”
“Really? I had no idea!” But then I think of the cloak he gave me after our scene in the woods…
“Did you make my gift?”
He nods, grinning.
“It’s so beautiful!” I gush, then slap him on the shoulder in my excitement. “You’re really talented.”
He laughs. “Thank you.”
I sit there, shaking my head in pleasant disbelief.
“That’s not all I make.”
I grin, wondering what other surprises he has for me.
“Do you remember that dress you were wearing for the New Year’s Eve party?”
“Yes…”
“That was mine. And I must say, you looked stunning in it.”
I stare at him, speechless. “Wait…you were the dress designer who let me borrow that dress for the party? I loved that dress!”
He smiles, obviously pleased by my reaction. “When the shop owner showed me that photo of you wearing it, there was no way I could say no.”
I sit back, completely stunned. “Are you famous?”
He flashes a crooked grin. “I will be.”
I throw my arms around him, laughing with excitement. “I had no idea I was in the presence of greatness.”
“Neither did I,” he murmurs, pressing his lips against mine. “My irresistible, famous composer.”
I giggle. “Not famous.”
“But you will be.”
Flying high on this incredible revelation, I fall to my knees and look up at him. “Would you like to see just how much this graduate has learned in the art of fellatio?”
Settling back on the couch, he opens his legs. “Yes is the only proper answer.”
I unzip his pants and find he is not wearing any underwear.
I smile up at him as I move between his legs, determined to give him the best blow job of his life.
I’m in complete control as I keep taking him to the edge, then pulling away.
By the end, he is screaming my name and crying out for blessed mercy.
When his climax finally comes, I swallow his essence and moan with pleasure.
He looks at me lustfully and orders me on the couch. “Now for your turn, mon trésor…”
Before I can lie down on the settee, I hear the chimes ring. Rather than rush my happy ending, I ask for a rain check. As we both straighten up, I continue with my questions. Everything is going well until I ask, “What are your future plans?”
“I’m going to return to France and build my empire there.”
My heart skips a beat. “Couldn’t you build it here in New York?”
He shakes his head, laughing. “Paris is the undisputed capital of luxury fashion. Why would I build it anywhere else?”
I hide my disappointment. I understand his desire and would never ask him to give up his dream. But I’m never leaving New York.
When the second bell rings, I stand outside the room with Matisse, giving him a lingering kiss. “It has been an honor.”
He smiles, “The honor is mine, mon trésor.”
After he leaves, Anton returns. “Who would you like next?”
“Marquis Gray.”
He frowns, insisting, “That is not an option. Pick someone you can partner with.”
I lift my chin higher when I tell him, “I have unfinished business with Marquis Gray. It’s important to me.”
He huffs, clearly unhappy with my choice, but snarls, “Very well.”
I go back into the room and undress down to my panties to save time, then kneel on the floor and wait for him. When he strides into the room, I see he’s brought Celestia with him, and she is carrying a leather gym bag.
I’m glad she is here.
“This will be a short session, but it will serve our purpose,” he informs me.
Taking off his jacket, he quickly rolls up his sleeves. Moving behind me, he parts my hair and sweeps it over my shoulders so my back is bare.
“I have no music to accompany this session. Feel free to play the piece you composed in your head once we start.”
Surprised he knows about it, I simply answer, “Yes, Marquis.”
“Tell me about your father.”
I’m startled by the question and turn my head to stare at him.
“Trust me,” he commands, his dark eyes piercing my soul.
I hold his gaze as I wrestle with my fear. Swallowing hard, I nod to myself when I am ready to answer. “My father’s name is Joseph.”
“How did he pass?”
Sadness washes over me, and it takes me a moment to respond. “It was a car accident.” Tears start to fall when I envision him burning.
“That’s it,” Marquis says soothingly. “Let the tears flow.”
It’s as if his words release a floodgate, and I start to sob.
Marquis Gray places his hand on my head, anchoring me as the pain and sorrow come rushing back with a vengeance.
When I finally quiet again, Celestia hands him a handkerchief.
Smiling as he dries my tears, he states, “Now we can begin.”
When Marquis starts slapping my back with the leather glove this time, it prickles my skin. He continues until he’s covered every inch of my back, making it warm and tingly.
Then he asks Celestia for his flogger.
I watch as she kneels and presents it to him solemnly.
Closing my eyes, I smile while he takes his position behind me…
When the multiple tails strike my back, I let out a gasp at the harshness of the sting radiating over my skin. I’m surprised that it hurts.
“Color?” he asks.
Wondering why it felt different, I’m curious if it’s just a fluke and answer tentatively, “Green.”
Marquis Gray lashes my back a second time.
I struggle to keep from crying out in discomfort when the multiple tails lash my back again, sending waves of biting pain echoing through my body.
As I prepare for the next stroke, I’m hit by a jolt of panic and immediately call out my safeword.
“Good,” Marquis murmurs calmly as he hands the flogger back to Celestia.
Helping me to my feet, he guides me to the couch.
“What happened?” I ask, confused.
“You can feel the pain because your heart is beginning to heal.”
The tears that I cry as he ministers to my aftercare are different, bringing me a sense of peace. I have a lightness in my spirit as I bow to Marquis Gray in thankfulness before the two leave.
Anton enters the room again. “Who would you like for your final interview?”
“Has Leōn shown up?”
“No.”
I take a deep breath and nod. “Then I have no one else.”
As I dress, I feel a sense of inner calm. I have no regrets. What I have gained today is enough.
I leave the room and join Gwen.
“What? Have you made a choice already?” she asks in surprise when she sees me.
“I have.”
“Well…? The suspense is killing me.”
“I’ve decided to attend the collaring ceremony as an observer.”
She looks at me with concern. “Are you sure?”
I smile. “Absolutely.”