Invitation to Ecstasy by Nina Pierce Read Free Book Online Page B

evenly, despite the fact
that his heart hammered in his chest. He wasn’t sure his ego could handle
another blow like the one she’d dealt him last night. For some of the Doms
invited to XTC Resorts, this weekend was about training. For Derek it was a
chance to prove he could be a Dom his subs could trust. He needed Sara
to believe he could protect her from whatever shadows chased her. Because if he
understood anything about this woman, whatever it was she was hiding from
scared the living shit out of her.
    Almost imperceptibly, her spine straightened, her chin came
up and her gaze dropped to his thighs. “I’m a nurse,” she said finally. “I
cared for my ailing parents for nearly a decade before they passed. I do know
what I’m doing, Master.”
    Tenderly wrapping his fingers around her chin, he brought
her gaze up to his. The pain and fear filling her eyes clawed as his gut,
sending his protective instincts into overdrive. “Trust that I do too.”
    As if underscoring Sara’s internal fight, lightning flashed
and thunder rolled through the clouds, rattling the windows, cutting the power
and plunging them back into murky shadow. He heard her quick intake of breath
and felt her jaw knot beneath his fingers.
    Derek brushed his thumb over her bee-stung lips that had
finally gotten back their rosy color. “Despite the storm, you’re safe here with
me, Sara.”

Chapter Five
     
    Safe wasn’t something Sara had felt in a long time.
    There was no doubt in her mind Derek was probably a decade
younger than her, but the wisdom reflected in the emerald pools of his eyes
spoke of a maturity far beyond his years. She wanted to snuggle into his tender
touch, surround herself in the warmth of his embrace, but she also understood
it wasn’t gentleness he offered—nor what she needed.
    Too many years she’d lived with the hurt and the anger, the
embarrassment and the betrayal. What Derek offered, without reservation, was an
opportunity to heal from all that had come before.
    “Sara.” He spoke her name as a command, the deep timbre
flowing over her, surrounding her with his strength.
    In one word, he gave the power over to her. The next move
was hers and they both knew it.
    She’d come to this bungalow wanting to end the hold her late
husband had on her. Sara had feared she wouldn’t be brave enough to journey
alone through the terrible memories, but here was Derek, a Dom who offered her
the opportunity to hand over the shameful truths of her past. Dare she hope
that shining a light on them could chase away the ugliness casting dark shadows
on her life?
    Tired of carrying the burden, she nodded. “It’s much too
stormy to get back to the main lodge now. There are candles everywhere. I’m
sure I can find matches, Master.” Without thought, the title slipped from her
lips. And just like that, they’d come back around to their natural roles. Some
things in life weren’t meant to be questioned.
    “I think a little light would be a good idea,” he said. “I’m
not keen on you sewing me up in the dark.” His tone dropped, ratcheting her
pulse up another notch.
    She stood and began rifling through the drawers of the
nightstand. “There are candles everywhere, I would imagine… Ah, here we are.”
Triumphantly, she held up a box of wooden matches, struck one and efficiently
lit several candles around the hot tub, bathing them in a golden glow.
    “There we are,” she said, setting two large, red pillars
next to Derek on the low platform.
    “Very Florence Nightingale.”
    Color flooded her cheeks, and Derek laughed, a warm rumble
that fluttered pleasantly in her stomach. Grateful he found humor in her
discomfort over his compliment, instead of responding, she focused on finding
the supplies she would need to patch him up. “There doesn’t seem to be any
topical anesthesia.”
    “Then bring on the pain.”
    Though he didn’t seem to get off on the deep cleaning of the
cut, he didn’t wince either as she scrubbed