Slave To Love

by Bridget Midway

  Slave To Love

  Bridget Midway

  Published by Phaze Books

  By Bridget Midway

  Adam and E-V-E

  C-A-I-N and A-B-E-L

  Walls

  Fascination Street

  Corporate Seduction

  Corporate Needs

  Corporate Desires

  Original Sin

  Love My Way

  Sodom and Gomorrah

  Suburbia

  Licorice Whips

  Woman in Chains

  Last Call

  Slave To Love

  This is an explicit and erotic novel

  intended for the enjoyment

  of adult readers. Please keep

  out of the hands of children.

  www.Phaze.com

  Slave To Love

  Copyright © 2014 by Bridget Midway

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

  Edited by Kathryn Lively

  Cover Art © 2015 by Niki Browning

  First Edition August 2015

  eBook ISBN-13: 978-1-60659-851-1

  Trade Paperback ISBN: 978-1-60659-852-8

  Published by:

  Phaze Books

  An imprint of Celeritas Unlimited LLC

  6457 Glenway Ave., #109

  Cincinnati, OH 45211

  All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher, Celeritas Unlimited LLC, 6457 Glenway Avenue, #109, Cincinnati, Ohio 45211, books@mundania.com.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

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  Dedication

  When I originally wrote Love My Way back in 2006, I never intended to write a sequel. I didn’t think I could top that story, and I couldn’t figure out how a submissive could pick her Dom or Domme in a reality TV show. Readers read Love My Way and constantly asked for a sequel. They wanted to know what happened with Eagan Morton and Ananda “Begonia” Zelder. There were contestants who stuck with them that they wanted to know what they were doing now. When I reread my own work, my mind went straight to Eagan’s brother, Christian. Who was this man who Eagan couldn’t make time for when he planned his show? What were his problems that Eagan thought matched his host, Tony Artini? What’s his story? Then I remembered when I wrote Love My Way I did it to challenge myself as a writer. I couldn’t imagine if a show like this were to exist today, how it would air. Would it work? I applied that thinking to Slave to Love.

  Years ago, I had started and stopped a sequel so many times, I could have written the book ten times by now. None of the efforts felt right. When I plotted this one and started writing it, I got that same feeling I did when I wrote Love My Way. I couldn’t wait to get home and return to my “friends,” the ones I created in the story. Hopefully, you all will feel the same with this book.

  Because readers were the ones who prompted me to write a sequel, I wrote this book as sort of a “love letter” to you. You all represent the wide-eyed wonder that my heroine, Taren Kerrigan, has with the world of BDSM. I guess to that end, I would represent the hero, Christian Jace Morton, who is opposed to all of this.

  I wouldn’t be where I am without you readers. For that reason, I chose to do something in this book that I’ve never done before. A couple of people contacted me to do them a “favor” in my next book. I did that and then some. I sincerely hope that everyone takes my work and especially my characterizations as flattery. I find readers sexy and smart and kind.

  Besides the readers, I want to give a huge thanks to slave into, Miss Paula, and the group at Virginia Dommes and male submissives under the T.I.E.D. organization. This group of people have taught me so much about BDSM and making me see it for the true relationship that it is.

  I would be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to thank the woman who truly brought me into the fold. That woman was Mistress Dama de Noche, author of The ABC’s of BDSM, and someone I called my friend. She always supported my craft with words of wisdom, demonstrations and by coming to all of my local book signing events. You were classy, smart, generous, and the toughest sadist I knew. I miss you so much. Rest in peace, my friend.

  As always, a big, huge thank-you to Phaze Books for never letting me down when I ask them to put a book in print in time for an event, and to my editor, Kathryn Lively, who is always balanced, fair, and right on the money when it comes to edits.

  Thank you to my man, The Jimmy. Thank you for giving me my space and showering me with kisses whenever I needed it. I love you.

  Chapter One

  Jace Morton wanted some time by himself to collect his thoughts, get his mind right before the award ceremony. Too bad the hotel lobby he stood in offered no peace or privacy. Guests checking into their rooms glanced at him.

  He wore an all-black suit with a striking cobalt blue tie, something his mother selected. If she hadn’t chosen it and begged him to wear it, he would have gone to this event with his shirt unbuttoned at the top and as casual as he could. Only his mother had the power to sway him.

  He peered at the main entryway into the Cavalier Hotel, checking to see if one special guest arrived. The bright lights in the lobby put a spotlight on everyone in the space. No way could anyone hide.

  Jace paced around the small area he occupied. His shiny black leather shoes hadn’t been properly broken in yet and they pinched the sides of his feet. Damn wide feet. Big man problems. At least his suit fit him like a glove. Great having a tailor.

  He shoved his hands in his pockets, half-expecting to find an old friend. He’d given up cigarettes recently, and dropped other harmful vices years ago. Some habits he couldn’t ignore no matter how hard he’d tried. So far, he’d kept the urges at bay.

  “Great night, huh?” Another construction company owner popped up in front of Jace’s view. A big smile split the cherubic man’s face.

  Jace shook the stranger’s chubby hand to get him moving on as fast as possible. “Yes, it’s an honor to be nominated.” He patted the shorter man’s shoulder whose name had escaped him.

  Bob? Bill? Brady? Hell, who knew? Did it really matter? Jace had built his business alone with little help from his family. He’d earned this “Builder of the Year” nomination based on his merits. Associating with other business owners didn’t benefit him.

  “All the actio
n right now is happening in the ballroom.” Jace pointed to the room where he’d have to give a sincere speech about his accomplishments in the world of construction and real estate once he won the award.

  He had to think of himself as a winner. It would be too easy to let doubt cloud his thoughts. He had done that for far too long.

  Billy Bob, as Jace now thought of the visitor in front of him, carried a quaky smile as Jace nudged him toward the room with soft lighting, bathing the guests in a dim glow. His hard-soled shoes reminded Jace of a toddler learning about the joys of running after figuring out she could walk.

  “Aren’t you coming in?” Billy Bob stumbled on his steps as he tried keeping his stare on Jace while walking away from him.

  Jace glanced at his watch. “I need some time before it all starts.”

  No use keeping the conversation going, Jace turned his back on him to put his attention guests coming in the door. He glanced at his watch. Would he make it in time?

  Jace felt a light touch on his arm. He started to turn and lay into Billy Bob for encroaching upon his space again. When Jace saw his mother’s face, his shoulders relaxed. Although he wanted to smile, he couldn’t.

  “You’re looking a little tight.” She brushed her hands down Jace’s lapels then quickly adjusted her gauzy tan shawl around her shoulders.

  Despite it being the beginning of July, his mother still carried a pale complexion. Jace had hoped his mother would venture outside more, visit friends, get some sun.

  “I’m fine, Mom.” Jace attempted to offer a pleasant expression but couldn’t muster one.

  He should have been able to be happy for a family member who had always supported him, even during his darker days. He wanted to see his whole family behind him.

  He stared at his mother. She’d kept her blonde hair with bits of gray strands peeking through in short cut. She’d desired simplicity, she’d claimed, when she’d gotten the style shortly after Jace’s father had died a few years ago.

  People had always told Jace that he had his mother’s looks. He certainly didn’t get his height from her. Her diminutive stature had him peering down at her.

  She’d lost some of the weight she’d gained when his father had become sick. Emotional eater, she’d said to explain the change. Her light blue eyes sparkled when she smiled. It helped that the lines around her eyes looked like rays coming from the sun.

  “You were always a bad liar.” She patted his shoulder. “I’m very proud of you, son. I know you’ll win. And if you don’t, screw ‘em.”

  Jace took her hand from his shoulder and kissed the back of it. “Thanks.” He glanced at the door. He didn’t know his mother would have caught the break in attention.

  “Did he say he was coming?” Aileen held onto her small, silver purse with both hands. She glanced at a passing waiter carrying a tray full of champagne glasses. She quickly brought her attention back to him after swallowing hard.

  Jace clutched her hand harder to let her know he had her back. “I called him and left him a message. I sent him an email.” His shoulders tightened with each desperate admission about trying to wrangle his older brother to an important event happening in his life.

  “Did you go see him?”

  Jace tried hard not rolling his eyes at his mother’s naïve inquiry. “You think Eagan is sitting up in his house in Virginia Beach waiting for me to show up?” He shook his head. “He’s off producing more movies and TV shows. He could care less——”

  “Don’t say that.” Aileen shook her head when she interrupted her son. “Eagan cares. He loves you. So does Ananda.”

  Ananda. No way would Jace’s mother dare call her by her BDSM scene name, Begonia. Hell, Jace didn’t know if his mother had seen the Love My Way TV show and knew how her first born met his wife of five years. Then again, Jace hadn’t seen the show at all when it had aired or when it came to online streaming sites or on repeat on Cine-tastic.

  “I don’t doubt that.” He looked at the door again.

  “Bad liar.”

  Jace dropped his gaze to his mother. “Why do you think that I’m not telling you the truth?”

  She snickered. “A mother knows.” She put her hand to the side of his face and urged him to bring his head down so that she could kiss his cheek. “See you inside. You’ll be great.”

  Aileen turned to the grand ballroom. Jace watched her until he could no longer see her. When he turned, he saw someone else who had become like his brother Eagan but couldn’t exactly be classified in the same category, and it had nothing to do with him being African American. Since he worked for Jace, Jace had to keep the boundaries set.

  Aaron Slater strolled into the hotel with his wife, Cherryce, hand in hand. Aaron’s golden brown skin tone looked like a stark contrast against Cherryce’s dark mahogany complexion. They did look good together.

  Although he did love Aaron like a brother and trusted him, seeing him so happy in his long-term marriage forced Jace to look away. He couldn’t bear to view something he could never have.

  “Hey, man. What are you doing out here?” Aaron slapped palms with Jace and pulled him in for a half-hug. “Shouldn’t you be in there, getting ready to drop some knowledge?”

  “Needed some time to myself.” Jace leaned down and gave Aaron’s wife a kiss on her cheek.

  “You look so handsome.” Cherryce smiled. She nudged Aaron’s side. “See. I knew I should have brought that girl from church.” Her deep Bostonian accent came through even when she tried to whisper.

  Jace took a deep breath and kept his mouth closed for fear of offending the only people not related to him who had his back. Cherryce, with her kind, brown eyes, always tried hooking up Jace with different women. The women she chose for him didn’t match his type. Too bad that didn’t deter her.

  “Drop that, honey.” Aaron raised his hand up to Jace. “It’s my man’s night.”

  “Yeah, you two go inside. I’ll be there in a minute.” He patted Aaron’s upper arm as he walked by to go to the ballroom.

  Jace glanced at his watch again before peering at the door. Eagan wouldn’t be showing up tonight. He didn’t know why that news shocked him. Even before their father had passed away, Eagan had started pulling himself back from Jace and their mother.

  Eagan couldn’t have blamed his aversion to Jace on BDSM. Both participated in that. At least at one time they did, just not in the same circles. The fifteen-year age difference prevented Jace from mingling with Eagan’s clubs and groups.

  Once Love My Way aired, Jace stopped all association with the lifestyle. He had been his own man before the show. Then people thought he’d became a Dom because of Eagan. Part of that had been true. Jace knew he wanted to be a Dom before he knew what to call his predilection.

  To be seen as a copycat and worse pushed Jace to the edge. With a few exceptions, he hadn’t looked back on his old life. As he stared at the front door, his former life came waltzing through it.

  In a sea of beige and muted colors in the hotel, Michelle Jaxon, his last serious relationship, strolled into the place like a dream. She gasped when her gaze met his. She tried pretending not to notice him, keeping her head down and her stare averted.

  “Michelle?” Jace called out to her.

  She stepped up her pace.

  “Hey.” He approached her. Before he could touch her arm, her breath caught and she stumbled back.

  “Don’t touch me, okay.” The African-American woman folded her arms over her chest and glanced around as though looking for an escape route or an ally.

  Jace didn’t think she would need either one to talk to him. He took a step back. “I wanted to say hello. It’s been a long time since we—”

  “Please, don’t remind me.” She shook her head. “I looked at you and thought I was the luckiest sista in the world.” She smirked. “Tall, gorgeous man. Broad shoulders. Good body. Intelligent conversation. Then you got weird.”

  Jace never thought he would have been classified as a weir
do. He knew he should have stuck with his circle of friends. He liked Michelle. She seemed down to earth and, more importantly, down for anything.

  “We need to talk.” Maybe if Michelle knew that Jace had stopped his involvement in the BDSM lifestyle, she would see him differently. If nothing else, they could at least be friends.

  “I didn’t come here for you.” Michelle peered around him. “I’m seeing someone else.”

  “I’m happy for you.” His mother couldn’t accuse him of lying again.

  Jace had suspected that Michelle would move on to someone else, someone safe, someone vanilla.

  The brief relationship they had might not have worked out for them, but Michelle carried a shapely, voluptuous frame that Jace liked holding at one time. Her rich café au lait complexion complemented her dark brown eyes. She’d even cut her hair to a short ’do where the back looked like she kept it shaved close to her head and the front she left long and sweeping over one eye.

  When they had dated, Jace loved staring at her full lips. Now she kept them in a tight line like she fought to hold back the venomous words she wanted to spit at him.

  He hadn’t intended on scaring her when he’d shown her a black scarf as a potential blindfold. Until her, he hadn’t thought about his old lifestyle in years. She’d taken the spanking during sex very well. The mention of whips and canes had her running for the hills.

  “I hope he treats you right.” Jace clasped his hands together to keep from touching her.

  “He doesn’t want to tie me up and whip the skin off my back.”

  A couple standing close by glanced at Jace and Michelle for a moment when she made the inflammatory statement. Jace took a couple of steps away from them in the hopes that Michelle would follow. She hadn’t.

  Jace kept hit tone forceful and even. “I didn’t either, had you allowed me to explain.”