Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Epilogue
Billionaire’s Matchmaker Excerpt
Come To Me Excerpt
About the Author
Books By Sierra Cartwright
HIS TO LOVE
Copyright @ 2019 Sierra Cartwright
First E-book Publication: December 2019
Line Editing by Jennifer Barker
Proofing by Bev Albin and Cassie Hess-Dean
Cover Design by Once Upon An Alpha
Photo provided by Depositphotos.com
Promotion by Once Upon An Alpha, Shannon Hunt
All rights reserved. Except for use in a review, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission of the author.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
Adult Reading Material
Disclaimer: This work of fiction is for mature (18+) audiences only and contains strong sexual content and situations.
It is a standalone with my guarantee of satisfying, happily ever after.
All rights reserved.
Dedication
Especially for the fabulous Flamingo Posse! Keep dazzling and brightening the world with your beauty and talent. My life is so much fuller now that you’re in it. I appreciate you so very much.
Chapter One
“I want your submissive.”
Stunned, Shelby Salazar sucked in a frantic breath. “What?” From her place, kneeling on the floor, she glanced up at Master Trevor Lawton.
The stunningly handsome Dom thumbed back the brim of his cowboy hat and met her gaze. The makeshift poker room of the Quarter—New Orleans’s elite dungeon—swam beneath her.
Though decorum dictated that she look away and refocus on the wooden planks beneath her, she was helpless, ensnared in the compelling trap of his steel-laced blue eyes.
She’d had a crush on the mysterious billionaire for at least a year, since she first saw him brooding and alone in the club’s bar area. With his dark hair and unyielding jaw, he was the stuff of her submissive dreams. But Shelby was smart enough to realize her fantasies were safer from a distance.
He had a reputation as an exacting Dominant, and she was relatively new to the scene. As much as he fascinated her, he also terrified her.
For a flash of a second, she saw something in his eyes. Pain? Longing?
At her fanciful thought, she shook her head.
Trevor severed their silent connection, and her breath whooshed out. Just the brief interaction unnerved her.
Instead of looking away, he swept his gaze down her body, lingering for a few seconds on her chest. In keeping with the Western-themed night, she’d selected a white demicup bra. As much as she wanted to be bold, her innate shyness had won out before she left the house, and she’d slipped into a studded leather vest. Her sterling silver bolo tie with its beautiful mother-of-pearl conch had been a rare indulgence. She’d spent over a month shopping for it, and the way it caught the light when she moved made it worth every penny.
Trevor continued his slow perusal and paused again at her pelvis. In addition to white leather chaps, she wore a pair of pink panties. Though she was covered, she shivered, as if completely exposed to him.
When he looked at her face again, his slow smile told her he found plenty he liked.
Her breaths threatened to strangle her.
When he finally turned his focus away from her, she momentarily grabbed hold of the poker table to steady herself.
“What do you say, David?” Master Trevor asked.
She was absolutely certain her friend and occasional escort would say no to Master Trevor’s outrageous suggestion.
Instead, stunning her, David walked one of his few remaining poker chips through his fingers. “I’m not sure I heard you correctly, Lawton.”
His response made her reel.
“I’m quite certain you did. I want your submissive.”
Wide-eyed, she shook her head. She wasn’t David’s sub and never had been, but Trevor couldn’t know that.
In the sudden, tense silence surrounding them, Master Trevor continued in his calm, confident manner. “I’d like a month, but I’m willing to start with a week.”
A month?
“You’ll have to make this a little more interesting to me,” David responded.
What the hell was going on here?
A small voice inside her urged her to shout out her objection. Instead, a deep, feminine part of her blossomed. For a wild moment, she pictured herself naked and humbled in front of him.
Shaking, she pushed the unnerving—if exciting—image aside.
“I’m listening,” Trevor replied.
This can’t be happening.
“If I win, you make a twenty-five-thousand-dollar contribution to the Shaughnessy Community Law Offices.”
She swayed forward before catching herself.
“One moment, Sirs.” The dealer signaled to one of the dungeon masters. Presumably, he wanted to summon Mistress Aviana, the club owner.
What was normally a fun game at the club’s annual Western theme night had taken a stunning, outlandish turn.
David Shaughnessy, one of a group of people she’d hung out with since college, was an attorney with an overly generous heart. He accepted cases others wouldn’t, and he took on a significant amount of pro bono work. His offices were borderline derelict, and he’d never met a sob story that didn’t tug his heartstrings or hurt his wallet.
Because she helped out at his law center from time to time, Shelby knew he had spent months, if not a year, trying to get an appointment with Master Trevor. Along with mentoring entrepreneurs, the billionaire was a renowned philanthropist. But it wasn’t easy to get past the layers of people who protected him from the thousands of requests he received each year. There was a formal process in place. So far, David had not made it to the second round of selection.
Time dragged, and Trevor checked his high-tech Bonds watch before settling his gaze back on her.
When nerves were turning her inside out, Mistress Aviana finally swept in, electrifying the air with her larger-than-life personality. This evening, she wore cowboy boots emblazoned with turquoise-colored sugar skulls. Her booty shorts and matching leather mini-top were decorated with fringe that glimmered when she moved. In addition to an oversize hat, she’d selected a turquoise duster jacket. As always, she was the most stunning woman in the place.
Out of respect, Trevor stood, and his dull silver spurs scraped the hardwood floor. He stood well over six feet tall and had impossibly broad shoulders. His tailored shirt showed his trim waist. But there was something even more compelling. The man was cloaked in an undeniable aura of command. In a club filled with Doms, he was the ultimate alpha.
Following suit, David, too, pus
hed back his chair. Unsure what she should do, Shelby remained in place, her heart thundering.
“Evening, Milady.” Trevor kissed the Domme’s hand.
His gentlemanly manners made Shelby want to swoon.
“Mistress Aviana.” David acknowledged Mistress Aviana with a nod.
Several people had followed her into the area, and a few others wandered over to see what was happening.
“I understand an unusual bet has been proposed.” She glanced first at David and then at Trevor.
“Indeed, Milady. Master David appears to be alarmingly low on funds.”
Aviana looked at David.
He shrugged.
“I’m guessing he had an ulterior motive for sitting down at this particular table.” Master Trevor angled his head to one side.
Earlier in the evening, there had been eight people playing Texas Hold’em. Now it was down to just David and Master Trevor.
“Master David?” Mistress Aviana asked.
David shot the imposing Domme a wry smile.
Shelby blinked. Could Trevor be right? Had David invited her to join him with the intention of wagering her?
“As I suspected.” Trevor gave a sharp nod. “Nevertheless, I’m happy to continue the game, under David’s terms.”
“Most unusual.” Mistress Aviana glanced at Shelby. “It’s my understanding that Shelby is not an owned slave.”
Aware that everyone was looking at her, Shelby raised up a bit and shifted uncomfortably. “That’s…” After gulping down her nerves, she tried again. “That’s correct, Milady.”
“Therefore, it’s not Master David’s right to wager you.”
“Unless Shel is willing,” David added.
What? The scoundrel had planned this.
“Why don’t you ask her?” David’s voice was steady, as if he were confident in her answer.
Damn you. From conversations their group had shared, David knew Master Trevor fascinated her. And because she was friends with David, she knew how desperate he was for money.
“I agree with David,” Master Trevor said into the pulsing silence. “I’m all about consent. Let’s see what the sub wants.”
A shiver of fear mixed with desire raced up her spine as she and the terrifying Dom made eye contact again. He’d obviously noticed her sneaking peeks at him all night.
Intuition screamed at her to end this madness. But something more primal drove her. She was enjoying this. An unfulfilled part of her wanted all of his focus on her.
“Please come with me, Shelby.” Mistress Aviana crooked her finger. “We need to have this discussion away from the table.”
Swimming in confusion, Shelby looked toward Trevor—rather than David—for guidance.
He offered his hand. After a slight hesitation, she accepted. With restrained strength, he helped her up; then he pulled her toward him to capture her chin.
What would it be like to be in his arms?
She inhaled his barely tamed scent, drowning in his masculinity.
Then, so quiet that no one else could hear, he said, “Make no mistake, if you agree and I win, you will be mine for a week. Be careful with your decision, Shelby.”
“Ah, I have work.” It was an excellent excuse, but her traitorous mind spun with possibilities. “Well, I can reschedule some of my clients or get a colleague to cover for me so that I can have a couple of days off.” There was one case, the Lemieux divorce, that no one else could take. This would be their third—and hopefully last—session. “Friday I have to be there.”
“Understood. I’m not far from the city. You can commute from my house.”
“Shelby?” Aviana prompted. “With me, please.”
With seeming reluctance, Master Trevor released Shelby.
After shooting David a fierce scowl, she hurried after the club’s owner.
Mistress Aviana, flanked by her most trusted dungeon monitor, Tore, strode past the bucking bronco that had been brought in for tonight’s event, then pushed through a door leading to a more intimate part of the club. Then she continued to Rue Sensuelle—known by the regulars as Kinky Avenue. There were numerous small settings, separated by partitions, each designed to cater to a particular kink. A schoolroom, a boss’s office, even an examination room. When they reached one that was unoccupied, Aviana waved Shelby inside.
Aware of the church pew in front of her, she squirmed.
“I’m not in the business of bartering submissives between two Doms who are indulging in a pissing contest.”
Shelby grinned at Mistress Aviana’s bluntness. “I understand, Milady.”
“And I’m guessing you’re not accustomed to being swapped between men?”
“Me?” The suggestion was ludicrous. Men did not vie for her attention. “No, Ma’am.” She resisted the urge to draw the lapels of her vest even closer together, as if it could shield her from this uncomfortable meeting.
“Tell me how you’d like to proceed. If you don’t want to be a pawn, I’ll put a stop to their nonsense.”
“I’m…” She twisted her hands in front of her. If David won, the money would be huge. And if Trevor won, she would have an experience she’d never forget.
Did she have enough courage to be bartered by two Doms?
“Shelby?”
“Yes.” She bit her lower lip. “I’m willing.”
“This must be a very exciting evening for you, in that case.” The woman smiled. “I can vouch for Master Trevor. If he’s out of line, he will answer to me.”
“Thank you, Ma’am.” Nervous about the evening’s outcome, her feet leaden, Shelby followed Aviana as they returned to the table.
Tore stood off to one side. The dealer hadn’t moved. David had pulled his few remaining chips closer to him. Master Trevor had a leg propped on top of the other, at ease, relaxed.
Now that she was back, she didn’t know what to do.
As if intuiting her confusion, Master Trevor nodded toward the floor, about midway between himself and David.
Taking a breath, reassured by her potential Dom’s confidence, she knelt.
Aviana glanced between both men. “I’ve spoken with Shelby, and I’m satisfied that she’s agreeable.”
“I can’t tell you how delighted I am,” Master Trevor said, the sound of his deep voice dancing shivers across her nerve endings.
Aviana folded her arms and nodded to the dealer. “You may proceed.”
“Do we have a bet?” David asked.
“Indeed.” Though he spoke to David, Master Trevor looked at her. “Indeed we do.”
The dealer burned the next card before turning over the fifth—and final—one.
Shelby held her breath.
The jack of spades.
A couple of the spectators in the room whispered. There were three spades showing. Definitely the potential for a flush. With the jack, a straight was a possibility.
She looked at David. His eyes were wide, and a quick grin flashed across his face before he schooled it away.
She released her breath. David’s work meant everything to him and many people in the New Orleans area. And it appeared he was going to get just that.
The dealer nodded to David. He turned over his pocket cards. The eight and nine of spades.
Yes. She grinned. His flush was likely unbeatable. No doubt, by tomorrow, he’d be planning his building’s remodel.
Then, aware of the silence puling around them, she hazarded a glance at Master Trevor. Unlike David’s, his face was set in unreadable lines.
“Sir?” The dealer signaled for Master Trevor to show his pocket cards.
Steady, betraying nothing, he flipped the two cards lying facedown on the felt.
Ace and queen of spades.
Royal flush.
She gasped as the room spun. David clamped a hand on her shoulder. This… She couldn’t comprehend it. The odds against Master Trevor prevailing had been astronomical.
Desperate for reassurance, she looked up at him.
He captured her gaze. In his eyes, she read reassurance and promise, two things she desperately needed.
“Well fucking played, Lawton.” Then, seeming to draw on the same composure he used in the courtroom, David extended his hand toward Master Trevor. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” He stood. “I’m honored to have Shelby as mine.”
Her tummy dropped.
David crouched in front of her. “Fuck, Shel. I’m sorry. I really thought I’d win.”
For a moment, so had she.
“If I’d have thought…”
“I know.” Which one of them was she trying to reassure? “It’s okay.”
“This could be a great opportunity for you,” he added quietly.
“I’ll take good care of her,” Trevor promised.
David stood. “You’re fucking right you will.” After another reassuring squeeze on her shoulder, he left.
“Game’s over, everyone!” Mistress Aviana clapped her hands. “I invite you to partake in the unique pleasures of The Quarter.”
Tore extended his arms wide to encourage the stunned spectators to walk away.
Because Master Trevor had yet to give her any instructions, Shelby remained on her knees, her gaze downcast as the noise in the room diminished.
At this point, she realized it was probably a good thing he hadn’t given any commands. Adrenaline raced through her body, and she doubted she’d be able to follow any direction, no matter how simple.
“You’re free to go,” Mistress Aviana said to the dealer and Tore.
With sharp nods, they did as she said.
Mistress Aviana strode toward Trevor. “I trust this is only about you wanting to play with Shelby,” she said to Master Trevor.
“She’s under my protection.”
“I expect nothing less,” Mistress Aviana said. “As I told Shelby, this transaction happened at my club, so I have an obligation to her.” To Shelby, she added, “If you need me, call.”
His to Love (Titans Quarter Book 2) Page 1