Unwrapped Hearts

by Linzi Basset

Trent slipped his hands into her hair and watched as the silky tresses slithered through his fingers.

  “I became a cynical person over the years. Maybe the community is right, I am a recluse. I don’t trust easily and I learned to guard my heart after Adrienne … but that’s all in the past. I acknowledge that we don’t know each other very well but one thing I do know is that I fell in love with you.”

  He smiled at her surprised gasp.

  “Yeah, baby, insta-love. I never thought it was possible, but I’m living proof it is. You’re a passionate woman and once I realized that the way you gave yourself to me … you couldn’t have been involved with another man. Because you’re mine … I claimed you the night I saved you from the car wreck.” He brushed his lips in a brief kiss against hers. “I meant what I said on the mountain, Riley. You’re mine and I’ll never let you go.”

  “Thank god! Here I thought I’d have to chain you in the dungeon and have sex with you until you were willing to listen to me.”

  “Hm, well, that doesn’t sound like a bad deal. Only, little subbie, you’ll be the one in chains and I won’t be having sex with you, I’ll be fucking you … every day and every night, until you beg me to remove the chains and cuff you to me with nothing but your love.”

  “Not that I’m saying no to all that … er … copulation, but it won’t be necessary,” she lilted with a rosy hue tinting her cheeks.

  “It won’t?” His hands began to roam over her naked curves. The beast inside him growled as she arched her back to offer him better access.

  “No, my love, because I love you too. I think I fell head over heels the first day I opened my eyes and found you staring at me. My heart belongs to you. It doesn’t matter that we only just met; one thing I know without any doubt, is that my love for you will never change, only grow stronger with every passing day.”

  “You’ve just made me the luckiest man alive, my lovely Snowflake.” His smile slipped as he sat down next to her and cradled her face in his hands. “There’s something you need to know.”

  Riley’s smile was beatific and stole the breath he just took. “I already do. Aunt Sophie told me, but I love that you’re willing to be honest about it.”

  “Honesty and trust go hand in hand, my love and it’s the one thing I will always offer you, unconditionally.”

  “And I you.” She narrowed her eyes at him, her fingers splayed against his chest to keep him at a distance as he leaned closer for a kiss. “Alex Cross … does that ring a bell, Mr. Reeves?”

  Riley was surprised to see his cheeks redden. She giggled delightfully, realizing that it was the kind of fame he didn’t covet.

  “You’re my favorite author of all time. To be honest … I’ve had a couple of fantasies about the very elusive Alex Cross.”

  “Is that so?” His voice deepened as Riley turned and gracefully laid down on her back. Her hands moved over her flat stomach to cup her breasts.

  “Hmm … wanna know one of them?”

  “I’m not so sure I’m happy that you’re having fantasies about my pseudonym, Riley.”

  She burst out laughing and then gasped when he settled between her legs, as naked as her. She had never seen anyone shed their clothes as fast as he just did.

  “Are you laughing at me, Snowflake?”

  “Of course not, Sir.”

  His eyes darkened; his dulcet voice timbered over her and cloaked the submissive who had come to yearn for his Dominance in its chords.

  “Thank you, Riley Miller.”

  “For what?”

  “For trusting me with your uncharted submission, for offering it to me with so much trust and honesty. For being the submissive who I have yearned for all my life. Thank you, for being mine.”

  “I always craved something in my life but never knew what until you showed me what I yearned for. Thank you for accepting my submission. For being the Dominant I trust with everything in me and who I will yearn for every day of my life. I am yours, Trent Reeves, body, heart, and soul.”

  “Warf! Warf!” Storm barked excitedly, chasing his tail.

  “Warf!” Sheila yapped and joined him in his tomfoolery.

  Trent laughed gaily, his eyes filled with love and devotion as he looked at Riley.

  “It seems we have a consensus, my love.”

  “We do?”

  “Yes … and all it needs is for you to say yes to make it unanimous.”

  “Yes!”

  He chuckled and kissed her lips. “You don’t know the question yet, Snowflake.”

  “It doesn’t matter. I trust Storm and Sheila. They would never lead me on the wrong path. So, yes! My answer is yes.”

  “That does it then. We’re getting married on Christmas Eve.”

  “What? Wait! No, that’s too …. hmmm,” she moaned as Trent rocked his hardness deeper inside her.

  “Too late, Snowflake. You already said yes.”

  “Warf-warf-warf!” Storm and Sheila chorused their joy.

  Riley draped her arms around Trent’s neck and locked her ankles behind his waist. Her eyes shimmered with love. She had never looked more beautiful, coated in the golden hue of the flames.

  “So I did, but in case you didn’t hear me the first time. Yes, Trent Reeves, I’ll marry you.”

  “And be my permanent sub?”

  “Always, my Master,” she murmured against his lips as he kissed her and continued to rock inside her, his beast purring at the title she bestowed on him.

  Riley quickly became lost in his raw passion that was in such contrast to the gentle touch of his hands and the promise of unbound pleasure rimming his eyes. The world fell away as they indulged in the unexpurgated passion fed by the instant chemistry and love that had drawn them together from first glance.

  Afterward, their breathing haggard and worn, Trent cuddled her against his chest. He held her, breathing in her scent and allowing her essence to flow untethered through him.

  “I love you, Riley with a passion I have never felt before. With a possessiveness that scares me, but with reverence and a firm belief that this is a love that will last a lifetime.”

  He tilted back her head. The kiss he offered was a slow meshing of warmth, passion, and need; a need that had been born the moment their eyes had met and grew with every passing day.

  “This is the beginning of our future, Snowflake.”

  Riley nodded with a loving smile. Her fingers trembled as she pressed them against his lips.

  “A destiny captured in the beauty of falling snowflakes.”

  “Warf! Warf!”

  The End

  Excerpt: Master Santa

  CHAPTER ONE

  Lascivo Credence.

  Lascivious Acceptance. How appropriate, she thought as she stared at the stylish gold crafted sign that glimmered in the gay Christmas light colors of red, green, and gold above the intricately carved dark wood door. Inviting, decadent, and scary at the same time. Megan Torres stared at it, suddenly not as confident as she had been when she’d accepted the anonymous invitation to attend the Christmas Eve party at the upmarket and very exclusive club.

  “Miss? Is there a problem?”

  The nasal voice of the cab driver yanked her gaze to the front.

  “Ehm … no.” She could hear the hesitance vibrate in her voice.

  “Do you want me to wait? Just in case.” The offer came from a man who had seen many things in his forty years as a cab driver. He glanced around. The parking area in front of the impressive mansion that had been converted into an exclusive club—on a private estate edged between Crystal Lake and the coast in Michigan—was packed with luxury cars and limousines. A gathering of the rich and famous. His eyes flitted over the woman in the back seat. She was beautiful but the tight hold she had on the clutch purse in her hand showed that she wasn’t one of them. She seemed as out of place as the bright yellow cab.

  Megan dragged in a trembling breath. The invitation she’d received flashed in her mind once again.

&
nbsp; You are cordially invited to be

  my personal guest at Lascivo Credence,

  a place where your fantasies become reality. Dare to be brave.

  Master Santa.

  That in itself hadn’t been alarming, but the link she had been directed to, to complete a non-disclosure agreement and a limit list—which until that point she’d only read about in lascivious BDSM books—had shaken her conservative existence to the core. It hadn’t stopped her from completing it though. The opportunity to experience all the things she’d only read about had been too tempting. Although, if she was honest with herself, her desire was to see if the rumor was true that it was the place where Cash Evans spent his free time—Cash was the owner and CEO of Evans Sports Wholesale Group in Bay City where she worked as a Senior Legal Advisor. A man who made her ovaries burst into song and dance every time she passed him in the hallways. She couldn’t count the times she’d ended up with her panties wet and her clitoris throbbing from no more than brief eye contact and a nod from the gorgeous man.

  It was insane. She was a forty-four-year-old woman for goodness sake and she acted like a teenager with a crush on a teacher!

  “No … this is where I’m meant to be.”

  She handed over the fee and offered the friendly man a tentative smile as she exited the cab. Her feet—adorned in spiked, green, open-toed stilettos, with jingling silver bells that were added to further embellish her outfit as a seductive elf—refused to move. She clutched her purse in one hand and the formal access card that had been hand-delivered to her desk soon after she’d completed the applications online, in the other. It had been unnerving that whoever had issued the invitation had known where she worked.

  “Well, Megan, you’re here now. Might as well bite the bullet and go inside.”

  Her thighs trembled as she approached the three-story Southern style mansion. It stood proud and regal, awaiting her entrance. The wood under her hand felt warm as she reached out to push open the door. Doubt assailed her as the cautious Megan rose from the ashes where she’d banned her to while getting dressed earlier.

  What am I doing here? I’m not the adventurous type. And that warning! Oh, shit, I don’t think I can—

  “Having second thoughts?”

  Megan pivoted around at the deep voice that caused a shiver to run down her spine. He stood a couple of steps away, but his tall, well-proportioned body, dressed in a dark suit, exuded power, so much so that it felt like he was invading her personal space. She sucked in a breath. He was tall and stood with his feet braced apart.

  “I … don’t … maybe I shouldn’t have come,” she stammered.

  His handsome face was illuminated by the flickering lights. The strong planes of his cheeks and jaw appeared rigid, unsmiling, but his eyes … oh man … those eyes seemed to burn right through her. Her skin tingled in response to the lazy gaze that traveled over the black coat that ended mid-calf, to her feet and back. Much like hers had done to him. His dark hair was cut in a neat style and she could see the streaks of gray at his temples. He made her think of Cash Evans. He had the same composure and confidence in the broad lines of his shoulders. She sighed in relief. At least it meant she wasn’t too old for a place like this!

  “Yet, you came.”

  Megan nodded and waved the invitation that had become crumpled in her fist. “I was invited.”

  “Let me guess. You’re not in the lifestyle.”

  Hell no, I’m not! Her mind immediately responded but somehow, the expectant glimmer in his eyes told her there was more to the question. A deeper probe … which was confirmed as his lips twitched in a ghost of a smile.

  “Curiosity is good, little one, but once you set foot inside, you better be prepared.” He walked closer … too close.

  Megan suddenly couldn’t breathe as she had to tilt back her head to look into his face. His chest pressed her back against the door.

  Oh, hallelujah! Her ovaries cheered at the contact. Megan was shocked at the immediate flush of heat that slithered past her labia to wet her panties. Get a grip, Megan! He’s a complete stranger.

  “Yes, little one, that’s what you can expect in there … and so much more.” He chuckled and brushed his finger over her flaming cheeks. “You are going to cause a ruckus in there, that’s for sure.”

  “W-why?” She gasped as his finger traced the fullness of her bottom lip.

  “No Dom can resist a blushing sub … especially a newbie like you.”

  Megan’s eyes flashed sideways. “I’m not sure I should … maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.” Her mind went silent … for once, although she suspected it was in shock. Like hell, woman! This is so the best idea you’ve ever had! Megan suppressed the desire to sigh as her inner voice woke up. How was she supposed to resist it and the man who held her captive with the slight pressure of his chest? She moistened her lips with a sweep of her tongue, exulting in the hardness she felt pressing against her stomach. Gawd, that feels good! Her nipples had turned into hard stones and she had no doubt he could feel them poking into his chest.

  His low chuckle preceded his deep voice. “I’ll take that as a compliment, little one, but try to curb your desires and reactions in there. Your eyes are very expressive and could be construed as an engraved invitation if you look at everyone like that.” Her eyes widened. “You’ll be naked as a jaybird, tied over a spanking bench for an erotic spanking, not to mention a hard fuck or two before you could blink twice.”

  Mortification rushed through her as she realized he had seen right through her. So much for believing she was the epitome of sophistication!

  “Now I know this was a bad idea.” She skirted around him and took a step. His hand caught her arm in a firm grip.

  “You don’t seem like the type to run away, subbie. There’s strength in you. You might be a newbie but deep down, you know that you’re exactly where you want to be.”

  “I … the invitation—”

  “Was only an excuse. Why are you here?”

  She looked at him. Like she felt with Cash Evans, she felt intimidated by this man's presence. It was more than his massive body, he was calm with a self-possession that made her shiver as she once again felt the thrill of danger that emanated from him.

  So, this is what a Dominant in real life was like. Megan stood helpless in the face of the power that radiated from every inch of his body. Excitement thrilled through her. Now more than ever, she wanted to … what? Give in to her deepest darkest desire to be one of the heroines in the BDSM books she read? To be forced to face the dreary life she’d led since Kent had passed away? She wanted … oh god yes! She wanted a man like this one in her life. A strong, confident man who would bend her to his will … not by force but because he had the ability to reach deep inside her and tap into the submissive she suspected had been dormant, waiting to be awakened. No, not just a man … she needed a Dom.

  “Let me give you some friendly advice, little one. When a Dom asks you a question, you respond. We don’t like waiting.” His voice had lowered into a no-nonsense drawl. The authority of power that was projected on his face, compelled her to answer.

  “I’m here because I … think … uhm, I have … I need,” she stammered. Her breath wheezed from her lips when he smiled. Good lord, this man is dangerous!

  “There you go again.” He leaned in. His breath was warm against her lips. “I’m going to come looking for you, subbie. Maybe whoever invited you will be willing to share. I can think of nothing better than ending the celebration tonight than having a threesome with you.”

  His chuckle traveled through her body, followed by the red flush coloring her skin from head to toe. The vision his words elicited in her mind was frightening, but it didn’t stop her loins from throbbing in excitement.

  “Shall we?” He held open the door expectantly.

  Megan hesitated as she looked past him. The entrance hall was magnificent. All marble tiles, flowers, and breathtaking chandeliers that flickered invitingly. A hu
m of voices in the background was overshadowed by the soothing Grecian music that flowed toward her.

  She sucked in a deep breath and stepped inside.

  If you love romance with a touch of dark BDSM kink, then this one is for you. Click here to get Master Santa now.

  Mistletoe Bride

  A Naughty Christmas Story

  A Romantic Domination Novella

  By

  Isabel James

  Copyright © 2019 Linzi Basset - All rights reserved

  Author’s Note

  Dear Reader,

  The holiday season brings with it love, joy, and happiness. Mistletoe Bride is the story of two people struggling to find their happy ever after.

  “You should never issue such a challenge to a man like me.” The smile on his lips was one of anticipation. “You, sweetheart, are going to eat your words.”

  Kayla Silver believed she had it all. A successful company and doing what she loved.

  But when a selfish act threatened to destroy everything she worked so hard to achieve, there was nothing she could do to save it.

  Until Steele Blake, hotel tycoon, and the last man she’d ever fall for, made a proposal that shocked her as much as it excited her. Not that she’d ever admit it … at least, not to him.

  Kayla was unprepared for the force that was Steele, especially when he managed to tap into her natural submissive.

  Steele had one goal: to make Kayla his, and he was prepared to play dirty to achieve it. Now, all he had to do was ensure the seductive cocoon he’d charmed her into under the Mistletoe didn’t explode in his face.

  Did they dare to trust in the promise of a kiss under the Mistletoe.

  Editor's Note:

  A quick sexy read that will keep you warmer than chestnuts roasting on an open fire or any hot cocoa ever could. Cozy up and witness the heated magic between Kayla and Steele as they head for the mistletoe.