When WARRIOR MINE, the 4th book in the Dream Dominant series, came out a few months ago, it was to 5-STAR reviews. Like all Dream Dominants, it’s a stand-alone contemporary erotic romance novel featuring a hot Dominant and a strong, smart submissive.
But unlike other Dream Dominants, it’s actually a spin-off from an earlier work, LOST & BOUND, Dream Dominant Book 2. Readers of that book suggested that a pair of supporting characters deserved their own story, and WARRIOR MINE was born.
Single mom Jackie Walker is the older sister of Blake Walker, hero of LOST & BOUND. She’s strong because she’s had to be. When her husband abandoned her and their two children in favor of greener pastures, Blake gave up his job as a wilderness counselor and returned to Lake Miranda to help her run the remote guest lodge that’s been in the Walker family for generations.
Now, his best friend and mentor Scott Nielsen has left the same youth camp to start his own wilderness survival school. Hoping to base his school at Lake Miranda Lodge, he looks up his old friend.
Blake has mentioned that he has found the submissive of his dreams. And while Scott’s happy for him, he feels a nagging sense of envy. What would it be to give up random encounters at the BDSM club in favor of his very own sub?
Jackie fascinates Scott. She’s strong and capable, determined to make a go of the business, even in the face of extreme setbacks. Is there any way she’d accept him as her Dominant, any way she’d agree to just let go and allow him to care for her?
Read an excerpt from WARRIOR MINE.
While Jackie got the children tucked in with an extended bedtime routine, an allowance made due to Emma’s illness and Grant’s injury, Scott made a few preparations. By the time Jackie closed Grant’s door, Scott was waiting for her in the hallway.She gave him a tired smile. “All I wanted was to wash my hair today, and now I’m so tired, all I can think of is to fall into bed.”
He nodded. “I know. Come with me.” She gave a puzzled frown and he gestured. “Come on.”
She followed him to her bedroom door, which he opened, allowing her to precede him. The first thing she noticed was that her bed was made, in stark contrast to the disorganized heap she’d left that morning. She looked at him sharply.
“As long as I was making the bed anyway, I gave you fresh sheets,” he explained.
Her mouth flew open. “You didn’t have to do that,” she said quickly.
He tilted his head toward her. “I know.” He gestured further. “Come.”
He led her into her bathroom, where he’d placed a kitchen chair backed against the bathtub. Jackie stopped and frowned again. “What’s going on?”
“I’m going to wash your hair.”
Jackie looked up at him in disbelief. “No, Scott, seriously, you don’t have to do that. I’ll just wash it tomorrow.”
“Jackie,” he said softly, “sit.”
She wrung her hands. “Well, I…”
He pointed to the chair. “Sit.” His tone was quiet but intense.
Reluctantly, Jackie sat in the chair and looked up at him.
“Good girl. Now hold on, because I’m going to lean you back.” While Jackie gripped the sides of the seat, he carefully tilted the chair, so it leaned against the side of the tub. He rolled a towel and gently placed it under her neck.
“How’s that?” he asked.
“Um, it’s good, but really, Scott, you don’t have to—”
“Enough. I want you to just relax. I’m going to cover your eyes.” He folded a washcloth and lay it over her eyes.
Jackie breathed out heavily and clasped her hands tightly in her lap. Scott started the water, allowing it to reach just the right temperature. Then he pulled the knob, diverting the water to the hand-held shower head, which he used to soak her long dark locks.
Scott spoke in gentle, hushed tones. “Okay, Princess, it’s time to clear your mind. Just let everything go. Concentrate on what you feel.”
“See, the thing is, you really don’t have to do this—” she began.
“Jackie, if you don’t stop talking, I will gag you.”
Her mouth formed a tight O, and she clamped her lips closed. Scott grinned as he worked fragrant lavender-scented shampoo through her hair. When the lather was thick, he gently massaged her scalp, earning a soft moan.
“That’s right, Princess. Relax. I’ve got you.”
He thoroughly rinsed her hair and followed up with conditioner, treating her scalp to another massage. Jackie released the death-grip on her hands, her arms now dangling loosely beside her.
After Scott rinsed her hair for the final time, he wrapped her head in a cottony blue towel and gently sat her up again. Jackie blinked against the harsh bathroom light as the cloth covering her eyes fell into her lap.
“Now, sit tight. I’m going to dry your hair,” Scott told her.
Jackie started to object, and he silenced her with his best Dom look. “Not a word, Princess. We’ve come this far. Don’t make me gag you now.”
She pressed her lips together and crossed her arms, and he had to laugh.
Sectioning off her hair, he used a large round brush to dry each part until her long dark hair was glossy. He put down the dryer and checked to see that her hair was completely dry, running his fingers through her tresses, and not missing the way she closed her eyes and sighed.
“Okay, Jackie, I think we’re done. Now,” he fixed her with an arched brow, “do what you need to do to get ready for bed. I’ll be tucking you in tonight.”
He left her in the bathroom and crossed to her bedroom door. “I’ll be back in ten minutes. When you’re ready, you can wait for me right there.” He closed the door behind him before she could answer.
Out in the hallway, he released a heavy sigh. Washing Jackie’s hair had been a deeply sensual experience, and he knew that she felt it, too. Heading over to the island for the time being was the right call. Aside from the obvious benefit of freeing up one more guest room, it would give her the distance she needed to consider the things he’d told her about entering a Dom/sub relationship.
And it would give him the distance he needed to stop daydreaming of having her in his bed, having her on her knees at his feet.
He snorted. There wasn’t enough distance on the planet to get those thoughts out of his head. Still, moving out of the lodge was the right decision. He’d get busy with the cabin renovation and hopefully, things would sort themselves out.
A glance at his grandfather’s watch showed him that ten minutes had elapsed. He returned to her bedroom door and knocked lightly before letting himself in.
As she’d been instructed, Jackie was seated on the chair in the bathroom. She’d changed out of the jeans and t-shirt she’d worn all day, and was now wearing an oversized white Mickey Mouse t-shirt, which she self-consciously pulled as far down her thighs as she could.
Scott nodded approvingly. “Good girl. Come,” he held out his hand, “I’ll tuck you in.”
Jackie stood, reaching for his hand. He led her to the bed where she waited while he turned down the covers, then she sat on the edge and pulled her feet up. Scott fluffed the pillows and patted them gently. Jackie lay back and allowed him to pull up her covers.
Tenderly, he gazed down at her. “Okay, Princess. It’s been a long day. I hope you have sweet dreams.” He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Good night.”
He started to go, and she reached out to take his hand. “Scott?” He turned to her. “Thank you. I really appreciate everything you did today. Especially for saving Grant. I don’t know—” Her voice hitched. “I don’t know what I would have done.”
He leaned down to kiss her hand. “You’re more than welcome. I’m so happy I was there.”
He crossed to the door, pausing to turn. “Good night now. Sweet dreams.” He clicked off the light and closed the door.
WARRIOR MINE by Pandora Spocks
Pandora Spocks 