Chapter 7 - Callum
seven
Callum
I wake up before Kelly, like I always do, and spend a few minutes just watching her sleep. Three months we've been doing this, and I still can't believe she's mine.
She's curled into my side, one hand resting on my chest, her blonde hair spread across my shoulder. In sleep, she looks even younger than her twenty-two years—peaceful and innocent and completely trusting.
Today's the day.
The thought sends a rush of anticipation through me. Today I'm picking up her collar. Today I'm making this official in a way that matters to both of us.
Kelly stirs against me, making a soft sound as she wakes up. Her eyes flutter open, and when she sees me watching her, she smiles.
"Morning," she mumbles, voice still thick with sleep.
"Morning, baby girl." I press a kiss to her forehead. "Sleep well?"
"Mmm. Always do with you." She stretches like a cat, the movement making my t-shirt ride up her thighs. "What time is it?"
"Early. We don't have to get up yet."
But Kelly's already waking up fully, and I can see the moment she remembers what today is. Her eyes go wide and bright.
"Today!" she says, pushing up on one elbow. "You're picking it up today!"
"I am." I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "Still sure you want this?"
"Yes." No hesitation. "Are you sure?"
Instead of answering, I pull her on top of me so she's straddling my waist. Her thighs are soft and warm on either side of my hips, and the thin fabric of her panties does nothing to hide how wet she is. My cock's already hard, pressed against her through my boxers.
"I've never been more sure of anything," I tell her. "You're mine, Kelly. Have been since that first night. This just makes it official."
She shivers at my words, her hands bracing on my chest. "Daddy..."
Fuck. The word goes straight to my dick every time. Makes me want to flip her over and claim her right now.
"What do you need, baby?" I ask, my hands settling on her hips.
"You," she breathes. "I need you."
I can feel how ready she is, hot and wet even through the layers between us. It would take nothing to pull her panties aside and sink into her. But I want tonight to be different. Special.
"Not yet," I say, and Kelly whimpers. "Tonight. After I put your collar on. Then I'm going to fuck you properly."
"That's mean," Kelly pouts, but she's already grinding against me, seeking friction.
"That's anticipation." I grip her hips, stilling her movements even though it kills me. My cock's throbbing, desperate for her. "You're going to think about it all day. About wearing my collar. About what I'm going to do to you once you're marked."
Kelly's breathing hard now, her pupils blown wide. "What are you going to do to me?"
"Everything." I pull her down for a deep kiss. "I'm going to make you come so many times you forget your own name. Make sure you know exactly who you belong to."
She moans against my mouth, and I can feel her trembling. Good. I want her desperate.
"But first," I say, rolling her onto her back, "my girl needs breakfast and a shower. Come on."
Kelly makes a sound of protest, but she lets me pull her out of bed. I swat her ass lightly as she passes, making her squeak.
"Daddy!" she protests, but she's smiling.
"That's what you get for being impatient." I follow her to the bathroom, watching as she strips off my t-shirt and her panties. Three months and the sight of her naked still makes my mouth go dry.
"You're staring," Kelly says, but she's preening under my attention.
"I'm appreciating." I turn on the shower, testing the temperature. "Get in."
She obeys immediately, stepping under the spray with a sigh of contentment. I strip and join her, reaching for the shampoo.
"Turn around."
Kelly turns without question, and I work the shampoo through her hair slowly, massaging her scalp the way she likes. She practically purrs under my touch, leaning back against me.
"Feels good," she murmurs.
"Good. My girl deserves to feel good." I rinse the shampoo out, then reach for the conditioner. "You know what else is going to feel good?"
"What?"
"When I fasten that collar around your throat tonight." I run my fingers along her neck, feeling her pulse jump. "Right here. Where everyone can see. My mark on you."
Kelly shivers, and it's not from the temperature. "I can't wait."
"Neither can I, baby girl. Neither can I."
The jewelry store is downtown, nestled between a coffee shop and a bookstore. I've been here twice already—once to design the piece, once to approve the prototype. Today I'm finally taking it home.
Sarah, the jeweler, greets me with a knowing smile. "Mr. MacReady. Perfect timing. I just finished the final polish."
She disappears into the back and returns with a small black velvet box. When she opens it, my breath catches.
It's perfect.
The silver chain is delicate but strong, exactly like Kelly herself. The pendant is a simple geometric design to anyone who doesn't know better—but Kelly and I will know it's a stylized "C" for Callum. My initial on her throat.
"It's exactly what I wanted," I tell Sarah.
"I'm so glad." She closes the box and slides it across the counter. "She's a lucky woman."
"I'm the lucky one," I correct, pulling out my credit card.
The drive home feels longer than usual, the small box burning a hole in my pocket. I keep thinking about tonight—about fastening the clasp, about seeing Kelly wear my mark for the first time, about everything that comes after.
When I get home, Kelly's in the kitchen making lunch. She's wearing one of my flannel shirts over leggings, her hair in a messy bun, and she's humming while she works.
She looks up when I walk in, and her eyes immediately go to my pocket where the box is barely visible.
"Is that..." she starts.
"It is." I pull out the box and set it on the counter between us. "Want to see?"
Kelly's hands are shaking as she reaches for the box. She opens it slowly, and when she sees the collar, her eyes fill with tears.
"Callum," she breathes. "It's beautiful."
"You're beautiful." I move around the counter to stand behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist. "How do you feel?"
"Nervous. Excited. Happy." She leans back against me. "When can I put it on?"
"Tonight. After dinner. I want to do this properly."
Kelly turns in my arms, looking up at me with those big eyes. "What does properly mean?"
"It means I want to take my time. Want to make this special for you. For us." I cup her face with both hands. "This isn't just jewelry, baby girl. This is a promise. A commitment. It means something."
"I know," Kelly whispers. "That's why I want it so much."
"Then you'll have it. Tonight." I kiss her softly. "Now, what were you making for lunch?"
The afternoon drags. Kelly's restless, unable to focus on anything. She tries to read but gives up after reading the same page three times. She starts organizing the bookshelf, then abandons that too. Finally, she just sits next to me on the couch, tucked under my arm, fidgeting.
"Baby," I say after the tenth time she shifts position, "you need to relax."
"I can't," Kelly admits. "I'm too excited. And nervous. What if I don't like how it looks on me? What if—"
"Kelly." I turn her to face me, my hands on her shoulders. "Stop overthinking this. It's going to be perfect because it's ours. Because it means something to both of us. Okay?"
She takes a deep breath and nods. "Okay."
"Good girl." I press a kiss to her forehead. "Now, how about you help me make dinner? That'll give you something to do with your hands."
Cooking together helps. Kelly relaxes as we fall into our familiar rhythm—me chopping vegetables while she handles the pasta, both of us moving around the kitchen in comfortable synchronization.
We eat dinner on the couch, some movie playing in the background that neither of us is really watching. Kelly barely touches her food, too wound up to eat.
"Baby," I say gently. "You need to eat."
"I know, I just..." She sets down her fork. "Can we do it now? Please?"
I look at her—at the anticipation and nervousness and trust in her eyes—and I can't make her wait any longer.
"Yeah," I say, setting aside my own plate. "We can do it now."
Kelly's breath catches. "Really?"
"Really." I stand and offer her my hand. "Come on."
I lead her to our bedroom, the small black box in my pocket. Kelly's hand is trembling in mine, and I can feel her nervous energy practically vibrating through her.
"Sit on the bed," I tell her, and she obeys immediately.
I pull the box from my pocket and open it, the silver chain catching the lamplight. Kelly's eyes are locked on it, wide and wondering.
"Before I put this on you," I say, my voice serious, "I need you to understand what it means.
This isn't just a necklace, baby girl. This is my claim on you.
My promise to take care of you, to protect you, to give you what you need.
When you wear this, everyone's going to know you belong to someone. That you're mine."
"I want that," Kelly says immediately. "I want everyone to know I'm yours."
"Are you sure? Because once this goes on, I'm not taking it off. You're mine, Kelly. Completely."
"I'm already yours completely," she whispers. "This just makes it visible."
The trust in her voice, in her eyes, makes my chest tight with emotion. "Stand up."
Kelly stands, and I move behind her. "Lift your hair."
She gathers her hair in both hands, exposing the pale column of her throat. I can see her pulse fluttering, can hear her breathing quicken.
I open the clasp and bring the chain around her neck. The silver looks perfect against her skin, the pendant settling right at the hollow of her throat.
"This is mine," I say as I fasten the clasp. "You are mine. My girl. My responsibility. My privilege to care for."
"Yours," Kelly agrees, her voice barely audible.
The clasp clicks shut, and I let my hands rest on her shoulders for a moment, both of us processing the weight of what just happened.