“Good. Let’s see.”
“Alpha? Can I ask a question?”
I kiss him because I can’t help myself. Fuck, Shively is adorable. “Yes. Ask.”
“Some of the boys wore collars, and it meant they were owned by their masters.”
He pauses, so I prompt with, “That’s not a question.”
“Right. Do you think I can wear one, one day?”
“You mean besides the one you already wear?”
Shively’s eyebrows knit together, and he touches his neck. “Is it invisible? Are we talking metaphorically?”
I laugh and wrap my hand around the collar he wears on his cock, giving him a slight tug. “This one, sweetheart. You’ve been wearing my collar for a while now.”
“Oh.” His cheeks heat as he looks down at it. “I didn’t… Oh.”
Chuckling, I kiss his neck again. “However, if you want to wear a more visible one, we can do that.”
Shively chews the inside of his lip as he considers this. He touches his neck again, and I can see the struggle. “I do,” he says slowly.
“How about you don’t worry about it right now? I’ll find a solution to make sure you’re wearing a visible collar that won’t draw attention and questions. In the meantime, youarewearing my collar.” I tap a finger on the leather around his dick. “Right here. Rest assured that you are thoroughly and properly owned.”
His flush is stunning. I love that shy smile when he nods. “Yes, Alpha.”
“Good. Anything else?”
Shively shakes his head. “Not right now. Except… Will you write down these rules so I can refer to them?”
“You said that they were common sense in relationships,” I point out.
“I feel like they should be, but as you pointed out, so many couples around us don’t portray a respectful relationship and maybe there’s something ingrained in me that I’m not aware of.”
I think about what Miles told me about Benji and nod. “I’ll make sure we do that. Which… maybe that’s a key to helping us determine your needs.”
“Writing the rules down?” he asks, confused.
“Writing. I know you don’t enjoy reports, but is it the writing part you dislike? Research?”
“It’s the entire process. That was the most dreaded part of school for me.”
“There’s no structure in what I’m going to put into place. You’re going to keep a journal that I will have full access to. This will be for self-reflection, fears, everything. You are required to tell the absolute truth and keep nothing out. Am I clear?”
Shively is once more chewing on his lip. “Yes.”
“How does this make you feel?”
“Anxious, but… I’m also looking forward to it.”
“Good. I want you to look forward to everything. I’ll find a medium for your journal as soon as we’re home.”
Shively nods. “Okay.”
“How do you feel about this going forward?”
“Excited.”
