66

A week later and Ava still hadn’t talked to Zane about selling her house. Every time she was about to, she found a reason not to. She had been down to the kitchen to get lunch for her and Zane. Sometimes she liked to do it herself instead of letting one of the maids do it. As she walked back into Zane’s office with a tray, he looked up and gave her one of his half smiles.

“Come here, angel. I have something we need to talk about,” he said, holding out his hand. Ava put the tray down and rounded the desk and let him pull her down onto his lap.

“It sounds serious.”

“It’s nothing bad. Do you remember the first night we met?” he asked.

“It’s hard to forget,” Ava told him with a smile.

“I guess you are right. Do you remember when we were talking in my office, you asked what it meant to be my pet, if you would have to sleep in a cage?” Ava laughed at the memory, she had been really worried over that.

“I remember.”

“I told you, you wouldn’t have to, but I also said the idea of a collar intrigued me. I want you to open this and I want you to be honest with me if what is inside makes you uncomfortable. Can you do that, angel?” he asked, holing out a deep blue, square velvet box. Ava felt a thrill go through her.

“I can do that,” she said, nodding.

“And you promise to be honest and not say you like it just because you don’t want to hurt my feelings?”

“I promise, Zane,” she promised.

“Then you should look inside,” he said, handing her the box. Ava took it and opened the lid. She gasped when she saw what was laying on the cushion inside. It was a gold collar necklace. It was made to fit snuggly around the neck. The main chain was made of what looked like gold scales and were about the width of Avas middle finger. The only break in the chain was at the centre front. There two wings in a silver looking material were holding the necklace together and between them there was a gold A studded with diamonds. It took Avas breath away.

“It’s amazing,” she said, not being able to take her eyes of it.

“Do you like it?” Zane asked.

“I love it,” she told him. Se traced one of the wings with her finger.

“They are made out of platinum, strong and resilient, just like my angel,” he told her. “If you let me put this on you, it will be a symbol showing you belong to me, this will be my brand and you may not take it off unless I take it off or I tell you to do it.” Zane paused and Ava let the words sink in. She wanted to wear the necklace; she wanted it with a passion which surprised her. “Will you let me put it on you?” he then asked.

“Yes,” Ava answered without hesitation. “I would love to wear it,” she added. Zane kissed her and he took the necklace out of the box and did something to the wings. The wings separated and revealed the clasp. Zanes hands placed the necklace around Ava’s neck, and it fit perfectly. She heard a soft klick as the clasp locked and Zane made sure the wings were back in place.

“Now you are mine for everyone to see,” Zane told her and drew her into a passionate kiss. When they drew apart again, Ava felt like now was the time to talk to him about the house. But the words didn’t want to form in her mouth. “Angel, is there something on your mind?” Zane asked. As usual he read her like a book.

“Yes, I have been thinking it might be time for me to sell my house. I don’t feel like keeping it anymore. Would it be okay if I borrowed your lawyer again? I need to evict my aunt and uncle,” she told him, looking down at her hands.

“Are you sure? That house means a lot to you,” he asked her and lifter her chin with a finger to make her look at him.

“It used to. But when we went back, I realised the house was just as much a memory of what happened after my parents died. I never realised it and I was afraid that letting go of the house would be to let go of my memories of my parents. But since staying here, I have realised the house isn’t what makes me remember,” she explained.

“I’m proud of you to take a step like this, it’s hard to let go of the past,” Zane told her. “My lawyer is out of state on business on my behalf. But as soon as he is back in town, I will tell him to contact you.”

“Thank you, Zane, I appreciate it.”

“No need to thank me. I’m happy to be able to help. Do you need to borrow my accountant to place your money as well?” he said in a joking voice, knowing full well Gabriel would help her regardless. Ava laughed.

“Thanks for the offer but I might look into buying an apartment,” she told him. Ava felt him tense up.

“Why do you need an apartment?” he asked.

“I don’t need it, not now. But it could be a good investment if I found one in a good location. Maybe near Gabriel’s place,” she explained. Zane hummed, it didn’t sound like he approved of the idea, but he didn’t object to it. Instead, he tightened his grip on her waist and kissed her.

The kiss deepened fast and as Zane demanded she let his tongue into her mouth Avas body reacted like it always did. Her sexual desire skyrocketed, and she pressed herself into him and her hands found his hair to keep him close. Zane let her catch her breath, the hunger in his eyes as he looked at her, deepened her need.

“Sit on the desk,” he told her with the deep voice he always used when it came to sex. Ava got up and sat down on his desk, Zane stood up and walked towards her. “Spread your legs wide,” he said, and Ava obeyed. Zane walked straight in between her spread legs and kissed her. His hand came up and took a hold of her throat the way she loved. His hand lay on top of her necklace and the feeling of the metal getting pressed down onto her skin had her dripping wet. Zanes other hand found its way under her skirt and up her thigh. He had almost reached the place where she most needed his touch when there was a knock on the door. “What?” Zane demanded.

“Sorry, boss, you wanted me to let you know five minutes before the call,” Ryders voice came from the other side of the door.

“Fuck, fine,” Zane growled and leaned his forehead against Ava’s and withdrew his hand from her skirt. Ava couldn’t stop the whimper she produced as she felt his hand disappear. “I know, angel, I’m sorry but I need to take this call.”

“It’s fine,” Ava said and tried to smile even though all she wanted was to tear his clothes off him. She took a deep breath and got ready to stand up and give Zane his privacy. But Zane didn’t move, she looked up on him. He looked back at her with hungry eyes mirroring her own desire. “Zane?”

“Fuck,” he grunted and took a step back, giving her space to get of the desk. Ava took two steps before she felt his hand grabbing a hold of her waist. Zane pressed his body to her back, and he bent down and placed his lips just beside her ear. “I want you to go back to the room, strip completely naked and get onto the bed.

If I don’t find you naked on that bed when I come to find you after my call ends, you will not enjoy my punishment. Do you understand?” he asked as his free hand came to rest on top of her collar.

“Yes, Zane,” Ava said after swallowing hard, she felt her arousal spike.

“Good girl, now get going,” he told her, releasing her and giving her as a little slap. Ava jumped and walked out of his office and headed straight for his room. She had stopped questioning if he wanted her to go to the room he had given her, or to his. Almost all of her things had now been moved to his room and as she entered it she saw the clear sign of both of them living there. Ava began to undress, wondering if she would dare to disobey him, just a little bit. She pondered what the punishment would be if she put on some of her skimpy panties and left them on. Would she dare to find out? She stood naked, looking through the drawer Zane had let her use for her underwear, trying to decide on the subject, she took out a pair of white, crotchless, lace panties and tried them on. They made her feel sexy and a little bit naughty. She was still deciding if she would dare to leave them on or not when her phone buzzed. She walked over to it and read the text. To her surprise it was from Linda.

L: Hi. This is Linda Walsh, we meet at the gala. I wanted to say thank you for setting me up with that gorgeous sexy Jax. It was just what I needed. To be honest, and this is a little embarrassing, I was wondering if you could give me his number. Or give mine to him. I’m new to the city and could really use a simple outlet for sex. After James I really don’t feel like hooking up at the hospital is a good idea. Sorry if I’m ranting and making you uncomfortable. Please feel free to tell me I’m crazy.

Ava read the text twice while giggling. Jax seemed to have made an impression. If it had been someone else, Ava would have brushed it off as another woman not being able to let go after a one night stand. But Ava really liked Linda and she could see Linda could be a good influence on Jax. She was contemplating if she had a right to do some scheming when she heard the handle on the door being twisted. Fudge, Zane, she thought as all she could do was freeze and look up, like a deer caught in head lights, when he entered the room. She saw him cock an eyebrow at her.

“Angel, what are those?” he asked.