"5 HEARTS!...The writing duo known as Jamie Craig has given us another powerful installment in this erotic love story...Reading this ongoing saga [THE MASTER CHRONICLES] is like catching up with old friends who live an exotic life. Each part of the tale unfolds like adventures we can just sit back and enjoy vicariously. We wouldn't want to be in their shoes but they're such great characters we can't wait to see what happens next. The authors have kept each book full of fresh dialogue, suspense, and fun. This one, like the eight that came before, is an action-filled read."--Dee Dailey, The Romance Studio
"4.5 STARS!...This book could be read as a stand-alone, but because this is a long-standing, complexly plotted series, [MASTER CHRONICLES] the reader will appreciate this book more having read at least some of the first 8 books...The fast-moving, intricately plotted suspense story is interwoven with sexual episodes based on the relationship between Gideon and Jesse...The sex scenes...are amazingly graphic and explicitly erotic. The effect is gripping. Author Jamie Craig (pen name for the writing partnership of Pepper Espinoza and Vivien Dean) has created a world where love is expressed in ways we might find harsh--but oh, so sexy...This is the kind of book you'll stay up all night to finish!"--Carole, Rainbow Reviews
"Strip."
He knew Gideon was already annoyed with him. Annoyed enough that it would be in Jesse's best interest to follow the order immediately and undress as quickly as he could. The weight of Gideon's gaze pressed heavily against his skin, taking in every small detail as Jesse slowly unbuttoned his shirt, beginning with the cuffs. He kept his own eyes averted, though, not giving into the impulse to watch Gideon's face as he exposed an inch of his skin at a time.
"Did it make you hard, flirting with them in front of me?" The low, hard question came without inflection, without a hint of the menace Jesse knew Gideon kept tightly contained.
The protest rose to the surface before Jesse had the chance to think. "I didn't flirt, Sir."
A soft snort preceded Gideon's appearance in the corner of his eye. "You would've been on your knees if David had showed you the slightest sign of wanting you there. And you've always deliberately baited Jonah because you like how much he wants you. So don't tell me you weren't flirting. I was there."
Jesse stepped out of his pants and began to wonder if this was serious. Or at least, more serious than he had initially thought. It wasn't that they hadn't discussed how hot David was before--they had. And Gideon had always been fully aware of Jonah's obvious desire for Jesse. But there was one thing that Jesse had let himself forget--rather foolishly, perhaps. Gideon had a wicked possessive streak.
"Yes, Sir. I ... flirted a little bit, Sir."
Gideon ignored his nudity now, choosing instead to go over to the wardrobe and open the door. His gaze flickered over its contents. When he reached in, he re-emerged with black leather restraints that Jesse didn't immediately recognize.
"So not only did I get cheated when Derek called, I had to spend the rest of the day and night watching you salivate over two other men. Men who were not me."
"I'm sorry, Sir. It won't happen again. I promise."
"Because you won't drop everything to help a friend who needs it? Because you'll be able to hold your tongue when a gorgeous guy like David smiles at you?" Gideon stopped in front of him. Jesse recognized the leather now. They would fully immobilize his arms. "You're a slut for that kind of attention, and we both know it. So don't lie to me and make promises you can't keep. I'll tie you up and leave you in here to think about it, if that's the kind of game you're going to play."
"Please, Sir, don't." Gideon was close enough that one of the cuffs brushed against Jesse's thigh. The feel of the cool leather was enough to make his cock twitch. But the thought of being completely immobile, helpless, made him hard. "What can I do, Sir?"
"Anything I want." He grasped Jesse's wrist in order to slide his arm into the first of the restraints. "But first I'm going to remind you who it is who owns you, boy."
The sleeve stopped just above the elbow, at the biceps. It covered his entire hand, like a mitten, rendering his fingers completely useless. It wasn't quite tight enough to be uncomfortable, but it didn't exactly feel pleasant, either. That only meant Gideon could pull the laces tighter, if he wanted. A series of metal eyelets along the sleeve were the perfect size for a padlock. Ultimately, the restraints were nothing more than a leather straitjacket.
"I ... I know who owns me, Sir."
"Do you?" He swiftly encased the other arm, but rather than folding them across Jesse's front, he slid body straps onto his shoulders, cinching the leather around his neck into a makeshift collar as well. Circling behind him, Gideon forced Jesse's arms straight, his back bowed slightly from the force as he hooked the two leather sleeves together. "Then you know it's my place to punish you for putting me through this today."
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