A Dominant’s Love

(Rapture Island 5)

Contemporary, BDSM, MF, HEA

Jennifer Monroe feared her life would change when the chain of stores where she worked sold, but nothing could have prepared her for the change the new owner, David Shaw would bring to her life.

Intrigued by the prospect of running a small private island boutique, one that catered to Dominants and submissives, she argued against his objections and begged to go.

A one-day trip to Rapture Island with David changed everything, the passion of submitting to him teaching her things about herself she could never have imagined.

But the danger she hadn’t seen coming ruined everything, David’s rage and guilt at not protecting her destroying what they’d begun to build.

He watched over her, but couldn’t touch her, so she made the only assumption she could.

He no longer wanted her.

Leaving him, she headed home.

But David wasn’t about to let the woman he loved just walk away and would do whatever it took to win her back.

Excerpt

Jennifer straightened, the hairs on the back of her neck standing on edge.

Turning, she sucked in a breath, her heart beating nearly out of her chest.

Raw power.

Directly in front of her, not more than eight feet away, stood the handsomest and most riveting man she’d ever seen in her life.

The man standing in front of her was handsome as the devil himself, wearing an impeccable dark designer suit, a gleaming watch that had to have cost a fortune.

The aura of power and raw sexuality surrounding him stole her breath.

He watched her steadily, his gaze sharpening as it raked over her, his sharp gaze leaving a trail of heat and awareness in its wake.

Sophisticated with a primitive edge.

A dangerous combination.

He had to be several inches over six feet tall and had incredibly wide shoulders that she could see had nothing to do with padding, but it wasn’t his size that made him appear powerful.

The power came from his dark, glittering eyes.

They glimmered with intelligence and amusement, his lips twitching slightly as if knowing the effect he had on her.

Stepping aside, he gestured for her to precede him, her new boss apparently curious about how she would handle it.

A test.

Not about to show weakness, she lifted her chin and started past him, unnerved at the warm, tingling awareness that came over her at his closeness.

He watched her as she passed, his eyes sharp as if once again knowing his effect on her.

Determined to ignore him, she hurried her steps, alarmed when he walked beside her. “Nice catch.”

Jennifer swallowed again. “Thank you.”

“Perhaps I should introduce myself. My name is David Shaw.”

Jennifer continued toward the elevator. “I know.”

David Shaw owned Shaw Enterprises, a conglomerate comprised of everything from shoes to software.

He dated heiresses and movie stars, but he never seemed to stay with a woman for more than a few dates, leaving tabloids continuously speculating about his love life.

And of course, her new boss would have to arrive just as she found herself dealing with an employee stealing from the store he’d just purchased.

He followed her into the elevator, his silence ominous.

Feeling his gaze, she glanced at him before staring straight ahead again. “Would you mind if I handle this before our meeting?”

“I insist.”

The low silkiness in his voice sent a wave of heat through her, her hormones getting the best of her as she imagined him speaking in the darkness to a lover.

The elevator felt smaller than usual, the awareness encompassing every inch of her body making it nearly impossible to focus on the task at hand.

“Have I done something to offend you?”

Jennifer stared at the numbers above, wondering why she’d never noticed that it took so long to go up one floor. “No. Of course not.”

The door opened, and she hurried out, heading down the hallway to her office. Sharing a look with her assistant, she ignored her Elise’s look of shock and then appreciation when her gaze went to David Shaw.

“Elise, Karen Scott was working the makeup counter and slipped her friend a ninety-dollar lipstick. She’s on her way up. Security has her friend and will be bringing her up, as well. Get the police here. I want to press charges and ban both of them from the store. Arrange for Karen’s paycheck to be sent to her.”

Intensely aware of her new boss’ presence, Jennifer paused. “This is Mr. Shaw. Mr. Shaw, Elise Mosley, my assistant. We’ll be in my office.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Once in her office, Jennifer moved away from the door, watching as Mr. Shaw came in and closed the door behind him. Clasping her hands in front of her, she watched David Shaw walk around her small, windowless office, grimacing as he scanned his surroundings.

“Do you like working here?”

Jennifer swallowed heavily. “Yes.”

Hooking a thigh over the corner of her desk, David studied her features. “You’ve been working for Lumiere a long time. You started while you were still in high school and managed to earn a degree while working full time here.”

Jennifer smiled. “It was worth it.”

His dark brow went up again. “The only picture on your desk is of your parents. I take it this job has cost you when it comes to your social life.”

“My social life is none of your business.”

His lips twitched again, and he slowly rose to his feet, her small office making it impossible to move away without appearing afraid. “I read the reports on Lumiere’s managers. You intrigue me.”

Jennifer blinked, surprised at that. “I do? Why?”

“I’m not quite sure.” His lips twisted as if the admission irritated him. “I thought if I met you, I would understand you better, but meeting you has only left me more curious about you.”

“Do you usually begin your interviews this way?”

His eyes narrowed, his gaze speculative. “Not until now.”

Running a damp hand down her thigh, she shrugged and moved to the small refrigerator on the other side of her office. “There’s nothing mysterious about me.”

She reached in for a bottle of water, silently offering it to him.

He waved a hand, refusing it. “Hmm. We’ll see. Have you started looking for another job yet?”

Opening the bottle, she took a small sip before answering, her stomach muscles tightening painfully at the suspicion that she was about to be fired. “Yes. When I found out about the sale, I started sending out my resume. I’ve got several interviews scheduled already.”

His expression softened. “Before you accept another offer, I’d like to present my own. Over dinner.”

She took another sip of her water before recapping it, struggling to hide her surprise. “I heard from the other managers. Everyone’s scared of losing their jobs.”

David’s lips twisted. “They should be. I’ll pick you up at seven thirty.”