Nights in White Satin

By Adrianna Dane

Celine Valentini had found some measure of acceptance in her solitary life until the arrival of an unexpected, handsome visitor. He informs her that her grandfather is ill and he’s there to escort her back to him–and to the circus family she’d fled seven years earlier. Once a talented member of The Flying Valentinis, she must now face not only her fear of returning to the trapeze, but also the man who’d callously dismissed her love. Passionate, heartbreaking memories of her knight in white satin are the real reason she’s never been able to return.

Peter Cortland, running from the tragic loss, first of his child, then his wife, found solace and some sense of peace behind the painted white facade of a clown, the presence of one lone teardrop the only outward evidence of the heavy sorrow he carried inside. Undeniably drawn to the vibrant and beautiful aerial performer, when a terrible accident almost takes her life, in a desperate act of self-preservation he forces her out of his heart. It’s taken seven years for him to come to terms with his tragedies and now he wants another chance at the love he threw away all those years ago.

Beneath the Big Top, surrounded by the scent of sawdust, greasepaints, and the glittering energy of the center ring, can Celine and Peter face their inner fears and reclaim what they’ve lost? Five years ago it wasn’t an accident that almost killed Celine. Will a jealous, unbalanced rage rooted in the past again rear its ugly head, only this time to succeed in causing Celine’s destruction?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dream Romantic Unlimited LLC
• Release date: Mar 6, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370411436

Adrianna Dane

Adrianna Dane has been putting pen to paper since the age of ten. She currently resides in the state of Washington. She has a great fondness for using a fountain pen when writing her first drafts. Hobby interests are varied, including photography and traveling. The first defining love story Adrianna read back in junior high school was "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte, and that set her on the road to her long-standing love affair with books of all genres. Her inspiration in writing often can be found by listening to song lyrics, from hard rock to classical, and reading poetry by such poets as Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Edgar Allen Poe, and Ranier Maria Rilke. But finding inspiration for her stories truly has no boundaries for Adrianna. In 2006, her dark fantasy GLBT story, Body Parts, won its category in the Dream Realm Awards. Adrianna has written more than 100 stories, short, novella, and novel length, delving into many facets of the human condition - contemporary, futuristic, and fantasy, and all the flavors therein and in between. In other words, wherever the story and the characters, as well as their intricate stories, take her imagination, then her pen and/or computer keyboard, are sure to follow.

Book preview

Celine Valentini had found some measure of acceptance in her solitary life until the arrival of an unexpected, handsome visitor. He informs her that her grandfather is ill and he’s there to escort her back to him–and to the circus family she’d fled seven years earlier. Once a talented member of The Flying Valentinis, she must now face not only her fear of returning to the trapeze, but also the man who’d callously dismissed her love. Passionate, heartbreaking memories of her knight in white satin are the real reason she’s never been able to return.

Peter Cortland, running from the tragic loss, first of his child, then his wife, found solace and some sense of peace behind the painted white facade of a clown, the presence of one lone teardrop the only outward evidence of the heavy sorrow he carried inside. Undeniably drawn to the vibrant and beautiful aerial performer, when a terrible accident almost takes her life, in a desperate act of self-preservation he forces her out of his heart. It’s taken seven years for him to come to terms with his tragedies and now he wants another chance at the love he threw away all those years ago.

Beneath the Big Top, surrounded by the scent of sawdust, greasepaints, and the glittering energy of the center ring, can Celine and Peter face their inner fears and reclaim what they’ve lost? Five years ago it wasn’t an accident that almost killed Celine. Will a jealous, unbalanced rage rooted in the past again rear its ugly head, only this time to succeed in causing Celine’s destruction?

This story is a work of original fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author's imagination, or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the author.

This book remains the copyrighted property of the author.

Smashwords Edition License Notes

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 recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Copyright 2017 by Adrianna Dane

Cover Art Designs by T. A. Gallup

This story was originally released in April 2005 by Amber Quill Press/Amber Allure

CAUTION: This story contains explicit sexual situations and strong language. You must be over the age of 18 years of age to read this story.

Nights in

White Satin

By Adrianna Dane

Dream Romantic Unlimited, LLC

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Author Bio

Networking Links

Chapter One

She hovered at the fringe. Poised. Trembling. The scents of buttered popcorn and sugary cotton candy blended with the aroma of fresh sawdust, tantalizing her. Reminding her.

The slippery white satin lining of the cape teased her naked, heated flesh. Gentle strokes gliding across her sensitive nipples heightened her awareness, and fearful anticipation edged her desire. Darkness and the ebony exterior of the cape masked her in shadows.

Her eyes were riveted to the center arena, her vision imprisoned by the magnetic personality bathed in the center spotlight. She awaited his summons, a glance would call her to him. The bleachers were packed to capacity, eager adults waiting for the sensual exhibition to begin.

At the center of the arena stood a large, black-barred circular cage. At its nucleus was an oval bed with an ornate iron headboard and baseboard on a raised dais. Luminescent, white satin sheets glowed in the murky lighting. It beckoned her from the darkness. A showcase worthy of the Grand Finale.

At the entrance to the cage stood two muscular guardians, faces painted—one in the guise of a leopard, the other a tiger. Their bronzed bodies gleamed and shimmered in the half -light, exuding primal, leashed power—controlled by the Master. Each wore tights in the pattern of the predator he represented, molded against the tight, thick muscles. Solid arms folded across their broad hairless chests. Chiseled, expressionless features.

But they weren’t her focus.

She awaited their Master. The Lion-Tamer. He stood at center arena, slightly beyond the large circular cage. It was his gesture she needed. Tall. Lithe. Fluid. Clothed in black silk trousers and a flowing white satin shirt, he was the one she sought. His face was cloaked in mime white, with a single midnight teardrop painted beneath his right eye. A bullwhip curled in rest, draped from his left hand, tapping against his hard-muscled thigh. An exclamation of his control. She shuddered with pleasure at the energy radiating from him.

Anticipation coursed through her, settled and pulsed a slow, steady beat inside her. She felt her juices stir and seep to her thighs. Tension coiled and she had the greatest urge to run to him, plead for his attention. He demanded patience. And she would obey.

Her breath caught in her chest as he slowly turned his tawny head, his gold-flecked, green gaze slashed to her through the darkness, pierced its cloaking density. He raised his left hand and pointed. The summons she’d awaited. A layer of tension peeled away.

Without breaking focus, she walked to him and placed her right hand in his outstretched left. The anticipation of the audience thrummed around her, the heat of the spotlight warmed her as his grip tightened, linking her to him. His electricity zinged through her hand, along her arm, and down through her center, pooling between her thighs.

Glancing at her briefly, he turned and led her to the entrance of the cage. The single narrowed spotlight echoed their footsteps. The leopard at the entrance stepped aside and opened the door. The Lion-Tamer led her inside. They were followed by the leopard and the tiger. She heard the clank of steel as the tiger secured the door. There was no trepidation inside at her situation, only fear she wouldn’t meet his standard for this performance. Excitement tingled in every pore.

The Lion-Tamer faced her and released her hand. She felt his gaze burn through her as it slid down her shrouded form, then back up to connect and hold her once again.

As he took one step away from her, with his right hand he signaled to the leopard and the tiger. They moved as one to flank her. And waited. A moment of silent anticipation. For the crowd. For her.

The Lion-Tamer nodded. Once.

They stepped forward. The tiger released the single glittering clasp at the neck of the cape. The leopard then removed it with a sweeping flourish, leaving her naked and open for all to see. He walked away to dispense of it and then returned.

She shuddered at the loss of the protecting barrier of the cape, her nipples beading tightly. The heat of the spotlight warmed her, amplified by the fire of command in the Lion-Tamer’s inspection. Again, he nodded.

The tiger and the leopard each grasped one of her arms, turned her, and presented her to the audience. For a moment, emptiness consumed her at losing eye contact with the Lion-Tamer, and she felt abandoned. Panic flooded her and the muscles in her arms corded, ready to seek release, to flee. The grips of the leopard and the tiger tightened. A flicker of unease passed through her.

She felt his heat as he stepped close behind her. Scented his power and control. He hadn’t abandoned her. Relief softened her.

The tiger and the leopard pulled her arms up