Double Down Read online

  Suspicion gripped her. “If this is some kind of trick—”

  “No tricks.” He chuffed a hoarse laugh. “Believe me, this is not a familiar situation for me. I asked John what things pleased you and whether he would set this up for me. There isn’t another woman in the world I’d let myself be trussed up like a turkey for.”

  She looked at his cock, thick and swollen and protruding between the straps over his thighs and groin. She couldn’t stop her smile. “It appears some part of you is happy to see me.”

  “All of me is happy to see you.” He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Max told me he went to see you. I want you to know I had nothing to do with that.”

  She nodded. “I didn’t think so.”

  “When he told me he didn’t believe he made any headway with you, I was desperate. And desperate people do desperate things.”

  She wet her lips. “Why didn’t you just forget about me, move on to someone else?”

  His gaze burned into her. “I don’t want anyone else, Lee. It took me a while to admit it to myself, probably because I’m such a stubborn ass. I don’t know how to put my feelings for you into words. I’ve spent too many years conditioning myself not to. But I want to try to make a life with you. I want us to be together permanently.”

  She narrowed her eyes. A few days ago those words would have meant everything to her. Now she wasn’t sure she could trust them.

  “Lee.” Branch’s voice was hoarse with emotions far greater than just sexual need. “Listen to me. I know we have challenges here, with both of us needing control. Other couples have made the same situation work. I also know the last night we were together I gave you pleasure. You enjoyed it as much as I did. Please don’t deny it.”

  She couldn’t, so she just kept silent.

  “I think we could build a solid relationship. We can create our own version of a power exchange. I want you to know I’m willing to submit to anything you choose to do with me or to me. That’s how much you mean to me.”

  “Anything?” she asked.

  Inside, her emotions were bubbling like liquid in a hot cauldron.

  “Anything,” he repeated.

  As if the word acted as some kind of release lever, everything inside her burst forth, all the anguish, all the pain, all the misery and humiliation. She lifted the short crop on the table next to the board, ready to punish him for what he’d done and how he’d made her feel. Only he hadn’t asked for punishment. He had simply told her he was giving her control. That was a privilege, and she would not abuse it. So punishment, no, but pleasure, yes. Definitely yes. Tonight she would be the one controlling his level of desire, taking him to the same erotic journey he’d created for her. Letting out a slow breath she began striking him with the crop, an instrument whose use she had perfected. With measured rhythmic strokes she wielded the crop everywhere, all the places experience had taught her would create the maximum stimulation—his shins, his thighs, his arms, his chest. She struck the exposed skin as well as the leather straps, knowing the impact was made more intense by the bindings. She raised and lowered her arm over and over again while Branch simply lay there not saying a word.

  The message in his eyes was Tonight I am just serving your needs.

  Her needs. That was what this was. More than eroticism, though, this was a craving on her part to strip everything else from her system. Then she could admit to herself how much she really wanted him and cared for him.

  Loved him.

  Loved him? Was that even possible? Could she give that much of herself to someone? It seemed that was exactly what had happened without her actually acknowledging it. The hurt, the shame and humiliation she’d felt were so intense because of the swirl of emotions where he was concerned. Could she admit it out loud?

  Exhausted, she tossed the crop to the side, tears running down her cheeks with the monumental release of emotions.

  “I hated you,” she told him.

  “With good reason.” He had to be in pain, but his voice was steady. Even.

  “I never wanted to see you again.”

  “I know. I was willing to do anything to change that. I want to be with you, Lee. Forever.”

  And that completely undid her. Frantically, she began unfastening all the bindings, letting them just dangle from the board. When he was completely unrestrained, he lifted his arms to her.

  “Come here, Mistress Star. Let me hold you.”

  She shook her head. “I need to attend to your body first. Please let me.”

  He would have argued with her, but she knew he saw the determination on her face. She opened the package of lotion-infused wipes from the little table and eased one over his body, beginning with his collarbone. When one was used up, she yanked out another until she had soothed his entire body. He never took his eyes from her, and, when she finished, he lifted his arms again.

  “Now come here and let me hold you. Let me press you to my heart.”

  Tears still filling her eyes, she straddled him and pressed herself against his chest. His arms came around her, solid and strong, and she felt the steady beat of his heart.

  “I will never be a submissive,” she told him, even as she rubbed her cheek against his.

  “Understood.” He nodded. “As long as you also understand I never will be, either.”

  She gave a wordless nod.

  “But you enjoy the games just as I do,” he continued. “As I will. As we both will. Together.”

  “And what happens when that need to control becomes more than one of us can handle?” she persisted.

  “We’ll work it out. We’ll set our own rules and adjust them as we go along. Lee, sweetheart, there are many couples who schedule sessions here or at Ultra with someone other than their partner. Let’s just deal with one thing at a time.” He brushed his knuckles across her cheek. “The important thing is that we are together. Permanently.”

  “Can we really make it work?” she whispered.

  “I’ve seldom been more sure of anything.” He swallowed. “I’ve never told a woman I loved her. I’m not even sure by now I know what it means. But what I feel for you is an emotion so huge I can’t even give a name to it. Please, please believe me.”

  Intense emotion choked her. For him to admit his feelings like this to her was huge. Could she do any less? Could she take that step, putting her trust in him? Believe he’d never betray her again?

  Yes, the voice inside her head whispered. Don’t lose out on this.

  “I-I feel the same,” she whispered. “I had given up believing I’d ever find anything close to what we have, and I don’t want to lose it.”

  “Maybe we’ll make our own bets to double down on,” he teased.

  Then, his expression completely serious, he threaded his fingers through her hair, drew her face close to his, and took her mouth in a kiss more tender than anything she’d ever experienced. It wasn’t demanding. Rather it was a sharing, a giving, and she gave it right back to him.

  When he sucked in an involuntary breath, she suddenly realized that the rough texture of her bustier was abrading the welts on his body left by the crop and tried to push herself away.

  “Don’t move.” His arms tightened around her.

  “I know I’m hurting you,” she protested. “Those bruises are painful.” She looked away. “I meant them to be.”

  He cupped her chin and tilted her head so she was forced to look directly at him. Deep emotion burned in his eyes. “You can attend to my bruises by climbing on my cock. Get rid of that contraption you’re wearing so I can feel your breasts on me. Strip off that thong so I can slide into your pussy, which even now I can feel is wet and waiting for me.”

  He ran his thumb along her jawline. “And no, I’m not demanding. Or even ordering.” He brushed his mouth over hers. “Just do it. For me. For us.” He managed a wink. “And leave the boots. They’re hot.”

  She literally ripped away the garments, tossing them to the floor, and climbed on
him, lowering herself onto his cock. He was right. She was more than ready for him, so wet he glided right into place.

  “Ride me, Mistress Star,” he told her in a hoarse whisper. “You will always be Mistress Star to me. Let me be your only Dom.”

  Those words unlocked the last tiny chain around her heart. Ride him she did, slowly at first then faster and faster, his large hands holding her in place, steadying her. As aroused as they both were, it was scant moments before the orgasm gripped them both. They clung to each other as they rode out the storm, shudders racking them, the harsh sound of their breathing ripping through the air.

  At last his thick shaft stopped pulsing, her walls stopped spasming, and, breathless, they were still. He still held her tightly to him, stroking her back with his warm hands. Their journey together would be fraught with pitfalls, but silently they acknowledged they could take the trip together. The prize, the love they would share and a life together, would be more than worth it.

  A Thank You from Fated Desires

  Thank you so much for reading Double Down! We’re so happy that you had a chance to look at our new line, The Set Up. We do hope if you liked this, that you would please leave a review from where you purchased this or on another platform. Not only does a review spread the word to other readers, they let us know what you want to read!

  The Set Up Line is our blind date line where anything can happen. We have stories of lost loves, new fascinations, and broody heroes that are thrown together by fate or circumstances.

  If you’d like to know more about Fated Desires, check out our website or email us at [email protected].

  You can also find out more through our MAILING LIST.

  Also, join our Fated Desires Book Club to interact with our authors.

  About the Author

  Referred to by USA Today as the Nora Roberts of erotic romance, Desiree Holt is the world’s oldest living published erotic romance author. A graduate of the University of Michigan her earlier careers include agent and manager in the music industry, public television, associate vice president of university advancement, public relations, and economic development.

  She is three times a finalist for an EPIC E-Book Award (and a winner in 2014), a nominee for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, winner of the first 5 Heart Sweetheart of the Year Award at The Romance Studio as well as twice a CAPA Award winner for best BDSM book of the year, winner of the Ellora’s Cave Golden Ankh and winner of the Holt Medallion for Excellence in Romance Literature.

  She has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning and in The Village Voice, The Daily Beast, USA Today, The (London) Daily Mail, The New Delhi Times, The Huffington Post and numerous other national and international publications. Currently she has signed on as a blogger for The Huffington Post. She is also the Authors After Dark 2014 Author of the Year.

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  Blind Ecstasy

  Dark Desire

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  Intermission

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  Forsaken Realms by Katalina Leon

  “Retrieval specialist” is just a fancy term for high-level corporate bounty hunting. Agent Gemmina Nayar is the best in her league. She’s a sense-enhanced, level-seven bounty hunter from New Mumbai who receives an exclusive invitation to track a dangerous criminal on private property. She arrives on the tropical planetoid eager to hunt and release her inner tigress, but is disappointed to discover the bounty has already been captured.

  Syan is a Kironian, an off-limits alien race. He’s gorgeous, rugged and all male. Even sedated and forced to wear an electronic silence collar, he resembles a coppery skinned refugee from Mount Olympus. Worse Gemmina’s unaware Kironian saliva is loaded with pheromones that can turn even the most indifferent woman into a willing mate. A single kiss or bite is sabotage.

  When the mission turns lethal, she realizes she’s not only been tricked into bringing the wrong man to justice, but the harsh jungle below is a calculated trap.

  You can find more from Katalina’s Forsaken Realms HERE.

  You can also find out more through our MAILING LIST.

  Also, join our Fated Desires Book Club to interact with our authors.

  Did you enjoy this selection? Why not try another romance from Fated Desires?

  Pinch of Me, Dash of You by Heather Thurmeier

  Kali can’t cook to save her life, but she can write. As a foodie reviewer for both a huge national paper and a successful blog, she’s well on her way to achieving her dreams. When she’s offered a cookbook deal, she thinks she’s finally made it…until her latest review comes out a little harsher than expected and the restaurateur threatens to expose all her secrets.

  Mac’s whole life is spent in the kitchen, running a New York City restaurant and a culinary school for underprivileged youth. When donations stop pouring in for Mac’s culinary school after a scathing review of his restaurant, he fears he may have to shut the doors if he can’t find a way to turn things around. Then he meets Kali, the reviewer who admits she has no culinary skills. Now he’s made her an offer she can’t refuse—he’ll teach her to cook over the summer and help her with recipes for the cookbook if she’ll agree to write an insider piece highlighting the strengths of his culinary school.

  But when things start heating up in Mac’s kitchen, keeping her hands on the food and off of Mac is proving harder than Kali expected.

  You can find more from Heather’s Pinch of Me, Dash of You HERE.

  You can also find out more through our MAILING LIST.

  Also, join our Fated Desires Book Club to interact with our authors.

  Did you enjoy this selection? Why not try another romance from Fated Desires?

  Bite Marks by Rebecca Royce

  George is a mystery writer in a small town who wants nothing more than one date with the local bartender named Trudy. When he finally scores a date, he is ecstatic. But the night before he his bitten by a vampire--and accidently transformed into a member of the Undead. He assumes any chance he had with Trudy died the same night his need for food did.

  But, Trudy is more than she seems. A werewolf hunter on the run she knows all about vampires and if she can keep them both alive for any length of time, she might be just what George needs to survive.

  Can love survive an accidental bite?

  You can find more from Rebecca Royce’s Bite Marks HERE.

  You can also find out more through our MAILING LIST.

  Also, join our Fated Desires Book Club to interact with our authors.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  A Thank You from Fated Desires

  About the Authorr />
  Also from This Author