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  She’d never had a reaction that bad before, but she’d still been surprised they’d admitted her. They’d explained that with the combination of drugs they’d used to get the anaphylaxis under control she needed to be observed overnight. She knew she was fine and just wanted to get home. And home, she’d come to understand, wasn’t a geographical location. It was wrapped in Sean’s arms.

  Funny how she’d grown accustomed to waking up with him so quickly. There must really be something to Sean’s idea of soulmates. He’d looked stricken last night, both at the club and in the emergency room. She had no doubt that he truly loved her. Everything else, all the details, they’d work out as time went by. They were meant to be together.

  Michelle opened the drawer of the cabinet beside her bed and dragged out her purse. Looking inside, she was dismayed to find nothing was in its proper place. It didn’t matter—what she wanted she’d put in a special zippered compartment. Working the pull, she slid open the pocket and retrieved the golden key Sean had given her with the collar.

  It was time.

  * * * * *

  “Hey, pretty lady, you’re looking better this morning.” Sean was dressed in jeans and the button-down shirt she’d worn while making breakfast yesterday.

  She must have drifted off because she hadn’t heard him come in. “I’ve missed you,” she whispered in his ear as he hugged her hard.

  “They’ve removed the IV. Are they going to release you?” He dropped two large shopping bags beside the bed.

  “Yep, I got the all-clear just a few minutes ago. We can leave anytime.” She looked at the packages. “You didn’t have to buy me new clothes.”

  “I had another item I needed to pick up this morning, so it worked out well.” Sean turned around and shut the door, then drew the curtain around the bed for added privacy. “Let’s get you dressed and we’ll get out of here.” Sean lowered the railing on the right side of the bed. “Don’t try to stand just yet. Wait for me.” He drew out a pair of jeans, a blouse, panties, a bra and sandals from the bag.

  “When you go shopping, you don’t fool around.“ Michelle slid off the bed into Sean’s steadying arms.

  He held her undies down near her feet so she could step into them. Next, he ripped the tags off the jeans then helped her into them as well. “Scoot back up on the bed and rest.” He reached behind her neck and untied the hospital gown. “Pull your arms through.” Once it was off her, he wadded it into a ball and threw it on the chair near the window.

  “Is something wrong with your hand? You have it closed.” Sean brought it to his lips and gently kissed her fingers.

  “No. I had thought I’d wait for a more romantic location, but it doesn’t matter where we are as long as we’re together.” Michelle turned her hand over and opened it. “This belongs to you. I love you, Sean.”

  Sean’s eyes jumped from the key to her face. A tear formed in his eyes before he leaned in, seizing her mouth in a hot, passionate embrace.

  Pulling away the slightest bit, he took the key from her palm and pressed it against his heart.

  “I love you so much, Michelle. I have no idea how I existed before you came into my life. You’re everything to me. I smile when I think about you. I want to spend every minute with you and when we’re apart, I plan ways to make you happy both in bed,” he flashed her the mischievous smile that she liked so much, “and out.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a box and opened it, revealing a platinum Claddagh ring embedded with emeralds and diamonds. Kneeling by her side, he asked, “Will you marry me, Michelle? Be my wife and my subbie for all time?”

  Tears of joy ran down her cheeks. “Yes, Master, forever yours.”

  Epilogue

  Michelle looked around the club. It was good to be back. Funny how much she missed the place when just a year before she couldn’t imagine ever stepping foot into a kink club. Now it seemed like a second home.

  The music began and the lights dimmed, signaling that they were about to open the doors. She couldn’t wait to get caught up on the latest news. Their honeymoon had been beyond perfect.

  “You’re back!” Dana squealed and ran to the bar. “I’ve missed you.” They awkwardly hugged over the ledge. “Tell me all about it. Don’t skip a minute. What’s Ireland like?”

  Michelle laughed. “Green. Very green.”

  “I knew it! Did he show you his family’s castle?” Dana bubbled with excitement.

  She nodded. “It was amazing, Dana. We took tons of photos. I’ll have to show you when you have time.”

  Dana winked at her. “I have news.”

  Oh she knew that look. It was gossip hour. “What’s happened?”

  “Master and I were driving on Route 278 when we saw a familiar face stumbling along in ridiculously high heels and those horrid orange jumpsuits they make inmates wear.” Dana was obviously pleased with her revelation.

  Sean slipped into the bar area and wrapped his arm around Michelle’s waist. “What are you subbies talking about? You both have that look on your face that usually means you’re plotting against us.”

  A moment later, Brian walked up and attached a chain to Dana’s collar. “Obviously, I need to keep you on a short leash. You were supposed to wait for me.”

  Dana’s head bowed. “I’m sorry, Master. I was excited to see Michelle and I forgot myself. Perhaps a spanking later tonight would help me remember my place.”

  Michelle could see Dana’s ear-to-ear grin. She may have apologized, but she wasn’t even a little sorry.

  “You may be right. I’ll make sure to reserve a privacy room with a spanking bench,” Brian grumbled as he petted Dana’s hair.

  “I may need one as well. When I walked up, I was pretty sure I heard them concocting a subbie rebellion.” Sean wrapped his hand around Michelle’s hair and gave it a tug.

  “Is that so?” Brian looked down at Dana with a menacing glare that months earlier would have sent Michelle scurrying away from him. Now she knew it was for show.

  “No, Master. I was bringing Michelle up to date on that awful witch Stella.” Dana’s eyes twinkled with mischief.

  Brian tipped his head back and laughed. “Now that was a sight.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket and swiped his finger across the screen. “They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but video is better than that.”

  A woman in an orange jumper and fuck-me heels wobbled along the greenbelt beside the freeway with a garbage bag in one hand and large tongs in the other. She was wiping sweat from her brow and smacking mosquitoes.

  Sean nodded. “She got off damn easy. Two hundred hours of community service isn’t nearly what she deserved.”

  “You also fired her and made sure no club in the state would take her as a member,” Michelle added.

  “Still not good enough.” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a bear hug.

  “She had no idea my allergy was so severe,” Michelle mumbled into his chest.

  “It doesn’t matter. She almost killed you. I couldn’t live without you, Michelle.” Sean kissed her forehead.

  “You mean you’d miss your little subbie?” she teased. Every time he thought about the incident, he got upset all over again.

  “You’re not just any subbie. You’re my one and only!”

  About Tori Carson

  Tori lives a romance story every day of her life. She and her husband were high school sweethearts. Told by friends and family alike their relationship would never last, they were determined to prove that true love can stand the test of time. Thirty years later, their marriage is stronger than ever. Her handsome hubby is all things to her—lover, confidant, and most of all, her best friend. If there is one thing that Tori knows about it is everlasting love. And they always say to write what you know

  Tori welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

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  The One and Only

  ISBN 9781419947728

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  The One and Only Copyright © 2014 Tori Carson

  Edited by Julie Naughton

  Cover design by Kelly Martin

  Cover photography by -Razumovskaya Marina Nikolaevna, BlueSkyImage,Maksym Bondarchuk/shutterstock.com

  Electronic book publication April 2014

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