by Gemma James
His words raise my hackles, and before I attempt to form a response, Liam cuts in.
“You don’t have that kind of authority in this house.”
“Soon enough, my queen.” Heath removes a ribbon of measuring tape from his pocket. “I need to take your measurements.” He gestures to the top of my head, and I remain still as he wraps the tape around my skull.
But I’m quaking on the inside and trying to hold it together. In a few days, Liam won’t be around to protect me from this man.
“Does my queen have any design requests?” he asks as he marks the measurements in a black portfolio.
“Your queen does not.” I can’t help it—the snarky edge sneaks into my tone before I can stop it, and I sense Liam’s sigh rather than hear it. The displeased pull of Heath’s dark brows sends dread through me, and I rush to temper my tone. “But thank you for giving me the option.”
He shuts the portfolio with a decisive snap. “Chancellor, I believe you’ve been lax in handling Miss Van Buren.”
Liam hasn’t moved from his position. Sitting to my right, chin in hand, he watches with hooded eyes that hide any hint of what he’s thinking. “I’ve handled her just fine.”
“Her attitude is unacceptable.”
“We have differing views on what’s acceptable.”
Heath stands with a scowl. “She needs a training session in the dungeon.”
“That won’t happen while she’s in my house.”
Heath swivels his attention between the chancellor and me, jaw rigid and cold, hazel eyes squinting with frustration. “That will be the first thing she receives when she comes to mine.” He strides out of the sitting room, and when the front door of the penthouse slams upon his exit, I startle.
Liam rises. “I can’t let your behavior slide.”
I bow my head in shame because he warned me. “I’m sorry.”
“Apologies won’t save you from the dungeon, and they won’t spare you now.” The sound of a belt buckle lifts my gaze. I’m stricken as I watch him slide the thick leather strap from his pant loops.
“Liam, please.”
“Take off your skirt.”
I blink back tears as I slide the waistband down my thighs. The light material pools around my feet and I step out of the puddle of chiffon.
“Climb up,” he says, waving at the chair he just vacated. He loops the belt in his fist. “You can hold on to the back for support.”
“Please,” I beg again as the tears spill.
“Do as I say!”
His thundering baritone destroys the last of my composure, and I bawl as I climb onto the chair. It’s not the threat of pain that bothers me the most.
It’s the betrayal storming through me, devastating my heart in its violent path.
I embrace the cushioned back as his steps carry him closer. Those purposeful footfalls stall behind me, and he sucks in a deep breath. I wait, muscles quivering as gooseflesh crawls down my naked backside.
He promised welts if I misbehaved again.
He said it’s a matter of consistency, so I know the first strike is coming.
He’s a man of his word.
More seconds slip by, and I hold my breath as the salt of his betrayal drips down my cheeks.
Still…the first strike doesn’t come.
“Goddamnit, Novalee.” Something thumps to the floor.
I’m frozen in my vulnerable position, scared to believe he changed his mind.
“Get down.” His voice is soft, defeated.
A sob of relief escapes me. I turn to face him on shaky limbs, cheeks bathed in tears as I wrap my arms around myself. “You couldn’t do it.”
“No.” He takes me by the chin. “The thought of hurting you sickens me.” His grip tightens, incongruent with his words. “Heath doesn’t suffer from the same affliction. His rules are rigid, Novalee. He’ll hurt you when you break them.”
“Why?” The question is little more than a hoarse whisper. I clear my throat. “Why would he want to hurt me?”
“It’s just who he is.” He lets go of me and takes a step back, putting three feet of space between us. “And he won’t budge. Once he’s set his mind on something, there’s no undoing it.” His regretful gaze darts in the direction of the chair at my back. “He won’t change his mind about the dungeon.”
“I don’t want to go.”
“You have to.” He’s shaking, composure in tatters as he drags a hand through his hair. “And once you do, I can’t protect you.”
THANKS FOR READING!
If you have the time, please consider leaving a review and telling a friend! Authors rely on word of mouth to help get our work out there.
***
Part two of The Zodiac Queen is coming December 10, 2019!
Pre-order your copy now
Twelve men. A virgin queen. One arranged marriage.
Twelve diamonds.
That’s the number of precious stones in my crown.
And when I break one of Heath Bordeaux’s stringent rules, I lose one.
Earning it back entails pain and degradation.
No one can save me from his reign.
Not even Liam Castle.
Pre-order your copy of Taurus
Want to know when the next book comes out? Sign up for my newsletter so you never miss out on new releases, other book news, and ARC opportunities! You can also join Gemma’s Naughty Nook (a private Facebook group for fans) and like my Facebook author page.
ALSO AVAILABLE FROM GEMMA JAMES
A DARK AND SEDUCTIVE SERIES OF BLACKMAIL & REVENGE
Billionaire Gage Channing has always wanted to own a woman. Not just any woman, but his thieving personal assistant. Let the blackmail begin.
Grab your copy of the Devil’s Kiss Series Collection
***
AN ACTION-PACKED DARK ROMANCE YOU WON’T FORGET
She sent the love of her life to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Eight years later, he’s out for revenge…
Grab your copy of Condemned: Volume One
***
SEXY FRIENDS-TO-LOVERS
She’s my sister’s best friend. The girl I’ve known since grade school. The girl that’s off-limits...and she wants me to teach her how to blow a guy.
Grab your copy of Swallow Me Whole
***
FORBIDDEN OFFICE ROMANCE
He’s flying home to confront his cheating wife. She’s running from her life in shame. Neither expected to fall in love 35,000 feet in the air.
Grab your copy of the Trashy Affair Duet
***
SUSPENSEFUL PSYCHIC ROMANCE
She’s running from a traumatic past. He’s got nothing left to lose. They might heal each other if a serial killer doesn’t get to them first.
Grab your copy of Epiphany
TOP 10 SONGS ON THE ARIES PLAYLIST
1. “Kings and Queens and Vagabonds” by Ellem
2. “Winter Bird” by AURORA
3. “Between Wind and Water” by Hael
4. “Wolves” by Selena Gomez
5. “I Found You” by Ag Silver
6. “Destroyer” by Phantogram
7. “California Dreamin’” by Sia
8. “Outnumbered” by Dermot Kennedy
9. “Teardrop” by Civil Twilight
10. “Heartless” by Dermot Kennedy
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you to the readers and bloggers who make writing the stories in my head worth the sweat and tears. My muse has been playing around with the zodiac concept for a couple of years now. This past January, Novalee’s story started forming in my head. For the first time in months, I felt gut-jittery excited about an idea. Thank you so much for jumping into this new series with me. I hope I’ve done Aries justice enough that you’ll stick around for the long haul.
A few wonderful ladies deserve a special mention for their support and encouragement in creating Aries: I’d like to give a huge thank-you to Jaulisa for he
r candle magic. I can’t tell you how much the gesture moved me. Thanks to Christine for your help on the proofreading. Aries reads smoother because of you. And thanks to Ashley for reading the early chapters and giving feedback. I miss your face!
I also want to thank Candi Kane PR for all of her hard work in getting Aries into the hands of bloggers and readers.
Lastly, I have to give a shout-out to my Naughty Nookers in Gemma’s Naughty Nook. Here’s to no drama, fantastic reads, and a community where we lift each other up instead of tearing each other down. You guys are the best!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Gemma James is a USA Today bestselling author of a blend of genres, from new adult contemporary to dark romance. She loves to explore the darker side of human nature in her fiction, and she’s morbidly curious about anything dark and edgy, from deviant sex to serial killers. Readers have described her stories as being “not for the faint of heart.”
She warns you to heed their words! Her playground isn’t full of rainbows and kittens, though she likes both. She lives in middle-of-nowhere Oregon with her husband, two children, and a gaggle of animals. You can connect with her online at the following places:
Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Gemma’s Naughty Nook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Instagram
