by Tori Carson
Table of Contents
Legal Page
Title Page
Book Description
Dedication
Trademarks Acknowledgement
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
New Excerpt
About the Author
Publisher Page
A Totally Bound Publication
Bondage Unlimited
ISBN # 978-1-78430-495-9
©Copyright Tori Carson 2015
Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright March 2015
Edited by Jennifer Douglas
Totally Bound Publishing
This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Totally Bound Publishing.
Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Totally Bound Publishing. Unauthorized or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.
The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.
Published in 2015 by Totally Bound Publishing, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN
Totally Bound Publishing is a subsidiary of Totally Entwined Group Limited.
Warning:
This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a heat rating of Totally Burning and a Sexometer of 2.
Desired Discipline
BONDAGE UNLIMITED
Tori Carson
Book six in the Desired Discipline series
After Eva gave Giovanni her love and virginity, he was gone. Now he’s back and the torch burns hotter than ever. But can love grow without trust?
Back in college, it wasn’t love at first sight. Though Eva Anderson was attracted to the sexy, confident Giovanni Parma, she didn’t trust anyone easily. Gio patiently worked past her every defense. He wooed his way into her heart and her pants. Then, the next morning, he was gone.
Gio knew early on he was a kinky SOB. It was just his luck to fall in love with a straight-laced, vanilla kind of girl. He tried hard to curb his baser instincts—she deserved a romantic, gentle man—but he just couldn’t do it. He knew if he stayed, he’d lead her down his own dark path.
When a chance meeting thrusts them together again, neither can deny the instant and intense magnetism sparking between them. A little older and wiser, Eva decides to explore her sexual fantasies with the ex love of her life. His untamed, no-holds-barred manner of sex wins Gio a place in her bed, but she refuses to let him anywhere near her heart.
Gio must prove he’s worthy of a second chance both in and out of the bedroom.
Dedication
How do you thank someone who has more faith in you than you have in yourself? The mere words thank you barely scratch the surface, but every day I say them and I mean them. This book is dedicated to that wonderful man—my best friend, my lifemate and my husband.
Trademarks Acknowledgement
The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:
Band-Aid: Johnson & Johnson
Sweetheart candied hearts: Necco
Jell-O:Kraft
Coke: Coca-Cola
Escalade: General Motors
When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going (Billy Ocean): Wayne Anton Brathwaite, Barry James Eastmond, Mutt Lange,Billy Ocean.
Chapter One
As the music started and the wedding party began to take their places, Giovanni Parma couldn’t believe his eyes. His attention should have been on his sister, Adriana. It was, after all, her big day, yet his gaze was fixated on her bridesmaid.
She couldn’t possibly be the same woman he’d fallen in love with back in college. The same woman that he dreamed of night after night and the same woman who he’d run out on the day after he’d taken her virginity.
His brother Alex elbowed him in the ribs. “What’s your problem? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Who is that girl?” He tipped his chin in the girl’s direction and whispered as calmly as he could manage.
Alex shrugged. “Some friend of Adriana’s. I think she’s the bartender at DiscipliNation.”
Gio’s eyes went wide. “The bartender at a kink club?” He scrutinized the woman again. “No way. What’s her name?”
André, his sister Adriana’s soon-to-be husband, was one of the founding partners of DiscipliNation, a chain of sex clubs and a highly profitable sex-toy line.
“What the fuck’s your problem? Did you forget what we do for a living, asshole? Don’t be judging her.” Alex shoved him hard and scooted away from him on the church pew.
His brother didn’t understand and he wasn’t about to explain it to him. Not here anyway, in the middle of his sister’s wedding ceremony. Gio couldn’t care less what she did for a living. He just found it hard to believe that the girl he’d known in college would go anywhere near a sex club. She wasn’t like that.
The girl turned her head and looked as if she was scanning the bride’s side of the aisle. He felt her gaze fall on him and he froze like a deer in the headlights. He would have crawled under the pew and hidden, if it hadn’t already been too late.
There was no doubt about it. Eva Anderson was only a few dozen feet away, breathing the same air and smiling at him sadly. Fuck.
Her long blonde hair, tiny waist and deep blue eyes he’d never forget. Especially her eyes. So expressive. Six years ago, they’d been wary but optimistic. Now, they just looked sad, resigned even.
How in the hell had she gone from majoring in education to tending bar at a kink club? He had the sickening feeling he’d played a role in the switch.
Wait a minute… Why wasn’t she shocked to see him?
He hadn’t been around much since his sister had started dating André, and if Adriana knew about the connection between Gio and Eva, she would have said something. Lots of somethings. Lots of loud, ugly somethings. And he would have deserved every last one of them.
Alex nudged him. “She cleans up well, doesn’t she?”
“She’s stunning.” But she always had been. He would sit in class and stare at her, unable to draw his gaze away.
“Our sister, you dolt! Who the fuck is this girl that has your tongue dragging the ground? You’re embarrassing me, bro. You act like you’ve never seen a woman before,” his brother ridiculed him.
Gio ignored Alex. He was just talking shit anyway and Gio had better things to think about—like what to do about Eva. Beautiful, innocent, straight-laced Eva, now working in a kink club.
He’d known he’d screwed up, had regretted it every day since, but until now, he’d had no idea how much. Emotions he’d thought long buried came crashing back. She was even more beautiful than he remembered but just as unattainable. Eva was so far out of his league, he couldn’t believe she’d ever given him the time of day.
Gio had been attracted to her looks at first. He hadn’t thought it would be hard to get what he wanted. She was a fish out of water, quiet and shy, keeping to herself. She hadn’t seemed to have a social life. When
she hadn’t been in class, she’d been studying or doing volunteer work. The more he’d learned about her, the more intrigued he’d become. She’d been unlike any girl he’d ever known.
Eva had been homeschooled and raised in a strict environment. She’d been the first woman in her family to go to college. It was a responsibility she hadn’t taken lightly. She’d acted like the future of every woman in her family counted her on doing well.
“Hello?” Alex waved a hand in front of Gio’s face.
Gio looked around. Everyone was standing, but him. Shit! Eva really had him rattled. How in the hell was he going to face her?
* * * *
Eva had known that Gio would be at the wedding. How could he not attend his sister’s big day? Yet, she hadn’t expected it to affect her so. She’d come to terms with him leaving long ago—or so she’d thought.
One look at his handsome face, dark hair and striking ebony eyes, and it had all come flooding back.
She’d tried for so long to resist him, but he’d gotten around her every defense. He’d been the perfect man, kind and funny. She’d envied his confidence and his ease with people.
College had been her first experience in the real world and she hadn’t managed it well. Socially awkward, didn’t come close to describing how she’d felt back then. In the years since, she’d learned a lot. She could speak in public without breaking into a sweat. She knew how to sip tea without slurping and how to shoot whiskey without choking. Which utensil to use at a fancy dinner no longer threw her, but facing Gio sure did.
Thankfully, she wasn’t the maid of honor and her duties consisted of ‘stand there and smile’. It was about all she was capable of right now. Her legs were shaking so badly, she feared the audience would hear her knees knocking.
This sudden case of nerves could only mean one thing—she still loved him. How fucked up was that? He’d made it obvious that she wasn’t the woman for him. He’d quit school, given up a free ride scholarship to Columbia, just to get away from her. It didn’t get any clearer than that.
Her heart might be flawed, but worthless organ that it was, it could just get the hell over it. She was using her brain from here on out. She’d be polite… Distant, but polite.
The music began playing again. André and Adriana walked back down the aisle, this time as husband and wife. It was nice to see that someone’s dreams really did come true. Gloria, Adriana’s sister, and Ted Stevens, one of the three owners of DiscipliNation, went next. Eva turned and took the arm of Nick Branson, the third club owner and good friend of André Devereaux.
She’d been disillusioned when she’d arrived in Phoenix. Watching these strong men lose their shit after finding the women that would eventually become their wives left Eva aching for a man who could love her.
Maybe she needed to start dating. That cute coach might be worth a try. Since the men from her evening job reminded her too much of Gio, maybe she should give the guys from her day job a chance. Shame they left her cold.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Nick whispered as they stood in the receiving line, smiling and shaking hands with the guests.
“They’re not worth that much, Nick.” She sent him a wink, wishing she wasn’t so easy to read.
“I know better than to argue with a woman, but if you change your mind, I’m a good listener.” He spoke so quietly only she could hear him.
Nick was not only a good listener, he was a good friend too. Being a hotshot attorney, Nick knew how to keep a confidence. Unfortunately, she wouldn’t know where to begin.
As the last of the guests trickled by, the photographers ushered them back into the hall for another round of pictures. Eva saw Adriana’s family waiting for them. Oh, damn! She should have expected that.
The family bantering back and forth allowed Eva to relax a little. The brothers were terrible flirts. They had the photographer and her assistants blushing in no time. She stayed quiet and tried to fade into the background. It wasn’t her normal behavior these days. No surprise Nick was wondering what was on her mind.
“Eva? It’s obvious you know my idiot brother and he’s acting like the cat that ate the canary. So, give it up. What have you got on him? Something juicy, I hope,” Alex called out to her.
Her face instantly flamed as everyone in the hall turned to look at first her, then at Gio. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Sure you do, honey.” Alex grabbed Gio’s cheeks and squeezed until Gio shoved him off the pew. “All I’m saying is if you have a video, pictures, anything of him making a fool of himself, I’ll pay ya for a copy. If it’s embarrassing or damaging to his choirboy reputation, I wanna hear about it.”
“Alex!” Momma Parma admonished.
The whole family started talking at once. It was loud and mostly in Italian. Eva had no idea what they were saying but by the body language, it was inflammatory. If it hadn’t involved her, she might have been enjoying herself.
Adriana left her photo mark and dragged Eva away from the group. “You know my brother? Have you been to my family’s club?”
Eva had been surprised to learn that Adriana’s parents owned the other decent kink club in the valley. She’d never said a word. At first, Eva had been hurt that Adriana hadn’t confided in her, but then Eva had remembered everything she’d neglected to share with Adriana and assumed it was a wash. Some things you just didn’t tell.
“No, I’ve never been to Dom’s Place.” Eva hoped that would derail Adriana’s line of questioning.
“But you do know Gio.” She made it a statement. “From the look on your face, I know it’s true. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I wasn’t sure it was him until tonight. A few weeks ago you mentioned his name and it jogged my memory of a boy I knew in college…” She wasn’t going into details.
Adriana searched her face. “And you didn’t say anything or ask for more information?”
Eva shrugged and tried to look like it wasn’t any big deal.
Adriana turned and looked at her brother. “Alex is right. He looks like he did when, without permission, he used my favorite bra in one of his Halloween costumes.” She turned back to Eva. “Was he an asshole? I’ll wipe the floor with him myself.”
Eva had to laugh. Adriana was a stick of dynamite. Even though she was still recovering from a compound fracture, Eva had little doubt that her friend would rake Gio over the coals. Eva shook her head. “It’s all good, but your photographer is about to have a stroke. You better get back to your assigned spot.”
“Don’t think we’re finished here. I’ve spilled my guts to you night after night. Now it’s your turn.” Adriana hurried to André’s side.
For just a moment, Gio and Eva locked eyes. He looked as miserable as she felt and it bothered her to know she was the cause. Was she destined to bring Gio nothing but pain?
Her view of Gio was suddenly blocked by the broad shoulders of both Ted and Nick. She looked up into their concerned faces.
“You doing okay?” Ted asked.
“Down, boys. I appreciate the big brother routine, but I’m not in need of protecting.” She faked a smile.
“Then what’s with the meek little lamb act?” Ted scrutinized her face.
“I’m just trying to keep the peace. I promised the boss I’d behave today.” She shrugged. “Besides, I have no idea what this is all about. Back in college, we had a class together. That’s it. End of story.”
Both men stared her down, but she crossed her arms and glared right back. These were good guys. They weren’t going to intimidate her.
Ted was the first to crack. “You need something, you ask, Eva.” He shook his head. “You can try the patience of a saint, but we got your back. Understand?”
She tried to keep her answering grin hidden, but failed miserably. “Yes, Sir.”
He gave her another quelling look and stomped off, leaving her alone to deal with Nick.
“You’re holding out on me, looking for a better deal. I see
how it is.” Nick winked at her.
“You caught me. You’ll have to up your offer if you want to hear my thoughts. They’re pretty juicy.” She sent him a saucy smile.
“I bet they are. I also bet that no matter what the offer was, you’d turn it down cold. But know this, Eva. You have a host of friends. If you get in over your head, talk to one of us.” He waited for her to acknowledge him.
“Will do, Nick. Don’t worry about me. It’s the other guy you should be concerned about.”
Nick turned and gave Gio a once-over. “He’s a good-looking guy. I can see how a girl straight off the farm might be a little dazzled.”
Eva felt like she’d been gut-punched. Nick was good at drawing information out of people and reading body language. No doubt he saw right through her.
She’d forgotten that Nick knew her background—homeschooled country girl, raised on fire and brimstone. Yeah, she was a pretty easy mark, but she doubted Gio would have given up his scholarship just to get in her pants. No, it was more likely he’d meant the whole ‘I’ll love you forever’ line. But, after she’d been such a disappointment in bed, he’d decided a life of lackluster sex wasn’t in the cards and he’d taken off.
“You make him sound like a player.” She forced a laugh. “It wasn’t like that.”
“Then how was it?” Nick turned back toward her.
She knew Nick had the best of intentions, but she wasn’t in the mood for an interrogation. “We had a class together. He sat near me. We chatted a few times then he stopped coming to school. End of story.”
“You’re a terrible liar, Eva.” Nick held her gaze for a moment. “If you need something, just ask.”
“I will, Nick. Thank you.”
* * * *