Read Online Crave by Sierra Cartwright - Free Book Online

me,” he suggested, still holding her hand. “Let’s keep it at this level, rather than a personal one, for now.”
    “We had friends in the lifestyle, Reece. We both know what it means.”
    “I know what it means to me. Educate me about you. ”
    When he used a tone that sounded engaged and interested, she was helpless. “The collar…it was unyielding.” She shivered.
    “Of course it was. That’s the point.”
    “It had an O-ring on it. So you could use it for bondage, as well?”
    “It was more decorative, but yes. Your point is well taken.”
    “God.”
    “Keep talking. Beyond that, what does it mean?”
    “It’s a symbol. An expression to the whole world that you’ve claimed me.”
    “Only people in the lifestyle would recognize its significance.”
    “Reece, if I wore a collar that obvious, everyone would know something was up.”
    Repeatedly, he feathered his thumb across the back of her hand. “So your objection is that others would know you’re my sexual plaything?”
    “No. Yes.”
    “Why would that bother you? Most couples have sex.”
    “Why wouldn’t it bother you?”
    “Because I was proud of you. Because our rings would have shown our commitment to each other.”
    His comment caught her off guard. “You would have worn a wedding ring?”
    “Proudly.”
    “I’d have bet you would have refused.” What else had she presumed? What else had she gotten wrong?
    “The collar would never have meant that you were my sexual plaything. I find that insulting. It would have demonstrated your devotion to me.”
    She pulled her hand back.
    “There’s nothing nefarious about it. I never intended to put you on a leash and tether you to a wall while I was gone. Nor did I consider buying you a steel cage.”
    That image made her recoil, just as she was sure he had intended.
    “To me, Sarah, your love was my most treasured possession.”
    Tears stung her eyes.
    “I valued you above all others. I spent a week shopping for a collar. When I couldn’t find something that suited, I had it made.” More quietly, he continued. “Maybe I was wrong about you. Perhaps you didn’t possess the sense of self to wear my collar without losing yourself. But frankly I was never worried about that. I would have never been interested in a woman without a backbone. A woman who considered herself less than my equal wouldn’t have kept my interest. And I certainly would never have considered dating her, let alone marrying her. But perhaps you knew yourself better than I thought I knew you.”
    Not much left her speechless, but this—he—did.
    “I would have never put it on you, let alone locked it into place and thrown away the key without a lot of discussion with you. Treating you with great care was of paramount importance.”
    “And what if I had refused it?”
    “I would have naturally hoped you would reconsider. I would have asked repeatedly, hoping to wear you down. But I would have never forced you into it.”
    She suddenly couldn’t breathe.
    Instead of wine, she grabbed her water and took a big gulp as she struggled to right her skewed emotions.
    The waiter returned with their dinner plates.
    “Spiny lobster?” she asked. Her mouth watered despite the conversation that had stolen her appetite and fractured everything she’d taken for granted.
    The waiter nodded his confirmation. “Melted butter,” he said, indicating a silver-colored cup. “And blue cheese butter. Anything else I can bring you?”
    After ensuring she had everything she needed, Reece said, “This is perfect. Thank you.”
    “Yes, sir. Enjoy your meal.”
    Despite her nerves and upset, her stomach grumbled. “You remembered that I said I wanted to try this?” she asked when they were alone.
    “Sarah, I remember every word you ever uttered.”
    She speared a piece of the meat and dipped it in the blue cheese butter. The combination, succulent lobster with clarified butter and pungent cheese, was an explosion on her taste buds.