Taken by Passion: King of Hearts (Wonderland Book 1) by Jaymie Holland, Cheyenne McCray Page A

she finally returned home, she’d have proof of her visit to this incredible wonderland.
    The thought of returning home made her again think of the blonde woman outside the window. A picture of that same woman had been on one of the cards Jarronn had showed her. What did it all mean?
    Gradually her anger faded and then somehow seemed unimportant, although she wasn’t sure why. She thought about all that had happened and was curious how she had ended up in this erotic wonderland. How would she get home? There had to be a way back. Alexi would be worried sick and probably running the damn police department by now.
    Alice missed the feel of the bracelet on her arm that she’d worn since their eighteenth birthday—Jarronn had apparently taken it along with all her clothing. Somehow the bracelet being gone widened the chasm that now separated her from her twin. Would she ever be able to return to San Francisco and see Alexi again?
    Alice forced herself to turn her thoughts to the here and now. To her nakedness and the desire raging throughout every cell in her body. All that was happening to her was just so surreal, so unbelievable. Perhaps she was asleep now and she’d actually dreamed everything. Including seeing Jarronn shape-shift from a white tiger into a man.
    Could it possibly be real? Or was all of this some kind of illusion?
    And that man…she was so incredibly attracted to Jarronn. The power in his presence, the way he made her feel from just the look in his eyes when he watched her. Predatory, hungry… insatiable.
    Alice’s memories reeled back to the moment when she’d first watched Kalina’s subservience to the men by the fountain, and to how she’d imagined herself in the woman’s place. It had turned Alice on to think what it would be like to give up all control to a powerful man, to be submissive to him, and to in essence, be his slave.
    And now here she was.
    You’d better watch what you wish for, Alice.
    A moist breeze stirred Alice’s hair and the air was warm and balmy against her bare skin. The leather collar felt comfortable, and the cool metal of the chain lying down her back only made the throbbing within her beyond intense.
    “You may stand, Alice.” Jarronn’s voice startled her. She’d been so deep into her thoughts and surroundings that she hadn’t noticed his approach.
    She very nearly looked up but managed to catch herself in time. As gracefully as she could, Alice rose to her feet, keeping her hands behind her back and her eyes lowered. Her legs tingled with the rush of blood circulating through her, and she swayed.
    Jarronn’s hand grasped her upper arm, steadying her and nearly shocking a cry of surprise from her at the same time. “You may look up.” His tone was low and vibrant.
    Alice tilted her head back so that her gaze met Jarronn’s. His eyes focused on her in a sensual gaze that made her feel as if she were the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. She became incredibly aware of his naked body just inches from hers. How could she want him so badly? Did any of this truly make sense?
    But that power in him called to Alice, the way he mastered both himself and her. Yeah, she’d dreamed about being dominated, and about being erotically punished, too. And this man was fulfilling all those fantasies, even if he was driving her nuts by not letting her come. By not taking her fast and hard and fucking her senseless.
    Jarronn brought up one hand, and she had no inclination to flinch. Even when he raised a red leather flogger to her eye level, she wasn’t afraid. Very slowly, and very gently, he brushed the leather straps over her cheek in a whisper-soft movement.
    Alice’s heart pounded and she shivered as he continued the sensual caress, trailing the flogger over her lips and then down the curve of her neck to her breasts.
    His gaze never left hers, even as the flogger teased her nipples and then moved lower toward her mound. “Do you trust me, Alice?”
    She wondered at