Breaking Free

MASTERS OF THE SHADOWLANDS, BOOK 3

A sadistic husband left Beth scarred, inside and out. Only at the Shadowlands BDSM club does she feel like a woman. But her fears limit her to Doms who won’t overwhelm her—the very ones who cannot arouse her. The Master of the Shadowlands gives her an ultimatum: accept the Dom he assigns or lose her membership. The last thing Beth wants is a ruthless, powerful Dom, but that’s just what she gets.

Asked to take on a problem sub, Nolan sees the issue immediately—although truly submissive, the little redhead is too scared to relinquish control and her Doms have let her get away with it. That will change right now.

As Master Nolan takes Beth under command, compelling her submission, she’s terrified, but the experienced Dom brings her pleasure, not pain. His only demand is that she never lie to him. Under his capable hands, her body comes alive, and she begins to heal. As he pushes her limits, she learns to trust…and then to love. And she realizes he is beginning to care for her in return.

But now her cruel husband has found her, and Master Nolan discovers she’s been lying and lying and lying.

PRAISE FOR THIS SERIES

"Breaking Free is an incredible story; it engaged my emotions, captured my interest, brought a blush to my cheeks, and left me a supremely satisfied reader. Joyfully Recommended!" ~Shayna from Joyfully Reviewed

Fallen Angel Reviews gives Breaking Free 5 Angels and says: "This third book of the series was just as erotically and emotionally compelling as the previous book. …Ms. Sinclair has proved to me that she is a master at writing, drawing her readers in and keeping their attention throughout her story with realistic people in realistic situations and flowing descriptions making everything seem more like a movie than a book."

Five Delightful Divas from Dark Divas Reviews. Jen says: "Breaking Free is one wild ride! The action doesn’t let up from beginning to end, compelling you to turn page after page to find out what happens next. What excellent and creative characters Cherise Sinclair has developed in her Shadowlands series."

5 Stars and an (O)rgasmic heat level from Stefani Clayton of Just Erotic Romance Reviews who says: "Breaking Free took me on an emotional rollercoaster, and I loved it! This is an exceptionally well thought out story with all the kinky sexual scenes that you expect but with very serious undertones, I highly recommend Breaking Free."

Shannon from The Romance Studio gives Breaking Free 5 Hearts and says: "Cherise Sinclair showcases her talent for taking her readers on a sensual journey of delights and dark taboos opening their eyes to the compelling and intriguing world of the Masters of the Shadowlands. The tightly wound and riveting plot will have the reader’s heart pounding with its dramatic, emotional, and passionate edge. This is a must read story!"

Excerpt

Fear ran through her. Why had Z sent Patrick away? And why was that other Dom here?

Master Z studied her, then lips compressed; he shook his head. “Beth, I fear the Shadowlands is not the best place for you. I think—”

“No!” Horror rolled through her. He would kick her out? Cancel her membership? She’d have nowhere to go except the Tampa clubs where no one would watch out for her. She would have no real safety, would never be able to relax knowing Kyler could walk in at any time. Stupid to need this so much, but she did. “No, please, Master Z.” She yanked at her cuffs, wanting to drop to her knees before him. “I…whatever you want, I’ll do. Beat me if you need to—” Beat her? Just the idea strangled the voice in her throat. “No…I mean…”

He stepped closer, cupped her face with his hand. “Little one, you are not getting what you need here. I suppose we can try one more time, but you’d have to actually cooperate and give up some control. Can you do that?”

“I will. I promise, Sir.” Maybe she didn’t get everything she wanted from coming here, but it helped. Helped ease the stranglehold the coldness inside had over her emotions, kept it from growing and taking over her life.

“Then this is what will happen.” He nodded to the sinister man standing to one side. Beth glanced at him, met unwavering dark eyes. His gaze captured hers, pinned her in place. She stared at him, barely breathing, before ripping her eyes away.

“Master Nolan will be your Dom tonight and in the future,” Z said. “As long as he is willing to top you, you may remain. If he gives up, I’ll terminate your membership immediately.”

Have that Dom top her? Take her under command? Panic filled her as her carefully built world cracked, splintering like antique glass. “Master Z, please.” She dropped her voice to a whisper. “Please don’t do this. I don’t like him. It can’t—”

“Have you met him?”

She shook her head.

“Beth,” Master Z said quietly, “I’ve known Master Nolan for years. I trust him. What’s more to the point, I trust him with you.” He tilted his head and waited for her answer.

Beth’s breath hitched. Master Z didn’t threaten; everyone knew that. It was one of the things that made him such an effective Dom. So either take the cruel-looking Dom at his side or leave forever. “I’ll try, sir,” she whispered, although her insides shook.

“Excellent.” Master Z stepped back. “Nolan, your sub, Elizabeth.”

She looked at the Dom. Everything about him seemed hard. Mean. At least six feet tall, broad shouldered, thickly muscled. His darkly tanned face was the reddish-bronze of Native American ancestry. His eyes were black. Reaching his upper back, straight coal-colored hair, exactly as long as hers, had been tied with a leather band. A long white scar ran over his left cheekbone. She winced, knowing exactly how that must have felt.

His menacing gaze ran over her slowly, inch by inch. He didn’t miss anything; his eyes lingered on her scars, her breasts, her legs. At least she still had on some clothes, was all she could think. What would he do to her? If he whipped her, she’d leave. She’d have to leave. She bit her lip to hide its tremble.

“Physical problems?” he asked Master Z.

“None. Her medical forms state she’s in good shape.” Master Z gave her a fleeting smile and simply walked away, leaving her with this stranger.

“Spread your legs,” he snapped, and she did, the panic wrapping around her and filling her head. He brushed a hand across her pussy, through the red curls, and grunted when his hand came back dry. He looked…brutal.

Kyler was elegant, slim and smooth, and a monster. How much worse would this man be? A tremor ran through her.

He saw her reaction immediately; she had a feeling nothing escaped those piercing eyes. The authority and power that radiated from him demanded submission, and she dropped her eyes.

This was an experienced Dom, the type she avoided.

“Your safe word is red. If I think you’re using it before you need to, I will stop immediately, and we will be done permanently.” His deep voice sounded like gravel being poured out of a truck, his words taking on the impact of boulders striking the earth. Her shoulders tried to hunch, to prepare for the pain.

“You may use yellow. I will take it into consideration and may or may not stop. Look at me now.” His eyes were cold, empty as a starless night. “Do you understand?”

“Yes, Sir.” The quaking increased, expanding from her stomach and into her chest. She tried to ignore it. She could do this. She was in the Shadowlands, and there were people everywhere. They weren’t alone.

“You may address me as Master, Master Nolan, or Sir.” His lips twitched. “My Liege or Sire will work occasionally if you’re trying really hard to suck up.”

“Yes, Sir.” A joke…or not? She couldn’t tell, and that realization scared her to death. At one time, her survival had depended on the ability to read every nuance in a voice, every expression in a face. He gave her nothing.

“If I institute high protocol, you will keep your eyes lowered and speak only when permitted. However, during a scene I want your eyes on me.” He tilted her chin up, met her eyes in a look that seared straight down to her toes. “You have pretty eyes, Elizabeth. Keep them on me.”

A compliment? The flash of pleasure at his words disappeared as the sound of her full name engulfed her in the memory of Kyler and how his voice would thicken with anticipation. “Elizabeth, you didn’t… Elizabeth, you forgot… Elizabeth…” She cringed.

Master Nolan’s eyes narrowed, the pressure of his fingers increasing on her chin. “Your eyes,” he said. A pause. “Pretty.” A pause. “Elizabeth.”

She didn’t move when he said her name, she knew she didn’t, but his head tilted slightly before he asked, “What would you prefer to be called?”

“Beth. Please call me Beth, Sir.” Would he do that or would he prefer to punish her with her given name?

He nodded and released her. When he stepped back, she managed to pull in a breath.

“Normally we would discuss your limits, wants, and needs at this point in time.” He glanced at her hard limit paper, tore it in half, and dropped the pieces on the floor. “The normal procedure obviously hasn’t worked out for you.” He lifted his eyebrows and waited.

No, no, no. She bit back the words. Took a breath. Another. Unable to speak, she managed a nod.

“My job is to give you what you need. We may not agree, so until I know you better, I will not gag you. What is your safe word?”

“Red, Sir,” she whispered, the tremors spreading to her legs.

“Very good.” He ran a finger down her face, his touch warm on her chilled skin. Grasping her hair in one big hand, he tilted her head back to take her mouth, not permitting any movement, and yet she didn’t receive the crushing kiss she’d expected. Instead, his firm lips teased her mouth, and his tongue brushed over her lips until she opened.

He kissed her slowly, thoroughly, as if he had no plans to do anything else. Ever.

Pleasure fizzed through her like a shaken-up soda.

When he finally drew back, her lips burned and her head spun. No one had kissed her like that since…since high school when she and Danny parked his car and would kiss all night. After a second, she blinked back to reality and realized in amazement that she’d forgotten her fear for that time.

His intense gaze focused on her face. “You kiss well, sugar.”

She had a second of delight from the compliment.

He ran a finger down her cheek. And then his hand continued down her neck, her chest. His fingers slowed at the whip marks, and a flash of anger appeared in his eyes.

When he stroked along the swell of her breasts, she stiffened. Would he touch her below now? Was he planning to whip her? She couldn’t…

His fingers opened the front of her corset, tiny hook by tiny hook.

“No.” The word escaped. She’d been naked before, but he was different from the other Doms.

One eyebrow raised, and his gaze stabbed her to silence. The corset dropped onto the wood floor.

MORE FROM THIS SERIES