Being Hers (Irresistibly Bound, #1)

by Anna Stone

“Being in control means having all the power. But it also means responsibility. Giving up control means you get to let go completely. But it requires you to place yourself in someone else’s hands. To trust them. It can be terrifying.” She stilled the crop in her hands. “And it can be exhilarating.”

It was like she and Vanessa were the only two people in the world.

Vanessa stood in the parking lot leaning against the side of a sleek, black convertible. The top was down, showing off the white leather interior. Vanessa took off her sunglasses and gave Mel a brief wave. Jess’s eyes widened. “Is that her? Vanessa?” Mel nodded. Her mind went back to high school when girls would get picked up by their older boyfriends in banged up wrecks that to their teenage eyes were luxury cars. Of course, Mel was never one of those girls. She’d known she was gay since she was five, and dating girls was not an option at her conservative high school.

Vanessa traced gentle lines over them with her fingertips while planting soft kisses on the back of Mel’s shoulder. Mel purred. She liked that tender, sweet side of Vanessa. She wondered how often Vanessa let anyone see it. She closed her eyes. This was by far the best part of her night.

“I’ve always had to be strong. I don’t know how not to be.” “It’s simple. All you have to do is close your eyes and let me take some of the weight off your shoulders.” Vanessa pulled Mel in closer.

James looked at Mel blankly. Then he burst out laughing. “Did you think I was hitting on you?” Mel’s face flushed. “Well, you’re always so persistent…” Mel frowned. James was laughing a little too hard. “Oh, man.” His chuckles died off. James sat back down. “Sorry. Believe me, I’m not into you that way. I’ve just been trying to get you to come out of your shell a bit. You don’t talk to anyone at work, so I figured you could use a friend. That’s it.”

“Besides, I’m gay.” James settled back in his chair. “You of all people should have a much better gaydar.” “What? How do you know that I’m gay?” Mel asked. “I know about you and Vanessa, Mel.” “How? Did she tell you about us?” “Nope.” James grinned. “But you just did.” Mel cursed under her breath.

“My student loans. Someone paid them off. Completely.” “Wow.” Jess gaped at her. “Do you think it was Vanessa?” Mel nodded. It could only be her. “That’s amazing, Mel! Right?” Mel nodded again. But familiar feelings were brewing inside of her. This was too much. There was no way she could accept this.

“Vanessa. You paid off my student loans?” “Yes. It was nothing, really. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if it would make you happy, or mad. I know how independent you are.” “It bothered me a little at first. But then I realized I was being irrational,” Mel said. “Either that, or your lavish gifts are softening me up.” “Really? Because I’ve been holding back.”

“If it were up to me, you wouldn’t have to work another day in your life. I’d look after you in every way.” Mel raised an eyebrow. “What, like some sort of sugar baby?” “You would never allow that, would you? You should know, you’re the first woman who hasn’t simply let me do whatever the hell I want with you. Outside the bedroom, that is.” Vanessa lowered her voice. “You have no idea how infuriating it is. It only makes me want you even more.”

Somehow, the incongruity between the phallic strap-on and Vanessa’s feminine curves made it even hotter.

Do you even know how much this all cost?” “Nope. And I don’t want to.” Mel had gotten to the point where she no longer thought about how much money Vanessa was spending on her. She wanted to enjoy Vanessa’s gifts. And she couldn’t when she was thinking about how expensive they were.

Inside was a thin silver choker. It had a round ring hanging from the front of it, nestled between two small sapphires. It was subtle enough that it appeared to be nothing more than a fashionable necklace. But Mel knew what it was. A collar.

They attracted quite a few stares on the way in. To a crowd filled with wealthy conservatives, two women together was still scandalous enough to turn heads. Vanessa either didn’t notice, or didn’t care. Mel couldn’t stop touching her necklace.

Kim was Mel’s roommate. Over the past few weeks, they had become exceptionally close. And an alcohol-fueled hookup one night had led to them falling into bed with each other over and over again. Mel was infatuated with her. The problem? Kim was straight as an arrow. At least, that was what Kim said.

Like I said, it’s college. I wanted to experiment. Everyone does this. But I’m not actually into girls. Not that way. You’ll probably grow out of it too.” “You’re wrong, Kim. This isn’t a phase for me. I like girls. I always have. And I love you!” “Maybe you really do love me. But I never loved you. You knew that. You even said it to me yourself.”

Vanessa had felt the same way about Mel that Mel felt about her. And Mel loved her. Mel had been in love with Vanessa for god knows how long. But fear had kept her from admitting it, even to herself. As she stood there, staring into the mirror, all those fears came rushing back.