Innocent
By Ashe Barker
Buy Link mybook.to/InnocentAB
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.
I really enjoyed writing Innocent, not least because I love writing strong, feisty heroines who can stand on their own feet and get things done. George is an example of that, a woman doing a traditionally male job and managing on her own. Her experiences with men have not been great so far, but she has her lovely baby daughter to show for it so isn’t complaining. Not that complaining is George’s style at all. She just dusts herself off and gets on with it.
Aidan comes as a surprise to her, not the sort of man she is interested in at all. He seems nerdy, wealthy, way out of her league. But he is kind to George’s little girl, he can change nappies and even seems to know what babies like to eat. He sorts out George’s computer and helps her to get her business accounts in order. As if that were not enough, he even introduces her to the pleasures of a decent spanking.
Sounds like a keeper to me, but will George think so?
First and foremost, I love writing strong, feisty heroines who can stand on their own feet and get things done. George is an example of that, a woman doing a traditionally male job and managing on her own.
Secondly, for me sexy characters are a must, but so is an intriguing location. I set this story in a small coastal village in Northumberland, in northern England. Alnmouth is a real place with a pretty little harbour, a tiny beach and multi-coloured cottages.
Third, of course, we need a sexy alpha male to get the juices going. Aidan comes as a surprise to George, not the sort of man she is interested in at all. He seems nerdy, wealthy, way out of her league. But he is kind to George’s little girl, he sorts out George’s computer and helps her to get her business accounts in order. As if that were not enough, he even introduces her to the pleasures of a decent spanking.
Sounds like a keeper to me, but will George think so?
Inocent is a story about two people who at first sight seem to be total opposites but find they have much more in common than they imagined. Apart from learning about each other, they make some even more startling discoveries as they get to grips with Aidan’s home improvement project and find that the house has some secrets of its own.
The story is set in the North East of England, an area I know quite well and love to visit. I like to use atmospheric locations when I can, it gives the story an extra dimension I think. Alnmouth is a gorgeous little coastal village with a pretty harbour and a beach. I don’t get the impression that much ever happens there, so maybe the goings on in Innocent would be just what they need to liven things up.
Character Interview
Innocent is a story about jumping to the wrong conclusions, about making hasty assumptions and being proved wrong. With the benefit of hindsight – always a wonderful thing – I thought it might be interesting to find out what George makes of Aidan now. I tracked her down and fired a few questions at her.
Here goes:
Me: Hi George, and thank you for agreeing to chat to me today. How’s the business going?
George: Great, I’m really busy, but loving every minute. I’m working on a loft conversion right now, and I’ll need to get back to work soon.
Me: Right, let’s crack on then. Tell me, when you first met Aidan, what did you think of him?
George: I thought he was early! I hadn’t expected him back for ages, so I was a bit floored when he marched in that first day and caught me breastfeeding Lily in his kitchen. He took it well though, he was very kind in fact, even made me a cup of coffee. I also thought he was sexy, rich, and way out of my league.
Me: What was the most surprising thing you found out about Aidan, when you got to know him better?
George: Well, it turns out I was right about the sexy and rich bit, but the playroom in the attic came as something of a shock. I’d never seen so many whips and canes in one place. And the St. Andrews cross…
Me: Quite. You were surprised, but not especially shocked I think. Would that be right?
George: Yes, I suppose so. It was a pleasant surprise really. Once I got over my nerves and decided to trust Aidan to know what he was doing we’ve had a lot of fun in his attic.
Me: The readers can find out all about that in the book. So tell us, were there any other pleasant surprises?
George: Yes, I loved the way Aidan took to Lily, my baby. She was only a few months old back then and he was always so good with her, playing with her, looking after her to give me a break when he really didn’t need to. It was as though he wanted to get to know her too. We were both special to him and I loved it when he made me feel that way. He’s such a softie at heart.
Me: Even in the attic?
George: Especially then. He’s a hard Dom with a soft centre.
Me: My favourite sort. So, what’s next for you and Aidan?
George: I don’t know what’s around the corner for us, but we’re both enjoying our happy ever after. I guess I have you to thank for that.
Me: You’re welcome. Thanks for chatting to me. I’ll let you get back to that loft conversion now.
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.
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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.”
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