Desired and Dominated (50 page)

I asked that Marco have my playroom redecorated. I had everything replaced for Sofia, and I can’t work in there with the ghost of the time we spent together, haunting me. I requested that I be moved to a different room entirely, but he said it was too much disruption for the other Dominants, so I opted for everything to be changed. The walls will no longer be the sumptuous deep purple that complemented Sofia’s tanned skin. Instead, they will be red. It’s a standard color for a playroom. Dark, sexy, and it’s visually stimulating for a submissive. Red signals danger; the forbidden. I don’t know why, but it works. I’m not looking to make my playroom personal. I just need the necessary equipment to train with, and a door that can be locked.

The night that Sofia left for Florence, was the last time I set foot in that room. I took the submissive bracelets I bought for her, and left them in my cabinet. I couldn’t bear to have them in the apartment, and I didn’t want to get rid of them. I made sure to tell Marco to have them left alone. Everything else in the cabinet has been replaced, but that box, should be sitting right where I left it a year ago.

When I reach my playroom, I run my hand over the name emblazoned on the door - Master Callaghan. I haven’t been called that in such a long time. I don’t feel like I deserve the title anymore. And, I hate the idea of another woman saying it to me. It’ll never be the same. I think I’ll have my new sub address me simply as Master.

I open the door, and all of the memories come rushing back to me. I want to turn and leave, but I wouldn’t show such a lack of respect for the submissive I’m here to meet.

“Fuck!”

They haven’t changed the room at all. It was supposed to be done two days ago. Marco should have told me. I don’t want anyone in here when it looks like this.
I
don’t want to be in here when it looks like this.

The lights are dim, but I can see my new trainee, sitting in the submissive position in the darkest corner of the room. I can only see her silhouette from where I stand, but I’m not impressed that she’s choosing to hide in the shadows. I’d almost forgotten how timid and shy new subs can be.

“I can’t do this.”

I make my way across the room to where she sits on her heels, her hands clasped behind her back, a box on the table catches my eye. It’s Sofia’s box. Her bracelets. Anger swells inside of me. I need to get this stranger out of here as quickly as possible.

I immediately head over to the table to remove the box, and can see that it’s open; the bracelets are gone. In their place is a note, together with the key I gave Sofia when she left.

From a submissive to her Master

This is the last time I will ever defy you, Master Callaghan. You were wrong. Nothing in life can compare to how I feel when I’m in your arms. Your love is the music that flows through me, giving my life beauty and meaning. The only dance I want, or need, is the one that we perform, every time you make love to me. I want forever, and I want it with you…if you’ll still have me.

All my love, now and always,

Your submissive

Nyx x

My heart is racing as realization dawns, and I slowly turn to face the corner, but she’s not there. She’s kneeling on the floor 2ft in front of me, dressed in nothing but a deep purple lace bra and panties. Her hands are clasped in the front, showing me her wrists, glistening with two platinum bracelets, padlocked shut. The ones I had engraved for her over a year ago. Her eyes are lowered to the floor, awaiting my instruction.

She has never looked more beautiful than she does in this moment, and I’m struggling to catch my breath, my heart ricocheting off my ribcage, ready to burst out of my chest. I can’t believe she’s really here. She’s right where she’s supposed to be, where she was always meant to be. I let her go, and it was the biggest mistake I ever made, but she’s come back to me. She’s always been mine, and she always will be.

A love like ours is written in the stars, fated from the beginning of time. She is my goddess in the shadows. An enchanting beauty, too lovely for this world. The missing piece of my soul. Bound together for all eternity. I was born to be her Master. She was destined to be my submissive.

“Nyx?”

“Yes…Master Callaghan.”

First and foremost, the biggest thank you I could ever give, is to my amazing husband. You took supportive to a whole new level with this book. You lived through the tears and self-doubt, the moments when I threw in the towel and you picked it back up and shoved it in my face. You forced me to find myself again, and to give my all to these characters. Bribing me with watching an episode of
Outlander
every day in exchange for a chapter was a stroke of genius on the homestretch! You’ve given up your weekends with me, to allow me to focus on my writing, and you let me talk incessantly about my characters as if they were our friends. Venting my frustration when they didn’t want to talk to me, and jumping around, rambling when they finally did! You took it all in your stride, the way you do with everything.

It’s been a rollercoaster eight months for us. We uprooted our life in Scotland and moved to the U.S., taking on the greatest adventure and the most grueling challenge of our marriage. You soared through with flying colors, dragging my sorry ass with you. You are my home, my calm. Your arms are the one place on earth that I feel at peace; completely loved and cherished, and for that, I will never be able thank you enough. You are part of me, the better part, and you will always have my heart. I love you.

Now for the amazing people that have helped get this book across the finish line in style!

Elaine York – You are legendary as always. A stunning cover and elegance throughout. Your talent never ceases to amaze me, and the fact that you are so humble with it. You have become a true friend, and I consider it such an honor that I get to work with you. Your support of my writing means so much to me, and I look forward to the day we sit down for coffee together. Thank you so much for being such a sweet and caring friend. I love you.

Sharron – Where do I begin? I’m in tears just thinking of how much I want to say to you, to thank you for everything that you are to me. To have such amazing support from a family member means more than I can ever express. You have become such a close friend, and I feel blessed every day to have you in my life. You’ve kept me going with your words of encouragement, and a good Scottish kick up the backside when I needed it. I love you to the moon and back.

Ria – The girl who made me a published author! How many meltdowns have you suffered through? You’ve seen the worst of me, and the best of me throughout this process, and you always gave me love in return. We understand the ups and downs in each other’s lives in a way that strengthens us both. You have championed me, but also, Nate and Sofia, from the start. You have loved their characters, even when I couldn’t. You believed in me, when I didn’t, and you always knew that I would find their story inside of myself. That I would be able to use my own emotion and despair, and channel it into this book. You never gave up on me, and for that, I will always be grateful. I love you so much.

Megan Davis – My HTML savior! You have saved my ass so many times girl, and you always rock it! I was honored to have you come on board as a beta on this book, and your reaction – well we were both exhausted by the end of that day!!! Your reaction to Nate made all the blood, sweat and tears that went into writing him, worthwhile. There are always a few people who make a book memorable when they read it and message me, and you are that person for this book, so thank you so much. You’re a great friend and I love your guts!

Diane, Diane, Diane – Nate is all for you, baby! I don’t think I would have finished this book if I didn’t know how desperately you wanted to know Nate Callaghan. You are by far, his number one fan, and I love you for it. You made me strive to make him the best that he could be, and I can never thank you enough for that. And the fact that you wrote a line in the epilogue kinda rocks!!! Love you, girl.

Leslie and Lauren – The two of you took a chance on me when I had no idea if I could turn my ramblings into a novel, and here we are at the end of the series. It’s been the never ending story at times, but I want to thank you for giving me the confidence to hit publish that first time back in May last year. If you hadn’t given me the courage to tell Brandon and Lily’s story, then Nate and Sofia’s story would never have been written. Thank you so much. I love you both.

Noemi – You have championed me from the start, and loved my characters as much as I do. Thank you so much for all you do to promote me. You’re a beautiful friend. I love you.

Kristi Lynn – Thank you so much for coming on as a beta for this book. This is the one I’ve been most nervous of, and to have you sing its praises really means a lot to me. Your support of my work from the beginning humbles me, and I will always appreciate it.

Gemma, Alice and Sanne – I can never thank you girls enough for all that you do for me. I am truly humbled that you would take time out of your day to spread the word about my books. I don’t say it enough, but THANK YOU!!! You are such rock stars! And, Gemma, I promise the next Bad Boy I write is for you!

To my anonymous Dominant and submissive – Thank you so much for letting me pick your brains throughout this process! Your willingness to help me portray a realistic, emotional relationship between a Master and his very much loved submissive, was invaluable. I wanted to do justice to how beautiful, tender, and real a BDSM relationship can be, and you helped me achieve that. You are a wonderful couple, and true friends. Thank you.

Diana Cardonita – Words can’t express what your support has meant to me over the past year. You have offered me words of wisdom when I needed them, encouragement, and best of all, friendship. I can’t wait to meet you and give you a massive hug! You’re an inspiration to me. Love you, girl.

Summer Clark – You are such a rock star, Summer. You’ve supported me from the beginning, helping me with anything that I needed. Your words of encouragement mean more to me than you could ever know. I’m certain that you are going to continue to do great things in the book world, and when I get my shit together, I hope to be a part of it! Love your face, girly.

To all of the amazing bloggers who have shared my posts, participated in my cover reveals, blog tours, promos, and letting me hijack your pages for hours at a time over the past year – THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I couldn’t have achieved this amazing dream without your help, and I will be eternally grateful to each and every one of you.

And last, but by no means least: To my readers. My eyes are filling with tears as I try to think of a way to convey how deeply you have touched my heart. When I started this journey, I didn’t think anyone was going to take notice of my book, but you took a chance on a new author, and you gave me a dream come true. There are no words that could ever do justice to how truly grateful I am. Thank you so much for taking this journey with me. I have cherished every minute of it.