Nas places the tray on the bed next to me and I see there are two plates covered with food. Eggs, bacon, toast, and a bagel with cream cheese look completely delectable on black saucers, next to two cups of orange juice and a cup of coffee for Nas. The smells of the food mix together and create an intoxicating aroma in the Kingdom that wakes me right up after feeling like I’d had my body pulled apart last night. Two hours of flogging and being fucked while wearing a collar and leash will do that to a person.

“I just thought you could use a little sustenance after last night,” Nas replies, grinning as he sits down and carefully gets comfortable next to the tray of food. “You were really exhausted. Even fell asleep before I could get the collar off your neck.”

My eyes widen as I reach up and feel the black collar still tight around my neck, easily making out the word PET with my fingers. I didn't even realize it was still there, so maybe I’m not as awake as I thought.

“Wow,” I exclaim as I start to unbuckle the collar. “How did I not notice that it was still there?”

Nas goes to grab his coffee but stops before putting the cup to his mouth. “Leave it on. You're still my pet, even in the morning.”

I hold back a smile as I re-fasten the buckle and sit up straight so I can start eating. Nas sips his coffee, and when I lift a piece of toast off my plate, thoughts come to life in my mind about what he just said. I’m still his pet, even in the morning. That’s the first time he has said anything remotely romantic to me since this tour of lust between us began. Don't get me wrong, he has filled my brain with unforgettably sexy and hot things, and while he has taken me out to dinner, cooked me dinner, and knocked out my ex at dinner, Nas hasn’t said anything that would make me believe he actually cares about me. Is this the first step?

I chew my toast in silence with my eyes frozen in the same blank spot on the bed, and when I finally look up, Nas is watching me.

“What is it?” he asks. “You look like you have a lot on your mind. Everything okay at work?”

I giggle as I take another bite of my toast. “Yeah, work is fine. The last thing I wanna do is think about work when I’m not actually at work.”

“What about Vance? He trying to give you shit?”

“No, I haven't seen Vance since the Chili’s incident. It’s not that.”

“But it is something,” Nas states matter-of-factly. “Talk to me, Alina. What’s up?”

I shrug and shake my head. “It’s nothing new. I’m just thinking about us.”