GEMS BOOK 1:
ALL THORNS EVE
by
Diana Rose Wilson
TORRID BOOKS
www.torridbooks.com
Published by
TORRID BOOKS
www.torridbooks.com
An Imprint of Whiskey Creek Press LLC
Copyright © 2018 by Diana Rose Wilson
Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 (five) years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
ISBN: 978-1-68299-282-1
Credits
Cover Artist: Kelly Martin
Editor: Mary Caelsto
Printed in the United States of America
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT
Wicked Masquerade: Forbidden Secrets Book 1
Classic, classy eroticism and a believable combination of dialogue and introspection.
~ fanfare (Literotica)
I enjoyed this book. It is an introduction to characters expanded upon in future stories. Characters are believable, and plot is fun. A good read.
~ Christine Lisle (Good Reads)
It was absolutely wonderful, you can just feel the tenderness and affection they have for each other. I can't wait to read more about them.
~ Anonymous (Literotica)
Snow Mistress: Forbidden Secrets Book 2
Exhilarating. I absolutely loved it. I added you to my favorite authors.
~ AzamiCore - Literotica
Loved the story and excitement Diana brings to her books. Both books were read within a week of each other, which is rare for me since I only read at night. I can go on and tell you about the complex characters or how descriptive Diana's writing is...in life, there are things best left to the reader. To sum both books up with one word, hot!
~ Karen – Goodreads
Lies that Blind: SpiritBeasts Book 1
Excellent, spellbinding read. Eagerly awaiting the sequel.
~ Jasjon - Literotica
I chose 5 stars based on the complexity of the characters and chemistry. Diana does a marvelous job at getting the reader involved.
~ Karen – Goodreads
An End to Summer: SpiritLands Book 1
God! What a world you have created! So good. Is there a fifteen star thing? Thank you for the creation of fantastic characters, relatable emotions and so much more.
~ Wingedchaos – Literotica
Absolutely amazing. Loved this story! Found it hard to stop reading! Please, please give us some more!
~ Anonymous - Literotica
Other Books by Author Available at Torrid Books:
www.torridbooks.com
Forbidden Secrets Series
Book 1: Wicked Masquerade
Book 2: Snow Mistress
Book 3: Taming the Brat
Book 4: Blood Feathers
Book 5: Paying the Dragon’s Price
SpiritBeasts Series
Book 1: Lies That Blind
SpiritLands Series
Book 1: An End to Summer
Dedication
To Karen, for being so supportive in those early days. Thank you!
Chapter 1
April 22, 2016
“So, you got yourself a Leather Daddy?” The woman behind the star and moon mask stared hard at Marcie.
The term made her want to laugh, not in amusement, but in a giddy, delighted bubble of happiness. Leather Daddy. “You could say that.”
As was the tradition, Marcie positioned herself on the front balcony of the Saint Helena house to admire the arrivals before stepping inside to make the announcement to start off the weekend festivities. Tonight was different, though. Tonight, a special guest was arriving, and she wanted to view him in all his glory. Her friend Celestia joined her on the top level to partake in this auspicious event. The elevation provided a perfect vantage to view the arriving guests and patrons stepping from their limos. Garbed in exquisite costumes and masks, people mingled as they wove along the paved walkway to the stairs of the estate house.
“Mmmm…delicious. It is about fucking time. So, where is Daddy?” Celestia leaned her hip against the railing of the balcony, lifting her glass to her lips.
“Almost here,” Marcie whispered, playing fingers over her necklace. She feared her growing excitement would shatter her methodically crafted poise. She adjusted her mask again, drawing on the composure of House Mistress since Marcie’s senses had fled into the fluttery spot in her chest. Oh, God, she was so doomed.
Celestia’s hand touched her wrist and she looked up to see the woman smiling softly at her. Behind the bright mask of stars her friend beamed. “Are you going to share anything about him? Even a small hint?”
A smile curled her lips as she thought about the question and laughed quietly. “I think it’s best if you just meet him first hand without my opinion to distract you.” Marcie was glad she wore the long gloves, hiding the enormous ring on her finger. For now. Though she wanted to cry her news from the balcony as her guests wove into the house to begin the party. It had happened so fast; who would believe her?
“I am only getting second and third hand rumors. This is hardly fair. I thought we were friends,” Celestia teased playfully and squeezed her hand.
Marcie heard the distant growl of the motorcycle before anyone else, her body keyed to it even after only a few short weeks. She felt like a struck tuning fork. The sound made a riot of desires tangle tighter inside her. Dear God, if he didn’t drive faster, she was going to pass out before he ever arrived.
“Forgive me, Celestia. I find that I’m enjoying having a mystery lover. He’ll be here soon, and I don’t want to spoil the surprise.”
She tried to focus on the music and her conversation with Celestia, but she could only imagine the man’s journey along the long road leading up to the estate house. Yes, the way the engine snarled louder was him coming out of that sharp corner. There was the downshift for the climb. The ascent that would inevitably bring him to her. Finally returned to her.
Her lips twitched at her own dramatics. He’d only been away a few hours.
Celestia’s eyebrows arched up at the appearance of that forbidden grin. The woman tipped her head, finally catching the sound that had captivated Marcie. There was still no sight of him, just the call of the engine heralding his approach. Turning, Celestia peered in the direction Marcie had fixed her gaze and chuckled. “He certainly knows how to make an entrance,” she approved quietly.
“He most certainly does.”
Several guests outside caught the sound as well. People turned to scan for the source of the disturbance just before the bike came roaring up the road, drowning out the soft sigh of harp and piano music. The black and chrome machine sped the last few feet, speeding around the circle driveway, utterly profane against the backdrop of groomed lawns, marble stairs, pillars and the glitz and glamor of her regal guests. At long last the machine coughed into silence, but the leather clad man remained astride his bike, surveying the crowd from his iron steed.
“Oh, shit.” Celestia sucked in a sharp
breath and reached out to grab for Marcie’s arm for support as she stared down.
It really was unorthodox, which is why Marcie almost melted as the man swept off his bike and pulled off the helmet. He looked up at the balcony as he strode forward, not bothering to use the walkway. He trod right across the lush grass, each step taking him closer to the base of the upper terrace. Leather Daddy? Perhaps leather god was more appropriate. He was really enjoying his display. That turned her on even more than she dreamed it would. Under the helmet a black wrap covered his head, extending down over his eyes like a mask. There were only slits to peer out from. He had not removed the red silken bandanna from his mouth either. He wore chaps with nothing under them except the studded leather G-string to give him any hint of modesty. The only other clothing was an unadorned leather vest, his chest bare and hard beneath.
“Are those real tattoos?” Celestia gasped as the biker swaggered towards the balcony, looking up at them. She couldn’t see his face, but she knew he was smiling, the silver of his eyes gleaming stars in the shadows of his mask.
“Oh, yes, they are,” Marcie purred and leaned over the balcony to admire the man. He was elaborately tattooed. Every drop of ink creating an intricate tapestry on his flesh. His tawny skin hardly visible under the thick swaths of black covering arms, legs, and chest.
“Dear God, Marcie! You don’t have a Leather Daddy. He is a savage tribal warrior. That’s walking sex right there!”
“I know!” Marcie felt herself smiling wider with a fierce, hungry joy.
“And you think he’s going to make it through the doors untouched? The women will eat him up! Aren’t you worried?”
Marcie couldn’t take her eyes off the man, but she shook her head. “No. They can try all they want but—this one is mine.”
“Oh, Marcie. He is delicious. I cannot wait for Ram to meet him.”
People had stopped their progress into the house to gawk at the bold man striding up the rise in the lawn, heading toward the balcony. There was no hurry to his steps. He had purpose and a swagger as he finally reached the spot just under the balcony.
“Lady. Your champion has arrived.” He didn’t have to raise his voice. It had the same sort of snarling volume as the bike that carried him in on.
Marcie drew out her token from her cleavage, her infrequently seen charm with the whip crossed by a knife. Rather than wood, this one was made of gold and a single ruby glittered on the tip of the dagger. Instead of a simple ribbon it dangled from a chain and the back of the surface read: ‘Property of House Mistress. If lost, return unmolested and unharmed’ With the address of this very house. “The champion may enter with all the privileges and honors of Consort of the House.”
She dropped the token, letting it twinkle through the air towards him.
“I am blessed,” he called back to her, snatching the coin from the air and pressing it and his closed fist to his naked chest, over his heart. There was so more unspoken meaning there than any of the spectators knew and Marcie’s toes curled inside her shoes. “I obey, Mistress.” His eyes flashed with hunger as he held her gaze.
“Oh, my. Oh, dear.” Celestia fanned her face with a titter of nervous energy. “I feel like I just watched you two have sex. I hope you know what you’re doing to this crowd.”
Marcie mmmed in agreement as she watched her man slip the chain with its token over his head, gaze never wavering and then he bowed to her, fluid and courtly, before strolling inside through the guests, both richly dressed and half naked. “Well…I think I need a fresh glass of wine and…to meet my boy downstairs before he gets himself in trouble.”
“Oh, if you’re not down there yet, you’re already too late to stop the crush.” Celestia fanned her face as Marcie hooked her arm and lead the woman back into the house.
“I am rather looking forward to seeing his response to the whole thing,” Marcie murmured to her friend as they moved down to the upper hall. “Wait, we can see from here.”
The second story hall was situated between floors, providing a view of the vaulted interior of the foyer. The carved wooden railing stretched from the outer balcony to the curving stairway that extended down to ground level and continued up to the upper floors.
It was a good place to admire the scene of visitors coming into the house, filling the foyer. The guest list had been trimmed down, but the house was filling rapidly. She saw Vans in her Faery mask lounging beside Leo in his new winged mask to go with the lovely new leather arming skirts and harness. They were both watching the doors in expectation of their partners’ arrival.
“You know, you should get an award for bringing people together,” Celestia said and leaned in to kiss Marcie’s cheek. “Ram and I have to thank you too. This has been a new breath of life for our love affair. I hope this rogue consort of yours will bring you the same joy we’ve known.”
“Thank you.” Marcie’s throat tightened as she hugged her friend. “I never believed I would find someone who could accept me for myself without being either too soft or too hard.”
“Oh, it will change you slowly over time.” Celestia assured her with a warm smile. She motioned to Marcie to demonstrate a change.
Did she mean the new scarification on her naked shoulders or the clothing? Because Celestia didn’t mention the marks, Marcie assumed it was the costume. She inclined her head in thanks. Tonight, Marcie wore an outfit exposing more skin than normal. For a long time, she avoided showing off too much to avoid inadvertently inviting the wrong sort of attention.
Marcie recalled her lover’s smoldering eyes as he watched her open the package. How or when he had this made she could only guess. The man was a mystery in so many ways. She loved uncovering every little secret like a treasure hunt, but it was not always easy. She felt decedent and wondered if that was how Ursa felt when Marcie had given her the first dress and mask for her introduction to the house.
The wide golden belt provided the focal point of the outfit, the metal ornately engraved with a tribal motif of both sharks and eagles circling and diving bellow her bellybutton and across the top of her ass. The pieces were held together front and back by spider web thin golden chains strung over her hips. Dew-like diamonds and tanzanite dappled the surface of the metal, sparkling and shinning when caught in the light. Bright blue silk draped down to mid-thigh in front and back, swishing around her bare legs.
The top was only a bra, formed by triangles of blue silk covering her breasts, held together by fragile golden chains over her shoulders and around her ribs. Her nipples felt permanently hard under the thin fabric. A golden starburst set by a large tanzanite stone clasped together the front between her full breasts. Diamonds formed rays of the star, spilling over the cups of the breasts.
It complimented the bold tanzanite and diamond necklace and the mask of blue and gold filigree that formed a pretty tangle of thorns around her eyes. Thick golden cuffs on her wrists and ankles were wrought with the same intricate sea and air tribal markings glinting with gems. The D-rings set in the pretty jewelry did not go unnoticed. Her lover only smiled with secret promise when she pointed them out.
Her hands felt too hot in the silken gloves as she leaned over the railing to watch the first of the patrons making their entry. Her lover leaned lazily against the wall as he watched people with a decidedly haughty air. That of course only drew the patrons to him. His pulse of sexual heat whispered to every ear in the room.
“Are you going to save him?” Celestia asked from her side as a group of women in gem colored dressed swarmed around him to get a better view.
“I think he’ll be fine,” Marcie murmured quietly.
“Is this a test?”
“Not for him.” She smiled to her friend and then looked back to the crowd.
He watched the group of women curiously as they circled him, but he didn’t move or remove the silk from around his mouth. It wasn’t possible to see his expression, but Marcie sensed the amusement even from her vantage point.
When one of the women reached towards him, he lifted a hand and waggled a finger at her, but the topaz woman continued to reach, intent on her torment. Until he slapped the back of her hand. The movement was so fast and sharp that it startled the whole group, particularly when he leaned forward. The group fell back as the topaz woman yipped in shock.
“Sorry.” The woman in golden silks laughed nervously and sucked her lower lip into her mouth before pressing the smacked hand to her lips.
Celestia made a soft sound of approval and leaned over to brush a kiss to Marcie’s cheek. “I like his style. I need to find my own boy before those gem girls get too wild.” She winked. “I am pleased to see Topaz isn’t as grabby as she used to be.”
“She is a lovely woman. I am thinking I need to find her a proper consort.”
“You should find one for each of them. Although you would have a lot of boy-sluts unhappy if they were off the market.” Celestia wiggled her fingers and then made for the stairs and to her lover who remained kneeling quietly on a pillow, ram horned head bowed politely while he waited for her to fetch him.
Marcie smiled as she turned back to watch the room. The little Owl in her new, much more elaborate owl headdress was perched in her dark Archer’s lap, chatting with him and Faery. The Faery was increasingly fidgety, looking for her companion, who was likely enjoying the view somewhere, like Marcie.
Marcie’s own consort continued to lounge against the wall, calm and casual. It was intoxicating watching him. A voluptuous woman strolled past and paused to bare herself to him. She wore a butterfly mask in sunset colors and a matching silk robe. The fabric shimmered as she let the folds part to show off the curves of her body. His silvery eyes raked over her with interest, moving down her curves to her toes and then back up, settling on her masked face.
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