The Dom's Bride

By Sydney St. Claire

A broken-hearted bride, a Dom without a sub and Cupid’s arrow aimed and nocked.

On the day of her wedding, Emma Beckett discovers her fiancé and her best friend in bed together. Dreams crushed, she flees the hotel.

World-famous photographer, Mack Brown is a Dom who specializes in BDSM erotic art. Unfortunately, a bitter fight leaves him without his assistant and model. With an upcoming show, he’s desperate. When he comes across a stranded, sad-eyed bride, he immediately sees potential.

Emma can’t deny her instant attraction to Mack. One kiss is enough to make her forget about her broken heart. When Mack offers her a job as his assistant and model, with no strings sex as part of the deal, she’s tempted. While she’s not a submissive woman, her body craves his touch and her heart yearns to be soothed.

Can Mack ease her broken heart, or will he break it anew? Can Emma fill the void in Mack’s life and chase away the darkness that haunts his nights?

The Dom’s Bride is the first book in Cupid’s Cove, a new series by Sydney St. Claire, author of the Once Upon A Dom erotica series. If you like hot romance with lots of sex and spice, you’ll love Sydney’s newest series.

Check out The Dom’s Bride today and be prepared to experience the magic of Cupid’s Cove

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Edwards
• Release date: Feb 14, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370981618

Sydney St. Claire

Sydney St. Claire is the pen name of best-selling romance author Susan Edwards. Writing erotica romances as Sydney, she takes her readers into the sensual world of erotica where her characters come together in explosive passion as they solve life’s problems and find true love along with the best sex our hero and heroine have ever experienced.Her popular, Once Upon A Dom series, is a whole new take on fairy tales and her newest series, The Doms of Cupid's Cove, is set in a small, Californian coastal town. She loves writing and sharing stories of love, hope, happiness and dreams coming true with her readers. She credits her mother for her writing success. Encouraged to read as a child, she always preferred happy endings which meant romances were her favorite genre. Visit her website at http://sydneystclaire.com to check out her books and some fun trailers. Sign up for her private mailing list and be among the first to receive news about upcoming releases. Sydney loves to interact with readers on various social sites. Find Sydney at the following:Email: [e-mail]: http://sydneystclaire.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/SydneystclaireFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sydneystclaireBlog: http://www.sydneystclaire.com/blog/Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/sydneystclairePinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sydneystclaire/

Book preview

The Dom’s Bride

By

Sydney St. Claire

Copyright 2017 Sydney St. Claire

Distributed by Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental and not intended by the author. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations used in critical articles or reviews.

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. All rights reserved. This e-book 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 recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Dedication

Books by Sydney St. Claire

Praise for Sydney St. Claire

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

About Sydney St. Claire

Dedication

This book is dedicated to all those wonderful people who teach a love of reading by example: parents, teachers, and readers. Readers of all ages, all genres, give a writer’s words and world life. Without treasured readers, our creations would forever just be voices in our heads…

Dear Readers,

I am pleased to offer this new series, The Doms of Cupid’s Cove, where falling in lust leads to true love. Visit my website: http://sydneystclaire.com and sign up for my private book announcement list to receive news of future book releases.

Happy Reading

Sydney

Books by Sydney St. Claire

Once Upon a Dom Series

Cinderella & Prince Dom

Red & Her Big Bad Dom

Snow & Her Huntsman

Beauty Submits to Her Beast

Rapunzel Gets Her Dom

Wendy & Captain Dom -- 2017

Other Novellas

You’re Tops (A Candy Heart Romance)

The Doms of Cupid’s Cove

The Dom’s Bride

Coming 2017

Wendy & Prince Dom (Once Upon a Dom, Book 6)

The Dom’s of Cupid’s Cove, Book 2 (No title yet)

PRAISE FOR SYDNEY ST. CLAIRE

CINDERELLA & PRINCE DOM

Those of you who were introduced to BDSM with Fifty Shades, please read this. THIS, is how it is supposed to work. ~Geneva Handleman, Romance Authors That Rock

~

…sex scenes are searing. I loved how they incorporated fairy tales into the story. Overall, this was an amazing book. ~Victoria, Cocktails & Books

~

RED & HER BIG BAD DOM

"*thud* *head desk* *faints*

Yep, that’s Harlie after reading this one. Damn, I thought my Kindle would combust. Literally… You will need a cold drink, your partner, or a cold shower..."

~Marika Weber, Harlies Books

~

Instead of treating BDSM like just another man-controlswoman-for-his-pleasure encounter, author Sydney St. Claire really gets it that it’s always a matter of give and take, of dominance and submission wrestling for control, even as the Dom is ostensibly the one wielding the power.

~Laura Roberts, Buttontapper Press

~

SNOW & HER HUNTSMAN

I absolutely adore this series. If you are looking for something extra hot with intriguing story lines, this series is a must-read. ~Nulery, Books N Pearls

~

…an absolutely wonderful mix of the BDSM/kink and the lovey-dovey stuff that saps like me enjoy reading about ~Lauren Seiberling, Romance Novel Giveaways

~

BEAUTY SUBMITS TO HER BEAST

Loved it. Loved it. LOVED IT!!! It was extremely well written and the sex scenes were hotter than the equator without air conditioning. Damon was a very sexy, alpha Dom, who had demons to deal with, including both physical limitations and PTSD that made him feel unworthy of Caitlin. As always, there's a HEA, but getting there takes some work, and that's where Ms. St. Claire truly shined in this book. ~Knotty Girl Reviews

~

RAPUNZEL GETS HER DOM

…the sexual scenes in this book are just... holy moly!

~Dawn West Up Till Dawn Book Blog

~

YOU’RE TOPS

This story was as smoking HOT as it was sweet and touching.

~Lauren Seiberling, Romance Novel Giveaways

Chapter One

Emma Beckett finished adjusting her veil, checked her makeup, and gave in to girlish giddiness. Giggling, she danced and twirled her way across the room, holding her full, white skirt out to the sides to avoid tripping. A glance at the bedside clock confirmed it was nearly time to leave for the church, conveniently located next to the hotel.

She sighed, pressed her palms to her heart. One hour, five minutes, and she’d be Emma Sanders. She smiled and laughed, happy beyond measure. She and Brad had been an item forever—since their junior year in high school. On their tenth anniversary, they decided it was past time to get married. Although they’d lived together for the last six years, marriage somehow made everything feel new and fresh. Things would be different once they were truly committed instead of just drifting.

She glanced out the window, her gaze seeking and finding the house on the cliff. Lover’s Leap, the inn where she’d spend the first two nights of her honeymoon before flying to Hawaii for three glorious weeks with her new husband. According to local lore, the place was haunted by a love-crossed bride who’d jumped to her death on the rocks below. Emma shook her head. No guy is worth dying over, she mused.

Putting the romantic evening ahead from her mind, she focused on the here and now. Mentally, she checked off the items on her list: something blue. She lifted her gown, adjusted the baby-blue garter around her thigh. Something old. Her fingers stroked the pearl pendant that had belonged to her mother.

Something borrowed. Shoot! Where was the bracelet Gina had loaned her? She searched her room. Not there. A quick search of her small, white, beaded bag revealed tissues, makeup, and car keys. Oh yeah. Need to give them to Gina.

Emma had arranged for her best friend since third grade to drive her car back to San Francisco after the reception. Frowning when she didn’t find the bracelet, she smacked her forehead.

Ugh. It’s in Brad’s room. She’d spent the night with him, as she had every night since they’d moved in together. But she had her own room to allow her to dress for her special day. The next time Brad saw her, she’d be walking down the aisle.

Hands on hips, she considered her options. Was he still in his room? If so, he could drop it off. And risk him seeing her? No, better to call Gina on her cell. Her matron of honor had been called away to deal with a last minute issue with the reception. Emma dismissed that idea. It seemed silly to ask her friend to run back to the hotel for something so minor.

Emma checked her cellphone, noted the time of Brad’s text message letting her know he was heading to the church. Fifteen minutes ago. Heaving a sigh, she used the phone beside the bed to call his room. It rang and rang. Relieved when it an automated voicemail asked her to leave a message, she hung up. Good. Coast is clear.

She shoved her keycard into her clutch, snagged Brad’s room key off the dresser, and hurried out into the hall. Okay, nip in, fetch Gina’s bracelet, and make sure he’s packed. Then she’d head to the church. An older couple strolled hand in hand toward her. She grinned and wondered if they’d been married for forty years, or were embarking on new love.

Cupid’s Cove was the perfect romantic getaway, and according to the hotel staff and stack of touristy brochures she’d collected, the small, coastal town was a honeymoon destination. She giggled. How could it not with names like Cupid’s Cove, Lover’s Leap, Lover’s Lookout, and a bar name Lucky ‘N Love? Another giddy rush soared through her, tempting her to dance her way down the hall. But with four inch heels, she’d probably trip, rip her gown or break an ankle, so she walked quickly, holding her skirt up off the worn carpeted hall.

Frowning, she hoped Gina wasn’t encountering any serious complications with the catering. With her mind on the reception, she dipped the card key into the slot on the door. A flash of green, a click, and she dashed inside.

And froze at the sight of Brad fucking Gina in the bed Emma had left hours before. The pair of cheaters were so engrossed in their game of tonsil hockey, mattress bouncing and a contest to see who was the loudest, neither heard her enter.

Emma staggered back as their voices rose, the air filled with grunts and moans that morphed into low, male shouts, and higher pitched female screams. What the hell? Emma’s shocked and horrified cry, as shrill as shattering glass, broke through the haze surrounding the lovers nearing their peaks.

Brad, with Gina’s legs gripping his hips, whipped his head around. Emma! He disentangled himself, flopped over onto his back with his dick waving like a flagless pole. Gina cried out, grabbed the sheet, and pulled it across her naked body.

Horror skittered up and down Emma’s spine. She shivered as an icy coldness left her feeling numb and unable to move. This wasn’t happening! Not on her wedding day. Not with her two best friends. Shock gave way to despair and pain so deep, her knees nearly buckled. How could you? She whispered the words, her gaze flitting from one to the other.

Brad stumbled out of bed and grabbed his trousers. His erect cock slapped against his belly, the condom he’d used slick. Running his hands through his sandy-blond hair, he hobbled forward, wincing as he tried to zip his pants. Emma—baby—wait. I can explain.

She blinked her tears away and shook her head in denial. Explain what? Her throat closed, leaving her unable to speak. Her chest ached, and her heart shattered into a million shards. Yet she squared her shoulders, even though she wanted nothing more than to crumple into a heap of white lace and satin on the carpet at his feet and bawl her eyes out.

There’s no explanation for this. To her relief, her voice sounded whip-hard. How long have you been fucking her?

Emma, Gina began, swinging her legs over the edge of the mattress. I’m so sorry. It just—happened. We fell in love.

Fell in love? The words were an angry buzz. You’re married, she shouted.

Gina’s gaze met hers. You know how it is with me and Jake, Em. He’s always working and never has time for me. I don’t love him anymore.

Emma gaped at the other woman who didn’t appear the least bit sorry. Or guilty. "There is something called a divorce," she said.

It’s complicated. Gina’s voice turned sulky.

Unable to believe her ears, Emma advanced, hands clenched in fists. Her best friend was actually trying to justify her actions. So fucking what? That makes it okay steal my fiancé? She crossed her arms across her chest and glared at Brad. If you didn’t love me anymore, you should have told me. She tried to keep her voice from breaking.

Brad reached out to touch her. I do love you, Emma, he began. This was the last time.

Emma’s jaw dropped. She held out a hand and backed away. "The last time? She shrieked the words. How long have the two of you been fucking behind my back?"

He didn’t meet her accusing gaze. I would have been faithful once we married, he muttered. He shoved his hands in his pockets. I promise, it won’t happen again.

A bark of disbelieving laughter escaped. Emma shook her head. You got that right, you bastard. It took ten years for you to finally commit to the next sixty, yet you couldn’t even hold out for sixty minutes on our wedding day? One fucking hour to tie that forever knot! Well guess what? You’re welcome to Gina or anyone else you decide to fuck. As far as I’m concerned, the two of you deserve each other. You’re both fucking cheaters, and I never want to see either of you again.

She picked up her skirts, ran from the room, ignoring Brad’s frantic shouts behind her.

#

Erotic photographer Mack Brown strode