Letting Q go, I unravelled the leash, clipping the end onto the ring of my collar. Threading the soft leather through my fingers, I ceremoniously handed the end to Q. "Toujours." Forever.
He fisted the leash. His fingers turned white, his body shaking with amazement. "Toujours."
We'd exchanged our vows in numerous ways. We'd proven our words weren't empty against sickness or health. We'd solidified every promise. Brought truth to every claim.
We wore each other's brand and mark.
We were no longer separate people. We were one.
One of the same.
My heart thrilled faster as Q tugged me downward, a hard smile on his lips. His mouth landed on mine and the marquee, guests, and everything else shot from comprehension. His tongue entered, dancing in a ceaseless waltz.
His dark taste unlocked the final piece of the true Tess. My journey was over. I'd gone from weak to strong to tamed. I'd gone from lost to scared to found.
The sun rose inside, spreading golden tendrils through my body, coaxed deeper by every lick. My core rippled, desperate for physical connection. I was no longer cold and confused. I was no longer alone and unloved.
I was home.
For always.
Q deepened the kiss, combusting the sun into a raging ball of fire. Heated lust stole my limbs, pebbling my nipples, drawing wetness between my legs.
Breathing hard, he let me go. "I need you alone. Now."
The moment Q pulled away, the celebrant raised his voice. "It is my greatest honour to present to you for the first time. Mr. and Mrs. Mercer."
Mr. and Mrs.
My heart tripled its wingbeats.
Our friends clapped and rice rained from above, full of black glitter. The little pricks of confetti stung but I wasn't contained by my flesh anymore. I'd expanded to something so much more.
Q wrapped his arms around me. Plucking me from the pedestal, he slowly lowered my body down his. Every slip was delicious torture. The heat of him. The hardness of him.
My feet touched the ground; Q smiled. "Hello, Mrs Mercer."
I moaned as his hand slinked up my side, deliberately catching the side of my breast. "Hello, Mr. Mercer."
"I'm so glad fate gave me you," he whispered.
"I'm so glad I deserve you."
His eyes darkened. "You deserve so much more than me, esclave. But it's too late. You're mine, and I'm never letting you go." Time stood still as we stared into each other's eyes.
His hand cupped my cheek, hot, claiming. "We did it."
I accepted his feathery kiss. "We're married."
Q kissed me. "Nous ne faisons qu'un." We are one.
My absolution
My treasure
It was done.
Tess was mine.
Legally.
Spiritually.
Every fucking way she was mine.
My fingers tightened on the leash, dragging her closer. I loved having control. Having her restrained in such a debasing but incredibly powerful way. The anxiety I'd carried finally faded. I had what I needed. I had her oath. I owned her soul.
My lips captured hers again, tangling with two emotions. I wanted to strip her right there and take her-injuries be damned, witnesses be fucked. But at the same time, I wanted to beat Frederick and Franco for forcing my truth to light.
They had no right to dress Tess that way, or provoke me into accepting there was nothing wrong with our relationship. Suzette had been out of bounds.
I was going insane having Tess half-naked. She was my wife. I wanted her covered.
But then you won't be able stare.
And I wanted to stare. So damn much. Tess was a fucking masterpiece. Full and feminine and so fucking tempting.
Pulling away, I readjusted my rock-hard cock. It hadn't calmed down since I'd set eyes on her when she entered the marquee. Her white dress had been stunning. She'd been stunning.
She still is.
I groaned, drinking in her garter belts and lace. Goddammit, I had no willpower. No control. She may wear the collar but she dragged me around by my cock. I panted for her. I would sit at her feet and fucking beg just for a taste. One glorious taste.
"Shit, Tess … I need you. I need to sink inside you and come. I'm going to explode."
My cock hurt jammed in my trousers. My balls throbbed with the need to come. It didn't matter my body was drained. My shakes weren't just from nerves but agony slicing through the painkillers. Nothing would stop me from taking her. I didn't care if I was slightly lightheaded and queasy. Sex. Sex would make it all better. Sex with Tess.
Happiness danced down my spine.
Sex with my wife.
Tess laughed, patting my naked chest. I hissed between my teeth as her gentle touch caught a bruise. The pain and pleasure shot to my cock, rippling with need.