Charles had a protective streak that rivaled Sam’s. When Nicole had mentioned walking home from the library in the dark, the boy had scolded her about safety before Sam could get a word in.
Linda had done well with her children. Their idiotic teenager brains might have led them to give her grief, but they were even faster with their affection, with hugs and love you’s.
Like a dry plant, Nicole had soaked it up.
Sam had as well. Linda wanted to continue her family’s traditional after-church dinners. The idea suited him to a tee.
As he entered the kitchen, Linda was singing the Beatles’ bouncy “When I’m Sixty-Four” as she put some oranges in a colorful basket on the counter. He shook his head. Nothing kept his woman down for long.
Coming up behind her, he squeezed her shoulder. “Not sure how to thank you. For Nicole. And Nancy.”
Her dimple appeared. “You could give me more of what I had last night. I’m a masochist, you know.”
His eyes narrowed on her hopeful face. He’d created a monster. Last night, after using a cane on her, he’d fucked her until around two a.m.
After a second of thought, he smiled slowly. “Be my pleasure. Before you leave, find your favorite toy. Use lube, insert it, wear it this afternoon while you’re gone. You’ll be stretched and ready for me tonight.”
“But…” Delightful anxiety bloomed in her eyes. “Right.”
Damn. Maybe he’d haul her to bed early.
Linda picked up a piece of bacon. “Got a treat for you, Conn.” She bent to give it to the dog and winced.
Sam grinned. “Someone have a sore ass today?”
“You’re such a sadist. And yes, you left bruises.”
He knew he had. Earlier in the bathroom, she had been examining a purple spot on her bottom with the half-fascinated, half-pleased look of many submissive-masochists.
He ran his finger down her pretty cheek. “I like leaving marks here and there.” Liked knowing she had a few sore spots to remind her of him. A kind of branding.
Unable to resist, he wrapped an arm tightly around her waist and squeezed her soft ass.
She eeped, then groaned as he squeezed harder. Hurting her so nicely. She sagged against him. “Damn you.” Her pupils had dilated, and pink swept into her cheeks. “How do you do that?”
“Arouse you? It’s not hard.” He leaned in and pinned her against the counter with his weight. Her hair had grown long enough for him to get a good grip, and he tugged her head back. After kissing up her neck, he nipped her earlobe, enjoying her sharp inhalation at the bite of pain.
“Sam.”
“Mmm-hmm.” Running his hand down her front, he explored the V between her legs, then traced over her clit. He could feel it harden despite her tight jeans. And then he let her go.
When she swayed toward him, he took a step back.
Her mouth dropped open. “You’re stopping?”
“You have to leave for work in a few minutes, remember? You said you’re the only person there this afternoon.” And now she could work behind the counter while aching for him.
Her lower lip poked out in a sweet pout. “You want me to suffer all day?”
“Yep.” He pressed his erection against her soft stomach. Even sadists had to hurt sometimes. “We both will. And once you’re home, I’m going to take your cunt first and then your pretty ass. Yep. I’ll fuck you senseless.” He pushed against her body again and smiled down into her big brown eyes. “Before that, I’ll put you over my knee and turn your ass red.” The welts—and anal plug—should make that even more fun. Maybe they’d work on that begging problem she had.
Despite the glare she gave him, her voice came out husky with arousal. “Thanks, Master Sadist. That really will make my day easy.”
“You’re welcome, missy.” Then he leaned forward and gave her the words that erased the glare from her face, the words that came easier every time he said them. “I love you, Linda.”
Loose Id Titles by Cherise Sinclair
Master of the Abyss
Master of the Mountain
The Dom’s Dungeon
My Liege of Dark Haven
The Starlight Rite
* * * *
The MASTERS OF THE SHADOWLANDS Series
Breaking Free
Lean on Me
Make Me, Sir
To Command and Collar
This is Who I Am
* * * *
“Simon Says: Mine”
Part of the anthology Doms of Dark Haven
With Sierra Cartwright and Belinda McBride
* * * *
“Welcome to the Dark Side”
Part of the anthology Doms of Dark Haven 2:
Western Night
With Sierra Cartwright and Belinda McBride
Cherise Sinclair
Now everyone thinks summer romances never go anywhere, right? Well…that’s not always true.
I met my dearheart when vacationing in the Caribbean. Now I won’t say it was love at first sight. Actually, since he was standing over me, enjoying the view down my swimsuit top, I might even have been a tad peeved—as well as attracted. But although our time together there was less than two days, and although we lived in opposite sides of the country, love can’t be corralled by time or space.
We’ve now been married for many, many years. (And he still looks down my swimsuit tops.)
Over the years, I’ve lived in many states and worked at a multitude of jobs before settling down to writing. Finally meeting other authors was a huge relief; apparently I’m not the only person to have a mind populated with characters talking, arguing, and having hot sex.
Nowadays, I live in the west with my beloved husband, two children, and various animals, including three cats who rule the household. I’m a gardener, and I love nurturing small plants until they’re big and healthy and productive…and ripping defenseless weeds out by the roots when I’m angry. I enjoy thunderstorms, playing Scrabble and Risk, and being a soccer mom. My favorite way to spend an evening is curled up on a couch next to the master of my heart, watching the fire, reading, and…well…if you’re reading this book, you obviously know what else happens in front of fires. :)
—Cherise
Visit Cherise Sinclair on the web at http://www.cherisesinclair.com
Table of Contents
Author’s Note
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Epilogue
Loose Id Titles by Cherise Sinclair
Cherise Sinclair
Masters of the Shadowlands 7 - This is who I am Page 35
