Dangerously Inked (A Novella in the Dangerous series)

By Eden Bradley

Nothing drives a powerful man to his knees faster than the love of a powerful woman...

Finn Carter doesn’t do relationships.

Until one unforgettable New Year’s Even rocks his world. The gorgeous, strong-willed woman at his feet leaves him wanting more than just one scene for the first time in years.

It seems like fate when he walks into a tattoo parlor the next day, only to find her there, ready to leave her marks all over his skin.

But Rosie has her own past, her own reasons for not wanting a relationship.

And if Finn wants to win more than just Rosie’s submission, he’ll have to bare his soul, and the truth about his tortured past, in order to build something that lasts as long as the ink on their skin.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eden Bradley
• Release date: Feb 23, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310904042

Eden Bradley

New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author Eden Bradley aka Eve Berlin has written erotica and erotic romance for Berkley, Bantam, Harlequin Spice/HQN, Samhain Publishing and Black Lace, as well as indie publishing, and recently for Red Hot Romance Publishing. Her work has been called “elegant, intelligent and sensual”. Her debut novel THE DARK GARDEN was praised as “a masterpiece”, and was a Romantic Times Top Pick. More recently, her novella GIRL (Book One in The Training House Series) has repeatedly been called “phenomenal”, and BDSM author Jenna Jacob said “Nothing has touched me like this since ‘Story of O’”. Her novels and novellas have been translated into thirteen languages.As someone who has been involved in BDSM practice for much of her adult life, she relates in particular to her kink stories, infusing them with her own truth about kink practice from her life experiences. Eden speaks regularly on BDSM psychology and practice, as well as sex positive culture for women. She offers her enormously popular Empower Your Sexual Self course for women, as well as writing courses through her website.Eden loves art, shoes, tattoos, her Boston Terrier, chocolate, and reading and writing smutty books, of course, not necessarily in that order.Visit her online:Website: www.EdenBradley.com

Book preview

Dangerously Inked

Eden Bradley

Dangerously Inked

Copyright 2013 Eden Bradley

Cover Art by Scott Carpenter

Edited by D.S. Editing

Formatted by IRONHORSE Formatting

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to the publisher and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

Dedication

As always, to my dear fellow Smutketeers, R.G. Alexander and Robin L. Rotham, without whom I could never survive. Also, to my beta reader and friend, Dawn, who always comes through for me in a panicked pinch. To the amazing, magical city of New Orleans, for endless inspiration. And lastly to my puppy Voodoo, who provided comic relief when I was about to tear my hair out, as well as many cuddly naps in my lap. Love you all!

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

About Eden Bradley

Excerpt: Rogue

Chapter One

So this was The Bastille, New Orleans’ most infamous dungeon. Finn took a quick inventory of the small reception area. He’d never have guessed what the nondescript warehouse among a row of warehouses on Magazine Street hid inside. Even this small chamber was luxurious, done in a purely Bohemian style: red velvet drapes and Moroccan lamps surrounded an enormous, carved desk, two small settees covered in gold brocade were piled with embroidered pillows, and the air was sweet with incense, as exotic as the city itself. This place promised to be everything he’d heard it would be. Even as he showed his ID and paid his fee he could sense the anticipation on the other side of the door that led to into the dungeon, could feel the low beat of music reverberate through the old wood floor.

He felt at home right away.

Smiling to himself, he hefted his black leather toy bag onto his shoulder and passed through the inner door.

He blinked in the dim light. Shades of purple and red and gold cast a sensual gleam over everything, reflecting off the black lacquered walls of the enormous room that housed the main play area. It was filled with the all the traditional furnishings of kink: spanking benches, large wooden crosses and steel bondage frames, chains with spreader bars and cuffs dangling from the high ceiling. As he moved further into the space he saw the tall alcoves set into the walls here and there, where submissives stood on platforms, chained or bound by colorful rope, some gagged or blindfolded, their skin and hair coated in silver glitter that caught the light, making for sensual décor. And above him was a spectacular human chandelier of sorts—four women in chains hung face down, turning slowly on a heavy-duty hard point mounted in the ceiling, all of them glittering like those in the alcoves. Beautiful. A little insane. He loved it.

Finn, you bastard, you made it!

His friend Mick clapped him on the back and drew him into the room.

Of course I did. It’s fucking New Year’s Eve. Why would I miss it? He pulled Mick into a bear hug, squeezing hard enough that his friend took in a gasping breath.

You God damn Aussie bear. If you break me Allie will have words with you.

Finn laughed as he released him. Where is your girl, by the way?

She’s in the changing room, getting ready.

Send her my best in case I’m too busy to say hello.

We weren’t sure you could tear yourself away from all the fawning girls at your Atlanta club, Mick said, grinning as he rolled his shoulders. But I’m glad you showed up. We have business to discuss later. Not tonight, but later.

I’ll be glad enough to get to it after the evening is over—no worries, mate. You did say you had someone set up for me for tonight?

I wouldn’t let you down, would I?

Never, Finn agreed. Mick was one of his few close, trusted friends. Apart from Kenji…but he wasn’t going to think about Ken tonight. No, tonight he would celebrate the New Year the right way—a night of depravity with a beautiful girl. So? Tell me. And tell me why only the one?

Mick laughed. You and your harems. But trust me, this one is all you’ll need. She’s small, but she has crazy stamina. She’ll keep you occupied all night.

We’ll see about that, won’t we?

Finn? Mick’s tone grew more serious. She’s not one of your usual subbie girls. She won’t go down without a fight, so don’t expect it of her. But when she does…well, you’ll see.

Finn raised an eyebrow. I must admit I’m intrigued.

Come on and I’ll make the introductions.

Mick led him past the couples and groups already utilizing the play space, and he breathed in the familiar scent of leather, took in the low cries and moans beneath the ambient music. These places really were home to him, where he felt most alive. That familiar tingle was just beginning, a small, electric thrill running just under his skin. Now to see this girl his friend had spoken so highly of. Surely she couldn’t be that good…

Finn, meet Roison.

He said it as ‘Rosheen’, a good Irish name if he’d ever heard one.

He paused. Blinked. She was fucking beautiful, alright. Beyond beautiful. Tiny thing, with one of those waif-like bodies, except that her breasts were full and round, almost too large for her delicate tattoo-covered frame.

The ink was spectacular. In a roving glance, he took it in—a mantle of roses and thorns around her shoulders and collarbones, meeting in the center with a darkly, ornate cross. On one arm was a flight of doves crossing over a life-size set of rosary beads—all of it black and gray work with touches of red on the beads. A lot of finely-done script over her ribcage on one side. Amazing ink on an amazing body.

Amazing girl…

His gaze went to her gorgeous, full breasts. Her nipples were covered with two perfect ‘X’s’ done in black electrical tape, indicating a boundary, the only thing she wore other than a black lace thong. Well, he’d see about that. After he looked at her face.

Fuuuuck.

The only other word that came to mind was ‘exquisite’. Not a word he thought to use often, but hell, nothing else would do. Heart-shaped, he thought it was called, with big blue eyes—like sapphires, they were, the lashes long and dark beneath perfectly arched black brows. Her hair was black with streaks of blue running through it, falling in waves around her bare shoulders. But it was her mouth—a lush slash of red—that really got him. Made him want to kiss the lipstick off her, to suck in the soft flesh.

He went hard.

Oh, yeah, that was a good sign. Maybe Mick was right about her, after all. Because he could fucking just look at her all night.

Except that he had every intention of doing more. A lot more.

Mick elbowed him. Say hello, Finn.

He pulled himself back together in a flash. Hallo, little beauty.

Her chin came up a few notches and her nostrils flared. Her blue eyes were on fire.

Interesting.

He reached out and pulled her hand into his, felt a slight tug as if she might pull away. He gripped tighter, watching for her response. Oh yeah, there it was—that moment of resistance before she gave way. And Christ, her skin was soft as a baby’s.

Roisin, Mick prompted.

She looked up at him through a fringe of sooty lashes. A warm pit formed somewhere in his gut. Damn it if she couldn’t take him down with a few bats of those lashes.

Hello, Finn, Sir. A husky voice, deeper than he’d have expected from such a tiny woman.

He chuckled. So it’s to be ‘Sir’, is it? Did my friend Mick tell you to call me that?

He did, Sir.

He turned to Mick. Right enough. So, what else did you two discuss, my friend?

The usual pre-negotiations, Mick said. "She knows you’re vetted by me. You know she’s vetted by me. I know you