by Lexi Blake
God, he missed her.
No. He hated her. She’d lied. She’d fucking died. He didn’t need anyone. He needed vengeance in the form of one Eli Nelson.
And he might have just found it.
A single e-mail concerning an energy project in a small country close to India. Loa Mali, an island country. Eli Nelson was expanding his terrorist activities. He just had to run down Kristen whatever her name was and figure out what the hell she wanted.
She was using his team and he wouldn’t put up with that.
His cell phone buzzed beside him. He looked down. Alex. A long sigh came out of his mouth. Alex was probably calling to ask him where he’d gone. He was the best man after all. Best man. Such a ridiculous phrase. He was hardly a man at all. He was a monster, and he proved it day after day.
He wouldn’t worry Alex with his problems now. It was Alex’s honeymoon. He’d just watched Alex and Eve renew the vows they’d made so long ago in a simple ceremony that had gotten to Ian far more than he was willing to admit.
He’d made vows to love Charlotte, and he’d been a motherfucking, led-by-his-cock idiot. Nothing he’d promised her had been false. He’d meant every stupid word. He’d meant to love and cherish her. He’d meant to die for her.
But she’d lied and played him like a moron.
And she’d died first. That hurt worst of all.
He could feel her in his arms, her sweet body a cooling corpse. He’d loved once and never again. Charlie was his woman, his soul’s mate. She was a fucking righteous bitch, the perfect mate to his inner bastard, and now she was gone and he would be alone for the rest of his life.
But he didn’t need a goddamn thing. He was a warrior. He didn’t need a permanent woman.
A chime went off.
Ian looked up, slightly startled. Someone was at his door? No one got to his door without setting off his perimeter alarms. He pressed a couple of buttons on his computer. Nothing. Why hadn’t his security gone off?
He got up and walked to the door. His security was damn near perfect, but somehow the person who had knocked hadn’t set off the alarm.
His cell phone trilled again. Alex. He loved Alex. Oh, he would never put it in those words, but Alex was his brother. He was thrilled that Alex and Eve were all “man and wife forever and shit” again, but he needed the night off. He’d managed to stand beside them, managed to watch Alex place a ring on her finger and a collar around her neck, but he’d slunk out of the reception. Everyone had a wife now. Sean was married with a kid. Liam had a wife and kid on the way. Fuck, even crazy Adam and Jake had managed to find someone and knock her up.
Alex had found his way home to Eve.
He’d found his true love and she’d died in his arms. Was it any wonder he kind of hoped he could horrifically murder whoever was on the other side of his door? It was all he had left. He set the phone aside. He wasn’t going to answer it tonight.
He pulled his SIG, clicking the safety off. He looked at the monitor he kept by the door. It was fed by the camera he kept on his entryway. Female. Even in a dark hoodie and jeans, he could see her curves. She held her hands out, showing him she wasn’t carrying, but her head was down. He kept his gun ready because he wasn’t about to just trust that she wasn’t armed.
He opened the door because, yeah, he was curious. Someone had managed to get around his copious security system. Had she been sent by Eli Nelson? Was this the mysterious Kristen? Who the fuck else could it be? He had CCTV cameras and motion detectors and every other kind of security, and not a single alarm had gone off, just that one little bell, signaling someone was at his front door.
He stared at the figure in his doorway. Her head came up and he actually felt his heart start to pound. Five foot eight with killer curves. Red hair that reached past her shoulders. It had been black before, but the red looked good on her. And those eyes. God, he knew those eyes. He’d looked into them a hundred times and a hundred times, they had kicked him straight in the gut.
Master, I love you. I wish nothing more than to please my most precious Master.
She’d made him believe, with her shining eyes and her snarky wit and those curves that went on for days. She’d been so smart, so deadly, so damn good at her job. He’d known she was trouble from the minute he’d met her, but he hadn’t been able to turn away.
She’d brought him to his knees because he’d died the day that she did.
His heart dropped to his toes.
“Hi,” she said in a breathy voice.
“You’re Kristen.” Everything fell into place. Now he knew why she hadn’t wanted him in Florida. She’d been the one to cause all the chaos. And he understood how she’d gotten past his security. No one was sneakier. “Hello, Charlotte.”
Ian forced his legs to stay strong. After all, it wasn’t every day his dead wife came back to life.
Ian Taggart and the whole McKay-Taggart Security team will return in Love and Let Die.
A Tragic Love Story
Charlotte Dennis’s mission was clear: distract and misdirect CIA operative Ian Taggart by any means necessary. If she failed, she would never see her sister again. With her training, it should have been simple, but after one night in Ian’s arms, she knew that saving her sister would mean losing the man of her dreams.
Ian was tracking a terrorist when he met the beautiful American daughter of a Russian mobster. His instincts told him Charlotte was trouble, but his body craved her like a drug and his heart would not be denied. She took his ring and his collar. For once he was truly happy. But as he closed in on his target, her betrayal cost him his mission while her sacrifice saved his life. As she died in his arms, Ian vowed he would never love again.
A Dangerous Reunion
For six years, Charlotte has thought of nothing but returning to her husband, her Master. Working in the shadows, she has devoted herself to earning a chance to reclaim her place in Ian’s life. But forgiveness isn’t a part of Ian’s vocabulary.
Nothing is more important to Ian Taggart than his new mission. But the information he needs is firmly in the hands of the woman who betrayed him. To catch his most dangerous prey, Ian will have to let Charlotte back into his life. As the hunt takes them to some of the world’s most exotic locations, the danger grows and their passion reignites.
Will Ian forgive his wayward submissive…or lose her again?
About Lexi Blake:
Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places. Lexi believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome or foursome may seem. She also writes contemporary western ménage as Sophie Oak.
Connect with Lexi online:
Facebook: Lexi Blake
Twitter: www.twitter.com/@authorlexiblake
Smashwords: www.smashwords.com/profile/view/LexiBlake
Website: www.LexiBlake.net
Other Books by Lexi Blake:
Masters And Mercenaries
The Dom Who Loved Me
The Men With The Golden Cuffs
A Dom Is Forever
On Her Master’s Secret Service
Coming in 2013:
Love and Let Die
Coming Soon:
Leaving Camelot, Wild Western Nights, Book 1
Masters of Ménage by Shayla Black and Lexi Blake
Their Virgin Captive
Their Virgin’s Secret
Their Virgin Concubine
Their Virgin Princess
Coming Soon:
Their Virgin Hostage
Their Virgin Hostage
Masters of Ménage, Book 5
By Shayla Black and Lexi Blake
Available June 2013
One Hostage Bride
Kinley Kohl agrees to marry wealthy Greg Jansen to save her family. Her wedding day should
be the happiest of her life…except that she doesn’t love him. And she can’t help but wonder if she’s making a mistake. Even so, she refuses to let her loved ones down. Then moments before her nuptials, she’s kidnapped—and her whole life changes.
Three Determined Mercenaries
Dominic Anthony has waited years to avenge his sister’s murder. He knows Greg Jansen is dirty, but he needs a witness to help prove his case. Jansen’s new bride is the perfect hostage. Kinley Kohl will tell him everything…or else. But his two business partners aren’t so sure. Law and Riley Anders worry that Kinley isn’t as guilty as she seems. And Law suspects she might be the one woman who can handle them all.
From Target to Treasure
In the wilds of Alaska, the three men try to pry Kinley open, only to discover she’s both stronger and more innocent than they imagined. Her sweet beauty melts their suspicion and steals their hearts. Together, they awaken her passion and brand her as their own. When danger strikes, the men realize they must save Kinley or lose the love of their lives forever.
Enjoy the following excerpts from Shayla Black, Cherise Sinclair, and Kallypso Masters.
Dangerous Boys and Their Toy
By Shayla Black
Available Now!
Trading orgasms for information isn’t their usual way of doing business, but when a missing criminal-turned-star-witness and fifty grand are on the line, bounty hunter R. A. Thorn and Detective Cameron Martinez are prepared to put their bodies to the task and give gorgeous Brenna Sheridan everything she needs.
An exchange they never anticipated becomes an experience none can forget—or walk away from. Sexual hunger sizzles the threesome, but the stakes and danger rise as a mafia bad-ass stalks Brenna.
Soon, their “deal” is no longer about information—or sex. Emotions bind Brenna, Cam and Thorn together more tightly than they ever imagined as the men protect—and serve—the beloved woman neither can live without.
* * * *
“Detective,” she cried. “Thorn broke in, tied me up in my sleep and fondled me without my permission.”
“Not exactly true. I used the key under the flower pot on the front porch to let myself in, and I touched you with your permission—more or less. I asked you if you’d tell me what I wanted to know if I made you come, and you said yes.”
“I didn’t mean it.”
“How was I supposed to know that? You were wet as hell when I touched you. As far as I’m concerned our bargain still stands.”
“Even if it did,” Brenna argued. “You didn’t make me come.”
Thorn flushed red. “I came damn close. Besides, you didn’t specify that I personally had to make you come, just that I had to make sure it happened. Cam will take care of the technicalities.”
Cam sighed and opened his mouth to refute Thorn.
Brenna shot back, “He can’t make me come, either.”
Normally, Cameron would let such a comment slide off his back. He didn’t have the chest-beating, macho caveman instincts Thorn possessed. But somehow, Brenna’s bald statement riled him a touch.
“Actually, I think, under normal circumstances, I could. I’m a patient man willing to take the time to discover what my partner needs during sex.” He cocked his head and stared at Brenna. An odd sort of longing crossed her face. He remembered the night by the pool, watching her frustrated attempt to orgasm. “But what you’re talking about is deeper, right?” He crossed the room to sit on the bed beside her. “Have you ever had an orgasm?”
Brenna flushed twenty shades of red then turned away.
He took that to mean no.
An orgasm deficit to most would not be a huge tragedy. Through most of high school and college, Cameron had gone without. Too many people underfoot for self-pleasure. In his mostly white school, too many folks had been unwilling to get naked with someone half Apache, half Hispanic. In Arizona, that century and a half year-old prejudice against Indians and Mexicans still quietly lived on in more than a handful of people.
But Brenna… Her deficit wasn’t a mere case of going without. It was an inability, her shamed expression told him. And Cameron ached for her. What would it be like to be an adult and not know the joy of sexual satisfaction?
Tragedy.
“See? She’s frigid,” Thorn mouthed off.
Cameron whirled on him. “Has anyone ever told you what an enormous prick you are?”
Thorn grinned. “No, but I hear frequently what an enormous prick I have.”
Cameron rolled his eyes then turned back to Brenna. “Ignore him. When the phrase son of a bitch was coined, they had Thorn in mind.”
“You’re not much better. Pinching me so hard it brought tears to my eyes.”
So he had. Totally unlike him. This stupid plot of Thorn’s wasn’t getting them anywhere, but he may be onto something.
“Key.” He held out his palm to Thorn.
“Ah, shit. Man, you’re going to uncuff her? She looks hot, bound and ready.”
She did. No refuting that. But Thorn couldn’t see the long-term benefit of uncuffing Brenna beyond the short-term benefit the view provided his dick.
“I’d hate to have to arrest you. You’d have to call your brother to bail you out.”
“Oh, hell no!” With another curse, Thorn slapped the key in Cam’s palm. “You ruin all the fun, you know that?”
“I’m the original party pooper.”
With a quick turn of his wrist and a few tugs, Brenna’s wrists were free. He untied her ankles. Just as she would have leapt from the bed and reached for the robe on the floor beside it, Cameron placed a palm between her bare collarbones.
“Not just yet.” Once he had her pinned to the bed, he said, “I am sincerely sorry that no man has taken the time or care with you to give you the pleasure you deserve. I’m sorry you have yet to figure out how to bring yourself to orgasm.” He brushed a stray curl from her cheek. “I know it must bother you. You must feel somewhat left out and…defective.”
Tears flooded Brenna’s eyes, and Cameron sucked in a shocked breath. He’d hoped that he was close to the truth, but hadn’t imagined that he was dead on. Her tears and pained expression said, however, that he was.
“It’s okay,” he whispered. “You’re not. It’s wrong for you to go on suffering needlessly. We will help you discover what you need to find fulfillment, if that’s what you want. But…” Cameron sighed, hating what he had to say next. “Thorn is right. We need your help in return. Lawton worked with a man named Julio Marco and others to traffic humans across the border and sell them into slavery. I was Lawton’s arresting officer. Thorn is his bail bondsman. We need Lawton to live up to his word to turn evidence for the state so the victims can have justice. He must come in and provide the testimony he promised. You’re our only hope of finding him.”
Brenna blinked. Tears ran down the sides of her face. Cameron hurt for her. She was clearly confused, didn’t know who to trust or what to do. He understood.
Cameron thumbed her tears away. “I would never want to hurt you. I believe we can help you. In return, I hope you’re willing to help us.” He leaned down and placed a gossamer kiss across her trembling lips. “Will you?”
For more information visit www.shaylablack.com.
Club Shadowlands
By Cherise Sinclair
Available now!
Her car disabled during a tropical storm, Jessica Randall discovers the isolated house where she's sheltering is a private bondage club. At first shocked, she soon becomes aroused watching the interactions between the Doms and their subs. But she's a professional woman--an accountant--and surely isn't a submissive . . . is she?
Master Z hasn't been so attracted to a woman in years. But the little sub who has wandered into his club intrigues him. She's intelligent. Reserved. Conservative. After he discovers her interest in BDSM, he can't resist tying her up and unleashing the passion she hides within.
* * * *
“What is your name?” Her ne
w host’s voice was deep, dark as the night outside.
“Jessica.” She stepped back from his grip to get a better look at her savior. Smooth black hair, silvering at the temples, just touching his collar. Dark gray eyes with laugh lines at the corners. A lean, hard face with the shadow of a beard adding a hint of roughness. He wore tailored black slacks and a black silk shirt that outlined hard muscles underneath. If Ben was a Rottweiler, this guy was a jaguar, sleek and deadly.
“I’m sorry to have bothered—” she started.
Ben reappeared with a handful of golden clothing that he thrust at her. “Here you go.”
She took the garments, holding them out to keep from getting the fabric wet. “Thank you.”
A faint smile creased the manager’s cheek. “Your gratitude is premature, I fear. This is a private club.”
“Oh. I’m sorry.” Now what was she going to do?
“You have two choices. You may sit out here in the entryway with Ben until the storm passes. The forecast stated the winds and rain would die down around six or so in the morning, and you won’t get a tow truck out on these country roads until then. Or you may sign papers and join the party for the night.”
She looked around. The entry was a tiny room with a desk and one chair. Not heated. Ben gave her a dour look.
Sign something? She frowned. Then again, in this lawsuit-happy world, every place made a person sign releases, even to visit a fitness center. So she could sit here all night. Or…be with happy people and be warm. No-brainer. “I’d love to join the party.”
