•°Marry My Stalker °•[M!sub x F!dom Reader]

Chapter 11

There's a specific type of woman that men tend to gravitate towards, a woman they could save.

Ellie fit that mould perfectly; small, delicate, with wide eyes that always seemed to be on the verge of tears. She was the kind of girl that made men feel powerful, heroic even, just by offering a comforting word or a shoulder to cry on.

But you weren't that kind of girl. And Arthur, despite his gentle nature, wasn't the kind of guy who wanted to save someone. He wanted someone who could stand beside him, someone who challenged him. Someone who would put a collar on his pretty neck and lick away his tears when you were rough. That was why, despite Ellie's best efforts, Arthur's attention was always on you.

Dan didn't come back to the group for a while, but when he did, he came back alone. His expression was tight, and there was an air of frustration around him.

"Where's Ellie?" Arthur asked, raising a brow.

"She's gone back to the house," San replied curtly, plopping down onto the sand with a heavy sigh. "You really shouldn't be so mean to women, Arthur. Would it kill you to be nicer?"

Arthur tensed at the remark, his jaw clenching. "I didn't mean to be harsh. I just... I didn't want to lead her on." It would indeed kill him to be nicer, actually, you would kill him. 

"Yeah, well, maybe a softer approach would have been better," Dan muttered, shaking his head. "She's sensitive, you know?"

You listened to their exchange with a mixture of irritation and amusement. Arthur's straightforwardness had been exactly what you needed to see, a reassurance that no matter what, he wasn't going to be swayed by someone else's damsel act. But Dan's words made you wonder if maybe Arthur's bluntness had been too much for Ellie.

"Let's not dwell on it," Marcia chimed in, sensing the tension. "Tonight's supposed to be fun, right? We're here to enjoy ourselves."

"Yeah, you're right," you agreed, flashing her a smile. "Let's have a good time."

• • •

The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, dusky glow over the beach. The fire pit crackled, sending sparks up into the night sky as the small group gathered around. The smell of saltwater mixed with the sweet aroma of toasted marshmallows and the sound of waves crashing against the shore provided a soothing backdrop to the chatter and laughter.

You and Marcia had decided to make it a girls' night, enjoying each other's company away from the drama that had unfolded earlier in the day. Dressed in your most comfortable beachwear, you both danced barefoot on the sand, the cool breeze blowing through your hair as the music from a portable speaker played your favourite songs.

You were very much not a big fan of large crowds and loud music, but this was perfect. 

"This is what summer's all about!" Marcia yelled over the music, spinning around with her arms outstretched, her carefree attitude infectious.

You grinned, twirling beside her. "You say that, but last summer I remember you complaining of not finding any molly."

"Oh hush, I am a changed woman." 

She definitely was not a changed woman. 

As the night wore on, the fire grew brighter, casting flickering shadows across the beach. Drinks flowed freely, and soon enough, the two of you were a little more than tipsy, laughing at everything and nothing. The boys were off to the side, sharing a cooler of beers, but your focus remained on enjoying your time with Marcia.

Arthur watched you from the shadows, his eyes never leaving you. Even when he pretended to engage in the conversation with Dan, his attention was locked on you, he wasn't quite sure why, but the way you swayed under the influence made his throat feel dry. His leash felt tight around his neck as if you were pulling it, pulling him towards you.