Burned

By Jennifer Leeland

Lee Sidle moved to another state for a good reason. To escape a BDSM relationship gone horribly wrong. But she’s a submissive down to her bones, and when a sexy Dom offers her thirty days, her fear wars with her needs. She might accept, but she’ll never surrender.

David Peters is used to healing the broken, and Lee needs his confident touch. He doesn’t expect to learn any lessons himself, yet this submissive tests him in ways he never anticipated. When her past comes back to haunt her, his one desire is to ride to the rescue. Instead, David and Lee discover her survival lies in her discovery she won't be burned ever again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jennifer Leeland
• Release date: May 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370358670

Jennifer Leeland

New York Times best selling author Jennifer Leeland has been telling stories since she was very young. Most people were so small minded as to call it lying until she was able to put her stories on paper. Now they call it fiction.To know what she writes, you have to know that the first question she asks about a book or movie is "Does it have a happy ending?". If it doesn't, she's not interested. Her love of kinky people and kinky stuff has led her to write about relationships that are slightly bent and probably flawed. You can always count on two things with a Jennifer Leeland book: angst and kink.She lives with a Redneck, who loves to brainstorm with her on occasion and her two hulking teenagers in the Northern California Boonies. She is also a moderator for the award winning writer's forum Romance Divas where I've been a member since 2006.To learn more you can go to http://jenniferleeland.com

Book preview

Burned

by

Jennifer Leeland

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Burned

COPYRIGHT © 2009, 2016 by Jennifer Leeland

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

DEDICATION

To my editor Diana Carlile, who continues to help me grow as a writer.

To Elaina Huntley, who gives me great feedback on my writing.

To Crystal Jordan, Dayna Hart and Loribelle Hunt, who support me every day through the whining, the excitement and the struggle of writing.

To my family, who all understand that edits mean leave poor Mommy alone.

And finally, to my readers, who have given me encouragement.

I love to hear from you.

PRAISE FOR AUTHOR

JENNIFER LEELAND

AND HER BOOKS

MASKED

MASKED is an unusual representation of the BDSM lifestyle, but I found it fascinating...complex and I saw it as a wonderful story of healing and new beginnings. I highly recommend it!

~Chamomile, Whipped Cream Reviews

STRIPPED

Ms. Leeland gave me a thrilling tale of love and a lifestyle that kept me on the edge of my seat.

~Hibiscus, Whipped Cream Reviews

"STRIPPED is another great romance from a rising star in the D/s genre by Jennifer Leeland...

"Ms. Leeland has penned another winner in STRIPPED and has garnered a spot within a rare number of authors I consider must-buys in the D/s genre.

~Victoria, TwoLips Reviews

Chapter One

There he was again.

Lee Sidle shot a covert glance at the corner booth. The bar wasn’t as busy this Friday night as the previous four. But he was here, just as he had been that first night and every Friday night since.

She knew exactly what he represented, too. The blond, suave good looks didn’t fool her. There was something about him she’d immediately picked up. Maybe it was the way his gaze swept the room or the way his voice carried in the bar when he ordered. He was a male dom. No question about it. He and his friends didn’t wear leather or carry floggers, but to her, their energy was clear.

After all, until two months ago, she’d been a part of that lifestyle. The move to Humboldt County had been to get away from it. At forty, the thought of starting over would be difficult, but the hurt and betrayal of the past year had become too much and she’d run. And though only one man had caused her pain, she blamed them all. Those she had called friend became strangers. It had been devastating. Being a submissive was not just a sexual choice for her. It had been her whole identity.

So she’d moved away, started over, shed her old life like a dead snake skin. But underneath, she knew who and what she really was. The man in the corner knew it, too.

And tonight, he was alone.

The music from the live band played alternative rock, but the noise level didn’t affect the connection she felt with him. His steel gray gaze locked on hers, and she struggled to escape. She resisted the urge to wipe her damp palms on her skirt and took a deep breath to slow her erratic pulse.

A month ago he’d been here, just like tonight, alone and relaxed. She’d glanced his way several times and noted the way he stared at her, his expression hungry. She’d ignored him, put distance between them, but he only gave her a knowing smile. They never spoke, yet, they had communicated a wealth of information.

Every Friday night she berated herself for coming back to BC’s, the downtown bar where the clientele was a little older without being snooty. However, here she sat, drinking Crown Royal and Coke in small amounts as she enjoyed the music.

Lee caught her reflection in the bar mirror. Dark, curly black hair tumbled over her shoulders in an unruly mess. Her makeup was understated, almost boring, but it brought out the gold in her hazel eyes. Tonight she wore a burgundy blouse and a black mini skirt with her thigh-high leather boots. The boots added about three inches to her solid five-six frame, and she liked the appearance of control they gave her.

It was all a lie.

Deep down, Lee wanted to lose control, hand it over, be completely controlled by another. If only she could stamp out the need to submit to another person in the bedroom, her life would be simpler. Tears pricked her eyes. She couldn’t let them fall. Her makeup would run.

May I buy you another drink? Her gaze jerked to the man standing next to her. It was him. Stumbling off the bar stool, she backed away. I—no. Please, I—

Fear closed Lee’s throat as she whirled toward the door. The room suffocated her. She had to get out. Had to get away. She burst through the door and sprinted for her car.

She couldn’t do it again. She couldn’t allow another dominant to control her. All that was over.

****

David Peters frowned as the woman careened out the door. Obviously, she was frightened. Not of men, but of him in particular. As a man who was known for his charm, David wasn’t used to terrifying women. Well, not unless they needed it.

The bartender picked up her glass. She wasn’t interested, huh?

It was much more than that, David said, more to himself than the man behind the bar. She knew exactly what I was, and it scared her.

She’s new in town. From Las Vegas, so I understand. Jack wiped the counter and smirked. It’s nice to see one who doesn’t fall in line for you.

David glared at the bartender. So glad I could entertain you.

It’s not often I get to see you strike out, Peters. Let me enjoy it.

It’s not often I run into fear like that. He threw some money on the bar. I’ll see her again. You’ll see. She needs me.

The bartender shook his head. You’ve got the biggest ego I’ve ever seen.

David snorted. I doubt that. He sighed as he always did when trying to explain things to vanilla people. It’s not ego. She does need me or someone like me. He stared at the door as if willing her to come back through it. He’d have to wait a whole week to see her again. That bothered him. Annoyed him.

Worried him.

He shoved the thought away. Of course, he wasn’t worried about a woman he didn’t even know. How could he be? She was just another soul who needed the one thing he offered. Sanctuary.

Well, good luck. The bartender’s smile grew faint. That lady has baggage.

Don’t we all, David said softly. Don’t we all. He said goodnight and strode out the bar doors.

The night air was fresh and clean as the summer fog moved in to cover the bay. BC’s was right on the waterfront, and the lights from the bridge over the Humboldt Bay cast an