by K. C. Wells
Vic leaned over and kissed him. “Now you’re truly mine.”
Rob beamed at him. “Like I wasn’t before.”
“Congratulations, Rob” came a voice from off to the left.
“Ellis!” Rob cried. “How are you feeling?”
Ellis smiled as he approached them, his cane in hand and Wayne at his side. “A little sore, but I’m okay.”
Rob’s gaze flickered down. “Oh, is something wrong with your leg?”
Wayne chuckled. “He’s sore in other places.”
Rob cocked his head, and then his eyes went wide. “Oh.”
“Yeah, thanks for that, Wayne,” Ellis muttered.
Wayne snickered. “You love it.”
This time it was Ellis’s turn to have flushed cheeks.
“Let’s go to the bar,” Vic said. “I want to show you off to everyone.”
Rob held out a hand. “Let’s go, then.”
Vic shook his head. In spite of all the training, Rob still managed to blatantly ignore protocol. Will he ever change? Vic hoped to hell not.
“Rob?” Jarod appeared beside Rob, a grin on his face. “Eli and I have something for you. Sir, would you and Rob accompany me, please?”
Rob gave Vic a look. “Do you know what this is about?”
Vic grinned. “Not a clue.”
Ellis handed Rob a towel, which he wrapped around his waist, and they followed him to the lift. When it opened on the third floor, all of them stepped out and Jarod led them to a door. He turned and handed Rob the key.
Rob peered at it, frowning. “What—?”
“Open the door” came a voice from inside.
Rob put the key in the lock and gave it a twist. He pushed the door open and gasped.
Eli stood in the middle of a large room. “Welcome to the sub’s safe space.”
There were overstuffed couches surrounding a coffee table to one side, and on the other side of the room was a large screen television that had a game unit hooked up to it. A refrigerator with a glass front displayed juices and bottled waters. And bright lights flashed from a dart machine that stood in the farthest corner of the room.
“I don’t understand,” Rob said softly.
“Eli and I talked about it. Many of our submissives are younger men. We thought this might be the kind of space that would appeal to them. And to you.”
“It’s amazing. I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything,” Jarod assured him. “I—we—know how important it is to have a place to escape to from time to time. Of course, the subs will need permission from their Doms before they can come up here.”
Rob couldn’t believe they’d done this. He glanced over toward the dart machine. “Let me guess, you know about how much Ellis likes darts.”
Eli chuckled. “Jarod went to Wayne and asked for his input. He knows how Ellis loves his darts and asked if we’d consider putting one in so he could play. Of course, we did. And, Rob? If you think of something else that you’d like to see here, let us know. We’re not going to promise anything, but we can definitely discuss it.”
Jarod put a hand on Rob’s arm. “Do you think this would work for you and your friends to meet in?”
Rob frowned. “You mean, us to meet in. I wasn’t kidding when I invited you, Jarod. I mean, I’ll understand if you’d prefer not to, but—”
“Yes, I’d love to,” Jarod said. “I wasn’t sure.”
Rob stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Jarod’s shoulders. “I know you have friends in Manchester, but maybe you could have friends here too.” Rob grinned. “Besides, I bet you’d wipe the floor with us at Mario Kart.”
Jarod laughed. “Yes, I would like to be your friend.” He waggled his brows. “And I happen to be very good at video games.”
Eli groaned. “Don’t I know it.” Both Jarod and Rob chuckled. “Seriously, though, this is a Dom-free zone.”
Rob gave Vic a gleeful glance. “Did you hear that?”
Vic sighed and addressed Eli. “Just what he needed. More excuse to be a brat. I blame you.”
Eli smiled. “I wouldn’t worry too much. There are cameras for safety reasons.” He pointed toward the ceiling. “So we’re not leaving them entirely to their own devices.”
When Rob was done admiring the room, Jarod and Eli escorted them back downstairs, where his collaring party went on until the wee hours of the morning.
When Vic finally got his boy into bed, however, he wasn’t too tired to remind Rob how grateful he was to have him in his life.
VIC CAME home Monday night, full of a new project, and announced he had a lot of work to do after they ate. Rob set about making something light for dinner, while Vic sat at the table, typing numbers into a spreadsheet. Occasionally he’d stop, sigh, rub his fingers over his bald head, and then go back to work.
Rob enjoyed moments like this, where Vic wasn’t in charge of the world but was simply a man finding his way, the same as Rob. While Rob loved Vic as a Dom, he enjoyed the man just as much.
After they finished eating something Rob was certain Vic hadn’t even tasted, he washed the dishes and put them away. Then he returned to the table, sat, and gazed at Vic. Several minutes passed like that, him watching Vic while Vic continued working, now and again absently taking a drink from his glass of water.
“Why are you staring at me?” Vic asked, without looking up.
“Just thinking,” Rob replied.
“Uh-oh. Should I be worried?” Vic was still focused on his work. “What are you thinking about?”
“How much I love you.”
Slowly Vic raised his head, and his smile warmed Rob’s heart. “Oh? And how much do you love me?” He moved the laptop to one side and took a drink from his glass.
Rob grinned, knowing he was about to push his luck. “I’m going to love you for the rest of our lives. Even when you get erectile dysfunction, I’m still going to be there for you.”
“Erectile—” Vic spluttered water over the table. He glared at Rob. “How old do you think I am?”
Rob shrugged a shoulder and covered Vic’s hand with his. “I dunno. Late fifties? Maybe early sixties?” Inside, he was snickering.
“Fifty?” Vic gaped. “Why, you cheeky little fucker!”
Rob grinned. “Corner time?”
Vic got out of his chair, grabbed Rob’s neck, and pulled him in for a kiss that made Rob’s toes curl. When Vic released him, Rob was breathless. “No, not tonight.” Vic pointed toward the ceiling. “Bedroom. Now. If I’m going to be stuck with losing my sex drive, I figure I’d better use it before I lose it.”
“But what about your project?” Rob teased.
Vic speared him with an intense look. “I’ve got a very hands-on project to deal with first. All work and no play and all that. You’ve got precisely thirty seconds to get to the bedroom. After that, I’m coming for you.”
Vic reached down to pinch Rob’s arse, which led to a very undignified squeal as he got up and rushed upstairs toward the bedroom, stripping off his clothes and tossing them as he went. Behind him, he caught Vic’s sigh and knew he was picking up the discarded items. What made him laugh was Vic muttering under his breath, “There’s no place like home.”
One thing Rob was certain of—Vic’s life would never be boring.
At least, not if Rob had anything to say about it.
More from K.C. Wells & Parker Williams
Secrets: Book One
Six years ago Ellis walked into his first briefing as the newest member of London’s Specialist Firearms unit. He was partnered with Wayne and they became fast friends. When Wayne begins to notice changes—Ellis’s erratic temper, the effects of sleep deprivation—he knows he has to act before Ellis reaches his breaking point. He invites Ellis to the opening of the new BDSM club, Secrets, where Wayne has a membership. His purpose? He wants Ellis to glimpse the lifestyle before Wayne approaches him with a proposition. He wants to take Ellis in hand, to control his life
because he wants his friend back, and he figures this is the only way to do it.
There are a few issues, however. Ellis is straight. Stubborn. And sexy. Wayne knows he has to put his own feelings aside to be what Ellis needs. What surprises the hell out of him is finding out what Ellis actually requires.
Collars and Cuffs: Book One
Since the death of his submissive lover two years ago, Leo hasn’t been living—merely existing. He focuses on making Collars & Cuffs, a BDSM club in Manchester’s gay village, successful. That changes the night he and his business partner have their weekly meeting at Severinos. Leo can’t keep his eyes off the new server. The shy man seems determined to avoid Leo’s gaze, but that’s like a red rag to a bull. Leo loves a challenge.
Alex Daniels works at Severinos to scrape together the money to move out on his own. He struggles with coming out, but he’s drawn to Leo, the gorgeous guy with the icy-blue eyes who’s been eating in his area nearly every night.
Leo won’t let Alex’s hesitance get in the way. He even keeps him away from the club so as not to scare him. And as for telling Alex that Leo is a Dom? Not a good idea. One date becomes two, but date two leads to Leo’s bedroom… and Alex discovers things about himself he never realized—and never wanted anyone to see.
Collars and Cuffs: Book Two
Christmas is a time for goodwill to all, but Collars and Cuffs co-owner Thomas Williams receives an unexpected gift that chills him to the bone. A Dom from another Manchester club asks Thomas for his help rescuing an abused submissive, Peter Nicholson. Thomas takes in the young man as a favor to a friend, offering space and time to heal, but he makes it clear he’s never had a sub and doesn’t want one.
Peter finds Thomas’s home calm and peaceful, but his past has left him unwilling to trust another Dom. When Thomas doesn’t behave as Peter expects, Peter’s nightmares begin to fade, and he decides he’d like to learn more about D/s life. A well-known trainer of submissives, Thomas begins to teach Peter, but as the new submissive opens up to him, Thomas finds he cares more for Peter than he should. Just as he decides it’s time to find a permanent Dom for Peter, they discover Peter’s tormentor is still very much a threat. With their lives in danger, Thomas can’t deny his feelings for Peter any longer. The question now becomes, can Peter make it out of the lions’ den alive, so that Thomas can tell his boy that he loves him?
Collars and Cuffs: Book Three
Eighteen-year-old Scott Keating knows a whole world exists beyond his parents’ strict control, but until he gains access to the World Wide Web, he really has no idea what’s out there. In a chat room, Scott meets “JeffUK.” Jeff loves and understands him, and when he offers to bring Scott to the UK, Scott seizes his chance to escape his humdrum life and see the world. But when his plane touches down and Jeff isn’t there, panic sets in.
Collars & Cuffs favorite barman and Dom-in-training, Ben Winters, drops his sister off at the airport and finds a lost, anxious Scott. Hearing Scott’s story sets off alarm bells, along with his protective instincts. Taking pity on the naïve boy, Ben offers him a place to crash and invites him to Collars & Cuffs, hoping his bosses will know how to help. Scott dreams of belonging to someone, heart and soul. Ben longs for a sub of his own. And neither man sees what’s right under his nose.
Collars and Cuffs: Book Four
Recently returned to the UK after living in the States since he was eleven, Andrew Barrett is determined to keep busy and make a new life for himself. He works full time as a copywriter and strips at a club on Canal Street on weekends. But it still leaves him too much time to think. Then he finds the BDSM club, Collars & Cuffs, where at twenty-nine, he is their youngest Dom. Young doesn’t mean inexperienced, however. All this activity keeps him focused with no time to dwell on the past. But the past has a way of intruding on the present.
It’s been four long years since Gareth Michaels last set foot inside Collars & Cuffs. But when he finally summons his courage and steps back into his former world, he finds the man who drove him away is still a member, and what’s more, he wants Gareth back. Two men in pain need the freedom they find in each other, but it takes another man’s horrific plans to make them see it.
Readers love Before You Break by K.C. Wells & Parker Williams
“With finesse and care, the writing team of Wells and Williams leads us into a world where men care for each other and dare to be vulnerable while still maintaining their need to be masters of their own destinies.”
—The Novel Approach
“Thank you, K.C. and Parker. You’ve given me a whole new series to eagerly anticipate and characters to fall in love with!”
—Rainbow Book Reviews
“As always with these authors, I couldn’t put this story down and I’m still suffering a little from the book hangover it left me with.”
—Love Bytes
“Whether you have read Collars and Cuffs or not, this is a wonderful entry book to an enchanting new series.”
—Happy Ever After, USA Today
K.C. WELLS started writing in 2012, although the idea of writing a novel had been in her head since she was a child. But after reading that first gay romance in 2009, she was hooked.
She now writes full-time, and the line of men in her head clamoring to tell their story is getting longer and longer. If the frequent visits by plot bunnies are anything to go by, that’s not about to change anytime soon.
K.C. loves to hear from readers.
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KCWellsWorld
Blog: kcwellsworld.blogspot.co.uk
Twitter: @K_C_Wells
Website: www.kcwellsworld.com
PARKER WILLIAMS began to write as a teen, but never showed his work to anyone. As he grew older, he drifted away from writing, but his love of the written word moved him to reading. A chance encounter with an author changed the course of his life as she encouraged him to never give up on a dream. With the help of some amazing friends, he rediscovered the joy of writing, thanks to a community of writers who have become his family.
Parker firmly believes in love, but is also of the opinion that anything worth having requires work and sacrifice (plus a little hurt and angst, too). The course of love is never a smooth one, and happily-ever-after always has a price tag.
Website: www.parkerwilliamsauthor.com
Twitter: @ParkerWAuthor
Facebook: www.facebook.com/parker.williams.75641
Email: [email protected]
By K.C. Wells
BFF
Debt
First
Love Lessons Learned
Step by Step
Waiting For You
DREAMSPUN DESIRES
#17 – The Senator’s Secret
#40 – Out of the Shadows
LEARNING TO LOVE
Michael & Sean
Evan & Daniel
Josh & Chris
Final Exam
SENSUAL BONDS
A Bond of Three
A Bond of Truth
With Parker Williams
COLLARS & CUFFS
An Unlocked Heart
Trusting Thomas
Someone to Keep Me
A Dance with Domination
Damian’s Discipline
Make Me Soar
Dom of Ages
Endings and Beginnings
SECRETS
Before You Break
An Unlocked Mind
Published by DREAMSPINNER PRESS
www.dreamspinnerpress.com
By Parker Williams
Runner
With K.C. Wells
COLLARS AND CUFFS
An Unlocked Heart
Trusting Thomas
Someone to Keep Me
A Dance with Domination
Damian’s Discipline
Make Me Soar
Dom of Ages
Endings and Beginnings
SECRETS
Bef
ore You Break
An Unlocked Mind
Published by DREAMSPINNER PRESS
www.dreamspinnerpress.com
Published by
DREAMSPINNER PRESS
5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA
www.dreamspinnerpress.com
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
An Unlocked Mind
© 2017 K.C. Wells & Parker Williams.
Cover Art
© 2017 Reese Dante.
http://www.reesedante.com
Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.
All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. 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 the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or www.dreamspinnerpress.com.
