All In with the Duke Read online

  All In with the Duke

  By Ava March

  London, 1822

  Max Arrington, the Duke of Pelham, vows to never again let a handsome face blind him to a man’s true intentions. But ten months of celibacy and lonely nights drive him to a decadent brothel, where a beautiful young man arouses his illicit passions as never before.

  Tristan Walsh has grown tired of being used for men’s pleasure. But his latest client is different: commanding yet generous, Max makes him feel cared for as well as wanted. Yet Tristan knows he’ll never have the choice to leave the brothel and submit only to Max.

  So when Max invites him to be his guest at his country estate, Tristan eagerly agrees to his terms—days to do as he pleases while Max tends to the dukedom, and nights spent together in wicked play. But when the “business arrangement” begins to deepen into something more, Tristan must face the fact that he has no true place in Max’s life—or in Max’s guarded heart...

  81,000 words

  Dear Reader,

  I’m on vacation, camping in the semi-wilderness. No, not when you’re reading this (well, maybe, who knows?) but when this letter is due to our production team. So I’ve chosen to hand off my Dear Reader letter responsibilities to the team for the month of November and let them tell you all about the fantastic lineup in store for you. We’re a team who really enjoys the books we acquire, and I know they’ll be glad for a chance to convince you to give one a try. In the meantime, I’ll be back next month. Happy reading!

  Angela James, Editorial Director

  Dear Reader,

  Editorial assistant Stephanie here. Since Angela is “camping” (all I’m saying is that camping seems to involve a lot of tweeting), I’ve compiled a few fun facts about this month’s new releases. What kinds of great books do we have in store for you this time? Will I get in trouble for making fun of my boss’s camping skills? These are the questions I will strive to answer for you today.

  Redemption by Stephanie Tyler, new adult, post-apocalyptic

  Stephanie Tyler returns with book two in her post-apocalyptic new-adult motorcycle club series.

  Redemption continues the story of the Defiance MC with Mathias and Jessa’s story. If you missed book one, Defiance—Cas and Tru’s story—you’re missing out on a fantastic world and some swoon-worthy romance.

  —Angela James, Editorial Director, Carina Press

  Snowbound with the CEO by Shannon Stacey, contemporary romance

  Shannon’s books are must-reads if you love contemporary romance.

  Shannon Stacey’s holiday novellas are becoming something of a delightful tradition at Carina Press, and we’re happy to have the latest in our hands!

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Chance of Rain by Amber Lin, contemporary romance

  We’re happy to welcome Amber to the Carina Press family!

  This small-town reunion romance gripped me from the first chapter and wouldn’t let go. The tortured alpha hero, who just happens to be a Navy SEAL, also didn’t hurt!

  —Tara Stevens, Assistant Product Manager, Digital Products

  Take Me Home by Inez Kelley, contemporary romance

  Inez writes contemporary and fantasy romance for Carina Press. Her new lumberjack series had the (admittedly largely Canadian) team intrigued from the start!

  Maple-syrup maker Kayla falls for a sexy lumberjack with a bitter past and a wary heart in the first of her new Country Roads series featuring loggers in the Allegheny Mountains.

  —Deborah Nemeth, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  Slow Ride Home by Leah Braemel, contemporary Western romance

  Leah writes wonderfully sexy, emotional romances for Carina Press, including Texas Tangle and Tangled Past.

  Leah’s lovely writing drew me right along into a sensual story of love, heat and scandal. With cowboys. Look for more of the Grady family to come. Did I mention there are cowboys?

  —Brendan Flattery, Digital Production Coordinator

  Love a Little Sideways by Shannon Stacey, contemporary romance

  Shannon’s bestselling Kowalski family miniseries is a must-read for contemporary romance fans.

  What begins as the annual Kowalski Camping Trip of Doom turns into a brand-new start for an unlikely couple—charming, funny proof that what we think we want and what the heart wants isn’t always the same thing.

  —Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press

  Sing for the Dead by PJ Schnyder, paranormal shifter romance

  PJ writes futuristic science fiction romance and paranormal romance for Carina Press.

  The exciting second book in the London Undead trilogy brings readers back into a world where zombies have taken over London. Now the werewolves who’ve stepped up to fight the creatures have a new ally—a member of the Fae who jumps right into the middle of the fray!

  —Mallory Braus, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  Through the Black Veil by Steve Vera, urban fantasy

  You may remember us gushing about Drynn, Steve’s first book in this series.

  In book 2 of the Last of the Shardyn series, our fearless heroes have returned to their magical homeland to warn everyone about the danger threatening to destroy their world.

  —Rhonda Helms, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  Improper Arrangements by Juliana Ross, erotic historical romance

  Juliana writes sizzling historical romances set in Victorian times for Carina Press.

  The follow-up to Improper Relations features a mountain-climber hero, Eli. He is my favorite type of hero: rugged, handsome, rough around the edges, mysterious. Love him!

  —Carly Chow, Assistant Manager, Digital Commerce

  Finessing the Contessa by Wendy Soliman, historical romance

  Wendy Soliman writes wonderful, exciting historical romances. The first two Forsters books are currently available from Carina Press.

  In Wendy Soliman’s Regency romance Finessing the Contessa, Lord Robert Forster is drawn to the brilliant Sicilian he meets at a chess match, but is she a spy or an innocent pawn in a game of international espionage?

  —Deborah Nemeth, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  All In with the Duke by Ava March, male/male historical romance

  Ava March writes can’t-miss historical male/male stories for Carina Press.

  Max Arrington, the Duke of Pelham, has vowed to never again let a handsome face blind him to a man’s true intentions. But the beautiful Tristan Walsh is too intriguing for Max to resist, and it’s not long before their wicked nights together turn into something more.

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  For Her Eyes Only by Shannon Curtis, romantic suspense

  This is the third book in Shannon’s exciting McCormack Security Agency series.

  For Her Eyes Only features an admin assistant pairing up with the MSA’s undercover expert to investigate a murder. I loved the sexual tension between the hero and heroine!

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Getting Rich by Monique Domovitch, cozy mystery

  Monique’s first novel with Carina Press, Getting Skinny, had us all eager for the follow-up.

  Just when she thinks she’s on the verge of getting rich, Nicky Landry finds out somebody is out to get her—and whoever it is has murder on the menu—in Monique Domovitch’s second Chef Landry Mystery.

&nbs
p; —Deborah Nemeth, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  No Place Like Rome by Julie Moffett, action-adventure, mystery

  In addition to writing the Lexi Carmichael mysteries, Julie also writes Scottish historical romances!

  Our favorite geek girl is off to Rome with the sexy and mysterious Slash to solve a case involving the Vatican, a dead body, some steamy kisses from her partner, and a top-secret encrypted file that even she can’t hack.

  —Alissa Davis, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  Season of Seduction, erotic holiday anthology

  Five Golden Rings by Jeffe Kennedy, erotic romance

  Jeffe writes steamy erotic BDSM romance for Carina Press, as well as (also steamy!) fantasy romance.

  Jeffe Kennedy heats up the season with this sultry, adventurous Facets of Passion novella set against the balmy days—and scorching nights—of a high-powered woman’s holiday-vacation-turned-sexual epiphany.

  —Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press

  Naughty Nicks by Christine d’Abo, erotic romance

  Christine’s Long Shots series, about a BDSM club and its patrons, includes a choose-your-path erotic romance!

  This sexy and emotional novella features an interesting holiday business—stripper Santas! There was so much great tension between the heroine and her hero, who also happens to be her boss.

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Ménage on 34th Street by Elise Logan and Emily Ryan-Davis, erotic ménage romance

  We are proud to welcome Elise and Emily to the Carina Press family! This is their first book with us.

  Katrina and Liam have a happy marriage, but they’ve always felt there’s room for more. When their friend Hunter returns from active duty, they know exactly what that “more” is. Now if only they can convince Hunter...

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Matzoh and Mistletoe by Jodie Griffin, erotic BDSM romance

  Jodie writes about true-to-life characters exploring their sexy sides in her Bondage & Breakfast series.

  This BDSM novella has a lot of things going for it—it’s sexy, emotional, and there’s a really hot cop. Jodie is known for writing wonderfully realistic characters, and she doesn’t disappoint here.

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Gifts of Honor, military holiday collection

  Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail, contemporary military romance

  Stacy writes both paranormal and contemporary romance for Carina Press.

  Stacy Gail gifts us with the sweetest of holiday reunions for a wounded Army Ranger and his one true love. Patience and forgiveness meet sharp wit and sizzling attraction!

  —Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press

  Hero’s Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley, contemporary military romance

  Rebecca’s debut book with Carina Press, a fantastic sports romance called The Striker’s Chance¸ came out in September.

  Three days before Christmas, a surprising phone call from an old love changes absolutely everything in this compelling novella.

  —Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press

  Dedication

  To Shawn Lane—for sticking with me for six years

  and counting, for giving me those nudges when

  I needed them most, and for being the best critique

  partner and friend a girl could have.

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Copyright

  Prologue

  November 1821

  London, England

  The carriage slowed to a stop. Ducking to fit through the door, Max Arrington exited the carriage and stepped out into a light mist of cool autumn rain.

  “Number forty-one. Third floor, second door on the right,” Jack Morgan said from his place on the driver’s bench, voice pitched low, a rumble of sound.

  Max nodded once. A bit of rain or not, he didn’t need to instruct Morgan to wait. His driver had a team of two hitched to the older town carriage, the one that did not scream wealth too loudly. The man well knew tonight’s errand was not an ordinary one. After all, Morgan had been the one who’d obtained the address.

  The street was void of any other carriages or individuals strolling the walkways, as it should be at half-past one on a dreary November morning. Max did up the buttons on his greatcoat and glanced to the darkened shop front behind him, noted the number above the door, then set off up Wood Street. With each door he passed, the fury and betrayal that had been simmering like hot coals in his gut ratcheted up a notch.

  Bloody bastard. Bloody fucking bastard.

  And a damn ignorant one, too, if the man believed he could hide under the cover of anonymity.

  Max pulled open the door of number forty-one and entered the plain brick building which appeared to be the type that housed bachelor apartments or let rooms to boarders. The sounds of his footsteps echoed about him, heavy and ominous, as he took the narrow stairs up to the third floor. Stopping before the second door on the right, he took a moment to check his anger. Wouldn’t do to tear into the wrong individual. Morgan had yet to fail him, but there was the possibility, however remote, that the man’s intelligence would prove incorrect.

  A deep breath, and Max knocked on the door.

  Silence.

  He raised his arm, knuckles poised to knock again, to rouse the bastard from his bed if need be, when he heard the faint creak of footsteps on floorboards, the sound coming nearer. Golden light seeped from beneath the door, as if someone had just lit a candle.

  There was the metallic click of a lock turning. The door swung partially open.

  Max caught a glimpse of a very familiar face, dark hair tousled and eyes heavy with sleep.

  The just-checked anger flared to full force, rushing through his veins. He shoved the door fully open, stepped inside a shabby parlor and flicked the door shut behind him.

  “Good evening, Jonathan,” he said, voice like ice, hard and deathly cold.

  The words hung between them. Max kept his gaze pinned on the other man. The wrinkled white shirt hanging loose over his trousers and the bare feet indicated he had indeed roused Jonathan from his bed. Not that he cared one whit. All that mattered was that after spending all of yesterday traveling from Hampshire and all of today waiting for word from Morgan on Jonathan’s current whereabouts, Max finally had the bloody fucking bastard before him.

  Jonathan blinked. A ghost of a polite smile curved his lips. “Ah, good to see you. What brings you to this end of Town?”

  Highly doubtful Jonathan thought it good to see him. Yet another example of his lying, deceitful nature.

  Max reached into his greatcoat pocket, pulled out the note. “I received your letter.”

  Jonathan’s eyes flared for the briefest of seconds, guilt and shock flashing across his handsome features, before he summoned the false veil of confusion. His dark brows drew together. “My letter?”

 
“Yes. Your letter. The one I received in yesterday’s post.”

  “But, Max, I didn’t send you—”

  “You will address me as Your Grace.” All intimacy between them was long gone. Destroyed by Jonathan’s own hand.

  Jonathan’s upper lip twitched, as if he dared to consider sneering at him. The guise of confusion vanished. “I did not send you a letter, Your Grace. So if you would please take yourself back to Hampshire, I would like to get some rest. Lest you have forgotten, it was I who left you. Therefore you have no right to come calling in the middle of the night.”

  Bastard. As if Max needed the reminder. Through sheer force of will, he pushed aside the hurt, refused to allow Jonathan to see even a hint of the pain the man had left in his wake. “Did you truly believe I would bend to your demands?”

  “I don’t know what you speak of.”

  “The letter. The one you wrote. Did you believe I’d think it a mere coincidence four weeks after you walked out my door in a snit that I received an unsigned note attempting to extort a ridiculously large sum in exchange for silence on my preferences?”

  “You have no proof I wrote that letter,” Jonathan shot back, shoulders squaring, meeting Max’s unwavering gaze. “You’re annoyed someone actually left your condescending arse and therefore you want to blame me. My apologies to your bruised pride, but I did not write you a damn letter.”

  How had he never before noticed the mercenary glint in Jonathan’s eyes? Had he been that blind? That eager to believe every word from the man’s lying lips? “This note is proof,” he said, lifting his arm, the paper now a crumpled mass in his fist.

  “Has the thought occurred to you that it could have been written by one of your other lovers?” Jonathan crossed to a nearby side table, grabbed a glass from its surface and downed the last splash of remaining liquid. “Surely there are others who have had to endure your...charm. I wasn’t your first, and given how you barely let a night pass without wanting my arse, I’d find it hard to believe I was your last lover.”

  True, not his first lover, but Jonathan Peterson had been his last. Not that Max would admit he’d been with no other since Jonathan had left him. “‘...and if the sum is not received by the thirtieth of November, the gossips will have it on their tongues that the Duke of Pelham has not only an unnatural preference for men, but a fondness for tying his lovers to the bed,’” Max recited from memory, from the words in the letter that had been burned into his brain. “Tie me, Max.” The memory of those whispered words sounded in his head. He could well recall the shiver of excitement that had passed through his own body at the prospect. “You are the only man I have ever tied to a bed. Only you would know that detail.”