Sneek Peak: The Rules of Love by Morticia Knight

The Rules of Love (The Hampton Road Club 2)

Release Date: February 6^th, 2015

Publisher: Totally Bound

Genre: M/M Historical BDSM

Cover Artist: Posh Gosh

Series Blurb:

Welcome to the Hampton Road Club. It’s the 1920’s and men who enjoy Dominance and submission have to be very careful that their dark desires aren’t discovered. The exclusive and secret Hampton Road Club near Hollywood is one of many private homes around the world that offers facilities for those who practice sadism and masochism. Meet the men who search for love amongst the world of bondage, whips and chains. This is where a Master can find a submissive to cherish forever and a submissive can give himself to his Master for a lifetime of painful pleasure.

Rules of Love Blurb:

Master Saul is captivated by the beautifully submissive Kenneth and the boy’s love of pain. Unfortunately, Kenneth belongs to Master Preston.

It’s 1926, and as one of the founding members of the Hampton Road Club, Master Saul Liebowitz has enjoyed the charms of many willing submissives over the years. One of the newer submissives to the club has captured his attention more than anyone has in a long time. Kenneth is tall, muscular and also seems to have a greater love of pain than most. If only Kenneth didn’t already belong to another Master.

After Kenneth’s Master died years before, he allowed himself to be taken in by the promises of Master Preston. As time has gone by, Preston has become increasingly crueler to the point where Kenneth fears for his life. They’ve recently joined a sadomasochism club and Kenneth can’t help but yearn for the handsome Master the other boys speak so highly of – Master Saul.

Preston takes things too far one night, and when Saul and his good friend, Master Aaron do some investigating, they realize that Kenneth might be in real danger. Amidst turmoil at the club over whether there should be rules to keep the boys safe and Preston’s play for power, Saul searches for a way to save Kenneth from what he’s sure is a deadly situation.

Both men fight for what they believe to be the right thing. When they find their way to one another, a wonderful new world opens up for them together. But there’s one man out there who refuses to let go of the old ways. Kenneth is his property and Master Preston won’t give him up.

Reader Advisory: Contains scenes of violence and dubious consent.

Although part of a series best read in sequence, this can be read as a standalone.

Exclusive Excerpt:

“I heard from one of the other Dominants that you have an incredible collection of authentic torture devices from medieval times. Is that correct?”

A self-satisfied smile curled the corners of Preston’s mouth. “Why, yes. I’ve been collecting for years. If it’s not too boastful of me to say, I daresay it’s the finest collection of its kind.”

Aaron gasped. “Truly?” He regarded Saul. “This is what I was telling you. We need someone with Master Cornwall’s obvious expertise to serve on the board.” Aaron turned back to Preston. “I hope this isn’t too presumptuous of us, but we’ve been searching for some new blood…” Aaron chuckled. “Forgive my pun, but we really do need someone of your ilk at the club to serve on the board. We’ve both been very impressed with your techniques since you’ve joined us.”

Saul breathed in deeply though his nose. Rather than compliment the horse’s ass, he wanted to make him suffer the way he’d made Kenneth and likely several others suffer too. He just had to bide his time.

Preston had straightened in his chair at Aaron’s words, his chest puffed out even more than it had been. The man obviously thought quite well of himself.

Aaron leaned in to Preston as if they were sharing a deep, dark secret. “I don’t suppose you’d care to show us your collection? Perhaps instruct us as to what some of the implements are and what delicious uses they might have?”

Preston had a ridiculous grin plastered across his face as if he had finally been given the validation he knew he so rightly deserved. “I’d be thrilled to help you gentlemen out.” He rose from the wing chair. “Please don’t be shy about asking me questions either. I do so enjoy teaching the less informed.”

Saul maintained a tolerant smile, but Aaron was playing his part in their game to perfection. He looked almost rapturous as he hung on to every word the putrid man spoke. Preston appeared to be taken in by Aaron’s faked enthusiasm and Saul repressed a snort, imagining the two of them becoming the best of friends like two biddies cackling at each other over tea.

As they followed behind Preston while he prattled on about how amazing his collection was and conversely, about how amazing he also was, Saul interjected. They were about to enter the room that housed Preston’s precious objects of torture, so it was time for Saul to make his move.

“Could you tell me where the facilities are, old sport?”

A look of irritation passed over Preston’s face and Saul resisted the urge to hold his breath. Anything could derail their plan at any moment.

“I’d hate for you to miss any of my comments.”

Shit.

“It wouldn’t bother me in the slightest if you had to repeat anything for Saul’s benefit.” Aaron laughed lightly. “I’m sure it won’t hurt me to hear it more than once, as I’m hardly the expert you are.”

As Saul exhaled, he realized he’d been holding his breath after all.

“In that case, go back the way we came and the guest bath is on the other side of the kitchen.”

“Excellent. I’ll rejoin you both in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.”

Preston nodded at him curtly, then carried on his excited conversation with Aaron. It was all rather retch-worthy.

Before Preston could stop him for any reason or change his mind about showing them his little toys, Saul hurried to the kitchen in the hopes that Kenneth would be there making their drinks. Right as Saul rounded the corner that led into the room, Kenneth was in the process of closing the door that led to the yard. He turned and when he saw Saul, he yelped, dropping the limes that had been cradled in his arms. They rolled in all directions across the tiled floor. One bumped the toe of Saul’s Oxfords and came to a stop. Saul bent down to retrieve it.

After straightening, Saul held the citrus out to Kenneth who had gathered up the remaining ones. The young man stared at Saul as if he were an apparition, his soft hazel eyes rounded in surprise. Saul had underestimated the sharp thrill that ran through him at being alone with and so close to Kenneth for the first time. The young man tentatively stepped forward to accept the lime, but kept his distance, as if afraid they might inadvertently touch. Saul wasn’t certain what it meant, but he suspected it had to do with the fear of what would happen to him were he to be caught alone with another man. That was why Saul had to act fast.

He moved closer to Kenneth and could have sworn that he heard him gasp. Kenneth’s gaze had lowered as he’d no doubt been taught to do.

“Kenneth.” Saul spoke softly in what he hoped was a soothing manner. “Look at me please.”

Their eyes were locked on one another, but neither of them said a word. Saul laid the fruit in Kenneth’s palm, and as he pulled his hand away, he allowed his fingers to brush over Kenneth’s skin briefly. He visibly shuddered then dropped his gaze again.

“I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

Saul kept his voice low, partly to reassure Kenneth and partly to guarantee that Preston wouldn’t hear voices from the other room and come to investigate.

“I-I’m not frightened of you. Sir.” Kenneth’s Adam’s apple bobbed up and down.

“Here. Let me help you with those…”

He reached for the limes that Kenneth still clutched to him, but the young man jerked back.

“Oh no, Sir, I can do it.” He rushed to the porcelain tiled counter then set the green fruit down. “Is there anything I can get you, Sir? Some water perhaps? Anything at all.”

About Morticia Knight

M/M and M/M/F Erotic Romance author Morticia Knight enjoys a good saucy tale – after all, who doesn’t? Since she loves several genres, you may find your heroes in a contemporary, historical, paranormal or sci-fi setting. One of her passions is bringing people's fantasies to life on the page, because life is too short for even one boring moment. Her stories are volcanic in heat, deep in emotion, and sprinkled with doses of humor.

When not indulging in her obsession for books, she loves the outdoors, film and music. The Pacific Northwest is the ideal spot to enjoy both hiking and beachcombing. Once upon a time she was the singer in an indie rock band that toured the West Coast and charted on U.S. college radio. She now resides on the northern coast of Oregon, where the constant rain and fog remind her of visits to family in England and Scotland when she was a child.

http://morticiaknight.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/morticia.knight