STORY EXCERPT

Nate patted Joker’s neck and gazed at Charly atop Majesty, his mother’s Appaloosa mare. When Charly had told Nate about her new job working for Michael, Nate realized he knew just the right spot for the resort. Even better, the land he was thinking of was best accessed by horseback. It was the perfect chance for him to spend some time alone with Charly. Now two hours into the ride, Nate was amazed by how comfortable she looked in the saddle. Any passerby would’ve thought Charly was a native to ranching, not the Bronx.

“Have you been lying to me, pet? You obviously know more than a little about horses.”

“Did Joker tell you that?” She smiled. “I’m from the Bronx. We adapt fast.”

“I bet.”

“Just watch.” She urged Majesty into a gallop.

Nate laughed and kicked Joker into high speed to catch her. This little lady has some lessons to learn. Within earshot of Majesty, he whistled the signal that he knew would get the result he desired.

His mother’s horse slowed to a trot.

“Come on, Majesty. They’re gaining on us.”

Nate whistled again, and Charly’s ride stopped. “Come on, Joker. Let’s show those girls who really is in charge.”

“No fair, Nate,” she said as he rode up beside her.

“I’ll show you how unfair I really can be, pet.”

He leaned in and kissed her. Her lush lips tasted like honey, so very sweet. He placed his hand at the back of her neck and pulled her in tighter.

Just being near her had him acting a fool, and he didn’t know why. The Doms at The Masters’ Chambers would’ve certainly laughed their asses off at his high-school-lovesick-boy act. He didn’t care. He wanted Charly more than he’d ever wanted anyone before in his life. It wasn’t sudden or instant, but a slow-growing burn that had begun the moment he’d met her. Crazy? Yes. But insanity might be a nice state for him, at least for tonight.

Though Nate hated to end their kiss, the sun would be going down soon, and he wanted to be at the cabin before dark. “Charly, look around. This is the part of the property I wanted to show you.”

Her long eyelashes fluttered. “Uh…what?”

“Sweetheart, we’re looking at property for Michael’s gay resort. Remember?”

“Yes.” She closed her eyes.

He loved seeing her off kilter and flushed. “Hard to see the landscape with your eyes shut, Charly.”

Her eyes popped open, and she nodded. “Wow. This place is beautiful.”

It was. The mountains to the left scraped the sky with their snowy peaks. To their right were cliffs. A long waterfall from the rocky walls shot into the lake beside them, sending spray into the air that looked like jewels in the light of the setting sun. He’d never thought anything could be as beautiful as this place until he’d seen Charly.

“Is that building on the property?” She pointed to the cabin about a quarter mile away.

“Yes. In fact, we are about in the center of what is for sale.

“Who in the world would sell such a place? This needs to stay just like it is forever.” The awe in her tone was obvious. God, she actually understood what he’d discovered here long ago. This was his favorite spot on the entire planet. He’d only saddled up Joker and Majesty for this ride to get time alone with her. He’d packed a dinner for the two of them and planned on taking her to the vacant hunter’s cabin for the night. Now, Charly’s reaction to the land was opening up his eyes to how incredibly fantastic a woman she was.

“The Masters family owns this land and puts it up for sale every so often with a ridiculous price tag. I got my parents to make a run at it a few years back, but their offer wasn’t ever countered. The deal never gelled.”

“You’re not serious about me showing this to Michael, are you?”

“I wouldn’t have before today, but I’m rethinking my take on him. Do you think I should?”

Charly tilted her head to the side. God, the woman looked so sexy. After a bit of time, she nodded. “Maybe. How many acres are part of this listing?”

“Eight hundred sixty-two.”

“Let me think about whether or not we should tell Michael about this.”

Nate liked when she said “we,” which clearly included him and her together. “The only way I would even consider helping him get this for his project is if he would be respectful to this place.”

She nodded. “There can’t be any buildings here.”

“Right, pet.” He worried that there might come a day when some developers would take the Masters family up on their crazy sale price for the land. Once the transaction was complete, there would be nothing that could be done to save the pristine place. The profit motive would spoil the beauty he and Charly were surrounded by. If he could get the right investor with the right resources to see things his way, he might actually save the land he loved so much. Michael might be that man. “Now, if he wants to create an eco-friendly vacation for gays with tents and such, I’ll help him in any way I can.”

“That’s a wonderful idea, Nate. Maybe you should be the one working for him instead of me.”

“No way. I’m great in the saddle, not behind a desk. You hungry?”

She touched her stomach. “I am, but do we have time to eat? Shouldn’t we be getting back?”

Game on, Ms. Wynn. Nate dismounted. “Let me worry about when we head back. You worry about making your billionaire buddy get on board with our idea.” Holding Joker’s reins, he came over beside Majesty. “Ready to dismount?”

She didn’t answer, but was off the beast in a flash. “What’s on the menu, cowboy?”

He pulled her to him. Her little surprised gasp made his cock harden. “You’ll see, pet. You’ll see.”

ADULT EXCERPT

Nate stepped around and ahead of her. Heath followed behind. She thought that they were acting more like bodyguards than Doms. Perhaps the two roles were one and the same in the club.

As they came to the bottom of the stairs, she looked at the wooden door. It looked ancient and foreboding. Nate opened it and walked into the room beyond. She followed, though her fear began clawing at the back of her mind again as she scanned the room.

It was dimly lit. All the walls were black. There were all kinds of contraptions in the place, clearly meant to restrain subs. Several metal tables were covered with sexual toys, including vibrators, paddles, whips, cuffs, and more that she didn’t recognize. Her body began to warm, but her palms began to sweat. She could end this with a single word. They’d promised her that.

“That’s for you, sub.” Nate pointed to the center of the room to what looked to her to be a kind of bench, though it was oddly shaped, bending up in the middle.

Then it dawned on her. This was just like the bench that Drake and Dax had placed her on before. It was used to aid in spanking subs. Like me? She was trembling like a leaf. Then she heard someone cough behind her. She looked back at the door and realized there was a landing with seating above it. The audience! Her safe word rushed to her lips, but she bit it back. She couldn’t see any faces, thank God, but it was wickedly thrilling that they were here to see her.

Though her misgivings whispered in her head, she recalled how Nate had been with her on their ride together looking for land for Michael’s project and how tender he’d been with her at the cabin. This was just another side to him, and she wanted to experience it. She’d already discovered with his other brothers that exploring sexual fantasies called to her, especially this type of play. If things got to be too much, too difficult, she reminded herself that she had a safe word that could halt everything.

Nate slapped her ass, still barely covered by her panties. “Hook her up on the bench, Heath. I’ll choose a paddle.”

Heath led her to the bench and whispered in her ear. “You’re doing great, baby.”

“I’m very nervous,” she admitted.

“All part of it, little sub.” Heath rubbed her back with his rough fingertips. “You’ll love it. Nate is quite skilled at this.”

“What about you?”

“I know what I’m doing, too.” He guided her facedown on the bench. “I’m going to restrain you, Charly, with some cuffs on your wrists and ankles, okay?”

“Stop coddling her, Heath.” Nate stepped next to the bench, carrying a large black paddle. “You’re acting like a pussy instead of a Dom.”

“Keep talking like that and this pussy is going to kick your ass, bro.”

“That’s better. Now, let’s get our pet into subspace, shall we?”

“Yes.” Heath locked her onto the bench with the cuffs as he’d told her he would.

Suddenly, she realized what position they’d placed her in. My ass is pointed directly at the people watching from the landing. The thought sent a shiver up and down her spine. When Nate pulled her panties down to her ankles, that shiver became a nine on the earthquake Richter scale, heating every inch of her skin.

“Let’s get started,” Nate announced.

She curled her hands into fists, bracing herself for what was to come. Why was she trembling with desire already? Though Charly wanted to believe that having them slap her ass with the paddle and their hands would fix everything, she knew better. God help her, she still craved this moment of solace, quietness, and pleasure that they promised. She would let today’s worries wait for her to pick them up tomorrow. Tonight, she just wanted to feel.

“How many licks from the paddle are you going to give her?” Heath’s tone held a hint of concern, which pleased her very much.

“Bro, this sub is way too much in her head. Best to keep her guessing.”

“I don’t know about that. She seems present to me,” Heath argued.

“She’s here some, but most of her is juggling too many thoughts and doubts.” Nate feathered his mouth against her back. “Obey every word, sub. Understand?”

She nodded. The anticipation of what he was about to do to her ass sent a jolt through her.

“I can’t wait to turn her sweet ass into a pretty pink.” Nate touched the paddle to her ass. “Feel this, pet?”

It felt cool, smooth, and so very dangerous. She squeaked out, “Yes, Sir.”

She heard some whispers from the people watching, but instead of filling her with fear and shame, they ignited her flesh.

“You want it bad, sub. Excellent.” Nate tugged on her hair. “Try not to cry out, understand?”

“Yes, Sir.” She was vibrating like a live wire of expectancy.

Nate swung the paddle, landing it on the middle of her ass. The sting the thing left caused her eyes to well up and her pussy to dampen. She chewed on her lip, which worked to keep her from crying out. Charly wasn’t sure how long she could hold back and obey his command, but she vowed to do her best to try.

“Good job, pet,” Nate praised, making her tingle with pride.

“Thank you, Sir.” Her hesitations began to melt away.

“Don’t get too relaxed, sub. We’re not done. You understand that?”

Trembling, she answered, “Yes, Sir.”

“Heath, you go a round.”

Out of the corner of her eyes, she watched Nate hand the paddle to him.

“You trust me, sweetheart?” Heath asked.

She nodded.

He kissed both of her ass cheeks, which made her pussy ache.