Taking Courage

By S.J. Maylee

Janna’s ready to make over her life and get out from under the controlling thumb of her father. She doesn’t want another failed arranged marriage. She’s ready to do whatever it takes for the career she wants, enter the lifestyle she craves, and to earn the trust and love of the man that has captured her heart—but heartbreak and career hiccups seem to be her destiny.

Simon’s still recovering after his last submissive lied her way into his life. He’s not ready for Janna and how she pushes against his prejudices. He needs to decide if he’s willing to lose her or if he’ll fight for her love and submission.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evernight Publishing
• Release date: Jun 13, 2014
• ISBN: 9781771308755

Book preview

Published by Evernight Publishing at Smashwords

www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2014 S.J. Maylee

ISBN: 978-1-77130-875-5

Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs

Editor: Karyn White

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION

To my husband and sons, you three give me courage and love daily. I’d be lost without you. I love you all so much.

To Anne, thank you for lighting the way for me to see the whole story. Your help was priceless.

To Karyn, you did it again! For the second time, you sparked the idea that led to an epilogue. Thank you for your wise advice.

TAKING COURAGE

Love Projects, 2

S.J. Maylee

Copyright © 2014

Chapter One

They were expecting her. Janna picked up her pace. She could almost see the club entrance. It was her last night in Chicago, and this time she was going in.

The dark entryway with no markings appeared innocent. She knew what went on behind the black doors and what it took to get through them. She'd visited her doctor, obtained a referral from an online friend, and mailed the guest paperwork. This was not the time to second guess her actions. She'd save that for the flight home tomorrow.

She pulled the heavy door open. No sound greeted her, nor could she see what lay ahead. The hall was dark as night, and she hesitated. Her heart kicked into high gear. The door shut behind her and thrust her forward a step. Her hand reached out tentatively. Soft velvet knocked into her knuckles. She pushed it away and found the soft glow of the foyer.

The rich ruby red of the fabrics and sconces along the wall drew her gaze to the grand staircase at the end of the entryway. A large bear of a man behind a podium spotted her immediately in the otherwise empty room. He kept his gaze on her as she crept closer.

State your purpose.

Ah ... I'm supposed to be a guest tonight. I sent my paperwork. She shuffled through her purse for her confirmation. Yes, here it is. She handed the paper to the man.

The curtain behind her at the front door billowed, and a leather clad man walked towards her. She forced her line of sight back to the man in front of her and flipped her long blonde tresses behind her shoulder.

Yes, sure, Mistress Charlie mentioned you'd be coming. He scrutinized her confirmation. I’ll be right with you, Master Simon.

The man stopped next to her, and her ability to play cool faltered. A Master. She took a deep breath and drank him in, starting with his dark boots of luscious black leather. Her gaze took the scenic route along his legs, drank in his firm body, to his broad chest encased in a casual black shirt.

Can I see your ID?

She continued her perusal of the Master and found the hard angle of his jaw and stopped at his striking green eyes, which were set directly on her. She couldn’t move. With his look alone, he commanded her attention.

Miss, your ID, please.

Sorry, of course. She yanked her thoughts back to her situation and into her purse. Heat flashed across her cheeks, and her fingers tripped over themselves. Finally, she pulled the card from the tight inside pocket and passed it to the man.

He pulled her ID down to her paperwork, clearly comparing the two. He looked up at her a few times and back at the ID. Her gaze drifted back to the Master next to her. He was still watching her.

Very good. He handed the ID back to her, and she slipped it back into her purse. Mistress Charlie wanted to escort you into the club, but she's busy with a collaring ceremony at the moment. She asked me to give you this if you arrived before she was finished. He handed her a folded note.

The hand writing was crisp, but the statement was tender—the two qualities she'd come to recognize in Charlie. She read the simple message again. You’re ready, my dear. The only thing you need to remember is to be open and honest.

You'll need to wait here for an escort, unless Master Simon has time to escort you tonight.

She shoved the note into her purse before it shook and announced her nerves. Her heart stopped mid-beat, and she bunched her toes inside her shoes. He was a Master. He'd be perfect. It's okay if he says no. His wife or girlfriend could be waiting inside. A rejection from a stranger meant nothing. Nothing.

Sure, I can take her in. What's your name, Miss? His strong tone rumbled over her senses.

She tugged on her purse strap, like it was a lifeline. She wanted to know more about this man standing next to her, pulling all of her attention. She wanted to find out how soft his skin was under that shirt and how warm and hard his chest was, too. Seconds continued to tick by as her nerves danced away with her ability to speak.

He didn’t move while she examined him. He hadn't re-asked the question or stepped closer.

I'm Janna.

Nice to meet you, Janna. You look beautiful this evening.

Thank you, Sir.

Will you allow me to escort you this evening?

Thank you. I’d like that, Sir.

Master Simon walked around her and started up the broad staircase. She looked back at the man that had greeted her. He tilted his head toward Simon, and she scurried to catch him.

This time she would not back down. No more questions, no more thinking. She’d promised herself two months ago, when she got the opportunity to attend the conference in Chicago, that she would walk into this club. No more wondering. Tonight, she would find out if she truly desired what she had so often read and had chatted about online.

The landing at the top of the stairs revealed a bulky set of wooden double doors. Simon stood waiting for her like a gatekeeper to the lands of all things erotic. Her pulse thumped in her ears, and a cold sweat tickled between her breasts. He opened the door and held it for her.

Welcome to Club Voyage, Janna.

Thank you, Sir. She took a couple steps to get her through the doorway. The smells hit her first, leather, sweat, and sex. Club music, with a heavy bass, beat against her body. She stopped and waited for Master Simon to walk around her and lead her into the room.

Her gazed centered on his lower back and his fine ass. He stopped, turned back to her, and most certainly caught her checking him out. Warmth gathered in the center of her chest and spread.

You need to stay close to me this evening. He reached out and grasped her shoulder. His fingers caressed in a gentle motion. Close enough for me to touch, okay?

Okay. I like the sound of that, Sir.

Take a look around the room. Notice the different sections, the ropes that cordon off the play areas, the signs at each station. He walked around her, took her hand, and pulled her further into the room. Along with my Master duties here, I’m also a trainer. Feel free to ask me any questions.

Thank you, Sir.

The darkness of the room did nothing to hide the decadence. Couples gyrating on the dance floor caught her attention first with their beautiful imitation of sex. Smacks of paddles, whooshes of whips, and bodies meeting filled the room with sound. Her eyes, wide with trepidation and exhilaration, located the nearest scene.

She turned to Master Simon. Can I take a closer look?

Absolutely, show me what interests you.

Her feet found their way.

A woman knelt before her Dom with her eyes focused on him alone. Her hands were bound behind her back. Janna melted in want. The man thrust his cock in and out of her mouth, his control clear. Heat pooled between Janna's legs, and her breasts tingled with desire.

She licked her lips and turned to Master Simon, who was watching her. His hands may be casually tucked into the front pocket of his pants, but his eyes had turned to a darker shade of green. Her nipples tightened. She couldn’t tell what was pulling her into the moment more, the beautiful scenes around her or the observant Master at her side.

She could see why her friends in the chat rooms called the attention of a Dom addictive. All the scenes she’d read hadn’t prepared her for the power of his look. It was beautiful. It was true. She had to know more.

She wanted a man to want to dominate her. She wanted this man to dominate her.

You like what you see.

Yes, it’s breathtaking.

Are you new in town?

I'm here for one more night. I wanted to see what the Chicago club had to offer. The last thing she wanted was for him to think she wasn't ready or that she was unworthy of his attention.

I'm free all night if you have questions or if you want to scene before you go home.

Thank you, Sir. It’s been a stressful couple of weeks. I could use the release found within a scene. The pounding in her chest threatened to escape, but