I quietly slipped out of bed, continuing to think about the past several months, gliding soundlessly across the hardwood floor.
Today was the day.
I walked over to my closet and opened the safe resting on the shelf. Inside rested a few prized possessions, important documents, emergency funds, and the collar I had picked out to give to Val.
Reaching into the safe, I pulled out a small felt-lined box and carried it into the kitchen. I couldn’t believe I had found someone who made me feel the way she did. Everything I had ever wanted, all of my goals, my dreams, they were all coming true and I had Valerie St. Clair to thank for it.
Next week was the banquet, and I couldn’t wait to have her by my side. I was sure Val thought I was crazy asking her all those months ago, but I knew she was different even then. I was going to spend the rest of my life with her. We just needed to take some smaller steps to get to that point.
Sitting down at the table, I opened the box and set it aside as I pulled the collar out. It smelled of new leather. The design was simple enough to pass as a bold choker so she could wear it in public but anyone involved in the lifestyle would be able to identify she belonged tosomeone.
Sure, some asshole out there would inevitably test their luck, to see if she was willing to break the commitment we had made to each other. Those guys always made the community look bad.My thoughts drifted to the experience Isabella and I had when we first started exploring in the community.
Some guy had reached out to her online and when she wasn’t interested, he tried to convince her that if we were doing research together, I wasn’t a real dom. He claimed it wasn’t something you research, it was something you justwereand comes naturally. It was no surprise to me to find out he had been banned from the trusted clubs in the area and was only able to attend events at the sketchy locations.
I pulled myself out of thoughts of the past and continued to think about the present as I ran my thumb over the knot clasp which symbolized the art of shibari.
In the other room, Val began to stir. Quickly, I placed the collar back into the box and got up to begin brewing coffee for us. I couldn’t wait to give it to her, but I needed it to be perfect and I desperately wanted my words to be as clear and strong as the materials holding it together.
It didn’t take long before I heard the shuffling of her feet as she walked into the kitchen, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw me standing there with the velvet box I had forgotten to tuck away.
“Kaden?” she asked, her voice still groggy from sleep.
I smiled at her. “Good morning, my love,” I said, noticing immediately what had caught her eye.I’m not going to be able to talk myself out of this one.I smirked and shook my head giving myself a lecture. As I handed her a cup of coffee, I walked back over to the table and handed the box to her. I looked her straight in the eyes, wanting there to be no question about how serious I was about this. “You and I both know what this represents, however, I need to say the words out loud. This is not about me taking control, this is about earned trust and power being consensually given.”
Her dark eyes darted from my face to the collar and back again.
“The last few months have been demanding, from hours of research to our own explorations. Because of you, I am able to give parts of myself to you no one has ever experienced, much like you have for me. We’ve been able to meet each other with courage to communicate but also listen.” I reached out and grabbed her hand keeping my grip firm and gentle. “This collar is a symbol of devotion and commitment. If you choose to accept this, you are agreeing to continue our structured dynamic. Claiming me as your dominant and you as my submissive and we are both in agreement to abide by the rules, boundaries and punishments we have meticulously negotiated.”
I paused letting Val absorb my words before continuing. “More importantly, for me, the collar represents protection. I will always prioritize your emotional and physical safety. I will listen to your limits and ensure all of our interactions are rooted in informed consent. You have the control. Everything from impact sessions to Tuesday morning coffee, all of it can end at your command.”
The silence was charged and electric and I watched as Val ran her fingers over the box and then gently over the collar. I kept my breath steady, unsure of what she was thinking or would even say next. I watched her intently, admiring how beautiful she was in that moment with her hair pulled back in an extra messy bun and her eyeliner smudged across her face. If she agreed, I never wanted to forget how she looked in this very moment.
Finally, she took a step toward me, still not saying a word. She looked at me with an intense fierceness That made me want to drop to my knees. “I choose this life with you, Kaden. I choose the structure and the peace. I chooseyou.”
She turned and faced away from me, waiting for me to put the collar on her. She didn’t have to say anything. It was a silent yet powerful moment. My heart slammed against my chest as I walked up behind her. The weight of the world felt lighter as I carefully secured the clasp allowing the collar to settle against her skin.
As she turned around I couldn’t help but stare in awe. I lifted my hand and gently placed my hand on her face, cupping her cheek. “You are mine, my love, and I am yours.”
Val nodded and smiled. The look in her eyes confirmed everything. This wasn’t just a relationship, it was her sanctuary.
Twenty Seven
Val
I couldn’t help but find myself constantly touching my collar. It had been three weeks since Kaden presented it to me, and I couldn’t get over the way I felt each time I touched it or looked into the mirror. Tonight, I was looking forward to showing it off.
The drive had been mostly silent aside from the review of boundaries and going over the stoplight system until I felt like I could recite it in my sleep. Club Red wasn’t a neon-lit downtown dungeon for all who wanted to enter. It was a discreet, beautifully built fortress nestled against a remote mountain backdrop. The air up here was crisp and smelled of pine and snow. Club Red felt less like a club for those who wanted to explore their fetishes and more like a high-end retreat for the beautifully broken.
Once parked, Kaden stopped the engine but he didn’t move. Instead, he reached up and rested his hand on the nape of my neck, his thumb sweeping over the collar as it rested perfectly in place.
When he finally spoke, his voice was low. “Nervous?”
I took a deep breath. “I feel terrified and yet at peace,” I admitted, glancing over at the giant wooden door garnished with detailed carvings I couldn’t quite make out because of the distance between us.
Kaden reached down and squeezed my hand before going over our safe words one more time. “Remember, red means stop immediately, yellow means slow down and check in, and green means to keep going.”
I nodded. “I promise, I didn’t forget.” I paused to gather my composure. “Let’s go in.”
