STORY EXCERPT

His black suit couldn’t disguise the strength beneath it, his lean, muscular frame moving with a grace that only a powerful body could.

Her breath caught each time he smiled, and when he held out a hand to help his scantily clad assistant into a box, a surge of jealousy caught her off guard.

He lifted the other woman with an ease that reinforced the sense of power surrounding him.

Veronica pressed her thighs together at the unwelcome heat that settled there, her already ragged breath catching when his gaze met hers.

His eyes widened briefly and then narrowed, laser-sharp as they held hers.

The roaring in her ears blocked out the sound of the music accompanying his show, and for a minute, she truly thought she would pass out.

He blinked, breaking the spell, and went on with the illusion that consisted of several beautiful women moving around him.

His assistants, all legs and saccharine smiles, moved around him, and suddenly applause broke out all around her.

His gaze met hers again, holding it longer than it had the last time before flicking away again.

She blinked, wondering what he’d done to earn such applause.

Glad that she’d had the foresight to DVR it, she joined in the applause, mortified that she’d done so just as everyone stopped clapping.

Hurriedly settling her hands on her lap, she looked away, his voice drawing her attention back to the stage.

“And for my final illusion…”

Final illusion?

Shit!

The evening had flown by, and she still hadn’t figured out a way to get backstage.

The woman next to her leaned closer. “Isn’t he gorgeous?”

Veronica smiled, her breath catching when he glanced in her direction again, his green eyes seeming to glitter and narrow as his gaze passed over her.

“He’s magnificent.”

Embarrassed that she’d said that out loud, Veronica shrugged.

“I mean he does put on a good show.”

The woman sighed. “I go to every show I can. I’m dying to meet him, but he’s got security out the wazoo. I can’t get within twenty feet of him. No matter how many times I’ve tried to get backstage to meet him, they thwart me.”

Veronica spun to stare at her, her heart sinking. “You’re kidding.”

Her plan to talk her way backstage went up in smoke.

The other woman sighed again, her features lighting up as she stared up at the stage. “Yeah, as soon as the show’s over, his bodyguards rush him out the back door and into his limo. He’s gone and on his way back to his hotel before you know it.”

Pursing her lips, Veronica nodded, her mind racing.

She didn’t know which hotel he would be staying in. If he left the building before she did, she’d lose him.

For all she knew, he could be on his way to the airport when he left.

She had to follow him, which meant she had to get to her car and find his limo before he could make his escape.

His voice, strong but with a sensuous cadence that rippled through her, came from the stage again, drawing her attention. “And now ladies and gentlemen, something that I saved for last because it’s very possible that I may not survive it.”

“God forbid.” Veronica tensed while he explained that he would be shackled inside a tank filled with water, the only way out locked with a padlock, which was on the outside of the tank.

“Don’t worry. Sinclair Majors can escape from anything.”

Hearing the tension in the other woman’s voice, Veronica glanced at her, not wanting to look away from the stage. “You don’t sound so convinced.”

“It’s just that he’s been performing more and more dangerous illusions. Now he’s retiring. This is probably his most dangerous one yet.”

Veronica stiffened, her heart in her throat as she watched his assistants putting him into a straightjacket. “He can get out of this. Right?”

“Let’s hope so.”

Knowing that she’d have to be outside as soon as the show ended, Veronica got to her feet and made her way down the aisle.

Unable to take her eyes from the stage, she walked backward toward the exit, her breath catching when the devastatingly sexy magician met her gaze again.

He saw her. There was no mistaking it.

He was looking right at her.

A hood was placed over his head, and the moment was gone and she could breathe again.

Her backward steps slowed, and she found herself breathing in gasps as they began to lower him into the tank by the chains attached to the belt around his waist.

She realized how ridiculous it was to worry.

He did this for a living and had for several years.

She was acting like a silly schoolgirl when she had a mission to accomplish.

She turned and rushed toward the exit, a collective gasp from the crowd stopping her in her tracks.

He was underwater.

Dear God.

They were locking the padlocks in place.

He struggled, frantically trying to get free, but his assistants seemed unconcerned.

What if something was wrong?

Why didn’t they pay attention to him?

His feet were still shackled securely to the bottom of the small tank, despite his struggles.

He had to be out of air.

He couldn’t breathe.

Dear God, he was dying.

“No!”

The excitement level rose, the panic cries from the audience drowning her out.

Her own panic had her running for the stage just as a man wearing a soaking wet hood appeared from a door to her left.

He moved swiftly down the aisle just as his assistants revealed that the tank was empty.

Whipping off his black hood, he revealed gleaming blond hair, and a confident smile that both relieved her and pissed her off.

Amid the applause and shouts of astonished relief, he turned, his smile falling as he looked directly at her.

ADULT EXCERPT

Sin smiled, his voice low and soothing but strained. “Steady. It’s just a little exploring. Remember, you do not have my permission to come. Your orgasm belongs to me just as much as the rest of you does.”

Veronica hadn’t counted on that.

Panicked when the need kept climbing, and afraid of disappointing Sin, she writhed restlessly and gripped his shoulders.

“I need to come.”

Sin continued his manipulation. “You’re a greedy little sub. Do you think your orgasm is as important as my right to explore my property?”

The desire darkening his eyes told her that he enjoyed their play as much as she did.

“When you put it that way, you make me sound selfish.” Her voice shook as much as the rest of her did, but she was determined to be what he needed.

Smiling, she cupped his cheek, willing to do anything to please him and make him want her as much as she wanted him. “Is there something I can do for you?”

Sin’s eyes flared. “Yes. Be still.”

His finger left her clit to brush over the curls covering her mound.

“When we get to the island, I’m going to have you waxed. Have you ever been waxed before?”

Just the thought of it sent another rush of heat through her. “No. Why do you want to have me waxed?”

Sin played with her curls with one hand while stroking her clit with a fingertip. “I want you smooth and visible to me at all times. I want to be able to see your folds. Your clit. I want nothing in my way. When I attach something to you, I want to be able to see it.”

Fighting not to move against his finger had to be one of the hardest things Veronica had ever done. “You’re planning to attach things to me?”

“Of course. I told you that I plan to decorate you.”  His eyes narrowed. “I’ll also insert things into you. You know that, Veronica. You’ve read the contract.”

Veronica tried not to think about the burning in her clit, or the sensitivity of her nipples, and struggled to focus on their conversation.

“Yes. Do you want me to get waxed before we leave?”

“No.” He tugged a curl, slowing his caress to her clit, dragging his fingertip over it with slow precision. “This belongs to me, and I reserve the right to have it done. There’s a salon on the island. They’re experts and will do exactly what I want.”

Nodding, Veronica sucked in another breath, the tingling racing through her growing sharper. “Okay. Whatever you want.”

Biting her lip, she squeezed her eyes closed, alarmed at the realization that she was going to come at any moment.

“Sin. Oh God!”

“I know. We’re going to have to work on your stamina, aren’t we? You’re going to have to learn to hold back your orgasm and enjoy the anticipation instead of rushing toward release.”

Embarrassed at her inexperience, Veronica nodded, her face burning. “I’ll do better.”

“I know you will. Don’t worry. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I’m enjoying your passionate nature.” His hands slid to her hips.

“There’s something else I want to explore before I let you come.” His eyes narrowed, gleaming with fire. “It’s better to do it now, while you’re aroused. It’ll help ease some of your fears.”

Veronica held her breath when he wrapped one arm around her, holding her tightly against him while the fingers of his other hand delved between her folds.

Bending forward, he slid a hand to her nape, leaning her back while he stroked her inner walls.

“You’re soaking wet, baby.”

Clenching on his finger, Veronica tried to rock but found she couldn’t move much at all.

Moaning in frustration when he withdrew, she struggled harder, stilling at the feel of his wet finger sliding to circle her puckered opening.

“Oh God!”

Sin smiled and nuzzled her jaw.

“Easy, Veronica.” He took her mouth with his, sliding his tongue against hers just as he slipped a finger into her bottom.

Instinctively tightening against him, she realized that her position didn’t allow her to restrict his invasion at all.

He seemed to sense her panic because he lifted his head and smiled down at her, a combination of tenderness and hunger that immediately eased some of her fears.

“You’re fine, Veronica. Look at me.”

Despite the soft demand in his tone, she had trouble obeying him, finding it hard to look in his eyes while his finger was inside her ass.

“Veronica.”

Veronica stiffened, the underlying steel in his velvet tone not to be denied.

Her face burning, she looked up at him through her lashes, gasping when he moved his finger.

“Does this belong to me, too?”

“Yes. God, yes!” The shallow slide of his finger went slightly deeper, the fingers of his other hand coming around to stroke her clit.

The unfamiliar feel of his finger in her bottom became even sharper when Sin began stroking her clit again, the bundle of nerves burning.

Hunger became a living, breathing thing, the sensations in her clit and ass combining into something so intense that she could only cry out and cling to Sin as she went over.

Never in her life had she even imagined such pleasure, the loops on her throbbing nipples adding to it.

At that moment, she realized that she belonged to him in ways that she could never have belonged to another man.

The sensation of his finger circling her sensitive flesh became so intense that it brought tears to her eyes.