Hope Restrained (Estate Series - #2)
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Teaser - Madeleine, Abducted: Chapter Seven - Aaron's Request

WARNING:  This is a dark book and should only be read by mature audiences.  There is disturbing subject matter and themes.  This teaser is unedited, so excuse spelling or grammatical errors.

Teaser:

Bowing his head slightly, Xander responded, “She is so weak, Aaron.  I wonder how she will survive.”  Aaron was shocked at Xander’s confession.  Although he knew his best friend and first guard was, at the core, a moral man, he’d never witnessed him show concern for anyone’s safety but Aaron’s.

“She’ll survive; but I’ll need to speak with daddy to make sure of it.”  Xander’s eyes widened in response to Aaron’s statement, but he faithfully fell in step behind him nonetheless.  The two men traveled the distance from Aaron’s apartment to the ballroom where he knew he would still find his father, piss drunk and covered with whores.  Now was the perfect opportunity to cement another rule in this game.  His father wanted nothing more than to corrupt his son with his gift, but Aaron wanted to publicly ensure that no one was to touch Madeleine besides himself.  If he could get his father to agree to the new condition in front of the members of the Estate, his father would have to honor that condition, forbidding every man at the compound to touch that which was Aaron’s.

Two men, both dressed in black on black suits, moved to open the large, double doors so that Aaron and Xander could pass through.  A grand entrance, the chaos of the room hushing quickly when the revelers noticed who had returned to the party.  As expected, his father sat upon a would-be throne; one woman massaging his shoulders while another had her head buried in his lap.  His face showed no reaction to the bobbing of her head, his shame at such public displays such as this, lost years before.  Eyes the color of steel moved to look at Aaron; the father finally acknowledging the presence of the son.

“Aaron…” His slurred words reverberated throughout the hushed silence of the room. “…So good for you to return to the celebration of your birth.  I do hope you’ve found…enjoyment…from your gift.”  Laughter, drowned in mockery and disdain rolled from his father’s lips; his sloppy movement and slurred words making his inebriation blindingly apparent.  “What brings you back?  I thought for sure you’d be riding her raw this evening.”  Another dark laugh.  “Or, has it been so long that you’re all dried up?”

Aaron waited for the responsive shouts and jeers by the men in the room to simmer down before answering.  “I thank you for the gift, father, however, I have a condition I’d like to request before I agree to use her as you require.  You see, I prefer my dick not shrivel and fall off my body, so I have a thing about not fucking whores who have been passed around liberally.”

A perfect eyebrow arched quizzically on his father’s brow.  “And what, exactly, is it you’re requesting, Aaron?”  His father’s voice deepened as he spoke.  Aaron hoped that his father believed he’d succeeded in finally corrupting him; however, he knew the man was far too shrewd to believe that he had caved so easily.  They’d been playing this game for too damn long.

“I’m requesting that the slave is mine, alone; that you order your men not to touch her while she remains in my service.”

His father’s hand grabbed the head, still bobbing in his lap, wrenching the woman back by her hair and tossing her aside like nothing more than garbage.  She’d cried out at his father’s actions, but knew better than to move away.  Crouching at his feet, the woman remained motionless, waiting for when she would be made to continue.  Aaron kept his eyes trained on those steel grey eyes of his father, not wanting to look down to see his father’s unabashed display.  Aaron’s father took a moment before responding.  Suspiciously eyeing his son, he finally spoke.  “I have to admit, I’m a little shocked by your request.  I thought for sure you would have tossed her aside, refused my offering.”

Rolling his shoulders back, Aaron carefully chose his words.  Madeleine’s safety was at risk, he needed to ensure she would be viewed as his.  “I assume, father, that you located this woman due to my interest in her.  Perhaps, you had me followed the night of her performance.  Given that to be the case, you know I was interested prior to your gifting of her to me.  It would make no sense for me to turn her away now.”  He made sure his voice was purposeful and strong, showing no signs of his desperate need for his father to agree publicly to his request.

The frantic beat of his heart echoed through Aaron’s ears as he waited for his father’s response.  White noise, a pulsing sound, as the blood rushed through his head.  The silence of the room was only disturbed by the shuffle of feet, a cough or the sound of a throat being cleared.  It was not only Aaron that waited, but the entire party, as well.  Never before had these men seen Aaron take part in the depravities of the Estate, in the cruel and sadistic actions of his father.  Yes, Aaron had killed, had taken the lives of those who threatened the network that, over the years, had been built by his father.  However, Aaron had acted only against other criminals, other people who’d committed enough evil of their own, that the world would never rue their absence.

If it hadn’t been for his father’s inebriation, Aaron knew his motives would have been further explored.  As it stood, his father could barely remain sitting upright, much less have enough mental function to see past Aaron’s intent. “And is it your request that she remain untouched by all of the men in this room?  Is she a toy kept for your pleasure alone?”

Weighted was the question his father asked; one intended to goad Aaron into a mistake.  He knew his father was placing him in a position to, once again, be reminded who ruled this network of criminals and thieves. If Aaron gave the wrong answer, Madeleine would be dragged out here now so that his father could show him who sat at the top of the Estate. “No, father.  I am still well aware that nothing within this compound shall be denied to you.  I’m simply requesting that all others be restricted from touching what is mine.”

Silence, pregnant with the anticipation of his father’s approval, was deafening against Aaron’s thoughts.  No man spoke, even the short coughs and cleared throats were absent as Aaron awaited his father’s directive.  Standing firm, his blue eyes never looked away from the scrutiny of the steel grey.

“Well done, Aaron, it’s good to see you understand who still sits at the top of this food chain.” Shifting in his seat while tucking himself back into his pants, his father raised his hand and snapped, summoning forth Emory, his most trusted man.

"There will be a new decree that needs to be delivered as quickly as possible..."  Emory lowered his head, indicating that the decree would be made known. "...No man shall touch Aaron's slave."

Relief flooded Aaron's body as he fought to keep his stance firm, not wanting the drop of his shoulders, or relaxation of his muscles to betray his feelings to the group. That relief, however, was short lived.

"However, although no man may touch the slave, it does not mean she can be hidden away." He turned to Aaron, amusement evident in his dark gaze.  "She will be displayed when requested by me. It would be a shame for your plaything to be kept, locked away from the enjoyment of the Estate." Lowering his voice to a dangerously low level, he added, "Do not forget that we are a community, my son. One in which, only one man is allowed selfishness."

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Conquer Teaser - Part Deux...

Madeleine, Abducted - Teaser

Conquer Teaser!!

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Prologue - Conquer

THIS IS A RED FLASHING SIGN WARNING!!!! IF YOU HAVE NOT READ CONFLICT YOU DO NOT WANT TO READ THIS PROLOGUE. 

HUGE SPOILER ALERT!!!

CONTINUE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!

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THIS IS NOT A JOKE!!

IF YOU ARE STILL READING THEN YOU MUST ADMIT YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!

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OK...NOW ON TO THE PROLOGUE...

 PROLOGUE 

~~ Daemon ~~ 

     I walked along the narrow dirt road. Dust kicked up around me as my heavy steps met the compacted earth. My jeans were getting covered, but it didn’t matter. I haven’t been able to wash them for weeks anyway. I wasn’t even sure what I was walking into, but I had to know the answer to a question that has haunted me for way too fucking long. 

     I carried her with me through every one of those nightmares they called ‘homes’. I still carry her; through every street, every fight, every drink, and every stupid whore that gives me an hour or two of her time. However, she shouldn’t be there with those women. She doesn’t belong with them. She belongs where I shelter her, in my dreams and fantasies. It’s actually quite messed up; even when I’ve imagined how it would feel to hold her, to kiss her, to have my way with every single part of her…I don’t know what she looks like. I imagine there’s blonde hair, big blue eyes, but then the rest just. isn’t. there! It’s the most frustrating thing, to fantasize about someone who you can’t see, who you don’t know, who you have no idea why you’re fantasizing about them in the first place. What’s worse? I can’t even base my image of her on how she looked when I last saw her… 

     …She was only six. 

     Sounds sick doesn’t it? Well, it is, but not in the way you think. 

     You see, the sick part is that I can’t get her off my mind. It’s been almost ten years and I still have this suffocating emptiness within my chest. I carry it around with this old, dirty necklace that, over the years, has kinked and tarnished and become bent out of shape. The damn thing reminds me of myself sometimes; neglected and beaten, but still carrying that essence of her within it. 

     I held the damn thing in my hand as I walked up to where I hoped I could still find her. Looking down at it, I clenched my hand into a fist around the necklace and then turned my hand over. My skin was dirty and my knuckles were raw from the brawl I got into the night before. I’m sure my opponent’s blood was still on my skin and I probably should have cleaned up before making my way out here, but I didn’t have time. When I woke up this morning, it was like a light had turned on in my mind. I was suddenly and completely driven by the need to come find her, to find out if she remembered me, to find out why I couldn’t shake her from the very essence of my being. 

     Plus, I had a promise to keep… 

     The rhythmic thud of my boots kept time with my breath. In, out...thud, thud… Occasionally, the long, quiet walk would be interrupted by the call of a bird, or the wind as it careened through the tree canopies in the forest that surrounded me. I was lucky enough to catch a ride down the state road, but my luck ran out at the beginning of this long, dirt strewn path. Guess the guy didn’t want to test his shocks on the many dips and holes that littered this road. Can’t say I blame him. I wondered why he took the time to pick up a dirty street kid and I was nervous that he was one of those sick bastards who like to take advantage of teenage boys. 

     He ended up being a decent guy. I felt bad for swiping his wallet, but a kid has to eat, you know? 

     I finally found my way to the driveway leading up to The Center. It wasn’t much different from the road leading up to it, just more dirt and rocks. You would think that after all of these years, they would have paved the damn thing. However, making this left turn meant something. It meant I was closer. To her… 

     The silence out here was deafening. I was so used to the sounds of the city; sirens, and people talking, shouting and laughing, the sounds of engines from the cars that passed and music escaping the doors of the clubs and bars. I wasn’t used to hearing…nothing. Not a damn thing, except for birds and bugs and the wind that kept blowing against me, like it was trying to knock me back from finding her. But I wouldn’t be deterred. There was something so special about this girl that I couldn’t forget her after all this time. It was about time I find out why. 

     When the building came in to view, I stopped suddenly. I haven’t seen this place since I watched it disappear out the back window of my mother’s car. Her friend had driven it to pick us up that day and she promised me she would bring me back to see Paige. Mom was so happy to be leaving, to be returning…to him. He ruined everything. Every fucking thing he touched was ruined and even that last promise made to me by my mom as we left this place was ruined…by him. 

     My fists clenched tightly as I thought about my father. The blood within my veins boiled and I could feel the throbbing through my neck and temples from the increase in my blood pressure. I wish that bastard hadn’t taken the easy way out. I wish I had been the one to put that bullet in his brain. I had to shake the thoughts of him as I approached the building, the last thing I needed when I saw her was the tainted anger he had made sure to scar me with when I was younger. I needed to get my fucking head together before showing up dirty, bruised and bloody on her doorstep. 

     As I approached the building, my eyes took in the large entryway doors. Still the same. Dark and ominous, the wood had weathered through the years but you could tell those doors were still solid and sound. Much like this place. I remembered when I first arrived here with my mom. She’d made me feel hopeful, like, for once, she’d made the right decision. And she had…until she decided to return to the man who would eventually destroy her. Mom was right though. I did find hope and beauty behind those doors…and it came in a cute little blonde package that annoyed the living crap out of me while, at the same time, made me smile more than I ever had in my life. 

     Would she remember how I hurt her? Has she forgiven me if she does? 

     I started walking towards those large entry doors, but then stopped when I noticed the camera tracking my path from the corner above them. That’s new. I backed away and moved to go around the building to the back yard. Knowing Paige, she would be out there soaking in the sun. Maybe I’ll find her in a tree, or sitting amongst the tall grass. Or maybe, I won’t. Do teenage girls still enjoy the activities of their youth? Maybe I should have checked the mall. 

     The facility is massive and I was surprised to realize just how big it was. It could have grown since I was young, or maybe I just don’t remember the specific details from my youth. But I’ll remember that back yard. It’s the place where I spent the most time with my best friend. 

     I reached the end of the building and looked out over the wetlands. It was just as I remembered it. The trees had grown taller and there were new trees in places they hadn’t grown before, but it was the same. The sunlight rolled along the tips of the swaying grasses and dragonflies buzzed about the marsh and fields. The branches of the trees creaked and groaned from the wind blowing through and my eyes wouldn’t stop moving to take in its beauty. 

     I laughed when I looked at the camphor trees and I remembered those damn climbing matches I had with Paige. I never could win against her little form. She weighed so little back then that she resembled a squirrel crawling up into the tops of the canopies. I never pointed out the reason she always won. She needed something to be proud of. I mean, really, I was better at everything else. 

My eyes swung out closer to the water’s edge and, like a shot to the chest, I stood stunned and motionless. The necklace dug into my palm of my hand as my grip tightened and my heart felt like it was trying to beat its way free from my chest. 

     Among the grass, sat the most beautiful girl…no…young woman…I had ever seen. Her long blonde hair cascaded down behind her and the sun would glint off bits of it, making it sparkle. Her face was tilted up into the warmth of the sun and her face…god…her face. The expression on her face was one of pure contentment. There was no pain, no strife; there was no hint of wicked thoughts and she didn’t wear the inch of makeup that was now stylish with girls her age. She was pure. She was more than I could have ever imagined. It was like she was part of the sunlight itself, radiant and glowing. Seeing her again only cemented these confusing feelings I had about her. She called to me in ways that I’ve never felt before. I was drawn to her so strongly, it was as if my very soul was attempting to reach out to touch her. 

     My feet started moving toward her of their own accord and my cheeks hurt from the width of my smile. Paige…she’s still here… 

     I was half running to get to her when a hand suddenly grabbed around my arm and pulled me back. 

     “Why are you here and where in the hell do you think you are going?” 

     I ripped my arm away and turned to face the man who was speaking to me. My body went into an instant fighting stance and I was ready to tear apart anyone who got in my way. 

     “Buddy?!” “Oh my goodness, Buddy is that you?” 

     Paige’s father stood in front of me. He’d grown older and it felt off to stand taller than him now. I cringed at the sound of the nickname my mother had given me so many years ago. I didn’t want to have to answer to him, so I simply opened my hand and held out the necklace. He looked down and gasped when it confirmed that I was who he thought I was. He looked back up and smiled, but I could tell there was something else going on behind those kind eyes. 

     “My name is Daemon.” I let out a breath to calm down before saying, “I came to see Paige. I promised her I’d come back.” 

     Mr. Stone nodded his head in understanding. He reached out to grab my arm again and started pulling me towards the building. When I hesitated, he turned to me and said, “Son. I know you are here to see my daughter, but as her father, I have the right to tell you ‘no’ and you need to respect that.” 

     My chest constricted at the thought of not being allowed to speak to Paige. I tried to remove my arm from his grasp again, but his grip was much stronger this time. I shook my head and looked back out to see if Paige had noticed me talking to her father. She was no longer where I saw her and I wondered if she had seen me and left, or if she had simply laid down to look at the clouds and was now obscured by the grass. 

     “Come with me, Bud…Daemon. We’re going to get you help boy, but you need to listen to me if you don’t want to go to jail for trespassing.” 

     My head shot back to Mr. Stone and my heart tightened a little bit that he would threaten me. He must have seen the shock on my face because his expression softened before he said, “I want to help you, son. But you have to respect my wishes when it comes to my daughter. Come with me. I won’t send you back to foster care. I know somebody else who can help you and you won’t be back in the system. Will you trust me, please?” 

     My stomach growled from my hunger and I looked down at the dirty and torn clothing that covered my body. Going back into foster care was out of the question, but if he knew somewhere I could go that kept me away from that nightmare on the streets, I was willing to give it a try. I was tired and beat down from having lived on the streets for almost a year and I was willing to try anything that would save me from the shit my life had become. 

     “Will you trust me and come inside to talk, Daemon?” 

     I looked into his honest eyes and saw that he was earnest about his offer. My breath huffed out of me and I turned back to look for Paige once last time. I couldn’t see her and my heart fell when I realized we wouldn’t be reunited today as I had hoped. 

     But that didn’t mean forever… 

    My eyes met Mr. Stone’s again and I nodded my head at him. “Yeah, okay, let’s go inside.” 

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Kindle Link - Conflict

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Conflict Teasers - Three Shorts of Paige and Daemon...

Teaser #1 -

       Daemon eventually stirred and grabbed my chin to pull my face to his. “That was…incredible.” His voice was gritty as he spoke. His hand reached out and rubbed along marks on the upper parts of my legs. He chuckled before saying, “I’m afraid I may have marked you on the counter.”

       My eyebrows shot up as I looked at the line running across my legs and I hurriedly looked at my hands to see if they also had a mark. Angry red lines ran two paths along my hands and I held them up to show Daemon. A wicked grin came over his mouth and he bent his head to softly kiss both hands. “Those are the most beautiful marks I have ever seen.”

       I was confused by his statement and I looked at him in silent query. He chuckled. “They are evidence of the fact that you followed my instructions.” His brow arched up into an arrogant peak and one side of his mouth quirked. “I love nothing more than when you listen to me without arguing.”

 

Teaser #2 -

       “I love how your body reacts when I’m near. Almost like it knows it belongs to me.” He looked up into my eyes and tapped me softly on the head with his finger. “Too bad that other pesky part disagrees.” He smiled such a boyish grin that I couldn’t help but melt right there in front of him. There were so many facets to this complex man and I enjoyed discovering the new and unique personas that formed him. This particular part was his playful side. This was the bright and charming persona, the one that could convince me to do just about anything, as long as it would please him.

        I looked down as I blushed.  I peeked back to him from under my lashes and said, “When I met you, I discovered there was a total disconnect between my head and, well, the rest of me. It’s actually quite aggravating when I’m mad at you and my skin is trying to detach itself from me just to be closer to you.”

 

Teaser #3 -

       “Take it out on me, Paige.”

        My brows pulled together in confusion at his request and he stepped closer before explaining. He was barely brushing up against me when he said, “Your anger, your frustration, your pain...take it out on me. Let me be your outlet.”

        I was knocked back by his words. What did he want me to do? I didn’t understand the strange request he was making and I remained quiet as I tried to make sense of what he was saying. His close proximity put me at eye level with his smooth chest and I had to look up to catch his eyes.

        “I don’t understand what you want me to do, Daemon. Do you want me to fight you? Somehow I think that could be dangerous while we are both naked and soaking wet in the shower.” My voice was husky and raw and my body was absolutely on fire for him. Just staring at the water as it streamed along the ridges of his muscular body was igniting within me such desire, that the anger and frustration that had earlier consumed me was being smothered and extinguished.

        Daemon reached down, grabbed my hands and placed them flat against his rock hard chest. I could feel the strong, rhythmic beat of his heart. He held my hands in place as he said, “Scream at me, hit me, scratch me, kick me, fuck me…it doesn’t matter as long as I can help take some of that pain and frustration out of you. I don’t care what you do to me, Paige, just as long as you’re with me. Use me anyway you need, just never leave.” He leaned down to place a kiss on the top of my head. His forehead rested on mine when he continued. “Promise me, Paige, that you’ll never let me go. I don’t think I could survive it.”

Control's Cover is Here!!!!!! Also, there is a giveaway going on in celebration of the cover. Enter to win!!

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Status Update

Just met with the cover artist and we will have covers soon!  Plus, there will be an added *extra* surprise that I will reveal as we get closer!!

Status Update - Control

We are getting close and I anticipate Control will be published within the next three to four weeks.  Advanced Reading Copies will be available next week for book bloggers or reviewers interested in discovering more about Paige and Daemon.

If interested, please email me a request at mswillisbooks@gmail.com.  Include in your email, your name, contact information, website or blog name, and formatting preferences.

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Third and Final Preview of Control!!!

            When we reached the back room, Daemon opened the door and motioned for me to walk through.  I walked straight to the other end of the room, taking the position that I had the other night.  Daemon closed the door and locked it and then blocked it when he continued standing in front of it.

            I spoke first.  “Well, here we are…in a locked room…together.  Feels familiar, although, I’m not a raging lunatic tonight so there’s really no need for the lock and barricade.”

            He let out a low chuckle and my knees started giving out beneath me.  What is up with this guy and how is he doing this to me?

            Daemon looked amazing as usual.  He had on a dark blue t-shirt that brought out the crystal blue of his eyes and his dark jeans hung off his hips, yet still perfectly hugged his bottom.  His hair was stylishly messy and he had his usual five o’clock shadow peppered along his jaw. I imagined what that stubble would feel like scraping across my skin and had to stop the mental imagery before I lost it. He was slowly stalking towards me when he finally responded. “Yes, it does feel familiar.  However, I never know what you are going to do next, so the lock is just added security.”  He stopped when he was a few feet in front of me.  “Why are you here, Damsel?”

            I flinched at his use of that word but I played it off and acted like a professional.  I cleared my throat. “I’m here for the same reason everyone is I guess; music, alcohol, dancing.  You know, fun with the boyfriend and all.”

            By the time I was done spewing out that pathetic excuse he had walked closer and was standing directly in front of me. I could feel the heat coming off his body and I had to look up to meet his darkened eyes.  He looked like a predator and I froze. We stood there staring at each other for what felt like minutes and my heart felt like it was going to come through my chest.  He reached his hand up to my face and starting tracing the outline of my bottom lip.  I couldn’t tell what he was thinking by the strange expression he had on his face.  He leaned over slowly and replaced his finger with his mouth.  His kiss was feather light but sensual.  My traitorous body trembled again and he softly laughed and ran his hand over the goose bumps that broke out on my arms. He pulled back to look me in the eyes and I continued my statue impression while he backed up to put a small amount of space between us.

            “There you go using that 'boyfriend' word again.   Somehow, I don’t think you are being very forthcoming with me, Damsel.  Care to guess why I think that?”

            I looked up at him and in an attempt to appear angry, I narrowed my eyes at him. “I have no idea why you would think that, Daemon.”  I angled my head to the side. “I will tell you though, that if you attempt any more funny business like you did just a second ago, you’ll be lucky if you don’t walk out of here with two black eyes.”

            Daemon’s eyes got wide and he suppressed a grin. “Can’t wait.”

            I was suddenly under the impression that Daemon wasn’t believing my cover.  He continued. “Although I’m thoroughly enjoying this back and forth that we are having currently, I believe I brought you back here to answer a question, which I very much would like to do.”

            I was confused for a second but then remembered what I had asked him while sitting at the table.  I started to chastise myself for having opened up that line of questioning.

            “You wanted to know what I meant by saying ‘if you were my girl’.”   He moved closer to me again and tilted my head up by placing his finger underneath my chin.  “If I had you, Paige, I would not only be with you, but I would own you, I would control you, and I would, in all ways, possess you.”

            A shocked laugh burst from my lips.  “You would own me and control me? What kind of crap line is that?!  I mean, do women really fall for that shit?”  My laughter continued bubbling out. “I don’t know who you think you’re talking to, Daemon, but I believe you have me mistaken for the slutty redhead you were with the other night.”

            His eyebrows shot up at that comment and he chuckled.  “No.  I don’t have you mistaken for anyone, Damsel.  I know exactly who I’m talking to at this moment.”

            I crossed my arms over my chest and glared up at him. “Well, then it’s obvious you’ve suffered an unfortunate head injury and have forgotten what I told you about myself.  NOBODY owns me or controls me or dictates my life in any way.  Besides, I don’t even know anything about you.  For instance, what is your last name?”

            He gave me a knowing look and answered. “Pierce.”

            My head shot up in shock at how easily he had given up that information.  He smiled and then continued explaining his statement.

            “I think you may be misunderstanding what I am saying.  I wouldn’t dictate your life and you’d be free to do whatever you like, but when you are in my bed, you will do as I say when I say it. Thus, the control.  And if you were in my bed, I’m not sure I could stand it if any other man touched you again after that.  Thus, I would own you from that moment forward.”

            I didn’t understand why he was telling me this.  Even though I now had the information that I needed and I should be walking back out to the club, my curiosity got the best of me and I couldn’t help but question him further. This was just too good to not fully discuss.  “So, if I’m understanding you correctly, if I were to sleep with you, you would own me or control me, just like the rest of your lady friends?”

            He eyed me for a minute before responding. “No.  Not like my other lady friends.  I couldn't care less what they say or do once I’ve had my night with them.  I just know that with you, it would be a different story altogether and I think it’s only fair that I warn you ahead of time.”

            His eyes were the deepest blue that I had ever seen in him.  His jaw worked over itself and it made his face appear even more masculine.  He crossed his arms over his chest and I wanted nothing more than to reach out and run my hands over the definition of his arms.  I tucked my hands behind myself to keep them from reaching out on their own accord.

            I couldn’t help it that my voice was husky when I responded.  “I guess it’s a good thing that I’m spoken for.  I suspect we’d have a few issues if we ever attempted being anything more than we already are.  I’m not one of your women waiting around to be tamed and I don’t enjoy being told what to do, or pain, or crazy bondage shit, or whatever the hell else it is you are implying that you would like to do to me.”  I started moving forward to indicate I was leaving when he grabbed my shoulders and forced me to look at him again.  His look was intense as he searched my eyes.

            “Once again, Paige, you are mistaking what I’m saying.”  He bent down to whisper against my ear.  My breath hitched at his closeness and I tensed up in an attempt to control my body’s reaction to him.  “I would never hurt you.  I would never do anything to you that you haven’t asked for.  There is no crazy bondage shit; no whips, no chains, nothing like that.  What I want to do to you doesn’t require props or toys or anything else.  Just me and you.  But I would control you and I know that you would like it.”

            The tension within me was more than I could handle and I started feeling woozy. Damn my traitorous self and this annoying swooning. I shook it off.

            I spoke slowly so as not to give away what he was doing to me. “I can guarantee you, Daemon Pierce, that you can set whatever it is you are suggesting aside.  I’m not the type of girl you think I am.”  I looked up into his face in challenge and he released me.  I started to walk past him and he called out to me again.

            “Whatever you say, Damsel. But I’ve felt how you react to me and I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again.  Enjoy your evening with your boyfriend.”

            I didn’t look back at him as I walked to the door, unlocked it and then let myself back out into the club.

Status Update

Looks like Control will also be available through Smashwords and Kobo Books, as well as Kindle, Nook and Amazon!!  Also, I've got one more teaser preview I will post at some point today.

Thank you for all the support, it means a lot!!

Second Preview of Control: Introducing Annie, Alex and David!

            David turned to look at me and his face was a mixture of disgust and apprehension.  I raised my eyebrows at him in question and he used his head to indicate in the direction of the living room.  I heard Alex introducing himself to Annie’s boyfriend and Annie giggled again.  Alex came into the kitchen to join David and me.

            Using his thumb to point back in the direction of the living room, Alex asked, “What the hell is that?”

            David turned to Alex with a scorned look.  “That is Annie’s new boyfriend Chris.  He’s a 36 year old loser who works at the local flea market as a janitor.  He’s not going to be able to work for the next four to six weeks because of his injury and he’s already convinced Annie that she should loan him some money to help with his bills.  Annie thinks he’s gorgeous and believes she is in love with him.  They’ve know each other for a little over twenty-four hours and he’s convinced her to give him four thousand dollars!  Have I done a good job in explaining what that is?”

            Alex’s eyebrows shot up and I dropped my face into my palm and groaned.  I began shaking my head in silent protest.  I looked back up at David and he looked like he was about to explode.  I turned to Alex to ask his opinion.

            “So, is he a bad looking guy?”

            David let out an insulted gasp. “Well, if any man in this room should be judging the beauty contest, it should be me.  He’s not a bad looking guy, it’s just that his personality is obnoxious and he is an obvious mooch.  Poor Annie is completely smitten with this guy and she has no clue that he’s using her.  I mean, what kind of person asks another person to borrow money within twenty-four hours of meeting them?”

            I thought that over for a moment and then voiced my guess. “A bank customer?”

            Alex laughed and David gave him a pointed glare. “Oh sure, chuckle it up chuckles, but while you’re busy finding this amusing, we’ve got a serious problem in there. What are we going to do about this?!”

            I crossed my arms over my chest and huffed out a breath. “Unfortunately, Annie is a grown woman.  If she wants to give her money to some guy, the only thing we can do is suggest against it.  She’s ultimately the one who will make that decision and there’s nothing we can do to prevent her from making that mistake.”

            David shot his head towards me. “Nothing you can do?  Are you kidding me?!  We can lock her in her room, take shifts watching her, deny her outside communication and internet access, and install a two way key lock and not give her the key.  There’s plenty we can do.  My question is, just how far are we willing to go to keep her from doing this?”

            Alex patted David on the back. “How will Annie go to work if we have her locked up?”

            David put his finger to his mouth to think about what Alex said and then responded. “I’ll tell them she’s ill.  I’ll take over her cases until she comes to her senses and then she can have them back when she gets over this idiot.” He gave Alex a thumbs up. “Good attention to detail.” He turned to me. “Paige you should take some notes from Alex’s good thinking.  It might help you out in that investigation career of yours.”

            I uncrossed my arms and pushed myself up from the counter.  “I guess I need to go in there to see what we are dealing with.  Maybe if I can find enough issues with the way he looks I can appeal to Annie’s superficial side.”

            David pointed to the living room.  “Go.”

            I sighed and turned toward the living room. “No problem.  I’ll just go in there and take control of this situation.”

            I took a few steps towards the room when I heard a low moan and a high pitched sigh.

            Ew.

            I turned around.  “Um, no.  I’m not going in there.”

            Alex tried to suppress a grin while David acted like he was dry-heaving over the sink; well, at least I think he was acting.  I walked back over to where they were standing and hopped up to sit on the counter.  “Guess we’ll be here for a while.”

            David finished hacking up his hairball, looked up from the sink and stamped his foot.  “Oh no, I am not getting stuck in the kitchen while she gets her dirty going on the living room couch!”  David marched into the living room and cleared his throat loudly. “Excuse me!  Could you two possibly stop licking, and tugging and touching all over the community seating area?  There are other people here, although I can understand how it would be difficult to know that with your eyes closed and your tongues shoved down each other’s throats.”  David crossed his arms and   forcefully nodded his head. “Now have some decorum people and stop pretending like you are horny teenagers in the living room.”

Plot Summary - Control

The plot description is done! For those of you who are wondering what Control is all about read below:

Paige Stone lived anything but a normal childhood. Having been raised around an abused women's shelter operated by her parents, Paige was a constant witness to the tragedy and heartache suffered by women at the hands of the men they trusted. Out of refusal to ever allow that to happen to her,... Paige built walls around her heart at a young age. Those walls were only fortified when tragedy struck on her sixth birthday and took from her the only friend and love she knew. Now at 22 years old, and working as a private investigator, Paige is driven by a deep need for strength, independence and a stubborn refusal to accept help from another person. Surrounding herself with her three best friends, Paige never assumed that the autonomy she had worked so hard to build could be challenged.

That was, until Paige met Daemon Pierce.

Mysterious, strong-willed, and breathtakingly beautiful, Daemon seemed to instantly know Paige better than she knew herself. Paige is disgusted by Daemon's reputation as a womanizer, but becomes intrigued when she is unable to discover his background. Paige's curiosity about Daemon proves to be her downfall as she is swept up in his charming and arrogant pursuit to possess her in every possible way.

For the first time in her life, Paige will struggle for control while Daemon slowly dismantles the walls she has built around herself. Only time will tell who will be victorious in their battle of wills as Daemon teaches Paige the weaknesses within herself that she never knew existed. Paige stays one step ahead in her struggle against Daemon's controlling ways, but when tragedy strikes her life a second time, she has to choose; will she put her life in danger, or will she finally accept a helping hand?

***Content Warning - This is a new adult fiction with mature themes. It contains graphic sexual situations, mature language and explicit description of sexual violence.***

Sneak Preview - Control

Just when I was starting to give up hope, an amazing set of arms wrapped around me and I was suddenly being hoisted up onto the speaker.  I was placed down and one of those arms stretched out in front of me to keep me from falling forward.  I took a second to catch my breath and turned to thank whoever grabbed me.  As soon as I caught sight of his clear blue eyes, my breath hitched and I was momentarily stunned silent.  I continued my exploration of the person beside me and discovered a chiseled square jaw lightly sprinkled with five o’clock shadow.  His face was framed with messy dark brown hair.  My gaze slowly wandered downward and found the most masculine pair of broad shoulders a girl could ever ask for.  His t-shirt was pulled tight over his chest and biceps and his mid-section dipped down into a perfect ‘V’.  His dark blue jeans perfectly accentuated his muscular legs which hung over the edge of the speaker.  I looked back up into those eyes and he smiled the most jaw dropping smile revealing two dimples on either side of his mouth.

He leaned over to speak closer to my ear.  “Sorry to manhandle you without permission, but you looked like you could use some help down there.”  His voice was a deep enough timbre that it wasn’t difficult for me to hear him over the music.  I continued staring at his sculpted mouth like an idiot and then shook my head to free myself from his spell.  I could feel my face getting hot from looking at him.

“Uh, yeah, thanks for that.  It normally doesn’t get that bad down there and I wasn’t expecting to get trapped.”  I smiled at him and then turned my attention back to the stage.  The band was starting in on their second song and the crowd calmed for a moment before picking it back up with the increasing tempo of the song.

He leaned over to me again.  “No problem beautiful, I’m always happy to assist a fair damsel in her time of distress.”  Even though his lips were brushing over my ear, causing tremors, and his hot breath rolling down my neck was doing wonderful things for my body, I was suddenly annoyed.

I shouted over the music at him.  “Please don’t say that.”

“What?” He looked at me and his confusion at what I had said was clearly written in his expression.

“Don’t call me a damsel in distress.  It’s degrading and I don’t appreciate being classified by use of a demeaning stereotype.”  I turned my attention back to the stage for a second time and we sat watching the show without speaking.  I was distinctly aware of his shoulder and thigh pressing into my side and I was disturbed by how his body heat was affecting me.  His cologne weaved a trail straight over to my face and I breathed it in deeply before realizing what I was doing.  After a blissful half hour of music immersion, the band finished their set and I discovered that I had started leaning into him.  I also realized how thirsty I was and was thankful that I could go get something to drink.  The problem with being stuck on a speaker is that it doesn’t often present the opportunity to refresh your beverage.

The crowd below us started to disperse from the pit and he jumped down from the speaker.  I scooted my butt as far to the front as I could and looked down preparing to jump.  It was at that moment I remembered I hated heights and I quickly determined that I was in the middle of an unfortunate predicament.    

I looked to my right and left hoping that someone had the foresight to install a ladder on the sides of the speaker.  When it became clear that I was out of luck in that department, I looked down into the eyes of my newest acquaintance.  He had a smug look on his face as he watched me attempt to get down.  He reached up his hands to offer assistance and chuckled.

“From where I’m standing, ‘damsel in distress’ might be an adequate category for you.  This is the second time I’ve had to come to your rescue in the last hour.”

What the…!

This guy was really starting to piss me off.  Who the hell does he think he is anyway?!  If it wasn’t for him coming to my rescue in the first place, I wouldn’t be in this situation.  I slapped his hand away and scowled down at him.

“No thanks on that rescue attempt.  I can get down perfectly fine by myself.  Just step back so I don’t land on top of you.”

His eyes darkened and then quickly filled with humor. His voice lowered an octave when he replied, “Oh, the threat of you on top of me is supposed to make me move? Because, I can promise you damsel, I’m not feeling real motivated to budge even an inch.”

I flashed him my best menacing stare.  “I’ll tell you this one more time, Do. Not. Call. Me. Damsel.”  I pointed my finger in his face to drive my message home.  It must have worked because he removed his outstretched hand.  He stepped back from where he had been standing and held his arms out to his sides in defeat.

That’s right, mister, fear the ninja.

I turned my body around, determined to shimmy down the side of the speaker and then drop the last foot to the ground.  I got my lower body safely over the edge, but my shirt caught on the corner and I was stuck there with my bottom in perfect view of Mr. Arrogant standing behind me. 

“This is a delightful view.  I almost wish I had a camera.  Are you sure I can’t help?”

My air huffed out from annoyance before I freed my shirt and started shimmying over.   I finally dropped to the floor and looked over my shoulder to find my acquaintance openly staring at my assets.  His eyes wove a slow path up my body and stopped suddenly on the dragonfly tattoo on my shoulder.  His eyes widened and he looked up to my face, grabbed my shoulders and spun me around to face him.

“What is your name?!”

I was shocked by his sudden intensity and I couldn’t process what he had just asked me.  I stared into his eyes but didn’t say a word.  He continued to hold me by the shoulders and was searching my face and body as if trying to memorize me.  He looked back up at me and slightly shook me out of frustration.

“Your name.  What is it?”

I shook away my stupor once again and jerked my shoulders out of his grasp.  I took a step back and looked up at him in challenge.  “Why the hell would I want to tell YOU my name?!  Thanks for the earlier assistance, but you can forget that you know me now.” I turned to walk away and he called out to me again.

“That’s fine if you don’t want to tell me your name.  I’ll take your refusal as a clear indication that you wish for me to continue calling you damsel.”

My jaw dropped and I turned back around.  “If you really think I’m dumb enough to fall for that crappy manipulation tactic, then I should be upfront and honest with you now.  You are clearly confused about the type of woman that I am.  I am not the type that needs rescuing and I am not the type that swoons over a beautiful face and a deep rumbly voice...”  He grinned at that and I quickly realized my error.  Refusing to acknowledge that I just called him beautiful, I continued, “…and it is pathetic for any person, male or female, to refuse information about themselves in order to continue some type of crappy pet name.”

Those dimples of his popped out and his eyes smiled right along with his mouth.  “I’ll make a pact with you; you tell me your name, and I’ll leave you alone for the rest of the night.”

I considered his offer.  If he was telling the truth, I could end this aggravating encounter now just by giving him my name.  On the other hand, if he was lying, than at least he might stop calling me damsel. There really was no down side to this situation.  I decided to play hard ball anyway.

“I’m not enough of an imbecile to believe that you mean that.  How do I know you will stick to that agreement?”

He looked at me with a matter of fact expression and seemed to be considering my question.  After a moment of intense introspection he formulated his response.  “You don’t.”

Well, there you have it.

 

Defeatedly, I muttered, “Paige.  My name is Paige.”