Five Golden Rings (Facets of Passion) Read online

  Five Golden Rings

  By Jeffe Kennedy

  On the first day of Christmas, my lover gave to me...

  Matilda Campbell’s plans to spend Christmas solo in the sun take an erotic turn when she encounters the handsome and enigmatic Miguel D’Oro on the plane to Mexico. As the CEO of a major firm, Tilda’s used to being the one in charge—but now she’ll have to learn how to take orders instead.

  In the spirit of the season, Miguel offers Tilda naughty gifts for each of the twelve days of Christmas. There’s just one rule: she must accept them—and fulfill his commands—or face the sensual consequences. Intrigued and aroused, Tilda agrees to let Miguel take control of her pleasure.

  What follows is a week unlike anything she’s ever experienced. From choosing her sexy new wardrobe and naughty accessories, to pushing her boundaries with BDSM play, Miguel satisfies every forbidden craving. But as their time together runs out, she must decide if there’s room in her real life for her holiday lover and her newly discovered kinky side.

  31,000 words

  Dear Reader,

  I’m on vacation, camping in the semi-wilderness. No, not when you’re reading this (well, maybe, who knows?) but when this letter is due to our production team. So I’ve chosen to hand off my Dear Reader letter responsibilities to the team for the month of November and let them tell you all about the fantastic lineup in store for you. We’re a team who really enjoys the books we acquire, and I know they’ll be glad for a chance to convince you to give one a try. In the meantime, I’ll be back next month. Happy reading!

  Angela James, Editorial Director

  Dear Reader,

  Editorial assistant Stephanie here. Since Angela is “camping” (all I’m saying is that camping seems to involve a lot of tweeting), I’ve compiled a few fun facts about this month’s new releases. What kinds of great books do we have in store for you this time? Will I get in trouble for making fun of my boss’s camping skills? These are the questions I will strive to answer for you today.

  Redemption by Stephanie Tyler, new adult, post-apocalyptic

  Stephanie Tyler returns with book two in her post-apocalyptic new-adult motorcycle club series.

  Redemption continues the story of the Defiance MC with Mathias and Jessa’s story. If you missed book one, Defiance—Cas and Tru’s story—you’re missing out on a fantastic world and some swoon-worthy romance.

  —Angela James, Editorial Director, Carina Press

  Snowbound with the CEO by Shannon Stacey, contemporary romance

  Shannon’s books are must-reads if you love contemporary romance.

  Shannon Stacey’s holiday novellas are becoming something of a delightful tradition at Carina Press, and we’re happy to have the latest in our hands!

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Chance of Rain by Amber Lin, contemporary romance

  We’re happy to welcome Amber to the Carina Press family!

  This small-town reunion romance gripped me from the first chapter and wouldn’t let go. The tortured alpha hero, who just happens to be a Navy SEAL, also didn’t hurt!

  —Tara Stevens, Assistant Product Manager, Digital Products

  Take Me Home by Inez Kelley, contemporary romance

  Inez writes contemporary and fantasy romance for Carina Press. Her new lumberjack series had the (admittedly largely Canadian) team intrigued from the start!

  Maple-syrup maker Kayla falls for a sexy lumberjack with a bitter past and a wary heart in the first of her new Country Roads series featuring loggers in the Allegheny Mountains.

  —Deborah Nemeth, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  Slow Ride Home by Leah Braemel, contemporary Western romance

  Leah writes wonderfully sexy, emotional romances for Carina Press, including Texas Tangle and Tangled Past.

  Leah’s lovely writing drew me right along into a sensual story of love, heat and scandal. With cowboys. Look for more of the Grady family to come. Did I mention there are cowboys?

  —Brendan Flattery, Digital Production Coordinator

  Love a Little Sideways by Shannon Stacey, contemporary romance

  Shannon’s bestselling Kowalski family miniseries is a must-read for contemporary romance fans.

  What begins as the annual Kowalski Camping Trip of Doom turns into a brand-new start for an unlikely couple—charming, funny proof that what we think we want and what the heart wants isn’t always the same thing.

  —Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press

  Sing for the Dead by PJ Schnyder, paranormal shifter romance

  PJ writes futuristic science fiction romance and paranormal romance for Carina Press.

  The exciting second book in the London Undead trilogy brings readers back into a world where zombies have taken over London. Now the werewolves who’ve stepped up to fight the creatures have a new ally—a member of the Fae who jumps right into the middle of the fray!

  —Mallory Braus, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  Through the Black Veil by Steve Vera, urban fantasy

  You may remember us gushing about Drynn, Steve’s first book in this series.

  In book 2 of the Last of the Shardyn series, our fearless heroes have returned to their magical homeland to warn everyone about the danger threatening to destroy their world.

  —Rhonda Helms, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  Improper Arrangements by Juliana Ross, erotic historical romance

  Juliana writes sizzling historical romances set in Victorian times for Carina Press.

  The follow-up to Improper Relations features a mountain-climber hero, Eli. He is my favorite type of hero: rugged, handsome, rough around the edges, mysterious. Love him!

  —Carly Chow, Assistant Manager, Digital Commerce

  Finessing the Contessa by Wendy Soliman, historical romance

  Wendy Soliman writes wonderful, exciting historical romances. The first two Forsters books are currently available from Carina Press.

  In Wendy Soliman’s Regency romance Finessing the Contessa, Lord Robert Forster is drawn to the brilliant Sicilian he meets at a chess match, but is she a spy or an innocent pawn in a game of international espionage?

  —Deborah Nemeth, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  All In with the Duke by Ava March, male/male historical romance

  Ava March writes can’t-miss historical male/male stories for Carina Press.

  Max Arrington, the Duke of Pelham, has vowed to never again let a handsome face blind him to a man’s true intentions. But the beautiful Tristan Walsh is too intriguing for Max to resist, and it’s not long before their wicked nights together turn into something more.

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  For Her Eyes Only by Shannon Curtis, romantic suspense

  This is the third book in Shannon’s exciting McCormack Security Agency series.

  For Her Eyes Only features an admin assistant pairing up with the MSA’s undercover expert to investigate a murder. I loved the sexual tension between the hero and heroine!

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Getting Rich by Monique Domovitch, cozy mystery

  Monique’s first novel with Carina Press, Getting Skinny, had us all eager for the follow-up.

  Just when she thinks she’s on the verge of getting rich, Nicky Landry finds out somebody is out to get her—and whoever it is has murder on the menu—in Monique Domovitch’s second Chef Landry Mystery.

  —Deborah Nemeth, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  No Place Like Rome by Julie Moffett, action-adventure, mystery

  In addition to wr
iting the Lexi Carmichael mysteries, Julie also writes Scottish historical romances!

  Our favorite geek girl is off to Rome with the sexy and mysterious Slash to solve a case involving the Vatican, a dead body, some steamy kisses from her partner, and a top-secret encrypted file that even she can’t hack.

  —Alissa Davis, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  Season of Seduction, erotic holiday anthology

  Five Golden Rings by Jeffe Kennedy, erotic romance

  Jeffe writes steamy erotic BDSM romance for Carina Press, as well as (also steamy!) fantasy romance.

  Jeffe Kennedy heats up the season with this sultry, adventurous Facets of Passion novella set against the balmy days—and scorching nights—of a high-powered woman’s holiday-vacation-turned-sexual epiphany.

  —Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press

  Naughty Nicks by Christine d’Abo, erotic romance

  Christine’s Long Shots series, about a BDSM club and its patrons, includes a choose-your-path erotic romance!

  This sexy and emotional novella features an interesting holiday business—stripper Santas! There was so much great tension between the heroine and her hero, who also happens to be her boss.

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Ménage on 34th Street by Elise Logan and Emily Ryan-Davis, erotic ménage romance

  We are proud to welcome Elise and Emily to the Carina Press family! This is their first book with us.

  Katrina and Liam have a happy marriage, but they’ve always felt there’s room for more. When their friend Hunter returns from active duty, they know exactly what that “more” is. Now if only they can convince Hunter...

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Matzoh and Mistletoe by Jodie Griffin, erotic BDSM romance

  Jodie writes about true-to-life characters exploring their sexy sides in her Bondage & Breakfast series.

  This BDSM novella has a lot of things going for it—it’s sexy, emotional, and there’s a really hot cop. Jodie is known for writing wonderfully realistic characters, and she doesn’t disappoint here.

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Gifts of Honor, military holiday collection

  Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail, contemporary military romance

  Stacy writes both paranormal and contemporary romance for Carina Press.

  Stacy Gail gifts us with the sweetest of holiday reunions for a wounded Army Ranger and his one true love. Patience and forgiveness meet sharp wit and sizzling attraction!

  —Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press

  Hero’s Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley, contemporary military romance

  Rebecca’s debut book with Carina Press, a fantastic sports romance called The Striker’s Chance¸ came out in September.

  Three days before Christmas, a surprising phone call from an old love changes absolutely everything in this compelling novella.

  —Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press

  Dedication

  To David, my partner in Caribbean hijinks. We totally need to find a place like this!

  Many thanks to Angela James, for including my story in this collection, for her excellent editing and for her infinite patience.

  Thanks to all the folks on Twitter who gamely tried to help me think up the right nickname for Tilda:

  @LianaBrooks

  @Julie_Weathers

  @gillianarcher

  @SaharaHoshi

  @TheAntiM

  @susanmpls

  @VoireyLinger

  @SaharaHoshi

  @KathyIvan

  Special thanks to sister Carina author @NicoleLuiken, who came up with “Roo.”

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  About the Author

  Copyright

  December 24

  Christmas Eve

  “Could I have another margarita, please?”

  Tilda called the request out to the flight attendant’s back as she bustled past—and kept charging on. One more small annoyance to chalk up to the disaster this vacation had become.

  “I don’t think she heard you,” the man across the aisle said in a conspiratorial tone. “Want me to tackle her for you?”

  “That’s okay.” She glumly sucked the dregs of the last margarita from the melting ice in the plastic cup. “Not like I really need another.”

  “Hey—it’s Christmas Eve and you’re headed to Cozumel. Have some fun!” His lips twisted in a wry smile, warm brown eyes gleaming with intelligence. In his slightly disheveled but well-tailored suit he didn’t look like a guy heading to Mexico for sun and fun. And she did not need to be checking him out.

  “Yeah, merry merry, happy happy,” she muttered and tried to focus on her eReader. Even though she’d upped the font size, the words blurred. At least she got to be in the aisle seat with an empty middle between her and the woman snoozing by the window. If Greg hadn’t bailed on her—spectacularly, abysmally and at the last minute, of course—she’d be sandwiched in that middle seat right now.

  Small blessings.

  “Are you traveling alone?” across-the-aisle guy asked.

  “No. Meeting up with some girlfriends at the airport,” she lied through her teeth. Smart American women didn’t travel to Mexico by themselves, did they? Of course, a smarter woman would have paid attention to the warning signs. Greg had never been a particularly emotive guy, but after they’d decided not to meet each other’s families over Thanksgiving, spend that holiday apart and then escape to Cozumel for a non-traditional Christmas, he became even more remote.

  Nothing to do with those Facebook photos of him cozied up to his high school sweetheart when he was back home for Thanksgiving. No siree. And the fact that he’d waited until Tilda was at the airport, with her suitcase already checked, to call and say he couldn’t disappoint his mother, but to have fun in Mexico without him—that was the cherry topper of insult to her sundae of injury.

  The words blurred more and she blinked furiously to stop the tears. He does not deserve to have you cry over him! Especially since she hadn’t even been all that crazy about him, she admitted to herself. She’d settled, because he was better than most and now he’d dumped her. Damn her ego smarted. More—she dreaded plunging into the whole finding a suitable date thing. Yet again.

  A plastic cup with a freshly salted rim inserted itself on her tray table. The guy across the aisle gave her a little salute and a wry twist of his full lips. He had five o’clock shadow coming in, like he’d gone straight from all-day meetings to the airport. “You looked like you needed it.”

  “Thanks.” And to her horror, she sniffled. Snatching the square cocktail napkin, she turned away and wiped her nose, with as much poise and dignity as she could muster. She slid her eyes over. He was still half-cocked in his seat, leaning on his elbow, watching her. “I’m sorry. I’m really not fit for flirting right now.”

  “Is that what we’re doing?” He toasted her with his own drink, a large gold ring flashing on his right hand. “I thought we were commiserating. Here we are, both stuck on an airplane on Christmas Eve. I was shooting for not being miserable.”

  She laughed, a little creaky still, and returned the toast, letting the cheap tequila and too-sweet mix clear her sinuses.

  “So, why are you miserable—going home for Christmas and dreading family drama?”

  “No.” He raised his eyes to the overhead vent, adjusted it. “They’re over in Spain right now. I’ve been called in to deal with a crisis at a resort our family owns.”

  “Flying from Philadelphia, you’re
the closest one?”

  He snorted and ran a hand through his wiry curls in an expression of both frustration and unhappiness. A hint of salt and pepper at his temples gave him a distinguished air. So unfair that men get better looking as they get older. “I’m in corporate law, so when the family has a legal problem, they send for me—no matter what other plans I might have.”

  “Oh.” She grimaced in sympathy. “Bet you had some kind of romantic Christmas planned, huh? Little ski house in Vermont or something.”

  He raised his brows and pursed his lips, contemplating the thought. “No—but that sounds nice. Actually, though I complain, I did not have plans. See some friends, that’s all. But I was looking forward to the down time. Go to the movies, read some books. Now I have to go fight with stubborn people because of my idiot cousin. Fft!” He blew the sound of disgust across his lower lip, teeth biting it lightly.

  Maybe it was the tequila—surely this drink was stronger than her first one—but she suddenly wanted to bite that lip. She leaned her elbow on the armrest.

  “I thought corporate lawyers live to fight with people.”

  “Not me. I live to win. No apologies.” He produced a feral grin, dark eyes alight with amusement—and a spark of something more. “It’s all about setting up the conditions so my opponent doesn’t want to fight me.”

  “But they already want to fight you.”

  “Ah.” He wagged a finger at her. “My opponent only thinks that because she doesn’t yet see we can both have what we want. In the end she will yield up exactly what I determine, because I’ve cornered her so precisely, she has no other choice. If done correctly, the one path I leave open for her is the way I want her to go. And, by the time I’m done with her...” His stern expression promised something enticingly provocative. Her blood heated.

  “What?” She breathed the question.

  His voice dropped in timbre, his accent thickening. He leaned on his armrest, too, and their heads nearly met across the aisle. Those dark eyes drew her in, compelling and exciting.

  “All parties are equally satisfied.” His gaze dropped to her mouth, sending a thrill through her.