Tamed is a work of fiction. Names, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
A Loveswept eBook Original
Copyright © 2015 by Stacey Kennedy
Excerpt from More by Lea Griffith copyright © 2015 by Lea Griffith
All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Loveswept, an imprint of Random House, a division of Random House LLC, a Penguin Random House Company, New York.
LOVESWEPT is a registered trademark and the LOVESWEPT colophon is a trademark of Random House LLC.
eBook ISBN 9780553391206
Cover design: Lynn Andreozzi
Cover photograph: Shannon W. Williams/ImageBrief.com
www.readloveswept.com
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Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
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
Epilogue
Dedication
Acknowledgments
By Stacey Kennedy
About the Author
The Editor’s Corner
Excerpt from More
Chapter One
Whistles and applause echoed through the exclusive BDSM dungeon Club Sin. Submissive Kenzie Hart smiled and leaned against the pole off to the side of the stage, the scent of sex and sweat sweeping through her nostrils. There was nowhere in the world she’d rather be than right there, surrounded by leather and lust.
Club Sin had been her kinky salvation since the dungeon opened more than four years ago. She knew for a while she needed the sexier side of life. And she sure as heck relished the Dominant men who called Club Sin home. These men could—and often did—rock her world.
Outside of the club, she was a bookworm and simple in nature, not wanting for much. Inside the walls of the dungeon, she was Club Sin’s brat—a submissive who liked to push the boundaries between pleasure and pain, and who was known to give Dominants a difficult time. But that truly wasn’t her—she had worked hard to create the new identity for herself, because in her mind she wanted to be different from who she was in reality.
Club Sin was the fantasy that aroused her mind, body, and soul.
A soul that she’d known for a long time had been battered by a painful past.
Years ago, she had discovered a way to cope, a way to reach toward happiness, and that came in the form of attending Club Sin. The welts and bruises left on her body after an intense scene overshadowed the demons in her heart that were always right on the surface, ready to threaten to send her spiraling into a deep depression.
She scanned the members of Club Sin, glad that she had even the most observant Doms fooled. Her chin rose with pride, as the act she put on in the club made living outside these walls easier. It made her believe she was that strong woman, at least for a little while.
Movement stirred around her as she was surrounded by submissives in lingerie and Dominants commanding the space. The exclusive dungeon, known for its forbidden desire, with some of Vegas’s finest Doms, was in full attendance tonight. Some were new members. Others, like Kenzie, had belonged since Club Sin’s opening.
The dungeon’s owner, Dmitri Pratt, had taken pity on her at their old club, Chains. If I don’t take you with me, you’re going to end up in trouble, he had told her. Not that Kenzie agreed with him; she could handle herself and proved that time and time again, but she hadn’t argued, either. She loved playing with experienced Doms, and Club Sin had them in spades.
The soft music drifted through the romantically lit room, setting the sensual mood. Even though Club Sin was called a dungeon, the only dungeonlike thing about the space was the stone walls. Black sofas were situated throughout the main room, with fancy chandeliers hanging above them. To a vanilla crowd, the room would appear to be a classy lounge, but the BDSM equipment set this room apart from anything so casual.
Someone laughing drew her back into the moment. She turned toward the stage, focusing on the newest submissive to Club Sin, Ella Snow. Kenzie was surprised Ella still possessed the ability to stand. Her Dom, Club Sin Master Kyler Morgan, had sure as hell claimed her as his, putting her through an intense scene only moments ago.
Tall, powerful, and devilishly handsome, Master Kyler approached Ella in slow strides, savoring the moment. The crowd began to whisper; the bodies that were shifting in movement went still. The light above Kyler sparkled off the diamonds in his hand, and rapid shock fluttered through Kenzie. He doesn’t waste any time collaring his woman, does he?
Kenzie had been in the BDSM lifestyle since she was twenty-one, and she’d never been collared. Ella and Kyler had known each other for only a month, if that, and this symbol was held as strong as a wedding vow to those in Club Sin. Though Kenzie understood why Kyler acted so hastily—Ella was an incredible woman.
She was one of those women who were naturally beautiful, with long blond hair and baby- blue eyes—Kenzie figured Kyler was making sure no other Doms could touch her. And since Kenzie had known Kyler for more than four years, she knew he waited for nothing; he simply took it. She admired and understood that because she did the same.
Kenzie hadn’t waited around for a better life, she had created one for herself.
Kyler drew closer to Ella, and Kenzie’s heart warmed for her friends. While she couldn’t help but be happy for them, collaring wasn’t for her. Seriously, being attached? No, thank you. Wild sex and hot BDSM kept her interested. The challenge of new Doms, while pushing against their mastery, is what she lived for—it’s what kept her sane.
Throughout the years while exploring the BDSM lifestyle, she’d learned that nudging a Dom only made him intensify a scene. Not out of anger or punishment. Doms had too much control for that. It pushed against their authority. That gave Kenzie exactly what she needed, a higher intensity of play.
Pain skirting the edge of pleasure made her forget her old self, past heartbreaks, and everything in between. One intense scene erased her weakness, giving her strength for the workweek, until she could return to Club Sin the following weekend for her next fix.
The crowd went silent as Kyler settled in front of Ella and asked, “Will you kneel for me and wear my collar, Ella, as a symbol of my ownership and of our love?”
Ella smiled and gracefully knelt before him. “I will wear it proudly for all of my days, sir.”
Kyler’s eyes softened in a way Kenzie had never seen from him as he fastened the diamond choker around Ella’s neck. Then he became more serious, tucking a finger under her chin. “You now belong to me.”
A tear slid down Ella’s pinkened cheeks. “Yes, I am yours, sir.”
The crowd shifted on their feet in anticipation as Kyler offered his hand and Ella rose. He took one step toward her, sliding his hands around her face and taking her into a kiss that Kenzie thought was sweet. Intimate. Not at all dominant. Feeling like Cupid had done his work here, she clapped along with the crowd. Until Kyler deepened the kiss, and then Kenzie’s stomach roiled. She’d never been kissed with such devotion. Then again, how could anyone become invested in her when she never let anyone clo
se enough to form a real relationship?
Impossible.
Cupid could keep his cute ass away from her. Lust fulfilled her, because in her mind, this ultimately kept her in control of her destiny and kept her moving forward. Every submissive chose what she wanted out of the lifestyle, and Kenzie wanted casual Doms who could deliver intense scenes. She certainly didn’t want a Dom she belonged to in every sense of the word. For if she went there, her façade would be exposed. That, she couldn’t allow. She didn’t want to drown in the past. She wanted to live in the future.
A future where she was someone different. Someone stronger. Someone happier.
Her heart, her secrets, her soul all belonged to her.
“How is Ms. Kenzie tonight?”
She glanced sideways and smiled at Club Sin Master Aidan Knight. His shadowy gray eyes were kind and commanding, reflecting what existed in all the Club Sin Masters—a confidence that was alluring and that Kenzie often wanted to steal. “Doing well, sir, though I’m carefully dodging Cupid’s arrows.” At Aidan’s low chuckle, she added, “A girl has to be careful of late, but I’m good at swatting them away.”
The stony expression he typically wore softened. “I do wonder if any Dom here will ever win that heart of yours.”
She folded her arms, scrunching her nose. “It can only be won if it were available to win, which it is not—I have no interest in that type of relationship.”
“Yes, I remember,” he replied firmly, yet only amusement shone in his eyes. “But you never know.”
Kenzie’s smile grew. This was what she loved. Even if she tested the Doms from time to time, she always felt appreciated and liked by them. They were good friends to her; she’d always believed that. She liked how easygoing they were around her. The distance she had wanted so desperately in the past she had achieved in Club Sin.
Cora, Aidan’s new wife, stepped in next to him. Her long, dark hair draped her shoulder and her ocean-blue eyes all but sparkled as she smiled up to her husband. He, of course, wrapped an arm around her, holding her tight.
Kenzie groaned. “Okay. All this love is a little too much for me tonight; this is Club Sin, not Club Cupid.”
“Oh, please,” Cora said and snickered. “Better to be in love than to be referred to as the crazy book lady. If you were more open-minded, you might find a Dom who has a collar that fits you, too.”
“There is nothing wrong with being in love with books,” Kenzie defended. Books were fantasy. They were a way to escape to another world and be another person for a little while, just as Club Sin was.
Cora winked. “So says the crazy book lady.”
Master Aidan’s gaze connected with something over Kenzie’s shoulder, amusement crinkling the corners of his eyes. “A crazy book lady who happens to also be a feisty submissive. Be good tonight.”
Cora all but bounced next to him. “Let’s go grab a seat. I wanna be front row for this show.”
Before Kenzie could figure out what they were going on about, a low voice rumbled behind her. “It’s time to play, troublemaker.”
Kenzie stiffened in that instant. Warm breath trailed over the back of her neck, and shaking it off, she turned to the newest Club Sin Dom, Porter Marshall. He stood right in her space, grinning down at her with his charming and most delicious smile.
She had to angle her head to meet his dark hazel eyes. His tall stature dwarfed her five-foot-five height. Dressed in cargo pants and a black T-shirt, Porter’s beefy, muscular physique filled out his clothing. She supposed private investigators needed to stay in shape, because Porter’s body put most male models to shame. A strand of his sandy-colored hair hung over his brow, and his chin was square, cheekbones defined, lips sculpted to the purest perfection. Porter, so masculine and powerful, pressed all her on buttons.
One brow lifted. “Do you plan on answering me?”
Kenzie blinked. Damn, I’m ogling him. She jerked away, realizing that Cora and Aidan had taken a seat on the couch a few feet away. Her mouth went dry and insides quivered, and she wasn’t sure what it was about Porter that knocked her flat on her ass. She wondered if maybe it was because Porter was a new Dom to her, and tonight would be their first scene together. Whatever it was, the man commanded her mind whenever he was near. He also awakened her body, as if his mere presence demanded it.
Hell, she had come to discover that he electrified the space around him. Whenever he entered a room, no one else existed. She didn’t know if other people noticed that or if it was her alone. Feeling a tad thrown off by his effect on her, she lifted her chin, giving him her sassiest smile. “Yes. Let’s play.”
Porter hrmphed and then gripped her jaw, angling her chin down. She held her breath, refusing to inhale his delectable woodsy scent as he leaned in. “Is that how we’re going to play this?”
She held his stare, not wanting to show how uneasy he made her. This Dom possessed a power that Kenzie hadn’t experienced before with a Club Sin Dom or even in Chains. He made her unsure in her steps, and that never happened to her. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
His bedroom eyes twinkled at her. “Lifting your chin at your Dom. Really, Kenzie?” His arched brow rose higher. “Are you that inexperienced? Should I treat you like a newbie when we play?”
One month, that’s how long she’d been assigned to be Porter’s submissive, and tonight was day one. It wasn’t typical for that kind of situation to happen in Club Sin, but these were unusual circumstances. Porter had been offered the chance to obtain Club Sin Master status, which all Doms sought. It was a prestigious role, given only to the most experienced Doms who helped Dmitri monitor and teach the Club Sin members. Younger Doms respected the Club Sin Masters, and all the submissives wanted to play with the Masters. The title was a great honor.
Since Porter had been a member of Club Sin for only a couple months, Dmitri decided that Porter needed to prove himself to their members. That’s where Kenzie came into play—she would be Porter’s submissive for one month as a test for him. She knew the reason Dmitri picked her. Most Doms lost patience with her. If Porter could withstand a month playing only with her, that said a lot about his skill.
She thought that should insult her, but it didn’t. Bottom line: It worked for her, because it meant that they all saw her exactly as she wanted them to. A brat. She didn’t push against Doms because she wanted to be a Dominant, nor was she a switch—a person who enjoyed playing both roles. She was most definitely a submissive. She liked receiving pleasure and pain, not giving it, as a Dominatrix would. All the same, she nearly shuddered at the thought of Porter being careful with her like he would be with a new submissive. “Don’t treat me like a newbie,” she said sternly.
His eyes narrowed. “Don’t treat me like a newbie, what?”
“Don’t treat me like a newbie, sir.”
His grip tightened on her chin. He was too intense. Too focused. Unease swept through her as he asked, “So what is that gesture, then? When you lift your chin, are you showing defiance because you want to play games with me?”
She swallowed, not liking the scrutiny he put her under. Never, not once, had a Dom called her out on her behavior. They simply punished it, which was exactly how she liked it. It kept her at a safe distance. But she also wanted Porter in a bad way. To have this Dom’s hands on her body: Yes, please. The arrangement between them gave her the chance to get what she wanted…him, especially considering he hadn’t yet asked her to scene with him in the couple months he’d been at Club Sin. “No, sir, I don’t want to play games.”
“Then why do you make such newbie mistakes? Is it on purpose?”
To challenge you.
She ignored her thought and shrugged. “Habit, sir.”
A wicked smile slowly crossed his face and he took the final step to close the distance between them, making the air thicken. His strong body pressed against hers, and her sex moistened as quickly as she drew in a deep breath. What special thing this man had that others didn�
�t, she didn’t know, but one look, one simple touch, made her burn.
He brought his mouth centimeters from hers, and his warm, minty breath brushed across her face. “Ah, yes, you have gotten away with much, haven’t you?”
She battled against pressing her tingling lips to his, confused by his statement. There was nothing she got away with in Club Sin. The Doms she had played with always issued a punishment, but she wasn’t going to argue with a man in full Dom mode. “If that’s what you think, sir.”
He snorted a laugh. “Now you’re playing it that way?”
She nearly pushed against his fingers to lift her head in her defense, but she got the feeling that if she did it again it would only prove his point. “What way am I playing this now, sir?”
“Placating me?”
She rolled her eyes. “Okay, I give. I’m waving the white flag. Every answer I give seems to annoy you. What would you like me to say, sir?”
Her heart tripped in her chest as he brushed his finger over her cheek. His touch. His smell. His hot and hard body. She fought to remain in control of her mind and not tumble into the passion right there, ready for her to take it.
Something he was apparently aware of, since his expression grew more intense. “I want correct and honest answers.”
She searched his eyes, totally stumped on what to say next. Most Doms reacted to her verbal sassiness. Porter—frustratingly—did not. In fact, his large cock pressed so deliciously against her indicated he clearly enjoyed it. Having no way out, she remained quiet, since he kept trapping her.
“Now that is the right answer.” He dragged his fingers across her cheekbone. “Silence from you is a good thing, since your mouth often gets you into trouble.” She shivered, and he grinned approval. “Yes, beautiful. That is the correct physical response to me, too.”
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