Author's note: First off I want to apologize. I am so sorry that it's taken me so long to post the next chapter. I know I promised it would be the beginning or March, and now it's been two months since the last chapter. I am sorry. The play I was directing was a lot harder on me than I expected, and after the post-show depression, I have only just now gotten back into a head space to be able to write this story the way as it needs to be written. So I can promise you that I will continue to update as regularly as possible.

Secondly, I just wanted to give you all fair warning that this story is drawing to a close. There will be at least another 2 chapters after this, but I cannot guarantee more than that. I know how I want this to end, but I'm not certain how many obstacles the characters will throw in my way before I get there.

Lastly, Thank you all for sticking with this story. I hope you enjoy this chapter, but please let me know what you think. It always helps both my writing in general, and in knowing how the relationship is reading for the audience.

Chapter 20

The minute we finished signing the closing paperwork and received the keys to our new home, Aubrey and I drove straight to the house. We sat in the car for a moment just looking up at our new house as the reality of the situation slowly sunk in. I glanced over at her, grinning in excitement and said, "Bre, this is ours."

She turned to me with a matching grin. "Yes, it is."

Without another word we climbed out of Aubrey's car and walked hand in hand up to the front door. Unable to resist, we both tried our keys to the front door before walking inside. As soon as the door closed behind us, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, letting the experience wash over me. I was surprised by the sense of home that erupted in my chest. The only other time I had ever felt so content was when I lay in Aubrey's arms after a long night of sex. I basked in the feeling for a moment before opening my eyes to see Aubrey watching me. I smiled happily at her, not noticing the hungry look she was giving me until I felt my back slam against the door. I gasped as heat raced through me, making me instantly wet and ready for her.

She pressed her body into me as she captured my lips in a hard, demanding kiss. My head spun and I got so lost in the taste of her mouth that I didn't notice her hands working at the fly of my jeans until she was pushing a hand down the front of my underwear into the wet heat of my folds. I moaned, pulling back from the kiss. "Bre—" I started to say, but the feeling of her long fingers pushing into me cut off my train of thought and I let my head fall back as I moaned.

Aubrey seemed to know what I was going to ask because she answered with, "I'm taking what's mine in our home."

I looked up to meet her lust darkened eyes and smiled. "I'm yours," I said, rocking my hips to meet her thrusts. Her eyes flashed possessively and she picked up the pace of her thrusts. I moments, I was screaming out my first orgasm in our new house. As I came back down to earth, I smiled and pulled her into a soft kiss. She pulled her hand from my pants and held me tightly to her. I sunk into her embrace for a long moment before pulling back. "Let's go explore," I said grinning. She smiled and zipped my pants before taking my hand and pulling me into the house.

We took our time, walking through each room, discussing what we would use it for, what furniture we would put where, what furniture we would need to purchase, and what colors we would paint the walls. It took several hours, but neither of us rushed, and the excitement of the life we were going to build together never faded. Eventually, we made our way out to the guest house. Aubrey got quiet as we approached the building and I fell silent, leaving her to her thoughts. I knew she'd eventually share her thoughts with me and I didn't want to push her before she was ready.

Aubrey unlocked the door and led the way inside, dropping my hand and taking in the space. I stayed a step behind her as she slowly made her way through the guest house. I took in the rooms around us, but most of my attention was focused on my girlfriend, who was lost in thought as she carefully examined the space. Eventually, she led me back outside, turning off the lights behind us and locking the door. We moved over to the padded benches surrounding the outdoor fire pit and sat. Aubrey remained pensive for a long time before she looked up to meet my eyes.

She took a deep breath before saying, "Beca, I need to ask you a favor."

I offered her a reassuring smile, thinking I already knew what she was going to ask. "Of course, Bre. Anything."

"Will you let me take care of the guest house?" She asked nervously.

"Yes," I said smiling because I'd been right.

Aubrey let out a long sigh of relief. "Thank you."

"Honey, that's your space. I respect that, and I know that you need to have complete control over it."

She smiled, "You're amazing, Beca." She hesitated and then added, "You really don't mind."

I just shook my head, "No, I won't go in there until you invite me. I'll help you paint our set up or whatever, but only if you want me to."

"Thanks, love." She said, relaxing for the first time since we had left the house to check out the guest house.

I grinned at her and said, "Let's order some dinner, I'd like to eat here tonight, if that's ok."

"Sounds wonderful," Aubrey replied and took my hand as we headed back into the house to order.

An hour later, we were sitting back by the fire pit, eating pizza out of the box. We discussed our plan of attack on the house. Marcus had given me the week off to get settled, and with the movers coming on Friday we had a lot to do in a few short days. As I sat back with a contented sigh, Aubrey began to fidget.

I gave her a confused look and asked, "What's up, Bre?"

She sighed, and dropped the rest of her slice of pizza back in the box. "With everything that's been going on, there is a conversation that we still haven't had."

I had no idea what she was talking about, so I just sat forward and placed a gentle hand on her thigh. "What is it? You can talk to me about anything."

Slowly, Aubrey met my eyes. Her expression was carefully blank as she softly said, "We need to discuss the rules of our relationship, and how they will change."

"Right," I said, realizing that she was correct, and we still hadn't had this conversation. I took a deep breath as nerves dancing along my spine and asked, "What did you have in mind?"

Aubrey's domme persona fell over her and she coldly said, "You will not enter without me. And you will never go into the guest house without my collar around your neck." Her eyes bore into me, daring me to object.

A shiver ran through me as moisture pooled between my thighs. I swallowed hard against the sudden surge of desire. When I had composed myself enough to speak, I quietly said, "Yes, Mistress." I saw that familiar possessive hunger fill her eyes and I had to take another deep breath to push aside the submissive side of myself before I asked, "And the rest of the time?"

Aubrey visibly deflated. She looked away from me and sighed. "I don't know, Beca. I know you need the balance of both sides of yourself, but I'm not sure that I can completely contain my need to dominate in the guest house."

I gave myself a minute to take in her vulnerability before I gently reached out and cupped her cheek to bring her back to face me. "I know, Bre" I said gently. I let her see the sincerity and acceptance in my eyes before I continued. "We've been through a lot since we first started this. We've both discovered a lot about each other and ourselves since we first established the rules of our relationship. Moving in together will change things, and I'm sure we're going to have some rough patches as we figure it out, but we will." I paused to look away and gather my thoughts. Aubrey could sense that I was trying to find the right words to continue and didn't interrupt. Eventually, I looked back at her and said, "We both know that I can't live as a slave all the time. I'm just too stubborn and proud for that." I paused, chuckling at myself and Aubrey gave me a knowing smirk.

"That's true," She said flatly and I laughed.

"I know. But we both also know that I'm a hell of a lot more submissive than either of us expected when we first started." She smiled knowingly at me and I gave her a soft smile before gathering my courage to speak the words that I somehow knew would change everything and yet not really change anything. "I think that my collar should be left by the front door like it is now at your house, so that when I come home I can choose whether to wear it or not. If I wear it I'll follow all of the same rules we've always had, with a couple of conditions." I paused to judge her reaction.

Aubrey lit up in excitement for a moment before her expression became slightly guarded. "What are your conditions?"

I gave her a small smile and said, "I can take it off myself if company comes over and you're not home, or if I need to leave for any reason, or if I have to work in my studio."

"No," Aubrey stated in a cold, unforgiving tone.

"Bre—" I started, hoping to reason with her.

"No, Beca," she said, her eyes narrowing. "When you put on the collar, you belong to me until I release you." I sighed, and slumped back on the bench, crossing my arms. Irritation ran through me and I looked away. I didn't want to fight with her, but I wasn't sure how to get past this.

Aubrey got up and paced around the fire pit. I could sense the frustration rolling off her, but I wasn't sure how to get through to her that I didn't expect her to always be home when I was. Finally, she let out a long sigh and sat next to me again. "Beca, please look at me," she said softly. I turned back to her, but didn't relax. She smiled gently and said, "I can't give you that power. I'm sorry. I know what it would mean for you, but I just can't. So, if you put on the collar in our house, I need you to know that no matter what pops up, or what errands you run, you will be my property until I see fit to release you. However, I can allow one exception. If I am not at home and you need to leave to go to work, you may take it off before you leave, so long as you put it back on the moment you return, regardless of your mood or desires when you do. I will also buy you a special collar for the times you choose to wear it, when you may have to leave the house, or have company that isn't aware of our relationship. It will be subtle and can pass as a necklace to those unfamiliar with the lifestyle. I won't put your career in jeopardy for my own pride."

When she fell silent, I thought over her proposal, and all its implications. I knew that it meant that I would have to be careful about when I chose to wear my collar, but I also knew that Aubrey was trying. Slowly, I relaxed and let my arms fall so my hands could rest in my lap. I nodded, "I can live with that. Thank you, Bre."

The tension slowly drained from her and Aubrey smiled. "No, thank you, Beca. I really do understand what this would mean for you. It means the world to me that you'd be willing to do this."

I smiled and reached out to tenderly cup her cheek. "I know what this means for you, too. You're mine and I'm yours."

Aubrey grinned, leaning into my caress. "I know, love," she said softly before leaning in to capture my lips in a soft kiss. When she pulled back, she smiled and said, "I love you."

I returned the smile. "I love you, too." Then I grinned and said, "Now, take me to your house and claim me. We have a long day tomorrow and I have needs."

Aubrey smirked. "So demanding."

I shot her a playful scowl and huffed, "Fine then, if you don't want to, you can drop me off at my apartment and sleep alone." I stood quickly and moved back towards the house. I had to bite my lip against the grin that wanted to spread across my face at the knowledge of what my baiting would do to my girlfriend.

I hadn't even taken three steps before I felt one hand fist in my hair and the other wrap around my waist. Aubrey pulled me back against her body as she growled out, "If you're not careful, love, you will be sleeping alone, but it won't be in your apartment. I will chain you to my bed and leave you aching and desperate for release while you contemplate the dangers of baiting me. Do you really want to continue?"

I shuddered knowing her threat wasn't an idle one. "No, Mistress."

"Good girl. Now, go pick up our dinner trash and wait for me beside the front door," she said and I could hear the smirk in her voice. When she released me, I hurried to obey her order.

It wasn't until we were in her car and halfway home before I realized that I'd submitted to Aubrey as my mistress twice in the past hour without the collar. I looked out the window absent-mindedly reaching up to gently run my fingers along the slight swelling still evident on my cheek from where Alex had hit me the other night. I thought back over the few days since then, and realized that things had changed between Aubrey and me since that night. It was subtle, but Aubrey's domme side had been more prevalent and she had been more aggressive while at the same time, somehow more respectful of my submissive side. Not that she hadn't always respected me, but it was deeper now, almost reverential. I pursed my lips, trying to figure out what exactly was going on. After a moment, it hit me. Aubrey finally realized that she could trust my submissive side to take care of myself. And yet at the same time, I'd changed since that night. My submissive side was also closer to the surface. I was submitting more easily to Aubrey, and was even more eager to do so. This thought made me think back to the dominance battle and I realized that knowing I could withstand two aggressive dommes made that last small seed of fear over letting go dissolve. I wasn't afraid of my submissive side anymore. I breathed out a long sigh of relief and smiled. Yes, things had changed, but I thought that maybe they had changed for the better.

"That was a big sigh. What's wrong, Beca?" Aubrey asked, breaking my train of thought.

I turned and smiled at her. "Nothing's wrong. It was a happy sigh."

She glanced over at me and raised an eyebrow before turning back to the road. "What are you so happy about?" She asked teasingly.

I chuckled, knowing that she was thinking that I was just happy about the house. "I'm happy because I think that letting Alex hit me was the best thing to happen to us since Marcus' party."

Aubrey's eyes narrowed and her grip tightened on the steering wheel. "Explain," she demanded in a tight, angry voice.

Immediately, I tried to placate her. "I just mean that it made us both trust my submissive side more. I think subconsciously it made you trust that I could still take care of myself. And It made me stopping being afraid of my desires," I said in a rush.

Aubrey's eyes widened, but her grip on the wheel didn't relax. "You were afraid of me?" She asked, her voice coming out small and sad.

I reached over and gripped her thigh, softly saying, "No, honey. I have never been afraid of you. A small part of me was still terrified by my need to give up the control. I was afraid of myself."

"Oh," was all she said. But I knew that she still didn't believe me.

I tried again. "Bre, can you honestly say that you haven't noticed how things have changed between us in the few days since the dominance battle?" I asked gently.

She took a deep breath and let out a small sigh. "I hadn't noticed. But you're right. I've been a lot more possessive. I'm sorry, Beca. Every time I look at you and see your black eye, I've had to fight the urge to claim you."

I nodded, "Yeah, but you've also been more trusting of the strength of my submissive side."

"What do you mean?" She asked, confused.

I smiled, "You've always been aggressive, and possessive towards me, especially when I submit, but you used to been more consolatory in your threats, trying not to push me past my comfort zone. You've stopped doing that. Earlier, you when you threatened me with sleeping alone, you weren't afraid to tell me how you planned to leave me. A week ago, you would have simply told me you would chain me to the bed and leave me alone. You're not afraid that I'll run or refuse to submit anymore."

Aubrey looked like she was going to disagree, but she stopped and considered my words for a minute before responding. "You're right. But I'm still not happy that someone else left a mark on what is mine."

I sighed. "I know. But it will fade soon enough, and I will still be yours."

That made Aubrey finally relax, and she glanced over to smirk at me. "Yes, you will." She turned back to the road, and we both fell silent, lost in thought. Aubrey was the first to break the silence. "So, how often do you think you'll decide to wear the collar, once we've moved in?" She asked in a voice lacking her usual confidence.

I waited until she glanced over at me, so I could shoot her a taunting smirk. "I suppose that will depend on how long it takes you to get the guest house ready."

Her lips quivered as she fought not to smile. "Are you implying that I should leave you alone to paint the rest of the house alone so that I can work on it?"

"No," I answered immediately, making Aubrey laugh. I turned to look out the window. "I was just curious how long I was going to have to wait."

"I'm not going to start working on it until you return to work next week. Some parts of the house will take longer than others, because I'm planning on some renovations, but I'm hoping to have at least the bedroom finished by the end of next week. Can you wait that long, my love?" she asked, her voice a seductive purr.

I turned back to her warily. "Wait for what?"

"For me to claim what is mine," she stated.

I groaned, "I'm going to have to wait for nearly two weeks?"

Aubrey chuckled, "What's wrong, love? Feeling impatient?"

I let out a sulky huff. "I can wait."

"Oh relax, Beca. I'm just teasing. You're only going to have to wait for the space to be set up. I won't make you wait to be claimed. Isn't that what our new rules are all about?"

I brightened considerably. "Right, I'd forgotten. I knew you couldn't resist me for that long."

"I think you have that wrong, my pet. I think it's you who wouldn't be able to resist kneeling at my feet for two weeks," Aubrey said in a voice that dripped with dangerous promise.

I gasped as a shudder passed through me. I was instantly flooded with need. I looked out the window and felt relieved when I saw that we had just turned onto Aubrey's street. The sight of her house brought images of what she would do to me in the next few hours to the forefront of my mind. Aubrey's chuckle brought me back to the present and I blinked slowly and met her eyes. They were both amused and hungry. "We're here, love," she said.

I looked around and blushed. Aubrey had parked in her driveway while I'd been distracted by my fantasies. I cleared my throat, but my voice still came out huskier than usual as I said, "Um, right. Well, uh—let's go in."

Aubrey laughed, but didn't respond as she climbed out of the car. I quickly followed her into the house. As she locked the door behind us, I crossed to the table that was now empty except for my collar. Before I put in on, I took a moment to look around the part of the house I could see, thinking how strange it was to see the empty shelves in the living room, and the neat stack of boxes. When I felt the weight of Aubrey's gaze fall on me, I shook the thoughts of moving out of my head and buckled the collar into place.

Despite my recent revelation about my confidence and comfort in my submission, I wasn't prepared for the onslaught of sensations I experienced as the collar settled into place around my neck. As usual, I could feel my stress and worries fade away, but instead of the usual sense of protection and vulnerability I usually experienced, I was flooded by the deepest sense of serenity I had ever experienced outside my trance. The safety and love that I always felt when wearing Aubrey's collar was still there, but the vulnerability was completely overwhelmed by a feeling of being willingly laid completely bare and open for my mistress. I sank to my knees, with my head bowed before I even realized what I was doing. Fleetingly I wondered if I should be afraid of this new feeling, but I remembered the dominance battle and I relaxed.

"Beca?" Aubrey asked concern evident in her voice.

I quickly looked up to meet her worried eyes and smiled. "Yes, Mistress?"

She studied me for a long time before speaking. "What just happened?"

I could tell that she was still worried, so I smirked and simply said, "I submitted."

Relief flashed through her eyes for a split second before her eyes narrowed in a way that sent a thrill through me. "Get up, go to the playroom and be naked by the time I get there," she demanded, her voice promising pain if I were to disobey.

I grinned, and jumped to my feet to obey. "Yes, Mistress," I called over my shoulder, even as I began to pull at my clothes. As I passed through the doorway into the playroom, I glanced back and saw that Aubrey was slowly following me. Panic flooded through me as I realized that I needed to hurry if I wanted to obey her order to be naked. With less than a second to spare, I sank to my knees completely nude just as my mistress walked into the playroom.

She shut the door before turning and studying me and the haphazard pile of my clothes on the floor. "Good girl," was all she said as she slowly stripped herself, dropping her clothes on top of mine. Since she had not given me permission to look at her, I carefully kept my eyes glued to the carpet, but anticipation ran through me. I didn't know what she had planned, but I didn't care. I knew that I would enjoy whatever it was.

Once her underwear fell to the top of the pile, Aubrey stopped in front of me and asked, "Who do you belong to?"

"I belong to you, Mistress Bella. I am yours to do with as you please. Only yours," I said, certain of the truth of my words.

"And yet, you let another domme mark you, in such a way that I must see it every time I look at you," She said in a voice colder than any I'd ever heard her use.

I shuddered under her displeasure and said, "I'm sorry, Mistress."

She grunted, but didn't reply as she moved over to her cabinet. I knew that she had packed up most of its contents, but she wanted to leave her favorites until the morning the movers came. I wondered what she was going to do, but I didn't have long to wait until she returned to stand behind me. I had a quick flash of the ball gag pass in front of my eyes before it was pressing against my lips demanding entrance. I opened my mouth and accepted the gag. She still hadn't spoken another word as I saw a leather mask descend in front of me. I was surprised to realize that the eye holes were covered, turning it into a wide, elaborate blindfold. I didn't move as it was secured in place.

I felt as my mistress moved around to study me. I could hear the smile in her voice as she said, "There, now I don't have to look at that bitch's mark on you." She seemed pleased with herself, but her voice took on a harsh edge when she spoke again. "Do you trust me, Pet?" I nodded immediately. "Good, because I did not want to hear your pretty apologies for something you do not regret. But maybe by the time I am finished with you tonight, you may regret the choice to let her bruise you. You are mine! Do you understand?"

I nodded again and she moved back to the cabinet, returning quickly. "Stand up," she barked out and I instantly moved to get on my feet. She gripped my wrists, securing them in cuffs before pulling my arms over my head and securing them to the hook in the ceiling. She then attached cuffs to my ankles and jerked them apart to allow a spreader bar to keep my legs open for her. There was a short pause before I felt her grip each nipple and twist them painfully. I groaned against the pain, even as heat raced to my center. I knew that it was going to be a long night and that I was going to be incredibly sore the next day, but I didn't care. Aubrey had taken my words in the car to heart and knew that I would enjoy everything she did to me.

I was brought out of my silent musings by the familiar bite of nipple clamps being tightened around my hardened nubs. I gasped in aching pleasure and my mistress paused to flick each nipple with a finger nail. I moaned, trying to arch into the torturous touch. Aubrey chuckled even as she brought a riding crop whistling through the air to land heavily against my thigh. I jerked at the unexpected strike. I was not allowed to recover before the next blow landed on my other thigh. I stopped trying to find my balance as the riding crop continued to rain down on me. I sagged in the restraints, letting my wrists keep me upright as I submitted to my mistress' punishment, which only heightened my arousal. Instead of stopping when I accepted the punishment, as she usually did, Aubrey only began to swing harder. I whimpered, but didn't struggle. I belonged to Aubrey, and she could do with me as she pleased. Just as my desperate need for my mistress began to coat my thighs, she landed one final blow of the crop directly to my clit. I screamed and had to bite down on the ball in my mouth to prevent coming from the unexpected agonizing pleasure.

Distantly, I heard the crop hit the floor as I felt three fingers thrust deeply into me. I moaned, but they were gone just as quickly as they'd entered me. "Is your punishment making you this wet, my pet?" Aubrey purred into my ear. I whimpered and nodded in response. She chuckled and said, "Good. Don't come until I give you permission." I nodded my understanding and she moved away again. When she came back, she moved behind me and without warning, I felt the large metal butt plug from the Fischer's party pressing against my hole. I immediately relaxed and opened myself for her, moaning as it was pushed into me. She gently ran her hand down my back as the only encouragement before I felt the sharp crack of the leather strap land across my ass. I yelped, jerking forward. But I quickly forced my body to relax and accept the punishment. Somehow, each blow managed to jar the plug buried within me. It only heightened my arousal, instantly turning the sharp pain of the strapping into rolling waves of pleasure. I struggled with my need to come, as blows continued to rain down on me.

Just before my body betrayed me, my mistress stopped and let the strap fall to the floor. I sighed in both relief and regret as I felt Aubrey release the spreader bar from my cuffs before climbing onto the bench to release my wrists. As my arms fell heavily to my sides, I began to sink back onto my knees, but a firm grip on my collar kept me upright. I stayed passive, as I felt my mistress' eyes studying me. She didn't say a word, but once she had come to a decision, she moved her grip to my arm and dragged me over to the bench, pushing me down onto it and securing my wrists and ankles to the legs, leaving me open. She was gone for a minute before I felt her kneel between my legs. She maintained her silence as the tip of a dildo pressed against me. My slick channel offered only minimal resistance to the large phallus as she thrust it into me. I shuddered against my need to come as it pressed uncomfortably against my tight inner walls. But I managed to hold off the orgasm as I was filled. The pressure of Aubrey's hips against the plug told me that she was using the strap on. I moaned, and she began to thrust into me. She was merciless as she repeatedly slammed into me. My walls convulsively clenched around the dildo, and I panted out little whimpers as I struggled to obey my mistress. I nearly lost the battle when I felt Aubrey stiffen behind me and she let out a little cry as she came. Her movements stilled while she came back to herself.

Finally, she broke the silence as she slid the dildo out of me. "Good girl," was all she said as she lightly slapped my ass before releasing my restraints. I gasped, desperate with my need for release, but she just helped me to my shaky legs and led me to the bed. By the time I was restrained spread eagle on the bed, my entire body was trembling with my need to come. Aubrey just chuckled as she positioned herself again between my legs. It was the only warning I got before she thrust the dildo back into me. I groaned as I accepted the girth again. Aubrey set a brutal pace as she plunged into me. Instantly I had to fight back my impending orgasm. It was a losing battle and I felt myself slide inevitably towards release.

As she continued to slam into me, she leaned down to growl in my ear, "You can come when you feel my teeth." I gasped and nodded my understanding. After another thrust, my entire body tensed, a clear signal to both of us that I would disobey with the next thrust. Aubrey immediately froze, holding me on that edge for a long torturous moment before she snarled, "You belong to me, Beca. No one but me. I own you. You're mine!" If it was possible, her words made even more moisture flood my slick channel and I clenched desperately around the phallus. Then she clamped her teeth into the tender skin of my breast and began thrusting viciously again. Instantly I came in long shuddering waves of ecstasy. She continued her assault on both my center and my breast, and I came again, before I had even finished coming down from my first orgasm. Distantly, I could feel her teeth worrying my breast, her lips sucking it desperately into her mouth, even as her hips relentlessly slammed against me. The pain of her teeth transformed into the pleasure before I could even register the pain. The breath froze in my lungs under the intense assault on my senses and I as I fell over the edge for a third time, I came harder than I ever had before, my release flooding out of me even as blackness swamped me and I fell away from the world.

I have no idea how long I lost consciousness for, but when I slowly blinked my eyes open, I was laying in Aubrey's arms. She had removed the blindfold, gag, clamps, and cuffs and pulled me against her. I smiled blissfully up at her as she gently stroked my unbruised cheek and hair. "Welcome back, love," she said softly smiling at me.

I chuckled, "Thank you, Mistress."

"Are you alright?" Aubrey asked.

"Yeah, I think I'm going to be sore when the endorphins wear off. But I'm ok," I said, answering honestly.

She smiled and trailed a finger down to gently stroke along my breast. The movement sent a stab of pain through the skin and I looked down. My eyes widened as I took in the mark she had left just below my heart. It had already turned a deep purple. I looked back up to meet her smirking eyes.

"I just wanted to have my own mark that would last as long as hers," she explained with an unapologetic shrug.

For a second I was surprised. Aubrey always apologized for bruising me, even when I all but begged for it. But then I remembered our earlier conversation and I couldn't stop the grin from spreading across my lips. "Thank you, Mistress. I belong to you and yours is the only mark I want to carry."

Her smile lit up the entire room. "Good, because I have no intention of letting you go." She leaned down and pressed a possessive kiss to my lips. I immediately relaxed into her and let her plunder my mouth with her tongue. When breathing became essential, Aubrey pulled back and said, "Come on, we need a shower before bed."

"Yes, Mistress," I said with a smile, following her from the room.