by Linzi Basset
Trish Flanders tapped her long and perfectly manicured, bright pink nails on the table as she scrutinized her best friend closely.
“Don’t tell me you and Caleb still haven’t talked about your intimacy issues?”
“Intimacy issues? Call it what it is, Trish. We don’t have sex anymore. No fucking, Nada! And it’s not because I have a problem.” She stabbed the cake fork into a cream puff and waved it around.
“It’s refreshing to hear you talking so openly about sex. When you were younger, you clamped your ears closed when the dreaded ‘S’ word was mentioned.”
Zoey smiled. “Good lord, I remember. Sometimes it makes me wonder just how much excitement I missed in my younger years because my parents were overly conservative. Caleb was very patient and taught me there’s no shame in appreciating the beauty of our naked bodies or exploring the pleasures we get from them. He liberated me over the years, so to speak.”
“Yeah … so much so that you can’t live without being fucked for a couple of weeks,” Trish tried to lighten the mood.
“If it had only been a couple of weeks, I might’ve agreed. I’m so sexually frustrated; I’m considering renting someone for an afternoon quickie.”
Trish burst out laughing but sobered as Zoey glowered at her. “That’s the craziest idea I’ve ever heard you come up with. Caleb will murder him and then start on you.”
“As if. He’s clearly lost interest in me.” The cream puff had turned into a deconstructive gooey mess. “I just don’t get it, Trish. In all the years we’ve been married, we’ve never had any intimacy problems. He jumped my bones all the time, wherever, whenever.” She looked at her slim yet seductively curved body. “Have I changed that much? Yeah, I know I’ll be forty-five next year but I’m still firm, my boobs are perky and my skin is smooth and relatively wrinkle free. I take care of myself.”
Her pixie face—small, delicate and perfectly heart-shaped, furrowed in a frown. She tossed her long blonde hair back and it slithered in luxurious strands down her back. She sighed with her full lips drawn in a pout. “Is there such a thing as a twenty-three-year itch?”
“It might be that he’s struggling to adapt now that the twins have decided to finish their studies in Los Angeles. I’ve read an article about that once.”
Zoey slanted a look at her sideways, her chin resting on her palm. “Shouldn’t I be the one affected? They’re my little girls, even though they’re almost twenty-two, and we’ve always been closer than he is with them.”
“Maybe so, but don’t forget that he’s their protector. He knows better than anyone how vulnerable young girls at college are. Young studs sniffing at their heels and—”
“Okay, I get it, but still, it’s not normal. He doesn’t even react when I try to seduce him. I feel so inadequate! We’ve always been honest with each other and could talk about anything … now … it’s like there’s this huge wall between us and I have no idea how to break it down.”
“Have you tried talking to him about it?”
Zoey’s sigh dragged out of her like molasses from a spoon. “Yes … in my mind I’ve had tons of talks with him, but the moment he walks into the house, I turn numb.”
“That doesn’t sound like you at all. You have to at least try, Zoey. It’s the only way you’ll get to the bottom of it.”
“I know, but I’m scared.”
“Why?”
“What if he’s acting like this because …” a shudder wracked through her frame, “there’s another woman and he doesn’t know how to tell me.”
“Now you’re being ridiculous. Caleb will never cheat on you.”
“I wish I was as sure as you. He’s been working long hours all of a sudden and I hardly see him.”
“Come on, Zoey, think about it. He adores you and you’re still as madly in love with him as always.”
Trish folded her legs and swung the top one back and forth as she sipped her iced tea.
“Have you considered that he might be going through male menopause? Men lose their sex drive at an early age, right? He might be embarrassed of … you know … as you said, you always went at each other like rabbits and now he can’t get it up.”
“I never thought about that.” She blinked as she looked around. The chilly winter weather was perfect for enjoying the early morning sun where they were seated at the window of the Bistro. “Isn’t he too young, though?”
“How should I know? I’m not an expert on men.”
“Ugh! I tell you, if I have to masturbate for much longer, I might as well be single again.” Zoey didn’t even wince at her own words. That act in itself would’ve given her mother a coronary attack but to her it was proof that she had shed the conservative jacket long ago and now enjoyed exploring her own sexuality as a result. She looked around. She waved a server closer. “Another pot of tea, please.”
She plastered a smile on her face and blithely pushed aside her woes. The more she thought about Caleb, the more depressed she became. “So, four days to Christmas. Do you have anything planned for Christmas Eve?”
Trish’s gaze flitted away as she looked around. Her fingers pulled at a strand of her long red hair. Zoey’s eyes narrowed on the telltale sign. “Come on, out with it. I know you. What are you hiding from me?”
“Remember I told you about Declan’s brother?”
“Your neighbor, Declan?”
“Yes, I met his brother, Steven, six months ago and we’ve gone on a couple of dates. Well, a lot more than a couple, actually.” Her cheeks bloomed with color. “He’s different than any of the men I’ve ever dated.” Her eyes turned dreamy. “A lot like Caleb, really … you know, forceful, dynamic …” She hesitated as she looked at Zoey. “He’s a Dominant.”
Zoey’s eyes widened. “Like in those BDSM books kind of dominant?” The two of them had stumbled across the genre at a book club they attended and had become hooked on the Dom/sub dynamic. Zoey had secretly been having fantasies about her and Caleb in similar scenarios.
“Yes, and I have to tell you … he has opened my eyes to a whole new world.”
“Wow … you … ehm, has he tied you up? Whipped or flogged you?”
“Tied up and spanked me and I have to be honest, girlfriend, I’ve never had an orgasm like I did that day.” She smiled coyly. “We’re advancing to flogging next.” She leaned closer and whispered, “We’re going to an exclusive BDSM club on Christmas Eve.”
“So that’s why I only hear about him now.”
Zoey tried to visualize her lifelong friend in bondage with her ass covered in red stripes. A sudden flush of heat seared her loins … similar to how her body reacted when she read about such scenes in Linzi Basset’s Club Cove books. She had always wondered how it was possible to be aroused through pain.
“Are you shocked?”
“Shocked no, surprised maybe.” She studied her intently. “I know how the stories describe a strong woman needing to submit, but I find it hard to picture you in such a situation. You have such a high profile job, you’re assertive and the iron lady of the corporate world as the Chairman of Federal Banks. I guess I find it hard to picture you as a submissive woman.”
“Sexual submissive. He dominates me sexually and I fucking love it. For once, I don’t have to worry if I’m doing things right. He takes charge and I’m only too happy to be in his caring hands. I think it’s in my blood … I absolutely love to be dominated.”
Zoey poured the tea the server had just placed on the table. A small frown played between her brows. What they’ve just discussed rang true in her and Caleb’s day-to-day lives … well to an extent. As a Blue-Chip business consultant with her own company and a staff complement of over two-hundred head, she had always ruled with strict assertiveness. In her office and in the boardroom, but Caleb had always been the one to take the lead in bed. He was powerful and knew what he wanted. He could bend her like a pretzel until she begged him to end her misery. It had always made her feel vulnerable and yet, she’d never op
posed him. It had felt good not to be the one in command. To just relax and let him guide her. It excited her and at times, she’d secretly wanted him to do more.
She’d been brought up in a very conservative home and when they had started dating, things had been rocky, especially the first time they had made love. She’d been overwhelmed and scared by his forcefulness. She had been young, just having turned twenty-two; she hadn’t been as self-confident and assertive as she was now. She’d ended their relationship, telling him she couldn’t handle his roughness, that he was sexually too powerful for her. A cold realization washed over her as for the first time in twenty-three years, she recalled his words.
“I’m a sexual dominant, Zoey. I can’t change who and what I am. If you can’t accept me as I am, I’m afraid you’re right,”
Secretly, she had hoped he would be willing to change and stay but he had walked away. She’d been devastated and believed it was the last she’d see of him, but two months later he had returned.
“I can’t stay away, Zoey. I love you and I need you in my life.”
“But … what about … you said …” she stammered, overcome by the vision of the man she loved with all her heart in front of her.
“I’ll always have a dominant nature, my love, but I don’t need it as much as I need your love.”
They were married within two months and the twins were born ten months later.
Zoey had been too young and naive to understand what Caleb had meant at the time. Now, the reality of those words slammed into her like a whiplash.
He hadn’t just been a sexual dominant, what had been hidden behind his words was that he had given up a BDSM lifestyle that was, and probably always would be, part of who and what had defined him as a man … a Dominant, and she had taken it away from him. Unknowingly, but she had.
Oh god! Why have I never thought back and remembered? Is that what’s wrong in our relationship? Now that the kids are grown, has he decided he wants to go back to it?
Zoey was slain bare at the thought that maybe Caleb had come to regret the decision he had made all those years ago.
Find it here to start reading Santa’s Whip: www.books2read.com/SantasWhip
More Books by Authors
Books by Linzi Basset
Castle Sin Series
Stone – Book 1
Hawk – Book 2
Kane – Book 3
Club Devil’s Cove Series
His Devil’s Desire – Book 1
His Devil’s Heat – Book 2
His Devil’s Wish – Book 3
His Devil’s Mercy – Book 4
His Devil’s Chains – Book 5
His Devil’s Fire – Book 6
Her Devil’s Kiss – Book 7
His Devil’s Rage – Book 8
Club Wicked Cove Series
Desperation: Ceejay’s Absolution–Book 1
Desperation: Colt’s Acquittal – Book 2
Exploration: Nolan’s Regret – Book 3
Merciful: Seth’s Revenge – Book 4
Claimed: Parnell’s Gift – Book 5
Decadent: Kent’s Desire – Book 6
Club Alpha Cove Series
His FBI Sub – Book 1
His Ice Baby Sub – Book 2
His Vanilla Sub – Book 3
His Fiery Sub – Book 4
His Sassy Sub – Book 5
Their Bold Sub – Book 6
His Brazen Sub – Book 7
His Defiant Sub – Book 8
His Forever Sub – Book 9
His Cherished Sub – Book 10
For Amy – Their Beloved Sub – Book 11
Dark Desire Novels
Enforcer – Book 1
Their Sub Novella Series
No Option – Book 1
Done For – Book 2
For This – Book 3
Their Sub Series Box set
Their Command Series
Say Yes – Book 1
Say Please – Book 2
Say Now – Book 3
Their Command Series Box set
Paranormal Books
The Flame Dragon King - Metallic Dragons #1
Slade: The First Touch
Azriel: Angel of Destruction
Romance Suspense
The Bride Series
Claimed Bride – Book 1
Captured Bride – Book 2
Chosen Bride – Book 3
Charmed Bride – Book 4
Caught Series
Caught in Between
Caught in His Web
The Tycoon Series
The Tycoon and His Honey Pot
The Tycoon’s Blondie
The Tycoon’s Mechanic
Standalone Titles
Her Prada Cowboy
Never Leave Me, Baby
Now is Our Time
The Wildcat that Tamed the Tycoon
The Poet’s Lover
Sarah: The Life of Me
Naughty Christmas Story
Her Santa Dom
Master Santa
Snowflake’s Spanking
Box sets
A Santa to Love – with Isabel James
Christmas Delights – with Isabel James
Unwrapped Hearts – with Isabel James
Books by Isabel James
Collaborating titles
Zane Gorden Novels
Truth Untold
The Crow’s Nest
A journey of discovery on the White Pearl
Poetry Bundle by Linzi Basset & James Calderaro
Love Unbound - Poems of the Heart
Linzi Basset writing as Isabel James
Christmas Novellas
Santa’s Kiss
Santa’s Whip
Mistletoe Bride
Box sets
A Santa to Love – with Linzi Basset
Christmas Delight – with Linzi Basset
Unwrapped Hearts – with Linzi Basset
About the Authors
Isabel James is a pseudonym for two authors that collaborate to bring you tales of emotional discovery.
One is Linzi Basset―a bestselling fiction writer of suspense filled romance erotica books who refuses to be bound to any one sub-genre. She prefers instead to stretch herself as a storyteller which has resulted in her researching and writing historical and even paranormal themed works. Her initial offering: Club Alpha Cove, reached Amazon’s Bestseller list, and she has been on those lists regularly ever since. Labelling her as prolific is a gross understatement as just a few short years later she has now been published over sixty times; a total which fails to take into account the published works of her alter ego: Isabel James.
Linzi believes that by telling stories in her own voice, she can better share with her readers the essence of her being: her passionate nature; her motivations; and her wildest fantasies. Her advice: “Believe in the passions driving your desires; live them; enjoy them; and allow them to bring you happiness.”
The other Author, James Calderaro, is a poet at heart and loves the nuances of wordplay. Like a true Artist, he paints a canvas with words, drawing you into his imagination, seducing you with their expressive beauty. He loves everything Shakespeare and draws his inspiration from the beauty of true passion and lust of life and love.
The day these two met, they discovered they had a writing chemistry. Their minds sparred and they converted their passion for words into a journey of discovery that happened without any conscious decision.
Their writing is intense, it’s intimate and no holds barred. They openly explore the sensual and erotic emotions that rule the human body and mind. They’re each other’s yin and yang, challenging their minds and emotions to constantly explode in the stories they write. It’s an anthology of colorful, winding words that more than tell a story, it draws you inside, inviting you to feel each and every touch, see every emotion and experience the explosive sensations for yourself as they guide you through a maze of suspense with a touch of pleasurab
le erotica.
Stalk Linzi Basset & Isabel James
If you’d like to look me up, please follow any of these links.
While you’re enjoying some of my articles, interviews and poems on my website, why not subscribe to my Newsletter and be the first to know about new releases and win free books.
Linzi Basset’s Website and Isabel James’ Website
Linzi Basset Twitter and Isabel James Twitter:
Friend Linzi on Facebook or Friend Isabel James on Facebook
Linzi’s Facebook Author Page and Isabel James’ Facebook Author Page
Linzi on Amazon and Isabel James on Amazon
Linzi All Author-Page and Isabel James All Author Page
LinkedIn
Instagram
Goodreads
BookBub
YouTube
Pinterest
MEWE:
Linzi’s Lair on MEWE
Like my Facebook pages:
Linzi’s Poetry Page
Club Wicked Cove
Club Alpha Cove
Club Devil’s Cove
Castle Sin Series
AND, don’t forget to join my fan group, Linzi’s Luscious Lair, for loads of fun!
Don't be shy, pay me a visit, anytime!
* * *
[IN1]reword
