Sovereign (The Sovereign Mountain, #1)

by Raya Morris Edwards

This book is for anyone who ever wanted spanked and called a good girl by a hot cowboy. That’s not too much to ask, right?

The way I need her doesn’t care about decorum. It’s pure, it’s primal.

I don’t smoke, but I need a cigarette after meeting Keira Garrison.

It’s only been four years, but it feels like I wasted eons.

“She won’t bite,” he says. “Myself…I can’t promise anything.”

Tonight is the first night of the rest of my life with her. She doesn’t know it, but this is a consummation.

The submissive will not pay for anything during their time in the contract. When money is needed, the submissive will request it from the dominant.

“You have calluses,” he says. “You shouldn’t have to work.”

My father taught me I was worth the same as a man, but he never shied away from telling me I’d have had an easier life if I’d been born male. He taught me to ride and shoot, to defend myself, but I’m still half the size of most of the men in this room.

I want to call him a sadist in my head, but if he’s a sadist and I’m wet from what he’s doing…does that make me a masochist?

I’ve never had much of a sweet tooth, but I find myself savoring her every night before I sleep. The pain balances it out. Like salt in caramel.

“Put my hat between your teeth, girl,” I order. “And crawl to me on your hands and knees.”

“We’re not playing anymore,” he says. “Mrs. Garrison.”

“He might have fucked you first, but I’m going to ruin you for any other man.”

He’s so big and solid and when I’m with him, I don’t mind feeling weak. That part caught me off guard. I never liked showing weakness before.

“Fuck you, Sovereign,” she hiccups. “Why?” I urge. She sobs, her whole body shaking. “Because…because you are a monster. And I’m…I’m falling for you.”

“Fall for me, redbird,” I breathe. “I’ll catch you.”

“You are…not a good man,” she whispers. “So what?” I brush a strand of hair from her forehead.

My little spark of color in a lifetime of winter.

“You think I’m heartless,” he says quietly. “If I’m heartless, then why does the thought of losing you feel worse than death?”

“You’re not just falling for me, you love me already,” I whisper, tears pouring down my cheeks. “Always.” His gaze is steady. “Where are you going?” “I’m going to see a dog about a man,” he says. “I hate your fucking riddles,” I manage. “I know.”

“She’s my sub,” I say. “But I’m going to marry her, just haven’t told her yet.

“Tell me what you want,” I murmur. “I want you to love me,” she whispers.

“Fucking isn’t enough, I want to love you.” I don’t say the rest—let me love you, let me be your man, let me make you the mother of my children. Take my name and the land that I love. She’s not ready for me to say all those things to her yet. But, God,

If I love him, I have to love every part of him.

I’ve called Keira a bitch before, but not like that. When I use that word, it means I love her enough to degrade her and she still feels safe in my arms.

The Garrisons took my pride, they took my farm. But I’ll be damned if they take my Sovereign.

We killed for each other and that feels more permanent than saying vows.

“I’ll hurt you, but only if I can put you back together,” I say.

Keira loves comfort and she thrives in winter. I find her curled up in the bedroom window wrapped in blankets. Hot coffee and a stack of books nearby.

And my redbird is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

“How’s it feel to be a billionaire, sweetheart?” he asks.