For a few seconds, she felt nothing, then hands on her thighs and wrists removing her restraints. She collapsed to the bed, rolling to her back as Eric stretched out next to her and removed the leather collar from her neck.
“How are you feeling?” he asked once she’d caught her breath.
“Light.” It was the only word she could think of to describe what she felt. While she knew they were far from the end, she’d never stared down the fear. “No flashbacks.”
“Good.” Eric cuddled her tighter and buried his face in her neck. “I’m proud of you, Sweetie.”
“Thank you, Master.” She slid her fingers across his hand and took a deep breath.
Eric
The heavy metal door creaked as Eric pushed it open and entered the club for the first time in over a month. He shoved his hand back into his coat pocket feeling the soft leather collar he’d stashed there. His gaze was immediately drawn across the room to Lena, who crouched next to the bar, stocking the mini-fridge with water and soda for the evening. Adrienne had taken Lena on as a part-time assistant for the club a few weeks earlier. Adrienne decided to put the building to more use, making a deal with a group of swingers interested in renting out the space a few nights a week and using the extra revenue to fund a few new educational programs. All of that meant she needed someone to help with the organizational side—preferably, someone who could be trusted with the sensitive information of everyone involved.
He watched Lena for a few seconds as she moved around, seemingly unaware of his presence—or pretending to be.
Before he could find out, Cade came out of Adrienne’s office and smacked Eric in the shoulder with an envelope.
“What’s this?” Eric asked.
“Your guess is as good as mine. It was addressed to you, care of Club Bound. I guess it came in a few days ago.”
Eric grimaced as he studied the unassuming white envelope, no return address, and all the information had been electronically printed leaving no indication of whom the mailer was. “Strange. How’s Lena doing?”
“You don’t have to worry about your little subbie. She’s fine with the work, even chatted up Dominique for a while, although I think Adrienne still intimidates the hell out of her. I’d like to be the fly on the wall when those two are working with no one else around.” Cade took a step back toward the office door. “Why don’t you go round her up, we’re just waiting for a few others so we can get this meeting over with.”
“Right, the meeting.” Eric took a deep breath, he hadn’t seen Lena since dinner the night before, and he was hoping to have a few minutes with her before the crowd showed up. Although, his parents had agreed to take Charlie every other Friday night so that he and Lena could have a regular night out, Eric didn’t intend on wasting a minute of their first night back. “Why exactly do I have to be there? I haven’t been around for years.”
“You’ll have the rest of the night with Lena. Adrienne wants you two to be involved, especially since she hired Lena to help with the new events.”
“No, I just wanted some time alone with Lena since I haven’t seen her today, and….” He pulled the collar from his pocket.
Cade’s eyes scanned the length of the leather, and an understanding smile pressed his lips together. “You said she didn’t do well with things near her neck.”
Eric shrugged and tucked it away again. “She’s worn one at home a few times.”
“All right,” Cade pressed his body weight against the front door. “I’m going to step outside and if anyone else shows up, I’ll keep them detained to give you two a few minutes alone.”
“Then, I just have to worry about Adrienne and Dominique.”
Cade made a noise and shook his head. “They were deep in conversation about hosting a sexual assault awareness class here.”
Eric faltered, and it was enough to keep Cade’s attention, he closed the door and took a step closer to Eric. “Lena doesn’t have to be at the class, especially if she might be triggered. Since I don’t know the whole story, I gave her a few things out here to do while they talked about it.”
Eric glanced over his shoulder to see Lena leaned over the bar—this time it was him being watched. “She’s handling it better, but for now, it’s only when I’m the one navigating the triggers.”
“You’re good for each other. Now, go on before you’re out of time.” Cade pressed through the metal door that was only slightly bigger than his own frame.
Readjusting the strap of the bag that hung over his shoulder, Eric turned and finally approached the bar where his beautiful submissive stood, arms folded over the top of the bar.
“I was beginning to think you’d forgotten about me,” she stuck out her bottom lip, faking a pout.
Eric dropped his bag onto a stool and the letter on the bar, taking Lena’s face between his palms, and kissing her. “You know better.”
She smiled—it was a small teasing smile that she took on every time she tried to get a rise out of him. Then, her eyes drifted to the bar. “What’s in the envelope?”
“Would you rather know what’s in the envelope or my pocket?”
Her eyebrows raised as she looked up at him. “Judging from the question, I assume my answer should be your pocket.”
“Observant, little Loner.” Eric brushed her hair back, exposing her neck, then captured her in between his body and the edge of the bar.
“A lot has changed since you gave me that name.”
“Has it?” he asked, capturing her lips and losing himself to the feel of her mouth, and her taste as their tongues collided. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t noticed the changes since their night in the bar—some far more obvious than others. The most noticeable being her willingness to let go, so much that it was now her chattiness that tended to get her in trouble. But the thing that hadn’t changed was the feeling he got when he stared into her green eyes. The feeling that crawled down his spine and into his gut, refusing to allow him to let go. “It might surprise you how much hasn’t changed. I still see the same beautiful girl with an addictive smile and fierce spirit. You simply stopped holding back.”
Lena hummed and closed her eyes for a moment. “You’re still the same sweet talker. Now, what’s in your pocket?”
Eric paused a few seconds longer than necessary, just to keep her wondering, then pulled the collar from his pocket. Her eyes lit up as she scanned the black leather that bore his initials.
“I take it this is your version of buying me jewelry, while making sure that no one in the club misses the fact that I’m yours.” She touched the soft lining of the back and then the letters engraved on the front. “I love it.”
“And you’ll be okay wearing it?”
“To be honest, I’m rather fond of the idea.”
Eric cocked an eyebrow, as she lifted her hair out of the way for him to fasten it around her neck.
“I like the reminder that I’m yours, and that you’ll protect me. Sounds, kind of corny but—”
He cut her off with a kiss, pulling her hips closer, until all he felt, smelled, and tasted was Lena. She laced her fingers behind his neck taking him in with all of the intensity that he spilled onto her. He’d decide weeks ago, that he’d take a bad day with Lena over a good day with anyone else, and this was why. “The others will be coming in soon,” he mumbled.
“Then we should find out what’s in this mystery envelope.”
“We’re going to have to do something about your curiosity.”
“Why? Curiosity was the reason I didn’t kick you to the curb.” She licked her lips, then pressed out her chest, forcing Eric to take a step back. “Aren’t you the least bit curious why someone would address something for you to the club?”
“I’m not sure I want to know. There aren’t that many people outside of the club who would associate me with the place.” He eyed the envelope again then slapped his hand down on it, sliding it off the bar. Lena stepped aside, resting against the bar while he ripped open the env
elope and pulled out a handwritten note.
His stomach hit the floor as he recognized the handwriting, and he moved around the bar to sit on a stack of crates.
“Eric?”
He heard Lena’s voice as his eyes scanned the letters and words, all he could manage was a nod.
Hey, big brother,
I addressed this to the club because, well, I don’t really know where you’re living and the club has always been where you belong.
Lena knelt in front of him, resting her cheek against his leg. Eric traced her hairline, barely taking his eyes off the paper. “It’s from Elise.”
For me, it has only been an hour since we signed the will naming you as Charlie’s guardian. I don’t know how far down the line this is for you, but if you’re reading this, you probably haven’t had a good few weeks, but I hope things are settling down now. You’ll be good for Charlie, and don’t forget to be good to yourself. If anyone can find a way to balance what you need with what Charlie needs, it’s you. So, if you’re not at the club, find a way before you go insane.
Eric chuckled and rubbed a hand over his face. At first, he’d tried to hide his lifestyle from his sister, and when he finally broke down and told her, all she had said was that she knew. She’d found the name of the club and looked it up shortly after he’d started attending regularly.
I have a feeling you’ll find someone, if you haven’t already. I’ll keep this short so you can go back to whatever it is that you’re doing. I love you and Charlie, so give him an extra kiss from me.
Oh, and when you do find that special girl, tell her not to listen to Mom.
The club door swung open again and half a dozen people filtered in, chatting and laughing. He watched them for a moment, then his eyes drifted down to Lena. “I love you, Sweetheart.”
His chest burned with the admission and the burning spread as he watched Lena blink her wide eyes.
“Come on,” he said, tilting his head and pulling her into his lap. She curled against his chest and nestled her face into his neck.
“I love you, too,” her lips brushed against his jaw, “Sir.”
Without a doubt, my Husband has been the most influential in making my writing happen. He supports all of my dreams even when it means most of the time I’m ignoring Him in favor of my laptop. I’ve been lucky to be surrounded by family and friends who have always supported my love of writing and desire to become a published author.
Next, I want to thank my writing friends, especially Pepper Winters and Chelle Bliss—I love my time chatting and writing with you ladies. My Beta Readers had to put up with Bound and Unbroken in its early raw state and helped me turn it into something fantastic—Patricia, Helen, Sheila, Vicki, Diane, Tina.
I’d probably go out of my mind without the help of my assistant, Kimberly, to keep my street team in line and help out with my online events. You have been fantastic to me! Likewise, the members of my street team have provided advice and have been a great help in spreading the word. I appreciate all of your support.
Finally, I’d like to thank all of the book bloggers who spend their time helping authors reach readers. I can’t possibly name all of the book blogs who have helped me in one way or another, but I have to mention two—Kinky Book Klub for taking off the pressure of arranging a cover reveal, and Sinful Thought Book Blog for arranging my Release Day Blitz and Blog Tour.
Thank you all for taking the time to support my work!
I’ve been coming up with stories for as long as I can remember, and in elementary school I began writing them all down. Ghosts and vampires, have always been my favorite beings to write about. My debut, Fractured Legacy (Paranormal Urban Fantasy novella), was released on October 22, 2013, and the sequel Beyond the Divide is currently in progress and expected to release in 2014.
Bound and Unbroken represents my first major departure from the world of paranormal, but Eric and Lena wouldn’t rest until they had their story.
When I’m not spending time with the voices in my head, I work in business consulting and hang out with my husband and all of our furry family members.
I'd love to hear from you!
Email: [email protected]
Blog: skyecallahan.wordpress.com
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Books by Skye Callahan
Darkness Bound Series (Paranormal Urban Fantasy)
Fractured Legacy (October 2013)
Beyond the Divide (Late 2014)
Out of Bounds Series (BDSM Romance)
Bound and Unbroken
Wild Guardian (Paranormal Romance, Mid 2014)
Table of Contents
Trigger Warning
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
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Bound and Unbroken Page 23