by Amy Valenti
Her books EcoErotica (2009), The Real Mother Goose (2010) and Heidi and the Kaiser (2011) were all Epic Award Finalists. Her only gay male romance, Second Chance, won the Epic Award in Erotica in 2011. Her story, Connections, was one of the runners-up for the 2006 Rauxa Prize, given annually to an erotic short story of "exceptional literary quality," out of over 1,000 nominees, where awards are judged by a select jury and all entries are read "blind" (without author's name available.)
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His Desire, Her Surrender
Dominating BDSM Billionaires #2
by Malia Mallory
Tabitha Quinn’s Hawaii vacation was anything but ordinary. Dominant billionaire Marcus Granger saved her life, swept her into his bed, and then left her heartbroken. Now she’s back in New York, mourning the man she’s sure she’ll never see again.
Marcus may have left handprints on her skin, but Tabitha’s left handprints on his heart: he tracks her down, and they resume the sizzling affair they began in the islands.
Tabitha belongs to Marcus body and soul in bed, but she worries she doesn’t belong in his high-stakes world. They’ve already dodged a murder attempt, and now Marcus is fighting off a competitor’s takeover. When the rival company obtains critical information, suspicion falls on Tabitha. She has to prove she’s innocent--and worthy to wear Marcus’s collar.
Website: http://www.maliamallory.com
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Blog: http://abcsoferotica.wordpress.com/
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His Desire, Her Surrender
Chapter 1
Tabitha had been back at work for two weeks when she finally managed to free her mind of Marcus for more than an hour at a time. People were still inquiring about her Hawaiian vacation, and she simply told them it had been lovely. It had been, right up until the end and that pesky little being abandoned thing. But what were you supposed to say when you’d been to Hawaii? People didn’t boast of bad times in paradise, and she didn’t care to elaborate on the details.
Tabitha wondered if Marcus thought of her. Her heart longed to see him and her body ached to feel him. She pushed him out of her mind again, but he kept sneaking back in. Time. That’s what she needed. Getting through the days right now, today, tomorrow, and the day after, would be hard. Once people stopped asking about the trip, perhaps it would fade into distant memory.
Tabitha looked up as her co-worker, Kim, approached her desk. “Tabitha, can you take these copies to Conference Room C? There’s a client waiting there.”
Tabitha rose from her seat, welcoming the break. “Sure, no problem.” She took the papers and made her way down the hall to the elevator. There were all sorts of bigwigs in the building today. With a major deal in the works, there had been scrambling and rushed document production.
When Tabitha reached the closed conference room door, she knocked gently. She waited a moment before opening the door and stepping inside. “I have your …” The words died in her throat as she saw the man seated at the table. Marcus. It was Marcus. Tabitha simply shook her head. Speech was beyond her. Marcus. The man who tormented her days and haunted her nights.
Marcus rose from his seat and approached her. “You didn’t think I’d forgotten about you, did you, Tabitha? After all, I collared you.”
Tabitha found her voice. “What?”
Marcus pointed to the choker around her neck. “You accepted my collar. Did you think that meant nothing?”
Tabitha’s spine stiffened. “I didn’t realize the significance.”
Marcus nodded. “Fair enough. But you’re wearing it, aren’t you?”
She was. Tabitha had been wearing it since he’d given it to her, only removing it to shower. She hadn’t wanted to think about what that meant. Now he forced her to examine her actions. “It was a gift.”
“It was, but it was also more. We have unfinished business, you and I, don’t you think?”
Tabitha looked into his eyes. She traced the familiar planes of his face and her heart swelled. Did they have unfinished business? Could she open herself to him again? There was only one answer. “Yes … Sir.”
Chapter 2
Tabitha’s mind reeled. Had she just said what she thought she said? Marcus was back without any explanation and she immediately capitulated. What was she doing? This was crazy. This man had ripped her heart out of her chest, discarded it, and she’d agreed to hand it right back to him.
Her hand unconsciously went to the black velvet ribbon at her throat. Her fingertip stroked the soft fabric of the choker and fiddled with the silver plumeria flower charm. He’d given her this collar. He’d given it to her in Hawaii, the place where they’d met, the place where she’d fallen headlong into a vacation affair that had turned into something much more. She’d accepted it, not recognizing its significance at the time. But it was significant. When he’d left her with barely an explanation and she hadn’t known if she would see him again, she’d still worn the choker as a symbol of their connection. Some part of her deep inside had been wishing, hoping, craving him, his touch.
Now he was here. In New York. At her workplace. What was going on? As her mind cleared, her heart slowed and rational thought returned.
“Marcus, what are you doing here?”
“I’d love to say I’m just here to see you, but that wouldn’t be honest. I have business here. Your firm is doing work for my company.”
Tabitha’s mind searched through her law firm’s client list. “What? Wait a minute. Granger. Granger Pharma? Are you that Granger?”
“That Granger is my father, but I am a Granger.”
“I didn’t realize.” Embarrassment roiled through her. She’d suspected Marcus was well off, but she’d never suspected this. Marcus’s family had founded and still controlled Granger Pharma, a company with interests ranging from health and beauty products to medical research. She’d heard that they had even branched out into solar technology.
Marcus spoke. “Tabitha, I’m sorry.”
Her eyes swung back to him. “For?”
“Everything. I handled things badly. When I found out what happened, it drove everything from my mind.” He reached for her hand.
Tabitha didn’t pull away. “Oh? What happened?”
“You remember that conversation I had with my sister, about the company investing money in her idea?”
“Yes.” Tabitha’s mind traveled back to that evening in Hawaii. The hostess had seated Marcus and his sister at the next table. Though her meal had been a tasty distraction, she’d been unable to ignore their heated conversation about work.
“Monica had a backup plan in case she didn’t get what she wanted. She’s been helping gather proxies for an upcoming shareholders meeting. There’s a proposal on the table for Granger to merge with another company. The offer has been around for a while and essentially rejected by the board. A vote was scheduled as a formality. It had no real chance of passing, so it wasn’t a concern.”
“She’s got proxies to force the merger?” As Marcus ran his thumb over her palm, her body responded. Anger and hurt couldn’t suppress her instinctive reaction to him.
“She’s trying
anyway, and Coron Health has been buying up shares. Apparently, if the merger goes through, her proposal will get the support she wants.”
“Wow.” Tabitha shook her head. Her impression of Marcus’s sister hadn’t been positive, but she’d never imagined this.
“The board fired her. My father is furious. It’s a fucking mess.” Lines of tension creased Marcus’s forehead.
Tabitha squeezed his hand. “I understand.”
His offered her a regretful smile. “You shouldn’t. It occurred to me on the plane that I had been a total jackass. At the time, I couldn’t begin to articulate the situation. I didn’t even know the full story, but I still shouldn’t have left things as I did.”
Tabitha said nothing. Her thoughts raced in a whirlwind. His leaving, her heartache and worry mingled in her mind. For the moment though, his physical presence soothed the ache his absence had created.
Marcus gestured toward the plumeria choker around her neck. “We both know Hawaii wasn’t just a vacation fling. It wasn’t for me, and I don’t think it was for you, either. Otherwise, you wouldn’t still be wearing my collar. I know it was symbolic, but it meant something.”
Tabitha shook her head. “I don’t know what to say, Marcus.”
“Forgive me.” He gave her a devastating smile that almost crumbled her resolve.
Tabitha laughed. “I’ll think about it.”
“All right. Kiss me.” It wasn’t an order, not yet.
Tabitha’s churning emotions were getting the best of her. She managed a nod.
Marcus crossed the distance between them and took her into his arms, kissing her as if he’d never let go. All of Tabitha’s fears faded away as fresh waves of desire coursed through her. She leaned against him, and her body took over, craving contact.
His hands roamed her curves, and her nerves rioted with heat. Nimble fingers unfastened her blouse as his leg pressed between hers.
“Tabitha, you feel so good, so right.”
His words aroused her, but a glimmer of sanity remained. “Marcus, anyone could walk in.”
“Mmmm, so they could.” He released her, removed his jacket and tossed it on a chair. “Lock the door.” His even inflection commanded compliance.
Tabitha trembled with expectation and moved to the door. As the lock clicked into place, she rested her forehead against the heavy wood.
“Tabitha?”
She tilted her head, waiting.
“Take off your clothes.” Dominance filled his voice. This was the Marcus she remembered. This was the Marcus her heart refused to release. Tabitha unbuttoned her blouse and shrugged it off. Her back still toward him, she slid her skirt down over her hips, along with her panties. She stepped out, revealing stockings and garters instead of pantyhose. Her fingers reached for the garter.
“Leave them. I like the stockings. They look quite lovely on you. And your shoes. Don’t they call those fuck me heels?” His teasing conveyed a hint of challenge.
Tabitha blushed and turned around as she unfastened her bra. He was right about the shoes. The black patent leather gleamed even under the fluorescent lights of the conference room. The heels, high and spiky, were just barely office appropriate. She dropped her bra on the carpet and raised her eyes to his, trapped by the compelling intensity of his stare.
“Undress me.” His gaze invited her touch.
Tabitha smiled. “It would be my pleasure.” All thoughts of self-preservation fled her mind. This was Marcus. He was here, right now. And she needed him.
Marcus raised an eyebrow.
Tabitha rephrased her response. “It would be my pleasure, Sir.”
He gave an almost imperceptible signal of approval.
Tabitha advanced toward Marcus, clad only in her shoes, stockings and garters. She shivered, goosebumps rising on her skin. She softened inside as she reached for him. Her fingers grasped the top button on his dress shirt and, one by one, she slowly unfastened them. She moved close, close enough to feel his radiating heat. Her fingertips trailed down one arm and undid his cufflink and then turned to the other, repeating her actions. With her fingertips, she brushed the fabric off his shoulders until the shirt drifted free of his body. She caught it, folded it neatly, and placed it on a chair.
Tabitha ached to wrap herself around him, but resisted. She reached for his belt. Her fingers shook as she unfastened the buckle, followed by the waistband of his pants. She lowered the zipper, brushing against his growing erection. She pushed his pants and underwear down only to realize his shoes were still on. Embarrassed, she met his eyes.
“Don’t worry, we’ll practice.” He slid off his shoes and stepped out of his pants and briefs.
Tabitha picked up his slacks and folded them along the creases, smoothing the fabric with her hands. She tucked his briefs inside the pants and placed them by his shirt.
Marcus was naked. Gloriously naked. Tabitha swayed as the memory of their powerful encounters in Hawaii swept through her. She quivered and her nipples puckered. Her hand reached out toward him. Marcus stepped back, avoiding her touch, and her hand dropped to her side. Confused, Tabitha bit her lip. Had she misunderstood?
Marcus’s expression gave nothing away. “You may use your mouth.”
Tabitha acknowledged his direction with a slight smile. She loved to taste him.
“What do you say?” This time he expressed a bit of impatience.
“I understand, Sir.” He wasn’t retreating from her. He tempted her to play a game, a sensual game. With Marcus, sex was not only hot and pleasurable, but intriguing and unexpected. He tapped into her most secret needs — her desire to be taken and tamed. She wasn’t a masochist. She wasn’t into pain. But the sting of the paddle combined with the surrender of control opened her mind and body to limitless pleasure. She yearned to feel it again. She’d never imagined that connections like she’d found with Marcus existed. Previous relationships appeared pale and insipid in comparison.
Tabitha licked her lips. Where to start? The enticing hollow at the base of his neck? His rough jaw, prickly with an early five o’clock shadow? His mouth? She hadn’t forgotten his kisses, deep and probing, his full lips on hers, his warm tongue exploring.
Her eyes drank him in — tanned skin stretched over defined muscle, vivid blue eyes, and dark hair with a hint of wave at the tips. She loved the way he looked — so sexy, so handsome. But even more, she loved the way he thought. He was smart and funny, and when he slipped into dominant mode, he made her knees go weak.
Tabitha approached him, moving close until she stopped mere inches from his body. She leaned into him and fixed her lips to his breastbone. His skin was warm and faintly salty. She dragged the front edge of her teeth against his nipple and it stiffened. She glanced down and caught sight of his increasing arousal.
His erection mesmerized her, hard and pulsing, it tugged at her feminine essence. She sank down before him, her knees cushioned by the carpet. Swaying toward him, she kissed his thigh and left a wet trail with her tongue as she bent toward his groin.
Marcus drew in a breath but remained still.
Tabitha lifted her fingers for his inspection. She wiggled them, silently asking for permission to use her hands in concert with her mouth.
Marcus nodded with approval.
Tabitha wound her fingers through the coarse, tangled hair surrounding his sex. She cupped his testicles in her palm and pressed the tip of her index finger against the smooth patch of skin just behind his sack. She stroked his shaft with her free thumb and lifted him toward her mouth. She pressed her waiting lips against the crown in a light kiss.
Tabitha rubbed her cheek against him. He was hard and hot against her face. She turned her mouth toward his flesh, kissing and licking her way toward the tip of his erection. The salty taste of his skin and his heady smell stimulated her senses. She’d missed this, dreamed of this.
Marcus wound his fingers into Tabitha’s hair as she grasped him with her lips, sliding his sensitive sex into her mouth. H
e trembled against her, shaking with desire and unfulfilled need.
Cupping him with her tongue, Tabitha sucked him inside. Her sensual nature burst free as she experienced the full power of her femininity. Marcus might be the Dominant, but right now, she controlled the passion, both hers and his.
Marcus groaned and pressed himself further into the warm depths of her mouth. “Yes, Tabitha, just like that.” He traced her lips with his finger where they hugged his shaft.
Tabitha focused her efforts on the head, flicking her tongue against him repeatedly. He burned against her with feverish hunger.
His arousal rose higher and higher. “That feels so good. You’re going to make me come, but I want to bury myself inside you first.” He removed himself from her mouth and pulled her to her feet.
Marcus lifted Tabitha onto the edge of the heavy oak conference table, his hands roaming where he pleased. He urged her onto her back and reached for his discarded tie. He wrapped the tie loosely around her wrists. “Put your arms over your head.”
Tabitha complied. Her legs hung free, and he pressed himself between them.
“Put your feet on the table.” His husky voice vibrated with longing.
Tabitha lifted her legs onto the smooth wood of the tabletop. The heels of her shoes slipped until the soles found purchase. As she bent her knees, her legs opened wide to Marcus. He raised himself off her, looking intently at her most intimate area, and inhibition caused her to try to close her legs.
“No.” Marcus halted her movement with a hand on one knee. “I want to look at you. You’re beautiful. So lovely.” Her soft, feminine flesh was swollen and wet.