By
USA Today Bestselling Author
Becca Jameson

Until the mysterious woman
sleeping in my bed learns to trust me,
my hands are tied…

Grace

The sun is finally shining on me. New life. New town. Jobs lined up doing what I love: dog walking. Until darkness descends, sucking me into a world of sex slavery I never knew existed. I’m trained to please a Master I’ve been sold to. No one is looking for me. If I don’t find a way to save myself, I’ll be lost forever.

Khai

It was supposed to be an overdue vacation at my cabin. Fishing, hiking, relaxing. But someone is in my cabin, in my bed, and she’s been here a while. She tells me nothing, but I know two things: she’s in trouble, and there is no way I can walk away from her.

When FBI agents surround my cabin, I realize Grace is in far more danger than I suspected. It’s time for her to open up. I can only fight the battles I’m aware of.
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Tulip is startled awake by her new master shouting her name. She hasn’t heard her real name, Grace, in over a year. She’s not sure where she is or how long she’s been out of it from the drugs he gave her. He orders her to first stand, then to take a shower and drink a protein drink he left for her. He gives her 30 minutes to accomplish the tasks.

She knows what’s coming and as he observes her, noting he paid a lot of money for her, she looks for a way out. He’s drinking and she hopes he gets drunk enough she can get away. It doesn’t stop her from looking for an opportunity. She gets her chance after he puts another log on the fire and staggers a bit as he heads to the bar for another drink. She quietly races to grab the fire poker and back to where he is when he turns, she hits him soundly in the temple.

Not knowing if he’s dead or just knocked out, she hurriedly grabs his suit jacket to cover herself and leaves. She encounters a neighbor but doesn’t trust enough to ask for help, the police were involved in her being taken.

She runs until she can’t anymore, and finds herself at a well-stocked cabin, where she remains while trying to figure out what to do. She’s about out of food two months later, and needs a plan. That’s when she gets quite the surprise.

This is a favorite scene.

“Fuck,” Khai muttered under his breath when he tipped the flowerpot to its side and felt around for the key to his cabin. “What the hell?” It wasn’t there. Had it fallen off the edge of the porch and gotten lost in the dirt?

Ugh. He’d driven too far to get here tonight to deal with the missing key. He was tired and grumpy and needed sleep. He probably should have stopped halfway and gotten a hotel for the night instead of driving straight through, but he’d wanted to wake up tomorrow in his cabin, not some hotel room.

After trudging back to his truck with a faint limp, he rubbed his sore leg, leaned in the passenger side, popped the glove compartment, and shined the flashlight from his phone into the small space. He had too much junk jammed in there, but he was pretty sure the original key to the cabin was among the shit.

Unfortunately, there were six keys tossed in there, and Khai held them all in his palm before deciding which two were more likely to be to the cabin as opposed to spare car keys, boat keys, or Lord only knew what.

Frustrated, he trudged back to the cabin. The second key he tried worked, and he blessedly opened the door.

Khai felt along the wall from memory, found the light switch, and flipped it on. Before he managed to turn back toward the open space, someone screamed, nearly scaring him out of his mind.

Khai jerked his gaze toward the sound of the noise. His bed. A woman was sitting in his bed, clutching the covers to her front. Her eyes were wide. They were also the most gorgeous shade of green he’d ever seen. And her hair. Shit. How long was it? He couldn’t see the end of it. It was draped all around her. Strawberry blond. More blond than strawberry.

Was she naked? He could see her bare shoulders. He shifted his gaze all around, looking for another person, thinking probably some teenage couple had broken into his cabin to fuck, which pissed him off. How old was the woman anyway?

“Are you alone?” he asked her.

She sucked in a breath and nodded, eyes still wide.

He shut the door and dropped his duffle bag on the floor. “What are you doing here?”

She cringed and scampered back several inches, dragging the covers with her. She looked scared out of her mind.

He held up both hands. “I’m not going to hurt you.” Now that he’d eliminated the idea of two teenagers using his cabin as a love nest, some of the anger left his sails.

This woman looked traumatized, two seconds from a full-on panic attack. When she finally started breathing, she was panting.

especially when he was frowning, and he did that a lot. It seemed like all he’d done since he’d been medically discharged from the Army was frown and scowl.

School your features, man, he told himself. <em<You’re scaring the fuck out of her. And why did he care? She was trespassing on his property. It would appear she’d moved into his cabin. Made herself at home. Cooked and cleaned even.

Another close look at her told him she needed compassion, not reprimanding. At least she spoke English. He sat up straight and rubbed the back of his neck. “Looks like you’ve been here a while. I’ve never seen the place this clean.” He forced a smile, hoping she might relax.

“I’m sorry,” she repeated, barely audibly. She also dipped her face down, letting her hair fall all around her, nearly hiding behind it.

“It’s okay, love. Apparently, you needed a place to stay. It’s okay.” Why the hell did he call her love? It had slipped out. He’d never called anyone love. It wasn’t a natural endearment that would ordinarily come out of his mouth.

She blew out a breath, not meeting his gaze. At least her panic was subsiding.

“If you don’t tell me your name, I’m going to call you Goldie.”

Her brow was furrowed when she lifted her face.

He smiled. “You know, from Goldilocks. Someone’s been sleeping in my bed, and she’s still there.”

Finally, she gave him the slightest smile. It lit up her face. It lit up the room. He desperately wanted to see it again.

It had been a damn long time since he’d been with a woman. He hadn’t been on a single date since he’d returned to U.S. soil two years ago, and he certainly hadn’t been sleeping with women while he’d been focused on his deployment.

He lifted a brow. “Name, love?”

She swallowed. “T- T- T-… Grace.”

He chuckled. “I’m going to assume your real name starts with a T, but you’re afraid to tell me what it is, so you’d like me to call you Grace.”

She bit her lip, not responding.

He sighed. “I can call you Grace if that’s what you’d like. You can even keep your secrets. For now.” He reached down to untie his boot and tug it off before doing the same to the other.

After a quick glance at his sofa, he ran a hand down his face. Apparently, he would be sleeping on the couch tonight. He needed sleep more than he needed answers. This woman was harmless. She was scared out of her mind for one thing. She was obviously squatting in his cabin for a reason. Either she was homeless, or she was hiding from an abusive boyfriend— something of that nature.

He pushed to his feet, wincing at the twinge in his calf, and shuffled toward the bathroom. After closing the door, he pissed, brushed his teeth, and splashed water on his face.

When he turned around, he paused, uncertain what he was looking at. Something was hanging in his shower. Several things, actually. Taking a step closer, he realized three of his T-shirts were draped over the glass door. His laundry detergent sat next to the toilet. She’d apparently worn his shirts, washed them, and hung them to dry.

What kind of trouble was this girl in? Whatever it was, she wasn’t a slob. He had a very tidy squatter on his hands.

Khai returned to the main room to find Grace in exactly the same spot where he’d left her. He approached slowly, pointing toward one of the pillows on his bed. “I’ll sleep on the sofa, but may I use one of the pillows?”

She glanced at the pillow and then back at him. “You’re going to sleep on the sofa?” she whispered incredulously.

“Yes. It’s the middle of the night. I drove a long way to get here. I’m too tired to ask you more questions tonight. Promise me you won’t stab me in my sleep?” He gave her a crooked smile as he reached for the pillow.

She gasped. “I was more worried you would stab me in my sleep. I’m the one trespassing.”

“Well, it’s your lucky day. I’ve never stabbed anyone to death for the crime of sleeping.”

Her eyes went wide, and she licked her full pink lips. “Have you stabbed anyone for any other crime?”

He winced, pulled up the sleeve of his T-shirt, and pointed toward the tattoo on his biceps. “I was in the Army, deployed three times. So, unfortunately, yes, I have stabbed some people. None of them were women. All of them were threatening my life.”

Khai had never told a single human any of that. Not a civilian anyway. He wasn’t sure why he felt like he could or should share something so violent and descriptive, but it seemed Grace needed honesty, so he gave it to her.

Khai backed up toward the sofa. As badly as he wanted to climb into his nice warm bed and sleep for ten hours, instead, he was going to keep his damn jeans on and catch some Zs on the sofa.

“I can’t take your bed,” she murmured.

He fluffed the pillow and dropped it onto the end of the couch. “You already did,” he pointed out.

“But, I mean now. Now that you’re here.”

He smiled at her. “Love, my mother raised me to be a gentleman, and a gentleman would never sleep in his bed and put a woman on the couch. You’re fine. Go back to sleep. We’ll talk more in the morning.”

She slid onto her back, pulling the covers up to her chin. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“You’re welcome.” Khai flipped off the overhead light, dropped onto his back on the couch, and took several deep breaths. What the fuck was going on here? Was he crazy? Should he have called the police or interrogated her until she talked?

However, neither of those options felt right. Grace— if that was even her name— needed compassion, not police. And Khai needed sleep. Perhaps he was far too trusting, but he was too tired to think any harder. He closed his eyes and let blessed sleep take him under.
Becca Jameson. Tulip – Becca Jameson (Kindle Locations 263-339). Kindle Edition.

The owner of the cabin, Khai, is shocked to find a very scared woman squatting in his cabin. He puts her mind at ease long enough to tell her he’d sleep on the couch and they’d talk in the morning. Unfortunately, her screams wake him before that as a nightmare grips her. He calms her and staying on top of the blankets holds her as she sleeps.

Khai, doesn’t understand why he’s falling so hard and fast for this beautiful woman, but he is. He’s not going to call the authorities, he’s going to protect her.

He succeeds at least for a little while, then the FBI shows up at his door. Jagger Whitley has quite the story to tell Khai and puts Tulip at ease by mentioning Marigold, Oleander, and Jasmine. He also tells her he only knows her as Tulip and asks her real name. Grace tells him and he also convinces them to move into his home with Kalinda as it’s far more secure than the cabin.

There are a lot of twists in this one as they search for the man kidnapped her and the one who bought her. I loved the way her relationship with Khai grows with every new development and the bond between the women.

I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!

5 Contented Purrs for Becca!

Becca Jameson

Becca Jameson is a USA Today bestselling author of over 100 books. She is most well-known for her Wolf Masters Series, her Fight Club series, and her Club Zodiac series. She currently lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and Goldendoodle. Two grown kids pop in every once in a while too! She is loving this journey and has dabbled in a variety of genres, including paranormal, sports romance, military, and BDSM.

A total night owl, Becca writes late at night, sequestering herself in her office with a glass of red wine and a bar of dark chocolate, her fingers flying across the keyboard as her characters weave their own stories.

During the day–which never starts before ten in the morning!–she can be found jogging, running errands, or reading in her favorite hammock chair!

…where Alphas dominate…

By
USA Today Bestselling Author
Becca Jameson

“Ladybug, you’re about to
become intimately acquainted with my palm…”

Eden’s life is falling apart. In response to sexual harassment from unruly customers and her boss, she has quit her job and walked out of the diner. Alone on the street, scared out of her mind, and frantic, she accepts help from one of the members of the Shadowridge Guardians.

Gabriel is known among MC members as the wise one. He knows everything about every member, and takes his job as advisor seriously. His life is tidy and in control…until he heads to the town diner to pick up the tear-streaked, high-energy, fast-talking Little girl in desperate need of a Daddy.

When Eden runs from the diner, scared and feeling betrayed, she calls her best friend Carlee for help. Realizing something is wrong, Carlee’s boyfriend Atlas takes the phone and tells her he’s sending Gabriel Marcos to pick her up and stays on the line with her until he arrives.

By the time Gabriel gets to her, Eden is feeling a bit foolish, thinking maybe she just overreacted to the situation she ran from. Before he even asks her what happened, Gabriel knows to get her to a safe place, the clubhouse.

With Carlee as her best friend, Eden has made herself familiar with age-play by reading and doing a bit of research online. She was a bit jealous of the relationship Carley has with Atlas, but she never expected to find herself in the care of a ‘Daddy’.

Gabriel is in full blown Daddy mode when he gets Eden to his apartment in the MC clubhouse. He immediately gets her choice of drink from what he has on hand. Then gives her a sippy cup with juice, before asking what happened tonight to send her running.

This is a favorite scene.

He untied it, pulled it over her head, and tossed it aside before pointing toward the couch. “Sit, Little one. I’ll get you a drink. Would you like juice, milk, or water?”

“Umm. Do you have apple juice?” she asked tentatively. She hadn’t had apple juice in a long time. It sounded good. She lowered onto the couch and set the bear at her side, feeling kind of silly holding it.

“Of course. What kind of Daddy would I be if I didn’t have an emergency stash of apple juice?”

Daddy… So, he was definitely a Daddy. Like Atlas. The thought made her lick her lips. He was being so kind to her. She’d never even had a boyfriend treat her as well as this stranger had in the last half an hour.

When he returned and held out a cup, she stared at it for a moment before taking it from him. “Thank you,” she whispered. It was a sippy cup like the one she’d seen the woman in the living room holding. It had two handles and a spill-proof spout to drink from.

He sat next to her, his body turned slightly toward her, and tucked a curl behind her ear. She figured her hair was wild and unruly, but he seemed to stare as if she were the most beautiful creature on earth.

“Take a drink, Eden. You’ll feel better. Then you can tell me what happened.”

She lifted the sippy cup and tipped it back, almost missing her lips.

“Use both hands, Little one,” he encouraged.

She lifted her other hand to steady the cup and center it. It was easier that way, but she felt strange drinking from it. She felt even stranger obeying him. Butterflies fluttered in her tummy.

Despite all the reading and studying she’d done about age play lately, she’d never actually practiced the kink, nor had she ever met another Daddy besides Atlas. She felt oddly comfortable.

“Good girl,” he praised, his fingers stroking the edge of her jaw.

Those two words did something to her. She felt decidedly Littler. Am I Little? Just because she liked the way it made her feel to read about it didn’t mean she would like to actually practice it.

“Feel better?”

“Yes, Sir,” she murmured. For some reason, it felt right and natural to address him as Sir.

He seemed pleased because he smiled. “Good. Now, tell me what happened. Atlas said you were working at the diner tonight?”

“Uh-huh.” She nodded and then looked down at her lap. She was wearing her nicest jeans and a white T-shirt. Nothing special. Marv didn’t require the waitresses to wear a uniform as long as they wore his apron when they were on shift.

When she thought about telling Gabriel what had happened, she groaned inside. She didn’t want to talk about it. She pursed her lips.

“Tell me,” he encouraged as he took the sippy cup and set it on the coffee table. “Did someone hurt you?”

She shuddered. “Not really…” she murmured. Her face heated.

“I promise you’ll feel better if you let it all out.”

“It was nothing really.”

“I don’t believe that. Little girls don’t run out of work crying and calling for help after nothing happens.”

She glanced up at him. “I’m being stupid. Maybe it was my fault.”

His brows lifted. “Do not use that word again, Eden. I won’t have you calling yourself names. Understood?”

Her cheeks heated further. “Yes, Sir,” she whispered.

“How about you let me decide.”

She licked her lips and drew in a breath. Apparently, he wasn’t going to stop hounding her until she told him. “There were these four men at the diner having dinner. I hate it when they come in. They make me nervous.”

He frowned. “Do you know who they are?”

“No, but they wear leather vests and stuff like you, but the logo isn’t a teddy bear. It’s like a red jester.”

Gabriel’s jaw tightened. “The Devil’s Jesters. They’re a gang from another town. They aren’t good people.”

She rubbed her hands on her thighs.

“What happened, Little one?” he encouraged.

“They were making crude comments every time I brought something to their table, making fun of my body and stuff. They even asked if my hair matched my…” She trailed off, not wanting to say that out loud.

Gabriel’s entire body stiffened. He growled, too. After slowly closing and reopening his eyes, he said, “Go on.” His voice was calm for her but held an edge of fury.

“I can ignore their words. Sticks and stones and all that. I don’t like it when people talk to me like that, but they’re just words.”

“But…”

She drew in another slow breath. “I was bringing one of them a fresh soda, but when I bent to set it on the table, the man closest to the edge of the booth reached out and pinched my butt.”

“He fucking touched you?” Gabriel blurted.

“I should’ve just ignored him and walked away.” She started shaking again. “I overreacted.”

“What did you do, Little one?”

“I hadn’t set the glass down yet, so I turned and tossed the soda in his face.”

Gabriel smiled. “Good girl.”

Her eyes widened. “I don’t think that was my best course of action. He jumped up and started screaming at me. He called me names I’ve never even heard before. Every customer in the diner was staring at us. Then Marv came out from the back room. He was furious and started lecturing me in front of everyone about how to treat the customers. When I told him that man had touched me, he said to grow up, and he called me worse names than the Jester guy. So, I ran out of the diner.” She dropped her face.

Tears started falling again as she realized the implications of her actions. “There’s no way he’ll take me back,” she sobbed, putting her palms over her face. “I’ll never be able to pay my rent. I needed that job.”

Gabriel surprised her by tucking a hand under her knees, setting the other at her back, and lifting her off the couch to settle her on his lap. He rubbed her back as he pressed her cheek against his shoulder. “You did the right thing. No one has the right to yell at another person, but they most definitely don’t have the right to touch them. Your boss, Marv, is an asshole. You’re not going back there, Little girl.”

She cried harder. “I-I n-needed that j-job.”

“No one needs that kind of job, nor do they deserve to be abused, Eden.” He rocked her back and forth for a long time. “Let it all out, Little girl. I’ve got you.”

When she finally stopped sobbing and only the occasional sniffle remained, she wiped her eyes.

Gabriel leaned to one side, snagged a tissue from a box on the end table, and handed it to her. “Blow your nose, Little one.”

She did as he suggested. “I’m sorry. I’m such a baby. I overreacted.”

“Look at me, Eden,” he commanded.

She lifted her gaze.

“You did not overreact. You did exactly the right thing. You got out of an abusive situation and called for help.” He reached across her, picked up the stuffed bear, and handed it to her. “I bet if you hold this little guy, you’ll feel better. Stuffies always make Little girls feel better.”

“How do you know I’m Little?” she asked, meeting his gaze.

He smiled. “Daddies just know these things. I have Little-girl radar,” he teased.

“I’ve never had a Daddy. I’ve never even met one, except Atlas, of course.”

“Well, now you have, and I’m so glad you never met one before me.”

Her brow furrowed. “Why?”

“Because he might have snatched you up and made you his. I’m relieved to know you don’t already have a Daddy because that means I can be your Daddy.”

Eden gasped. He can be my Daddy?
Becca Jameson. Gabriel – Becca Jameson (Kindle Locations 113-177). Kindle Edition.

Gabriel knows the men who harassed her are from the Devil’s Jester MC the next town over. They are bad news and if they are causing trouble here, they need to be stopped. As for Eden’s boss Marv, he was going to ask for back-up when he goes to talk to him.

Gabriel didn’t sleep well on his couch and was up early. He talks out the situation with Bear, Steele and Kade who are in the kitchen when he gets coffee.

I love the initial reaction of Eden to the other littles, Remy, Ivy and Harper would be staying with her while the men go get her things from the diner and have a few words with Marv. Things are quiet until Carlee shows up with Atlas and Eden is immediately more comfortable. Going with Carlee to her suite with Atlas to discuss what happened and how she’s feeling now.

Outside the clubhouse, the guys run into much more than they expect with regard to the Devil’s Jesters.

There is plenty of little mischief, scares, action, tears, romance and sizzle too.

I love the way Eden and Gabriel blend into their roles, and the relationship that forms. Becca is truly talented when writing these little scenarios. I can’t wait to read her next one.

5 Contented Purrs for Becca!

Becca Jameson

Becca Jameson is a USA Today bestselling author of over 100 books. She is most well-known for her Wolf Masters Series, her Fight Club series, and her Club Zodiac series. She currently lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and Goldendoodle. Two grown kids pop in every once in a while too! She is loving this journey and has dabbled in a variety of genres, including paranormal, sports romance, military, and BDSM.A total night owl, Becca writes late at night, sequestering herself in her office with a glass of red wine and a bar of dark chocolate, her fingers flying across the keyboard as her characters weave their own stories.

During the day–which never starts before ten in the morning!–she can be found jogging, running errands, or reading in her favorite hammock chair!

…where Alphas dominate…

By
USA Today Bestselling Author
Becca Jameson

Cassandra

I’m a horrible secretary.
I can’t even get my boss’s coffee right.
It’s not my fault he scrambles my brain.
Plus, I haven’t slept well in weeks.
My brother is in trouble.
When I’m inevitably fired, I need a way to get money.
Turns out I have something valuable to sell.
Now, I just need to go through with it.

Spence

Cassandra is the reason I come into the office.
I own the company; I can work from home.
But, she’s too adorable for words.
She’s also terrible at her job.
When she gets fired without my knowledge, Ben follows her.
What is the naughty Little girl up to?
It’s going to take more than one man to rein her in.
But we will because she’s ours.

Benjamin

I’ve had my eyes on Cassandra for months.
But so has my boss and best friend, Spence.
So I keep my mouth shut and my mind focused.
My job is to protect Spence.
Until I’m assigned to protect Cassandra too.
When I find out what she has planned, I lose my mind.
She definitely needs a keeper.
Thank goodness she now has two.

In the prologue of this book, we meet Spence ten years ago. At that time his sister Amber had been kidnapped and then rescued by the team he hired. His protective nature intensifies as the lead on the case Ben Lanka suggests he hire a security team. In response Spence tells him to report to his home on Monday for double the pay.

As this book opens, we see Spence as he learns from Bethany that Cassandra has been fired. While he’s not surprised, he’s a bit upset with himself for not acting on his feelings sooner. As soon as Bethany leaves his office, he calls Ben and tells him to find her.

We meet Cassandra as her roommate Penny is preparing her to make the biggest mistake of her life. One she would never consider if she didn’t need the money.

It’s on her way to this fate that Ben finds and intercepts her.

This is a favorite scene.

I watch in the rearview mirror as Cassandra climbs out of the car. The moment she shuts the door, the driver takes off. Can’t blame him. Cassandra stands in her spot for several seconds, taking deep breaths and smoothing down her nearly non-existent skirt.

At least she looks nervous, which makes me believe this isn’t something she does every day. That’s been weighing on me since she stepped out of the house.

As soon as she takes her first few steps, I know for a fact this isn’t something she does often. She can hardly walk in the ridiculous heels she’s wearing.

I wait until she takes several wobbly steps before I open my door and step out. At first, she doesn’t notice me. She’s too busy looking at her feet. This only makes my blood boil further because she’s oblivious to her surroundings. Anyone could grab her. In fact, I’m about to do just that.

I open the rear passenger door and then step in front of her. As she lifts her face, I speak, “Get in the car, Cassandra.” I try to control my tone, but it’s almost growly anyway. She hasn’t seen growly yet, though. The tone Spence is going to emit will make my voice sound like sweet birds singing in the early morning.

She gasps as her eyes widen, and when she takes a step back, she nearly falls. I reach out and snag her arm to keep her from tumbling.

“Mr. Lanka?” She swallows hard and clasps her small purse to her chest. At least she had the sense to wear the strap across her body so no one could easily snatch it. They could still cut the strap, but I doubt she has much more than her phone in that tiny purse.

“Get in the car,” I repeat, nodding toward the open door. I don’t want to be here for more than a few seconds. She glances past me.

“What are you doing here, sir?”

At least she’s reverent. “Saving your ass from the biggest mistake of your life. Hurry before someone interrupts us.”

“But I…” She licks her lips, the ones that are painted a ridiculous red that makes her look absurd. Her gaze keeps flicking past me and back. “Are you…”

I lean in closer so we’re eye to eye. “Am I picking up a hooker? No, Cassandra. I’m helping a Little girl stay alive. Get in.”

She hedges another moment.

“You’re trying my patience, Cassandra. As soon as I’m calm, I’ll blister your sweet bottom with my palm as it is. The longer we stand here, the harder it’s going to be for you to sit tomorrow.”

Her eyes widen further, and she squeezes her legs together.

Sweet Jesus. My cock jumps to attention. Now is not the time to entertain my damn dick.

“Cassandra,” I growl.

“Okay, okay.” She scrambles into the back seat with zero finesse. I get a pretty good view of her sweet bottom. Her skirt is so short that I can see her globes— the very ones my palm is going to get acquainted with soon. If she’s wearing anything under the skirt, it must be a thong. All I see is her pink butt cheeks.

As soon as she’s situated, I take the time to grab the seatbelt, haul it across her body, and buckle her in. Jesus, what the fuck is she wearing?

“I could have done that,” she murmurs, squirming.

I shut her door, open mine, climb in, and take off without a word.

“Where are we going?”

“Cassandra, honey, please be quiet for a few minutes. I want to get the hell out of this neighborhood.”

“Okay,” she whispers.

I glance at her often in the rearview mirror. She’s fidgeting and tugging on her skirt. “Why were you there?” she asks.

“Cassandra…” I warn.

“Sorry.” “If you knew what was good for you, you’d tack a Sir onto the end of every sentence, Little girl.”

She swallows hard. Her cheeks are covered with an absurd amount of rouge, but they still turn pinker. “Sorry, sir.”

“Better.” Holy fuck. What has gotten into me? I did not leave my house this evening expecting to make direct contact with this Little girl. I meant to keep an eye on her and never let on I was near her. Spence didn’t ask me to fuck her with my eyes. He asked me to make sure she was safe.

When I come to a traffic light, I rub my neck. Half of me is focused on what the hell we’re going to do about Cassandra. The other half of me is thinking about my next conversation with Spence.

“Sir?” she asks after a few minutes.

I’m still not calm enough to talk to her. In addition, I don’t know what to say. So, I ignore her.

“Mr. Lanka?” she asks after five more minutes. We’re getting closer to home now. I feel it would be best to hold my tongue because I might scare her or say something I’ll regret later.

She sighs heavily and stares out the window. After we pull into the gated community, she twists to look harder out the window. She’s sitting up straight. She’s so short she can hardly see out without lengthening her spine. She would benefit from a booster seat. And that thought makes my cock all kinds of hard.

I’m way out of order here. For one thing, until tonight, I hadn’t allowed myself to entertain more than a passing interest in her. For another thing, I’m thinking about what it would be like for her to live as my Little before I’ve brought the subject up with her. And more importantly, I haven’t brought it up with Spence, who has made it clear she is his.

“Do you live here?”

“Yes.”

“Why? I thought you said you didn’t want to have sex with me.”

I grit my teeth. My cock may be hard, but there is no way I would have sex with this precious Little girl without a lot of negotiating. There’s a good chance she’s never heard of a Daddy Dom, let alone found herself craving one.

I draw in a breath and speak for both Spence and me. “No one is going to have sex with you tonight, Cassandra.”

She sighs heavily, her shoulders dropping. “You shouldn’t have interfered,” she murmurs. “It was my business. I need the money.”

I rub the bridge of my nose as I pull into the driveway. The main house in front of us belongs to Spence. But she doesn’t know that yet. I wonder how surprised she’s going to be.

The front of the house is well-lit, but it always is. I pull around the circle drive and park right in front of the main entrance. It’s regal. Giant pillars stand along the front porch. Ten steps ascend to the huge double doors.

Before I even have the car off, the front door opens. I know without looking, it won’t be Freud or Alice. It’s Friday night. They live and work here during the week but spend weekends with their grown children.

It will be Spence himself.

I climb out of the front seat of my car, shut the door, and open the passenger door.

Cassandra hasn’t moved. She tips her head back to look at me. “Why did you bring me here, sir?”

“Come inside, Cassandra.”
Becca Jameson. Guiding Cassandra – Becca Jameson (Kindle Locations 190-246). Kindle Edition.

From the moment Cassandra enters the house, she is nervous and anxious. She has no idea what’s going on and Spence will learn why she is dressed the way she is and the reason she made that decision.

I love the way this story unfolds with patience, laughter, love, sizzle and a touch of suspense.

5 Contented Purrs for Becca!

Becca Jameson

Becca Jameson is a USA Today bestselling author of over 100 books. She is most well-known for her Wolf Masters Series, her Fight Club series, and her Club Zodiac series. She currently lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and Goldendoodle. Two grown kids pop in every once in a while too! She is loving this journey and has dabbled in a variety of genres, including paranormal, sports romance, military, and BDSM.

A total night owl, Becca writes late at night, sequestering herself in her office with a glass of red wine and a bar of dark chocolate, her fingers flying across the keyboard as her characters weave their own stories.

During the day–which never starts before ten in the morning!–she can be found jogging, running errands, or reading in her favorite hammock chair!

…where Alphas dominate…

By
USA Today Bestselling Author
Becca Jameson

She’s not my assignment; she’s a distraction.
But when she goes missing, she becomes my obsession…

Nora

I’ve led a sheltered life, hidden from normal society, taught to obey my elders. Now, I’ve been yanked away from the only life I’ve known, sold into slavery, and separated from the only man who ever made me feel like I mattered. My lot in life has been cast. But the man who purchased me has plans I never could have imagined. Plans that shake me to my core.

Axel

When I went undercover to infiltrate this community, I had a mission: stop the human trafficking, destroy the leaders, and disband the organization. And then I meet Nora. She’s the definition of light and goodness. She’s an angel living among the wicked. As it turns out, she’s also the next victim. The wrath I feel when she disappears has a life of its own.

I’ve accomplished the mission. The community has been destroyed, but the cost was too high. I can’t walk away. I won’t stop until I find her.

In the prologue of this book, we learn that Nora was raised in a cult setting. When her mother died only one person let her show her emotions and that was when she ran to the woods from the dormitory. Axel was there and consoled her letting her cry. Both of them knew she would be punished when she returned to the dormitory, showing emotion wasn’t allowed. Axel has promised to get her out of there, and he also gave her a gift. The closet she gets locked into has glow sticks hidden under the edges of the carpet. He put them there because he knows how much she hates the dark and he’s fallen in love with her.

Three days later, Axel makes contact outside. He’s been undercover for two years and on this particular day he’s discovered that Nora’s father sold her. Jedidiah Rojas has occasionally sold a young woman to pay for the upkeep of the cult and the land it’s on. Axel knew the time was coming when that would happen, he just didn’t expect Jedidiah to sell his own daughter. Axel has to stay undercover but there is nothing Axel won’t do to put an end to not only the human trafficking but also the cult and find Nora.

We get a look at Jasmine in her owner’s ‘care’. It’s not ideal and Jasmine uses thoughts of Axel to get through the days.

It’s eight months later that Axel is called to Thomas Bower’s office. He’s spent a lot of time looking for Nora but hasn’t found a trace and he’s afraid his boss is going to put an end to that investigation.

Instead, he’s surprised when he’s told he needs to go to Denver. When he asks why, he’s told of the case of human trafficking that involves six women abducted by Jovani Russo and that they’ve recovered two of these women. As he’s preparing to leave, Thomas admits he doesn’t know all the details but the Agent in charge is Diane Malinsky and the team lead is Jagger Whitley. The operation is being run out of Jagger’s home since the second woman is staying with him, under his protection.

Jagger greets Axel at the door and brings him to the kitchen where he meets Kalinda ‘Kally’ Spiers. He realizes that this is more than a safehouse for Kally, she and Jagger are a couple. They explain they don’t know the other women’s names because they were given names by Jovani Russo. The women couldn’t risk revealing their true identities to each other.

They have the four files with the photos taken by Russo and ask Axel to see if Nora is one of them. He finds her in the third folder he looks at. Kalina looks at the image and says Jasmine. Which she explains as the name Nora was given. They all had been given names of poisonous flowers. Jagger then explains how they go about finding where she is through an unknown informant, who has access to the chip data.

Once they pass on Jasmine’s real name, Jagger invites Axel to stay with them since they don’t know how long it will take for the informant to respond back with more information.

Fortunately, the response is very fast, and they are off to make an arrest and bring Nora here to safety.

This is a favorite scene.

“Hands in the air, motherfucker. Now!”

Jasmine jumped to her feet at the sound of the voice who was not Daddy. She spun around in a circle, trying to see beyond the glass of her cage. Her heart was racing.

“Now!” someone else shouted louder. “Let go of your fucking dick! On the floor. Face down. Spread eagle… Now, motherfucker!”

Jasmine’s knees threatened to give out. What was happening? Was someone here to rescue her? She couldn’t believe it. She wouldn’t. Maybe she was dreaming.

She stepped backward, her bare foot landing on the picture she’d been coloring, tearing the paper from the book. She winced. Daddy would be mad. He didn’t like for her to tear the pictures.

Lights suddenly came on, illuminating the entire space. She squinted past the glass cage she was in. She’d never once seen anything outside of these walls in all the time she’d been here. How long? Two months, maybe.

She started shaking as she took in her surroundings. Six men dressed in black filled the room, guns drawn. When she shifted her attention to the man on the floor, she sucked in a breath. She’d never seen him. Not one time. She still couldn’t see him now. He was already on the floor. Someone had his knee on Daddy’s back and was wrenching his arms around to put cuffs on him.

Jasmine shivered as she took in his bare white butt. His pants were down around his knees. Why? There was a leather couch behind him and no other piece of furniture. The rest of the room was stark. Concrete floor and walls. No windows. The only other thing in the space was a door on the far side of the room and stairs leading up out of the basement.

One of the men rushed over to open the door. He lifted his gun as he jerked it open and stepped inside. “Holy fuck,” he muttered.

Jasmine took another step back. What was going on? What would happen to her? She wanted to believe she was being rescued but refused to hope. For all she knew, these new men were her next kidnappers.

“Nora.”

She flinched at the sound of her given name. She hadn’t heard it in eight months. When she jerked her attention toward the glass door to her prison, she blinked several times before dropping to her knees on the soft rug. “Axel?”

He smiled at her. “It’s me, sweetheart.” He tried to open the door, but it was locked. “I need you to back up to the far wall for me, Nora. Can you do that? I’m going to shoot the lock.”

She scrambled to her feet and nearly fell on her butt as she rushed to do as he’d asked.

“Grab a pillow, sweetheart. Cover your face for me just in case shards of glass fly in that direction,” he instructed.

She snagged a pillow off the bed and held it in front of her. A moment later, a shot rang out. The loudest noise she’d ever heard here in this echoey basement. She cried out.

Seconds later, hands were on her shoulders, and Axel lowered the pillow away before pulling her into his arms. “Oh my God, Nora.” He held her so close.

She wrapped her arms around him and held on just as tightly. Was this really happening? Was he really here?

“You’re safe, sweetheart. I’ve got you.”

Safe? What did that even mean?

He shifted his hands to her face and leaned back to look at her. His expression was filled with both happiness and concern. “Are you hurt?”

She shook her head.

He leaned back farther. “Are you sure?”

“I’m not hurt,” she assured him.

He didn’t release her as he looked around the room. “Jesus,” he muttered.

Two more men came into the glass prison through the shattered door. One of them approached with a smile. “Nora Rojas?”

She nodded. Hearing her name was still jarring.

“I’m Jagger Whitley. We’re with the FBI. You’re safe now,” he reassured her.

She had no idea what the FBI was. “Like the police?”

Jagger nodded. “Yes.” He looked toward Axel. “You’ll have to carry her out of here. There’s glass everywhere. She doesn’t have shoes on.”

Axel reached back toward the bed, yanked the comforter off, tossed it on the floor, and tugged the pink sheet off. He wrapped it around her body before lifting her off the floor and cradling her in his arms.

Jasmine glanced at the bed, worrying irrationally about getting in trouble for making a mess. But when she looked at the man lying on the floor, she knew she would not be in trouble with him again.

She winced as she watched him struggle. His naked butt cheeks were jiggling as he fought against the handcuffs and the knee on his back. His pants had worked themselves even lower. They were down below his knees now.

Another man approached, his expression somber. “I’m Boyd Lampros.” He shifted his attention to Axel. “Is she okay?”

Axel nodded. “I’m going to take her out to the car.”

Axel gently guided Jasmine’s face toward his chest as he turned and carried her out of the glass prison.

She squeezed her eyes closed as he continued up the stairs and didn’t open them again until he covered her head with one hand as he slid into the back of a large SUV.

He pulled the door closed but didn’t release her. He was breathing heavily as he rocked her in his arms. “Nora…”

“Why are you with the policemen?” she asked. She had dozens of questions. She was so confused.

He finally leaned her back and stroked a lock of hair away from her face. Her hair was up in high pigtails, the ends doubled up in the rubber bands to create big loops because that’s how Daddy had instructed her to fix it today.

“How did you find me?” she continued without waiting for answers. “Are you going to take me home now? Did my father send you?”

He hesitated on that last word as if it weren’t completely accurate, and she didn’t know what he meant. She also didn’t know what he was talking about.

He was holding her on his lap. They were alone in the cramped backseat of a car. This was only the fourth time she’d ever been in a car. Two of the times hardly counted since she’d been drugged.

“Why?” She wasn’t even sure what she was asking.

“Because I care about you, Nora. A lot.”

Her heart skipped a beat. She stopped breathing. He cared. He really cared. As she stared at him, all she could think about was his kisses and the way he was holding her like he had that one night eight months ago. It seemed like a lifetime ago and yesterday at the same time.

He swallowed hard. “It’s okay if you don’t feel the same. All that matters is that you’re safe now. I haven’t slept in eight months worrying about you.”

Her head was spinning. He cared about her? It was impossible to wrap her head around that. And he’d been looking for her? All she knew was she wanted to hug him the way he was hugging her. She wiggled her arms out from under the sheet, threw them around his neck, and held him tightly.
Becca Jameson. Jasmine – Becca Jameson (Kindle Locations 636-694). Kindle Edition.

Now that Nora is safely away from the man who bought her, there are still concerns since the seller is still unknown. She still doesn’t know her father escaped the raid on the compound. Nora will have to come to terms not with what she went through but also losing the only home she ever knew and learning about a whole world she was taught was dangerous and full of bad people.

Once Kally helps Nora get cleaned up and dressed in more comfortable clothing, Diane needs to ask her questions. We learn more about her abduction here and Axel has to tell her about the compound and her father.

I loved the way this plays out with the romance between Nora and Axel. There’s also all the help she gets from Kally, Gemm and later the councilor Dr. Carol Langston.

So very emotional and in spite of the serious nature of the book there is laughter, fun and some sizzle as well.

I can’t wait to read the next book in this series!

5 Contented Purrs for Becca!

Becca Jameson

Becca Jameson is a USA Today bestselling author of over 100 books. She is most well-known for her Wolf Masters Series, her Fight Club series, and her Club Zodiac series. She currently lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and Goldendoodle. Two grown kids pop in every once in a while too! She is loving this journey and has dabbled in a variety of genres, including paranormal, sports romance, military, and BDSM.

A total night owl, Becca writes late at night, sequestering herself in her office with a glass of red wine and a bar of dark chocolate, her fingers flying across the keyboard as her characters weave their own stories.

During the day–which never starts before ten in the morning!–she can be found jogging, running errands, or reading in her favorite hammock chair!

…where Alphas dominate…

By
USA Today Bestselling Author
Becca Jameson

Avery

I’ve known I’m a middle for a long time.
It’s why I got divorced. I needed something…more.
What I need is an older, sophisticated, stern man.
What I don’t need is my much younger, smoking-hot neighbor to mow my lawn.
The man’s a personal trainer. His muscles have muscles.
I’m much too old for him and not at all his type—fit.
And yet, he has the audacity to ask me out.
He’s coming over tonight. Why on earth did I agree to this?

Andrew

I’ve had my eye on Avery for two years.
She’s cute, youthful, and adorable.
She’s also independent, and she likes to stomp her feet when I help her.
It’s time to take a chance and ask her out.
Since she thinks she owes me for mowing her lawn, she can make me dinner.
I should not be shocked to find out she’s a Middle.
And I’m far from disappointed.
I just need to convince her to give this younger guy a chance.

As the books opens, Avery is about to go yell at her neighbor for mowing her lawn, but not before she ogles his physique. Now Andrew is only being neighborly but he’s not going to let Avery get away with yelling at him again. He’s gonna ask her out, well kind of.

This is a favorite scene.

Andrew chuckles. On top of everything else annoying about him, I now have to add that he has the confidence of a much older man.

And then another thought comes to mind and I swallow, my face draining of all color. “Are you making fun of me?”

He flinches, his eyes narrowing. He steps closer, shortening the distance between us. Thank goodness there’s a wooden railing around my deck that keeps him from stepping all the way into my space. He sets his hands on it though, and leans toward me, leaving only a foot or so between us.

He’s not laughing. His expression is dead serious. “I would never make fun of you, Avery. Why would you think that? I’ve lived next door to you for two years. I’ve watched you come and go hundreds of times. I’ve wanted to ask you out for most of that time, and suddenly now I’ve decided to go for it. What the hell?”

My mouth falls open, but no sound comes out.

“There’s a lightness about you. You’re a free spirit. I love the way you smile and giggle when you don’t think anyone is looking. That cute little wave you give me when you climb into your lime-green car stops me in my tracks every time.”

I swallow, but he’s not done.

“You’re obviously young at heart, and I’d bet money you’re fun to be with when you’re not growling about letting someone help you with your lawn.” One corner of his mouth lifts in a sexy smile. “So yeah. I’m asking you out. Please say yes so I won’t feel like a fool for laying it all on the line here.”

“You’re serious.”

“As a heart attack.” He’s white-knuckling the wooden railing.

Holy shit. Holy. Shit.

Finally, he lifts up a hand. “How about this? You make me dinner tonight and spend two hours with me. If you don’t want to go out in public with me and take that kind of risk afterward, I won’t ask you again.”

“You think I wouldn’t want to be seen in public with you?”

He shrugs, his brows lifting as if to say, what else am I supposed to think?

“You…” I lick my lips. “You’re like a chiseled statue of male perfection. I don’t know why you don’t have a different date every night of the week. The fact that you notice when I go out and when I don’t tells me you’re home to see that sort of thing.” I narrow my gaze. “Why don’t you have a girlfriend?”

He gives me a slow smile. If I’m not mistaken, his tanned skin flushes. “Women who hit on me at the gym or wherever tend to be extremely shallow, Avery. I grew tired of being pawed at like some sort of sex object about a decade ago.

“You, on the other hand, don’t strike me as shallow at all. You’re a breath of fresh air. Like I said, a free spirit. Happy. Comfortable in your skin. And…if I’m a quote ‘chiseled statue of male perfection’ then I’ll raise you that and say that you’re a beautiful porcelain doll who’s probably too sweet and naïve for her own good.

“I bet you know exactly what I’m talking about when I say women can be shallow. Men are shallow too. With that blond hair, those pale blue eyes, and that smokin’ hot body, I’m sure you’ve been on the receiving end of more annoying catcalls than you can count.”

I’ve suddenly lost the ability to make use of the English language.

I’m struck dumb and still blinking at him when he shoves off my railing. “I’ll be here at six. I don’t have any food allergies.” He starts to walk away and then tosses over his shoulder. “And, for the record, I do eat cookies and brownies.”

I watch him as he pushes his mower toward the shed behind his side of the condo, every muscle flexing, sweat soaking the back of his shirt in a line down his spine. His thick brown hair is ruffled and messy. He hasn’t shaved today, and his twenty-four-hours-after-shaving look makes my knees wobbly.

What the hell just happened?

This man just steamed-rolled right over me.

Dinner? Now, I have to cook for him and make dessert?

While he’s in his shed, I spin around and rush back into my kitchen, shutting the door and leaning against it while I try to catch my breath.

This can’t be happening. I don’t date men like Andrew. Hell, I don’t date men at all. I play with men at Surrender or one of the other clubs in the area on Friday nights in order to shed some of the previous week’s stress, but I don’t date them.
Becca Jameson. Rewarding Avery (Kindle Locations 131-163). Kindle Edition.

Dinner leads to conversations about her divorce, her visits to Surrender and the fact that she’s a middle. None of which really surprise Andrew.

Things start heating very quickly from here as Andrew shows her, he can and will be the Daddy Dom she’s been looking for.

Very Hot, very sensual and definitely not for the faint of heart.

5 Contented Purrs for Becca!

Becca Jameson

Becca Jameson is a USA Today bestselling author of over 100 books. She is most well-known for her Wolf Masters Series, her Fight Club series, and her Club Zodiac series. She currently lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and Goldendoodle. Two grown kids pop in every once in a while too! She is loving this journey and has dabbled in a variety of genres, including paranormal, sports romance, military, and BDSM.A total night owl, Becca writes late at night, sequestering herself in her office with a glass of red wine and a bar of dark chocolate, her fingers flying across the keyboard as her characters weave their own stories.

During the day–which never starts before ten in the morning!–she can be found jogging, running errands, or reading in her favorite hammock chair!

…where Alphas dominate…

By
USA Today Bestselling Author
Becca Jameson

Lacy

My childhood was not ideal.
My mom died when I was twelve.
My father didn’t want me.
He forced me to grow up before I was ready.
And then he tried to coerce me to marry against my will.
I had two options; I chose to walk away and never look back.
It’s been ten years; my father’s sudden death means little to me.
I don’t even care that he cut me out of his will.
Except maybe he didn’t.

Brett

I’ve known Lacy for a long time.
I’ve always been attracted to her, but she’s not Little.
She’s in trouble though.
Someone tried to burn down her apartment building.
She needs a place to stay.
And…I was wrong about her.
She might not know what it means yet, but she is Little.
She needs protection too. Someone is following her.
They’ll never get their hands on her because she’s mine.

The prologue of this book shows Lacy’s pain when her mother dies of cancer and her father’s treatment of her grief.

We jump to the present, and Lacy is having lunch with Eve when she gets the call from Maximillan Rutherford that her father has died. Eve reacts in concern, but Lacy has no intention of making any plans to go to the funeral. She left her father and her home ten years ago and has no intention of ever returning.

She doesn’t quite understand the relationship Eve has with Colton, but she knows Eve sends a picture of her lunch before and after she eats and she sees the love between them.

Lacy gets yet another call as they get back to the office, this time it’s Max, the son. He more or less tells her he’s arranging a flight for her and to get to the airport. Of course, Lacy refuses and just goes back to work.

Two weeks later Eve tells Colt she’s worried about Lacy as they’re having dinner with Brett. Eve explains how Lacy isn’t herself and is distracted and nervous. Colt suggests they invite her for dinner, and Brett agrees to come and maybe he and Colt can get her to say what’s bothering her.

Brett is attracted to Lacy but he refuses to get into a relationship other than with a little. He tried the vanilla route and it just doesn’t work for him. He’s a Daddy Dom through and through.

They’re cleaning up the kitchen when the doorbell rings and Colt opens it to find Lacy distraught and crying. Guiding her inside and asking what’s wrong, Lacy tells him there’s been a fire at her apartment. It was in the basement, but they aren’t allowing anyone in. She was at the store and only has her purse with her.

This is a favorite scene.

“Lacy…” Eve has arrived. Her hair is in a single ponytail. She’s wearing yoga pants and a tank top, which looks like it has a shelf bra. She sits on the other side of Lacy and wraps an arm around her underneath mine. “Colton said there was a fire in your building. Was it bad?”

Lacy draws a deep breath and pulls away from me to turn toward her friend. “I don’t think so. I don’t know yet.”

I kind of hate that she’s no longer leaning into me, as irrational as that is. I keep a hand on her back, rubbing gently. I hate that she’s been hurting, and now her pain is compounded. No matter what the outcome of the fire ends up being, right now, she’s shaken and vulnerable.

“Well, you’ll stay here, of course, until they get it sorted out.”

I lift my gaze to meet Eve’s over the top of Lacy’s slumped body and then shift my attention to Colt. It’s not my place to interject. It’s probably a bad idea. I should shut my fucking mouth. But that’s not what happens. Instead, I clear my throat. “Your guest room is a disaster,” I point out. It’s true. They removed all the furniture a week ago and had it painted yesterday. “No one could sleep in there with the paint fumes if they wanted to. She can stay with me. I have plenty of room.”

God, I hope I don’t regret this decision. I might be out of my mind. You don’t date vanilla women. Of course, I’m not dating Lacy either. I’m just offering her a place to stay. A logical solution to a housing problem. The friendly thing to do.

Colt’s brows lift as he stares at me.

I return his stare with a hard, unblinking one.

We both know Eve will have a rough evening if she isn’t able to spend more time in her Little space. And I’m right about the guest room.

Colt runs a hand through his hair. “You sure?” he mouths silently.

I nod.

Lacy glances at me. “I can’t impose on you. I’ll just get a hotel room.”

“Not a chance,” Eve interjects. “You shouldn’t be alone. You’ve had a rough few weeks. I’ll pack up some clothes for you. We’re almost the same size. And I’ll let Mr. Heart and Mr. Earnest know you won’t be into work tomorrow. They’ll understand.”

One thing I know is that the owners of Eve and Lacy’s accounting firm are good men. They stood by Eve when she was being stalked and never wavered in their support.

“It’s settled,” I declare.

“Have you eaten?” Eve asks.

Lacy shakes her head. “I don’t think I can. I’m too frazzled right now.”

“We have mac and cheese,” she says with a smile.

Lacy manages to chuckle. “You and your mac and cheese.”

“Hey, don’t diss the mac and cheese. It’s not like it comes from a box. Colt makes it from scratch. It’s delicious.”

Lacy shakes her head. “I’m sure it is, but I’ll pass for now.” She slumps back against the couch, leaving me and Eve sitting up straighter while staring at her from both sides. She’s looking at her lap and picking on imaginary lint at the hem of her shirt.

She’s wearing workout clothes, and her hair is up in a thick, brown, wavy ponytail. She sighs. “I was at the gym before the store. I need a shower, and I don’t have any fucking clothes.”

I startle slightly at her curse word. She’s certainly entitled to an entire string of cuss words after the evening and, apparently, few weeks she’s had. I shouldn’t be shocked, but the word still sounds odd coming from her. I don’t think I’ve heard her cuss before. I doubt she does so ordinarily.

Eve stands. “Let me grab you some things.” She squeezes Lacy’s hands and leans over to hug her before rushing from the room.

Colt sits on the coffee table in front of Lacy. “Is there anything else we can do, Lacy?”

“No. I’ll be fine.” She sighs deeply and tips her head back to stare at the ceiling. “It’s just been tough for a few weeks, and now this.”

I think she’s barely holding it together, and I hate that for her. I suspect she’s too embarrassed to let herself get more emotional than she already has in front of us. Hopefully, when I get her alone, I can help her relax and let go. I’ll certainly try.

Colt speaks again. “Please let us know if you need anything at all. I’m sure Brett can help you sort out whatever is necessary. You should contact your insurance company in the morning.”

She draws in a deep breath. “I’ll add that to my list,” she mutters sarcastically.

I’m unsure what she’s referring to, but I don’t say anything.

Eve bustles back into the room. She’s carrying a small suitcase and sets it by the door.

Lacy looks at me. “Are you sure about this? I don’t want to be an imposition. I’m sure my insurance will cover a hotel for as long as necessary until I can get back into my building.”

I shake my head. “You’re not going to a hotel, Lacy. I insist.” I stand. “Let’s get you to my place so you can get settled. You’re exhausted.” I grab her hand and help her to her feet.

Eve hugs Lacy again, and both she and Colt walk with us to the door.

I take the suitcase. We’re halfway down the walk before Lacy says, “I’ll follow you, I guess.”

I turn to look at her. “How about we leave your car here for now? We can come back and get it later. You’re shaking.”

She fiddles her fingers together. Her lips are pursed. Her eyes are watery. I suspect she’s moments from falling apart, and who could blame her? Finally, she nods. The fact that she doesn’t even argue with me speaks volumes.

I open the back passenger door first to stow the suitcase on the seat before grabbing the handle for the front passenger seat.

After Lacy is settled, I pull the seatbelt down. It’s instinctive. It’s in my nature.

She glances at me as she takes it from me to buckle it. “How very safety conscious of you,” she jokes.

“Always.” I wink at her and shut the door before rounding to the other side. What the fuck have I gotten myself into?
Becca Jameson. Impressing Brett – Becca Jameson (Kindle Locations 189-239). Kindle Edition.

Brett really has no idea what he just got himself into and neither does Lacy.

From his pink frilly guest room to the bathroom with a wonderful shower and the softest pink towels, to the bed complete with a soft and cuddly stuffed bear, Lacy is stunned. It’s so not what she expected Brett’s home to be like.

Just imagine Brett’s surprise later when he checks on her, to find her sound asleep cuddling with the bear.

I love the way Brett introduces her to his world. She’s been living it on the outside not realizing it’s a perfectly normal thing for some.

Of course, there’s her other problems which Brett persuades her he can handle for her, going so far as to get her a separate phone. That way she doesn’t have to deal with her father’s partner and his son’s texts and voice mails.

Things heat up slowly but surely between these two and there’s some drama that just can’t be avoided.

I really love this series and I can’t wait for the next book.

5 Contented Purrs for Becca!

Becca Jameson

Becca Jameson is a USA Today bestselling author of over 100 books. She is most well-known for her Wolf Masters Series, her Fight Club series, and her Club Zodiac series. She currently lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and Goldendoodle. Two grown kids pop in every once in a while too! She is loving this journey and has dabbled in a variety of genres, including paranormal, sports romance, military, and BDSM.

A total night owl, Becca writes late at night, sequestering herself in her office with a glass of red wine and a bar of dark chocolate, her fingers flying across the keyboard as her characters weave their own stories.

During the day–which never starts before ten in the morning!–she can be found jogging, running errands, or reading in her favorite hammock chair!

…where Alphas dominate…

Featuring

The Ceremony by Natasha Knight & A. Zavarelli

Taste of Sin by Alta Hensley & Renee Rose

Eternal Obsession by Julia Sykes

And She is Lust by Annabel Joseph

Protected by Him by Measha Stone

Dangerous Professions by Livia Grant

Attitude Adjustment by Jenna Jacob

Gemma’s Release by Becca Jameson

Punishing His War Bride by Sue Lyndon

Top by Cole Denton

Nothing brings more pleasure than the perfect Bite of Pain.

Satisfy your desire for a bit of sting with a dozen BRAND NEW smoking hot power exchange stories from the dark romance authors you love.

Publisher’s Note:
The Bite of Pain Anthology contains brand new material never published before. It is the perfect chance to revisit series you already love and also find new authors you will enjoy reading. But be warned! These are smoking hot stories sure to light your fire.

By
USA Today Bestselling Author
Becca Jameson

While you don’t have to read Marigold, the first book in this series, it will help you to understand the context of this novella.

The prologue gives you some insight, but having read the book it made more sense to me, even though Becca does give more insight as this story progresses.

This will be the second time Gemma goes with Damon to Roses and Thorns, the first time it was open and the events that happen during that time are some that still give Gemma nightmares.

However, Damon has the patience of a saint and would never, ever, force Gemma to do anything she is uncomfortable with.

This is a favorite scene.

They were nearly eye-to-eye. “You’re gorgeous.”

She set her hands on his shoulders and glanced down. “You don’t look so bad yourself, Sir.”

He wore all black like her. Black dress pants, a black button-up shirt, black socks and black dress shoes. He thought they looked stunning together.

Gemma lifted her hands to his hair. It was still slightly damp from his shower. She leaned in, buried her nose in his neck, and inhaled deep and slow.

“I love the way you smell,” she whispered. “I never forgot your scent. I never will. I want to wake up to this scent and go to sleep to it every night of my life. Promise me I will.”

“I promise.” He pulled her closer and nuzzled the space between her breasts before setting her back a foot. “Let me put my other shoe on, temptress. If we don’t get out of here soon, I’m going to change my mind, strip this dress off, and fuck you in this chair. To hell with the club.”

She giggled. “I can keep the shoes though?” She lifted one and angled it back and forth.

“You can keep the shoes.” He couldn’t think of anything sexier. “I’m impressed with how well you can walk in those spike heels after all this time,” he remarked as he tied his second shoe.

“I guess it’s like riding a bike. Plus, my thighs and calves are strong from…” She drew in a breath and shrugged, not finishing her sentence. She didn’t need to. He was well aware of the high protocol she’d been forced to endure as part of her slave training. Hours of practicing slave positions would leave anyone fit.

Never again. Never again would she ever be forced to perform like that. He just hoped to God he knew which things would be off limits in her submission and which things would be fair game. The last thing he wanted was to trigger her. Not ever. That’s why he was so damn concerned about this visit to the club.

After three years of searching, hoping, waiting, she was under his protection, in his home, in his life. She was his. But he still worried every day if he could keep her. He’d only had her a month. She had a long way to go in her recovery. Years. Probably her entire life. Three years in captivity as a slave was more than most human beings could endure and come out on the other side intact.

Gemma was strong. She’d proven that. She was showing progress every hour of every day. But taking her to the club to play? That was a step that concerned him greatly. It was risky. If he triggered her, she could take a turn for the worse. She could turn away from him.

Damon had several pieces of information in his arsenal though. Most importantly, Gemma had never been struck in captivity. Because of that, she had responded positively to spankings from the day he’d rescued her. It was unconventional to say the least, but it worked for her.

At first, Damon had used spanking as a way to remind her of two important rules: She was not permitted to call him Sir or Master, and she had to look him in the eyes.

It hadn’t taken long for it to become apparent that she craved the spankings. She longed for the contact. It made her feel alive. So he had to adjust. Ever since then, he used spanking as a reward. The ante for the reward went up every day.

By now, they’d reached a point where she could earn spankings by going into the backyard alone and staying there for ten minutes, bathing or showering alone, choosing her own clothes and dressing herself.

Baby steps. Regular things people did every day that were taken for granted. But for someone who’d spent three years always naked, trained to service a future master, and tormented with orgasm denial, every tiny step mattered.

The important thing was that Dr. Langston, though initially skeptical, was now in agreement with the unconventional methods Damon and Gemma were using to help her reclaim her life.

Armed with this knowledge and the way she reacted to impact play, Damon felt confident that introducing her to other implements of impact would likely be safe.

He would never restrain her. She’d experienced that every day of her life in a traumatic fashion. He would never put her in a cage. He would never deny her food or clothes or privacy.

He would also never expose her to other people. This was more a result of the intense possessiveness he felt toward her than her own need for modesty. The truth was she had come to him with a warped sense of modesty after years of parading around naked, an aversion to having clothing touching her skin, and a complete lack of touch with reality.

Damon rose from his armchair and cupped her face. “You are so unbelievably gorgeous both in and out of this dress. Please don’t ask me to remove it in front of other people. Call me a jealous boyfriend, but I’m not sharing you with another human being. Ever.”

She leaned into him and gripped his biceps. “Okay,” she said softly. A slow smile grew. “I think I like this possessive side of you. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

“Good. Get used to it.” He leaned down and kissed her. “Ready to go?”

“Yes, Sir.”

If nothing else, Gemma absolutely knew when it was appropriate to call him Sir. He would never ever permit her to call him Master. That was out of the question. She was not his slave. She would never be anyone’s slave, and he didn’t want her to think that for one second.

Sir he could tolerate when she was submitting to him as long as that didn’t extend to all the time. Perhaps at one point in his life he’d visualized a Dom/ sub relationship with a woman that extended outside of a club setting, but this would never be appropriat

e for Gemma. She needed to spend most of her time grounded in her own autonomy. If he let her submit to him and refer to him as Sir with regularity, she would lose herself to a slave mindset that didn’t work for someone who’d survived what she’d been through.

He lifted her hand, kissed her fingers, and led her out of the bedroom.

He sure as fuck hoped he wasn’t making the biggest mistake of his life.
Becca Jameson. Gemmas Release – Becca Jameson (Kindle Locations 283-330). Kindle Edition.

The only people at Roses and Thorns are Robert, Ella, Boyd and Macy, the club itself is closed on this night.

What ensues is a sizzling adventure for Gemma into the BDSM scene, under the careful watch of Damon and Robert with Boyd helping with the props.

I love this addition to the book as it shows the careful and loving progress in Damon and Gemma’s relationship.

I am looking forward to more books in this series.

5 Contented Purrs for Becca!

Becca Jameson

Becca Jameson is a USA Today bestselling author of over 100 books. She is most well-known for her Wolf Masters Series, her Fight Club series, and her Club Zodiac series. She currently lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and Goldendoodle. Two grown kids pop in every once in a while too! She is loving this journey and has dabbled in a variety of genres, including paranormal, sports romance, military, and BDSM.

A total night owl, Becca writes late at night, sequestering herself in her office with a glass of red wine and a bar of dark chocolate, her fingers flying across the keyboard as her characters weave their own stories.

During the day–which never starts before ten in the morning!–she can be found jogging, running errands, or reading in her favorite hammock chair!

…where Alphas dominate…

By
USA Today Bestselling Author
Becca Jameson

She brought me to my knees the moment I met her.
I’ll stop at nothing to keep her safe …

Kalinda

I’m from the wrong side of the tracks. A nobody barely surviving on the tips I make dancing for sleazy men. That’s what makes me an easy target. My stalkers know it. When they make me disappear, I know no one will ever look for me. I spend a year in captivity, training to service the Master who will purchase me as his sex slave. But they’ve underestimated me.

Jagger

I’ve been on this human-trafficking case for a month. When I get the call that a woman has been located, my heart stops. It stops again when I see her. She brings me to my knees. She’s fierce and determined. She’s also breathtaking and damaged. It’s not rational, but she’s mine, and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her from the man who sold her and the man who bought her.

They know who I am. They know where we’re hiding. How long can I keep her out of the hands of some very powerful men who aren’t willing to give up?

This book opens with Jagger arriving at the scene of a shooting, not your typical one though. There’s a woman who, if what he heard is true, matches the description of Oleander. One of the woman Gemma/Marigold has identified as being held with her.

This is a favorite scene.

The thought that someone had treated this woman so badly made him want to fucking scream and throw things. More than one someone. He had no idea how many people had mistreated her or how badly she was injured emotionally and physically.

What he did know was that she had somehow managed to get a gun and killed this motherfucker lying to one side of her. She had to have some level of strength of mind and understanding to have accomplished that.

He wanted to praise her, but her state of mind was precarious.

Jagger glanced at the officer. “Did she place the 911 call?”

“No. The neighbors heard gunshots.”

Jagger nodded. “Do you have the weapon?”

“Yes. It was next to her on the floor. All six rounds were fired. Two are in the wall behind us. Four hit their mark.”

Jagger swallowed. He didn’t want the officer to continue speaking. It was probably retraumatizing this woman. “Okay.” He inched closer. “I’m here to help you.” Maybe if he said that enough times, she would believe him.

She squeezed into a tighter ball. How much should he tell her? “I know who you are and what you’ve been through. You’re not at fault. I’m here to get you someplace safe. You’re safe now.”

She tipped her head back again, huge blue eyes wide. “You’re not going to arrest me?”

He shook his head. “No, honey.” He hated calling her Oleander. He knew it wasn’t her name. He wasn’t sure honey was appropriate either, but until he knew her real name, it was at least kinder. “How about we get you out of this room, clean you up a bit, and get you to the hospital.”

“Hospital?” Her eyes widened further. She shook her head. “No. He’ll find me there. Put me in jail.”

Jagger cringed. “Can you tell me your real name?”

She tucked her chin against her knees again. Her skin looked flawless. She was like a porcelain doll. Jagger couldn’t be sure there were no marks on her from the last month, but he didn’t expect to see any old ones from her time in Jovani Russo’s captivity. That motherfucker was sadistic, but he hadn’t touched the women in any way someone would be able to tell. They’d been sold in perfect condition. Even their virginity had supposedly been intact.

“Oleander,” she muttered.

“What was your name before that?”

She rocked harder but didn’t respond. Either she was afraid to reveal her name, or she didn’t remember.

“Can I help you get out of this room, Oleander?”

“Why isn’t anyone arresting me? I killed that man.” She nodded toward him.

“Because it was in self-defense, honey.” He drew in a slow breath. “Did you come here of your own free will?”

“No, Sir.”

“Were you permitted to leave if you wanted?”

“No, Sir,” she whispered. “I’m a slave.”

Jagger stiffened and drew in another slow breath. At least she seemed to know what was happening, even if her outlook was warped. “Slavery is illegal. You were fighting for your life.”

“You should arrest me,” she insisted.

Jagger glanced at the dead body. The man was big. It was impressive that she’d managed to take him down. “He can’t hurt you anymore, honey.”

She lifted her head and turned to stare at the body before meeting Jagger’s gaze again. “He didn’t hurt me. He’s not the one I’m worried about. Please arrest me.”

Jagger’s breath hitched. “Is there another man?”

She nodded.

Jagger glanced at the officer as she turned and fled the room. He looked back at Oleander. “Where is the other man?”

“I don’t know. He’s coming for me.”

“Do you know who he is?”

She shook her head, her curls flying around her face.

“Can you tell me what he looks like?”

“I’ve never met him.”

Jagger frowned, trying to make sense of what she was saying. Had she been sold to someone else already?

Oleander pointed at the dead body, causing the sheet to fall to the floor again. “I killed that man. You have to arrest me. Please. Before he gets here.”

“When are you expecting him?”

She licked dry lips. “Tonight.” Her body started shaking.

Jagger twisted around to make sure someone else was listening. Two male officers were behind him. They both took a step back, one of them getting on his radio.

“Let’s get you out of here before he arrives, yeah?” Jagger encouraged.

“Will you take me to jail, Sir?”

“You don’t belong in jail, honey. You need a doctor.”

She shook her head violently. “No. I’m not hurt. I’m a criminal.”

This was the hardest situation Jagger had ever been in since he’d started with the FBI over ten years ago. He’d never seen anyone so broken in his life. He had a crazy idea that might appease her. “Do you think there’s a chance the man is watching?”

She nodded.

“How about if I put handcuffs on you to get you out of here? That way if he’s watching, he’ll think you’ve been arrested, and he won’t look at the hospital.”

She bit into her bottom lip, blinking a few times while she processed the plan. “You need to take me in the police car to the police station.”

Jagger rubbed his brow and sighed. Christ, this was insane. “Okay. I’ll go with you. When we get there, we’ll get you cleaned up, and then you can tell me everything that happened.”

She nodded rapidly and held out her hands, heedless of the fact that she was naked. “You have to make it look real, Sir.”

Fuck. This was fucked up. But he understood, and she had far more wits about her than he’d originally expected.

Jagger twisted to look at the officer who remained in the room behind him. He recognized this particular man. He was in his mid-forties. Seasoned. He wouldn’t be as freaked out by this arrangement as a rookie cop. “Higgins?”

The man stepped forward, brows raised.

“Were you listening?”

Higgins nodded as he cringed. “I’ve never done anything like this, but it’s not a bad idea.”

Jagger sighed in relief. “Is one of those patrol cars yours?”

“Yes.”

“Can you get people to back up while we lead her out of here?”

“Yes. Give me two minutes.” He started to walk out of the room.

“Higgins.” Jagger called him back. “I want every uniformed officer in the vicinity fanned out for blocks.” If some motherfucker was watching this house right now, Jagger wanted him arrested.

“I’m on it.”

Oleander was stiff, but she’d stop rocking. “Thank you,” she mumbled.

Jagger reached out a hand. “Can you stand, honey?”

She set her small fingers in his palm and let him help her up.

Jagger snagged the sheet on the way and wrapped it around her, trying hard not to stare at her body. “Can you hold this around you?”

She glanced at it as if just now realizing she was naked. She fisted the material in front of her, but looked toward him again. “I need cuffs. He needs to see the cuffs.” She was shivering now. She might have been cold, but he suspected her nerves were the main culprit.

Jagger glanced around. There were no other clothes in the room. He would bet money she had no clothing in this house, and he certainly wasn’t going to take the time to search.

Jagger tugged off his jacket and held it open for her. “Stick your arm in, honey.”

She flinched. “I’ll get blood all over it.”

He nodded. “Small price to pay for your freedom, don’t you think?” He was impressed she had enough brain cells functioning to even care or notice the blood.

“Thank you,” she murmured as she stuck her arm in the sleeve and let him wrap it around her to get her other arm in.

Jagger zipped up the front all the way to her chin. She was more than a foot shorter than him. She might be five-two if she stood at her full height. The jacket fully covered her. It reached damn near to her knees.

She seemed stronger now. She was snapping out of the stupor she’d been in when he’d arrived. “I killed someone,” she murmured as he pushed the sleeves up so her hands could reach out.

She glanced at the body again and shuddered. She was still stunned by her actions.

Jagger set a finger under her chin and lifted it. “You had no choice.”

She nodded. “I’m scared,” she whispered.

“I know you are. We’re going to get you out of here, and I’m going to do everything in my power to make you not scared.”
Becca Jameson. Oleander – Becca Jameson (Kindle Locations 65-139). Kindle Edition.

Jagger takes Oleander to his home, he would keep her safe and fight the feelings he already has for this beautiful woman. He calls Damon and Gemma for help to get her settled. Needless to say his boss isn’t very happy with him.

Damon and Jagger are working to find the women who were held with Gemma. In this case the buyer didn’t actually attend the auction, he sent someone in his stead. With that man dead they still have to identify the actual buyer and put him away.

They also need find the man at the top and stop this ring altogether.

There’s plenty of love in this book, it just flies off the pages with every interaction between Oleander/Kalinda and Jagger. They are meant for each other. This relationship goes from simmer to sizzle in a slow and patient way.

Help comes from an unexpected source and there’s a bit of action and drama as the investigation moves forward.

I look forward to the next book in this series.

5 Contented Purrs for Becca!

Becca Jameson

Becca Jameson is a USA Today bestselling author of over 100 books. She is most well-known for her Wolf Masters Series, her Fight Club series, and her Club Zodiac series. She currently lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and Goldendoodle. Two grown kids pop in every once in a while too! She is loving this journey and has dabbled in a variety of genres, including paranormal, sports romance, military, and BDSM.

A total night owl, Becca writes late at night, sequestering herself in her office with a glass of red wine and a bar of dark chocolate, her fingers flying across the keyboard as her characters weave their own stories.

During the day–which never starts before ten in the morning!–she can be found jogging, running errands, or reading in her favorite hammock chair!

…where Alphas dominate…