Ashe Barker Books, 2020
Second edition released July 2020
Contemporary, erotic romance, mystery
Approximately 50,000 words
HEA ending
#eroticromance #ashebarker #discipline #dominance #spanking #mystery #bdsm #suspense
Taglines – Appearances can be deceptive
Blurb
Innocent until proven guilty … or until someone finds out.
Aidan Blake needs a plumber. Fast. His boiler is dead, his creaky old house crumbling around him. When his elderly neighbour recommends a local trader, George Mahon, Aidan jumps at the prospect of hot water and warm radiators.
But George, short for Georgina, is not exactly what he had in mind. He was expecting
something else entirely. A man for one thing, not the gorgeous single mother he finds in his house at the end of a long day of work.
Aidan turns out to be full of surprises too. Who would have imagined the smart, geeky businessman would have a BDSM playroom in his attic and a collection of whips and canes to make George’s head spin. And her bottom clench, though that’s another matter entirely. Maybe she;s not such an innocent after all. What does a girl have to do to get to play with those toys?
Just ask, it would seem. As they enter into a professional and personal agreement which soon blossoms into a sultry, kinky relationship, George continues to be surprised by Aidan’s kindness and generosity, not to mention his skill with a spanking paddle.
First impressions aside, the two begin to build something together. And while they peel back the layers to discover their hidden depths, the old house yields up the mysteries of its own secret past. They soon realise that at first glance, nothing is ever quite as innocent it seems.
Innocent was previously published under the title First Impressions, with different cover art.
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Excerpt
“Earlier, this afternoon, you asked about having sex. That’s your call, George, and now is the time to make it. I’ll work within the boundaries you set. Similarly, if there is anything you really don’t want me to do to you, any place you prefer not to be touched for example, you can tell me and I will respect it.”
Her expression now was one of dawning understanding. “This is you being Sir, isn’t it?”
He nodded. “It’s a part of it, yes. I intend to earn your trust, and deserve your submission. So, what are your terms?”
She chewed on her lip some more and dropped her gaze. Aidan shoved the tights and knickers he still held into his pocket, then stepped forward and took her face between his hands. He tilted her head back so she met his eyes again.
“Your terms, George?”
“It’s all right, all of it. Anything you want to do,” she whispered.
He smiled at her. “George, I know it’s hard, but I need you to be specific if you can. Say the words for me, please. What is it that’s all right?”
“I want you to fuck me.”
He smiled encouragement at her. “Okay, so far so good.”
“And, you can touch me. Anywhere.”
“Anywhere?”
“Yes.” Her voice was stronger now, more positive. “Anywhere. I want you to make me come. If you would, please. Sir.”
His smile brightened. The words had just tumbled out, as though she needed to just say what he wanted to hear and get it over with. He understood her discomfort with the explicit demands he made. She would become accustomed to articulating her needs, in time. But right now it was new and unfamiliar, and very difficult for her.
He lowered his head and brushed her lips with his. “I already told you I would do that. And this too? May I kiss you?”
“Oh yes, please, please kiss me.”
He covered her mouth with his, and her lips parted to accept him. He swept his tongue into her mouth to play with hers, the dance both intimate and sensual. She lifted her hands to link them at the back of his neck, and held on as he deepened the kiss. She tasted so sweet to him, hot, eager, giving. His arms tightened around her and he wondered if he might have made a mistake in not just bundling her up to his bedroom at the first opportunity and relieving her of that delightful dress.
He broke the kiss with some reluctance. George clung to him, her face upturned, her eyes closed. He raised his hand to wind a length of her hair around his fist and tugged gently. She raised her eyelids.
“Are you ready?”
“I think so. Yes, Sir.”
“Bend over the table please.”
About Ashe Barker
USA Today Bestselling author Ashe Barker writes erotic romance and spanking romance in a variety of genres including contemporary, BDSM, paranormal, historical. ménage, gay romance and time travel. She is a #1 Amazon Bestseller and all her stories feature hot alpha males and sassy submissives, often with a lot to learn. Kink abounds, and there’s enough dirty talk to satisfy the most demanding smut lover. However dark and dirty the setting, love always emerges triumphant, and her stories never fail to deliver a satisfying happy ever after.