STORY EXCERPT

“Do it.” His guttural voice was demanding as hell.

“Then what, Kellan? What happens next?”

“Are you naked underneath?” His lips twitched. “Are you bare, sweetheart?”

She was dressed in a short chemise. Of course she was naked, a fact she found disturbing then. She typically wore panties to bed. Had she subconsciously planned for something like this? Had she wanted an opportunity such as this?

“Yes,” she finally replied.

“Let me see, Jade.” There was no play in his voice. He expected her to strip and if she followed his request, she’d soon find out what else he had in mind. On the flipside, if she didn’t remove the gown then she’d never know.

The not knowing was more than she could stand.

His curiosity was enough to kill a damn mountain lion.

Jade’s timid ways, the way she’d moved against him, trying to find a comfortable—if not safe—position, had spoken volumes and while he now wanted to do the right thing, they were long past the point of turning back.

Maybe she was innocent. Perhaps she was indeed untouched. And while he wanted to be respectful, he was also an interested man.

He longed to see what was underneath her gown. He wanted to touch and hold her, caress her until he knew the softness of her skin and she easily recognized his careful touch. He wanted to feel her hot breath at his ear, the way she moaned in delight as he brought her pleasure. And by damn he would indeed bring her pleasure.

She disposed of her chemise. And in that very instant, Kellan’s future unfolded before him.

A lifeline was unnecessary. A man, even one who wanted to be saved, couldn’t be pulled from these dangerous waters.

Kellan had never seen anything more beautiful. And he’d never seen anyone so frightened. One look and he knew everything he needed to know about her intimate past.

She didn’t have one.

Reaching out to her, he tried not to act like an ass and just eat up the sight of her. While it was difficult, he somehow survived, pulling her back to the sofa without yanking her on top of him.

He even allowed her to cover up, which wasn’t an allowable act in his bed under normal circumstances. Then again, these circumstances were very different.

This young woman wasn’t experienced. As much as he’d tried to convince himself that she wanted him to look, he wasn’t so sure now. In fact, he would’ve staked a lot on one notion. If he’d suggested it, she would’ve gladly grabbed that gown and dressed much quicker than she’d stripped.

Nuzzling her hair, Kellan waited for her to settle down and curl up in his arms before he said, “You’re beautiful.”

She gripped the top of the blanket as if she were afraid to respond. This was one time when Kellan wished Reason would’ve beat him to the punch.

Kellan didn’t know how to do virgins. He didn’t sleep with them. He didn’t wreck their worlds. He left them alone because he—well, he was apparently as frightened of them as they were of him.

Cursing his prick for dancing in his jeans, he flipped to his back. Bringing her against him, he appreciated the softness of her rounded cheek against his prickly chest as she seemingly relaxed. It took more than a minute for Jade to act comfortable and he was certain of the theatrics in play then. She could bolt at any given time.

“Are you comfortable?”

“Yes.”

“Are you lying to me?” He peered down his nose, grinning at the gorgeous woman in his arms. The light in the hall was a treat then. Even if nothing happened between them, he would enjoy watching her sleep. He looked forward to the morning possibilities as well.

God, he was losing his mind.

“Do you want me to lie to you, Kellan?”

“I don’t recommend it. Besides, I could make you tell me the truth.”

She shuddered and he grinned. His voice already affected her in some ways.

“Do you make your other submissives tell you the truth?”

“I don’t have ‘other’ submissives.”

“But that’s what you like. Right?”

“What’s that?”

“Submissive women,” she said, curving her arm around his waist.

He stilled then, questioning every action and every question. “What do you know about submissive women?”

“Not much,” she admitted. “But I’d be submissive to you.” Her honesty was enough to cripple the best of Doms, at least those who were bent on having a woman and this woman might as well be collared or branded as his.

“A confession like that could get you in all sorts of trouble.”

“I’m not ready,” she said frankly.

“That’s a fact.” He tucked his fingers under her chin and lifted her lips to his. “But I’m not going anywhere.”

ADULT EXCERPT

Jade ditched the dress. It made Kellan uncomfortable and while he hadn’t said as much, he didn’t need to. She could tell it served as a reminder.

A man like Kellan probably didn’t like it when someone gained the upper hand. Someone had been able to send her a gift without his knowledge and considering he was looking out for her well being, he likely viewed the dress as a reminder of his failure.

He hadn’t been able to keep the enemy out and if he couldn’t keep the enemy out, he couldn’t hold up his promise. Kellan couldn’t protect her.

Jade slipped off her shoes and pulled free a plush white towel from the linen closet. She wrapped it around her and left the bathroom.

As soon as she reentered the suite, she appreciated the changes. The dim lighting and the candlelight set the stage for romance, to an extent.

Kellan held a riding crop in his hand. Letting it hang loosely at his leg, he eyed her suspiciously then. “Did I tell you to lose the dress?”

“No, but—”

“No, Sir.” His eyes were darker, colder. “I think someone needs her birthday spankings.” He motioned for her as he took a seat on the ottoman.

Jade crept closer. He reached out to her and she placed her hand in his, trusting him to make the right decisions for her then.

Pulling her across his lap, Kellan asked, “Do you know why you’re being punished, Jade?”

“Because of the bracelet.”

“That’s right,” he said, lifting the towel and running his hand over her bottom.

She fought to steady her nerves, scared if she showed Kellan her fear, he wouldn’t go through with this. Besides, hadn’t she dreamt about this moment? Hadn’t she always wondered what it would feel like to have a willing and worthy Dom ready to spank her, eager to punish her when it was justified, train her when necessary?

The leather tapping against her cheeks in repetition made her gasp in surprise. She counted them out in twos and whimpered with every strike, realizing the throaty racket indicated her pleasure more so than her pain.

Goosebumps covered her skin and her insides quivered. She wanted more, needed each and every lick. He massaged her cheeks, tossed the leather crop aside, and pulled her to her feet, staring up at her as if he now viewed her in a different light.

“What is it?” she asked.

“You.” He swallowed, pulling her between his parted legs before forcing her to sit on his thigh. He then tilted her chin and assaulted her lips in a kiss that she would never forget.

His need, his hunger, all of it had intensified and for some reason, she wasn’t sure the spanking had been the reason. Still, she fed from it, the crazy longing he stirred inside her was enough to drive her forward. “Let me touch you, please.” Her one night of club experience had made her pay attention. Submissives asked to touch their Doms.

“Touch, baby.” He unhooked his belt and guided her hand underneath his briefs and straight to his cock.

As soon as his hard shaft pressed against her palm, she shivered in pleasure. The weight and texture of his hard shaft lengthening across her hand, enticed her.

She closed around his prick, pumping him slowly, trying to be gentle as she learned what he liked. His hand was around hers then and he guided her as she stroked him.

Their lips met again, parted once more. He cupped her neck and stared into her eyes as she worked her hand up and down, enjoying the way he looked at her as she gave him a handjob.

His fingers brushed against her knee. He crawled his fingers up her inner thigh but stopped at her pussy. Her breasts were heavier then, her nipples as hard as tiny stones.

She wanted him inside her. She needed him to cool the burn, stroke away the ache. Instead of asking for what she needed, she parted her legs and pushed her hips away from his lap.

Kellan grinned. “That’s not working for you. Is it, sub?”

“I want you, Kellan.” She searched his eyes. “Don’t you want me?”

“God yes,” he said, but she could tell something was holding him back.

Cautious but daring, she knelt between his legs, spreading them wider as she situated herself on the floor in front of him. “Can I, Sir?”

Kellan stood. He dropped his jeans and reclaimed his seat. “You’re sure this is what you want to do?”

Assuming a submissive’s role, she removed his shoes and tugged his jeans and underwear away from his body. Kellan pressed down on his shaft, aiming the tip of his cock at her mouth.

Her heart pounded against her chest. Her hands trembled. She took a deep breath and looked up at the man she’d already acknowledged as her lover. For how long, she couldn’t be sure. Still, her emotions ran wild and her need was worse than any she’d ever expected.

Jade dipped her head lower. She looked up at him one last time before she devoured his cock, deliberately drawing him straight to her throat.