Bøger af Annabel Joseph

The Viscount Marlow's got a reputation for wildness and wicked behavior. He's earned the nickname "Mad Marlow" through years of determined vice, but now he's in love with his friend's sister, the glitteringly pure Lady Rosalind. She's kind, polite, obedient, and well-respected-in short, everything he'll never be. Whispered promises and a secret kiss lead to a marriage proposal, one her protective parents dismiss out of hand. That should be the end of their provocative love affair, but instead, it's the beginning of a journey fraught with deceit and danger, and passionate disciplinary sessions for a young woman Marlow fears he'll never deserve...

Take a rousing romp through 1790s England with this fourth and final book in the Properly Spanked series...A duke as wealthy and powerful as the Duke of Arlington requires, by matter of course, an elegant, perfectly pedigreed bride. Unfortunately, he must settle for the king's choice: Miss Guinevere Vaughn, the rough-edged daughter of a border baron. She's pretty enough for a Welsh hellion, but she hasn't the necessary polish to succeed in London society. When Aidan explains that she'll need to improve her manners-and her disposition-he finds himself locked in a vexing battle of wills. Gwen never asked to wed a duke. Her new husband is haughty, inflexible, and demanding, and makes no secret of his disdain for her upbringing. No matter how hard she tries to please him, she's never good enough. He disciplines her with an iron hand, and then expects her to submit to his vile whims in bed. Not that his whims are...completely...vile...all of the time. It's only that her husband doesn't love her, and she wants him to love her. If only her feelings were not so complicated.If only life was not so difficult Under A Duke's Hand...

When Master's business calls him away, Molly is left in the care of Mephisto, the owner of a thriving local BDSM club. Molly is both excited and scared to be given over to Master Mephisto. His power and mysterious intensity have long compelled her from afar.Molly finds herself immersed in a world of strict commands, pervasive sex, and creative torments. Over the course of a week, Mephisto strips away privileges Molly took for granted, and forces her to understand and acknowledge the depths to which she can be made to submit. But a surprising conversation the last day threatens Molly's worldview, as does the strange closeness that develops between them. As the time of Master's return draws near, Molly finds herself deeply and inexorably changed.Publisher's Note: this BDSM fantasy novel depicts "total power exchange" relationships that some readers may find objectionable. This work contains acts of objectification, orgasm denial and speech restriction, caging, anal play and double penetration, BDSM punishment and discipline, M/f, M/m/f, M/m, orgy and group sexual encounters, voyeurism, and limited circumstances of dubious consent.

It's no easy feat transitioning from the disciplined arena of competitive gymnastics to the artistic whirl of the Cirque du Monde. Kelsey Martin finds secret inspiration in Theo Zamora, a dark, taciturn trapezist--until his partner dies in a tragic accident and he decides to leave the circus for good. Theo doesn't understand why Kelsey reaches out to him, only that she compels him with her unique combination of innocence and recklessness. Before long the two are collaborating on an aerial silks act for a new production, the Cirque de Minuit. Theo's impatience with Kelsey's naivete is matched only by his passion for her, and the two soon become embroiled in a tempestuous, consuming romance. But some still blame Theo for his partner's accident, and danger wraps up the two performers as inevitably as the scarlet silk of their act. Theo and Kelsey must find a way to connect and trust one another as he leads her deeper and deeper into a dangerous world of control and desire.

Take a rousing romp through 1790s England with this second of four Properly Spanked novels...The Earl of Warren never considered himself the heroic type-or the marrying type. Unfortunately, while attempting to save the mysterious Lady Maitland from the clutches of a degenerate fortune hunter, he ends up shackled to her himself. It was never in the plans, and worse, his bride doesn't want him. Rather than feel grateful, Josephine begs to be released from the marriage so she can accomplish her dearest goal-to be left alone. Troubled by an unconventional childhood, scarred by painful memories, Josephine acts out until Warren has no choice but to begin a disciplinary program to bring her to heel. Although his spankings are firm, painful, and plentiful, he makes little progress in taming his wild countess. But her wildness pleases him in the bedroom, where they spend hours at uninhibited play, fulfilling licentious and carnal lusts. While Josephine struggles to understand her feelings toward her authoritative husband, Warren must decide if having a tame wife is worth the anguish of damaging her already vulnerable heart.This 82K word novel contains acts of punishment and discipline, anal play, sado-masochism, and other sensual practices.

Not all fantasies are safe, sane, and consensual. Welcome to the world of The Gallery...Devin's a pilot and playboy, as well as a Gallery Dominant known for his sadistic desires. Ella is a famed astrophysicist whose quiet intelligence masks a depraved longing for pain. When the two connect in a foreign dungeon, neither knows that one of them will soon save the other's life.From such dramatic beginnings, a mutual friendship grows, along with a daring D/s relationship. Is their play merely sensual, or do their feelings run deeper? Within the opulent walls of The Gallery, Devin and Ella explore ever-expanding limits and test the boundaries of trust...

Over five seasons, Miss Harmony Barrett has managed to repel every gentleman of consequence and engineer a debacle at Almack's so horrifying that her waltzing privileges are revoked. If she's not in the library reading about Mongol hordes, she's embarrassing her family or getting involved in impulsive scrapes. Enter the Duke of Courtland, a man known for his love of duty and decorum. Through a vexing series of events, he finds himself shackled to Miss Barrett in matrimony. But all is not lost. The duke harbors a not-so-secret affinity for spanking and discipline...and his new wife is ever in need of it. Will the mismatched couple find their way to marital happiness? Or will the duke be forever Disciplining the Duchess? This 85K word erotic romance novel contains domestic discipline themes and both harsh and loving spanking scenes.

Take a rousing romp through 1790s England with this third book in the Properly Spanked series...The Earl of Augustine has always thought of Lady Minette as a sister, but when a nocturnal adventure goes horribly awry, he's forced to make her his bride.Now his friend Warren is furious with him, the jilted Lady Priscilla is spreading ugly gossip, his father's illness is worsening, and Minette is...well...being Minette. Flighty, exuberant, and utterly irascible, she wants a true marriage, when all August can see is the impish girl he rescued from scrapes as a child. But Minette has idolized Lord August for years, as long as she can remember, and she's determined to make their union a passionate and fulfilling one. She launches caper after caper in an effort to capture his attention and awaken his masculine hungers. Unfortunately, all she seems to accomplish are repeated disciplinary sessions over his lap.Can she make August realize she's the love of his life in time to save their crumbling marriage-and her smarting backside? Or will he hold her at arm's length forever, refusing to acknowledge the powerful emotions she stirs in his heart?

Wednesday is released by Vincent, her long-time Master, only to find herself in a new, much more emotionally intense BDSM relationship with Daniel. But is Vincent really out of her life forever? Can Wednesday bear the intimacy of her new lover's demands? The three soon find themselves in an uneasy and sometimes downright contentious love triangle.Wednesday wants to submit to Daniel, but self-protective impulses and bad memories make their budding relationship a constant struggle. In a world of passion, promises, and power exchange, Wednesday and her lovers must come to understand the difference between being "owned" and loved.

Kat enjoys a six-night-a-week party habit, and frequently indulges in empty, meaningless sex. Then an accident lands her in the hospital. She wakes to find a menagerie of origami figures-and a gorgeous neurosurgeon-beside her bed. The complexity of the paper creations is nothing compared to the complexity of dark-eyed, authoritative Ryan, who seems determined to give her life some direction. Trouble is, Kat's just as determined to resist his efforts to tame her wild side.With persistence, Ryan draws Kat into his world of dominance and submission, where quiet commands and lengths of rope awaken needs and desires she never knew she possessed. But Ryan's intimate, erotic shibari sessions frighten Kat as much as they excite her, for each simple knot requires infinite trust and inspires complicated emotions.When a family crisis tests their love and threatens to snap the fragile ties that bind them, will fortune ever smile on this unlikely couple, or will fate tear them apart?

Not all fantasies are safe, sane, and consensual. Welcome to the world of The Gallery...Milo Fierro lives for two things, dominance and music. At The Gallery, where depravity rules, he's known for his passionate desires, but on the outside, he's learned to hide beneath a veneer of dark-eyed professionalism. It's too dangerous to be himself. Most women don't understand.Alice definitely doesn't understand. Her father was his violin teacher for years, and now that she and Milo are adults, she thinks they can be friends. The girl he knew as "Lala" draws him in with her grace and kindness, unaware of his ugly, hidden side. He can't touch her, or even stand near her. He doesn't dare reach out to her, no matter how much her talent and beauty inflames his lusts. She deserves better, deserves a man who's nothing like him...If only she wasn't so impossible to resist.

Sophie finally finds the courage to reenter the Atlanta BDSM scene after extricating herself from an abusive relationship. At a local munch, she meets Dave, a funny, laid-back erotic photographer. When she sees him again later at a dungeon, Sophie is surprised by her strong attraction, and nervous about starting a new relationship, but Dave eases her fears. They embark on a sexy, thrilling D/s relationship and Sophie finds healing and fulfillment in Dave's arms.But Sophie is still haunted by nightmares of her past. On a dark night in the woods with Dave and his friend Ryan, frightening memories overtake her. She knows that in order to move on, she must uncover the tragedy that haunts her subconscious.Sophie's quest for answers brings her face-to-face with her previous tormentor. She finds herself once more in the deep woods, not only fighting for answers . . . but also for her life.

Take a rousing romp through 1790s England with this first of four Properly Spanked novels... The Lady Aurelia has been promised in marriage to the Marquess of Townsend since she was four and he was fourteen. Unfortunately, she grew up into a pillar of propriety while her betrothed grew up into a renowned rake. Of course, no one would expect such an unsuitable match to go forward...which is why they find themselves at a loss when circumstances force them to the altar and into each other's arms.Hunter, the beleaguered marquess, believes he'll survive the uneven match by continuing to frequent his well-trained coterie of whores and courtesans, but Aurelia's powerful father has other ideas. When he blocks Hunter's access to the only women shameless enough to cater to his decadent needs, the marquess informs his new wife that something will have to be done.That "something" will be the immediate commencement of her erotic training...whether she wants it or not.This 70K word novel contains acts of punishment and discipline, anal play, and other sensual practices. The Properly Spanked Series#1 Training Lady Townsend#2 To Tame A Countess#3 My Naughty Minette#4 Under A Duke's Hand

In his years at Ironclad, Ransom has built a reputation as a no-nonsense bodyguard. He reels in the perverts, wrangles the mangled, and controls celebrities who are notoriously out of control. So when a world-famous DJ starts slipping into risky habits, he's hired to keep her on track during a multi-million-dollar tour. He figures he'll just knock the diva down a few pegs and scare her straight. Problem is, Lola isn't easily frightened, and "difficult" doesn't begin to describe their contentious relationship. The only thing more annoying than their daily fights and power struggles is their intensifying emotional connection. Ransom's determined to save her...even if she doesn't want to be saved.

New from Annabel Joseph--a collection of four steamy shorts about friendship, love, and seduction.Definitely Kinky Ruby's known the guys in her string quartet forever. There's Jonathan, the bossy lead violinist, and Steve, the cellist, who plays ref when they're at each other's throats. Then there's Ethan, the viola player. After five years, he's still a mystery: quiet, unassuming, and intensely dedicated to the music they create. Who would've thought he'd be the one to step up and comfort her after a wedding reception gig goes haywire? Who would've thought they'd end up in each other's arms?And who would've thought he'd know how to tilt her world sideways using only his voice, his fingers, and a bundle of rope?Perfect and Powerful Sure, Ruby can't stand lead violinist Jonathan most of the time, but she agrees to play his girlfriend at a party so he can fend off a stalker-ish fan. Only problem-over the course of the night, she discovers Jon's an amazing dancer, and an even better kisser. When she's in his arms, she forgets how much he irritates her, because he's so passionate and forceful, so unapologetically in command.He's always a strict taskmaster during rehearsals and concerts, but maybe that translates into something more fun in the bedroom. With Ethan's support and encouragement, Ruby decides to find out...Play With Me Steve's the big brother type, always has been-tall, blond, fun-loving, faithful, and protective. When Ruby shows up on the wrong night for one of his famed pajama parties, he graciously invites her to stay and hang out. Everything's great, until she gets a little too drunk on hard cider and professes her horniness for him. Repeatedly.Well, the other two guys turned out to be fascinating learning experiences in the bedroom. Now Ruby and Steve have to decide if they want to cross that line too, or preserve their easy friendship. Maybe, with a little luck, they can do both. The Full Concerto The good news: the Gold Quartet has been invited to play one of their favorite concertos as guest artists with the noted Berlin Philharmonic. The bad news: the concert falls on Ruby's birthday, so she'll be traveling to Europe with her fellow musicians instead of celebrating at home with family and friends.The guys hatch a plan to make it up to her, a plan to celebrate Ruby's birthday in a way she'll never forget. Playing with one of the foremost orchestras in the world is cool, but fulfilling one of Ruby's naughtiest fantasies is even better. Her three trusted friends and lovers take her on a ride of deep, passionate surrender, bringing this quartet of sensual stories to a spectacular close.

High stakes chess competition has always been a man's game-until Grace Ann Frasier topples some of the game's greatest champions and turns the chess world on its ear. Her prowess at the game is matched only by her rivals' desire to defeat her, or, worse, avenge their losses. When an international championship threatens Grace's safety, a bevy of security experts are hired to look after her, but only one is her personal, close-duty bodyguard, courtesy of Ironclad Solutions, Inc. Sam Knight knows nothing about chess, but he knows Grace is working to achieve something important, and he vows to shelter her from those who mean her harm. When she leans on him for emotional support, attraction battles with professionalism and Sam finds his self-discipline wavering. Soon the complexity of their relationship resembles a chess board, where one questionable move can ruin everything-or win a game that could resonate around the world.

Prosper is thrilled to be plucked from the corps de ballet to dance the lead role in Firebird. But Jackson, the guest choreographer, is as sexy as he is demanding. Prosper soon finds herself flustered by his closeness and his unforgiving gaze. She gets caught up in kinky fantasies that make it difficult for her to concentrate on his steps. She imagines him as her Dominant, turning her over his knee for flubs in rehearsal. Just as sensual tension at work builds to an impossible level, a surprise encounter outside the studio results in Prosper's fantasies being realized. Jackson takes his protégée home and ties her to his bed. Soon Prosper is receiving the discipline and domination she craves -- and much, much more.The pair maintain a secret off-stage relationship -- scorchingly intimate encounters several evenings a week. But Prosper feels the burden of carrying the Firebird ballet on her back, and Jackson knows that his time in New York will draw to an end all too soon. Will Prosper crack under the pressure of pleasing her lover and bringing his vision to life, or will Jackson find a way to help his Firebird take flight?Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, BDSM theme and elements.

Petra Hewitt's the top ballerina in the world, and The Great Rubio her obvious counterpart, so why does she want to strangle him whenever he's around? He's haughty, abrupt, demanding-and alarmingly sexy. Petra knows Rubio is dangerous to her heart, to her peace of mind, and worst of all, to her career, but his rough flirtation compels her. When she gets a chance to play with him at a BDSM party, their professional partnership takes a feverish left turn.After that, any attempts to keep him at arm's length falter in the face of his obstinate sexuality. Rubio's methods are ruthlessly erotic as he introduces her to the pleasures of sadism, bondage, pain, and submission. The more Petra tries to resist him, the more she craves his strength and control. But as they play their sensual games of dominance and submission, career pressures mount, and an overzealous fan brings dangerous tension to their relationship. Soon, the dream gives way to the stark reality of her vulnerability. Maybe, just maybe, some risks are too terrifying to take.

Lucy Merritt has always defined herself by her body, whether dancing in a small avant-garde company or posing for art. But she has always felt as if something is wrong with her, as if something is missing. She has never been in love. Suddenly, in the darkness of the theater wings, a strangely affecting man enters her life. Matthew Norris, rich, handsome patron of the dance company, has decided that he wants Lucy for his own. He makes her an offer that both frightens and compels her, and they soon begin an affair characterized by only two requirements, beauty and truth. But how truthful are Matthew and Lucy? How much of Matthew's strenuous brand of love can Lucy endure? And how long can their rigid Dom/sub relationship stay frozen in time, never growing, never moving forward? Publishers Note: This novel contains explicit scenes of dominance and submission, discipline & training, bondage, group sex, oral sex, anal sex & double penetration, menage a trois, dubious consent, and both harsh and loving bdsm scenes.

Cait has led a simple, secluded life in the Scottish woods, but her world suddenly turns upside down when she learns she's the unwanted daughter of the king. She's forced to marry a forbidding stranger, Duncan, the Devil of Inverness, who has already buried one wife. But Cait and the Devil find they are more perfectly matched than either suspected. His deep desire to dominate and discipline his new wife is matched only by her bravery and willingness to submit to his perverse demands and desires. But a phantom threat stalks Cait, and Duncan is troubled by her secret and mysterious past. Can Duncan protect his vulnerable wife? Will their powerful and unusual brand of love prevail? This is a fantasy novel set in the Middle Ages and has a heavy domestic discipline theme within the confines of an affectionate marriage. It contains various spanking and discipline scenes, as well as oral and anal sex. It also contains some limited scenes of non-eroticized nonconsensuality.

Not all fantasies are safe, sane, and consensual. Welcome to the world of The Gallery...Juliet meets Fort St. Clair on a miserable, drunken night, and wakes up the next morning cuffed to his guest room bed. Of course, Fort would never take advantage of her. No, the pleasure and pain he wants to inflict on her body must be negotiated in advance, because once Juliet sets foot in his private, exclusive dungeon, she belongs to him. BDSM at The Gallery is supposed to be a straightforward arrangement, an affair by the rules, but Juliet and Fort's growing connection brings unexpected emotions they can't control. She's the free spirit who transforms his rigid world, and he's the Dominant she can finally trust-or can she?

At a small, struggling circus in Ulaanbaatar, a fearless trapezist fascinates Cirque du Monde talent scout Jason Beck, until he realizes, halfway through the act, that he already knows this exotic, blue-eyed beauty. Intimately. If he'd known she was part of the act he was here to recruit, he never would have done such basely carnal things to her the night before!Torn by professional and personal desires, Jason invites Sara to Paris. She's thrilled to join Cirque du Monde, but her trapeze partner, Baat, is less cooperative. When tensions threaten the future of Sara and Baat's act, she finds solace in a sexy, consuming Master/slave relationship with Jason. Jason's strict requirements match perfectly with Sara's desires to submit, to do whatever it takes to please her Master. Soon they're barreling toward deeper commitments, even love.But circus life can be chaotic. Perilous. Cirque CEO-and brutal Master-Michel Lemaitre develops an uncomfortable interest in the submissive trapezist, and Baat becomes increasingly difficult to control. Fears and secrets, jealousy and uncertainties threaten to undo everything Sara and Jason have built in their intimate BDSM sessions. Hurt by lies, rocked by shocking revelations, the two must battle to remain bound together in love.Publisher's Note: This erotic romance novel is approximately 75K words and contains sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, m/f/m menage, BDSM scenes, power exchange themes, and swinging/partner sharing.

In the sexually charged world of Cirque du Monde, CEO Michel Lemaitre reigns as king of depravity. He's a stringent, brutal Master who selects his slaves based on their ability to cope with strict handling and pain. He exerts rigid control over his chosen partners and they submit to him in all things-that is, until fiery Italian acrobat Valentina Sancia enters his life.Valentina's known as La Vampa, the flame of Napoli, and her tempestuous personality and wild libido soar as high as her circus tricks. To his chagrin, she wants nothing more than to be his slave. Michel finds himself drawn to the red-headed firebrand even as he tries his hardest to resist her. It doesn't help that the sensual beauty idolizes him and tempts him at every turn. He finally engages her in a one-month, no-holds-barred Master-slave relationship to prove their incompatibility. And that's when the circus really begins.The two become wrapped up in bondage, cages, physical ordeals...and an emotionally fraught battle of wills. He's never had a slave burn so bright, and Valentina's heart is set on pleasing her Master, no matter the torment and trials she must endure. Is there such a thing as too much passion? Michel's convinced there is, and he's determined to tame a billowing love on the verge of blazing out of control.

Lord Townsend's been skulking about France for weeks, having fled London with a broken heart. Why'd he have to lose the love of his life, the beautiful Lady Ophelia? And to his damned best friend? If he can't have Ophelia, he'll have vengeance. He vows retribution upon Lord Wescott and returns from France with a solid plan. A solid plan that swiftly goes awry.Lady Jane McConall is minding her business-and her small winter garden-when she learns she's to wed the devastatingly handsome Marquess of Townsend. Goodness, who on earth would refuse? She vows to be the very best wife to this dark, mysterious man, to make him love her even though they're little more than strangers. She doesn't realize yet that her prospective husband nurtures a long-standing affinity for order and discipline.Nor does she realize a plot is afoot, a plot that will come undone at the worst possible time...

Kai Chandler has it all. A thriving tech business, movie star friends, and a mansion in the Malibu hills. But he's lonely, nursing a broken heart and reeling from a shocking breach of trust. Then a friend tells him about a secret chateau outside Paris where they train women in the erotic traditions of the Code d'Odalisque. For a million a year, Kai can choose a sexual servant to use at will, a woman thoroughly trained in the pleasuring of men.Kai makes the trip and, in the course of touring the facility, meets Constance, a shy and strangely quiet odalisque. He decides to acquire the beautiful woman and bring her to his home. Constance and Kai delight in their voyage of erotic exploration as he plays undisputed Master to her slave. But soon they find themselves forming an increasingly emotional connection, with the end of Constance's term of service looming over their heads. Jealousy, fear, regret and longing threaten to tear the lovers apart, and they must choose between the safety of the Code and the risk of true love and trust.Publisher's Note: This book contains sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, m/f/m menage, group sex, BDSM scenes, and swinging/partner swapping.

Working for megastar Jeremy Gray has taken an emotional toll on personal assistant Kyle Winchell. In the name of self-preservation, he re-locates to New York City to work at Ironclad Solutions, a service agency catering to the needs of the rich and famous. He accepts a job as personal assistant to well-respected concert cellist Caressa Gallo, only to find she's not as respectable as she seems. Soon he's involved in a world of lust and dark inspiration, and emotional stakes beyond anything he's encountered before.This erotic romance novel contains BDSM elements and has a length of approximately 70K words.

When Molly loses her longtime Master, she feels lost, angry. Confused. She's unsure of her future, even her calling to the BDSM lifestyle. She knows her Master always intended her to go to his friend Mephisto next, but their emotionally-and sexually-fraught history is still a confusion of desire and fear in her mind. Mephisto wants to help Molly, but he doesn't want to force her into service she's not sure she wants. He owes it to Clayton to help her find happiness, but how? Molly and Mephisto advance and retreat from one another as they try to untangle their complex feelings. More and more it seems their tense standoff will only end one way...

Lady Ophelia's voice is so lovely, so incomparable, she's permitted to break convention and appear on the London stage. The young ingenue has more admirers than she realizes, but after long years cloistered at a Viennese music school, she has no idea how society's games of courtship and seduction are played. The Marquess of Wescott is prone to bucking convention too-not always in a good way. He and his friends are frequent subjects of gossip for their rakish behavior, like their regular forays to Pearl's Emporium, where lovers of discipline explore risqué fantasies in secret rooms. Wescott and Ophelia's fates collide on a dry autumn night, when a fast-moving fire strands them together on the outskirts of London. As the sun rises, they learn convention can only be stretched so far. They're obliged to wed in a quick, quiet ceremony, and embark upon married life as little more than strangers. From the start, their dueling personalities tangle into knots of frustration and regret. But marriage is marriage, and they must learn to live with one another. Lord Wescott tries to bring his wife into line using the disciplinary tactics he's honed over the years, but Ophelia's not so easily tamed. She's a stubborn soul, determined to resist her husband at every turn. Life is not an opera, and love is not easy. For Wescott and Ophelia, the battle has only begun...

A stranger in the wings, a traitorous pair of toe shoes, and a traumatic turn dancing with The Great Rubio... For ballerina Ashleigh Keaton, it's been one hell of a night.But it's not over yet. When Rubio drags her to a private party at his friend's house in the ritzy part of London, she meets Liam Wilder, a lifestyle dominant and frighteningly seductive man. Liam pursues Ashleigh, attracted by her strength and talent, but she has secrets-an abusive past and a crippling fear of intimacy that prevents her from connecting to anyone, especially a playboy reputed to be legendary in bed. Eventually he wins her trust and sets out to heal the troubled dancer, awakening her to a world of sensual abandon in a series of "sessions" at his home. But how pure are his motives? Is he helping her or endangering her fragile soul? Liam hides his own destructive secrets, and so does Fernando Rubio, their temperamental friend. Over time the three become embroiled in a tangle of artifice, fears, and lies that threaten to undo everything they've worked for. Will Ashleigh and Liam find the strength to defeat their demons? Or are they cursed to sleepwalk through life forever, afraid to experience the passion and intimacy of love?This 81K word romantic novel contains reflections on childhood abuse and violence which may disturb some readers.

Nell, an out-of-work professional submissive, is desperate to find a job when she meets handsome film star Jeremy Gray at the restaurant where she works. He says he needs a personal assistant, but the work contract he shows her details not organizational duties, but sexual ones. Jobless and homeless, Nell agrees to work for him anyway, on the promise that he will pay for her to finish her college degree when her stint as his "assistant" is complete.The start of their formal Dom/sub relationship is rocky, but they soon fall into a mutually satisfying, highly sexual routine. They play vanilla boyfriend and girlfriend in public, while Jeremy uses Nell as his kinky comfort object behind the scenes. Then a stalker threatens their secret lifestyle, and their contract may not be strong enough to hold them together.This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, strong BDSM theme and content including spanking, dubious consent, exhibitionism, ménage (m/f/m), group sex.