Bound Forever also available in
The Bound Series paperback edition
Bound Forever — Novella
The Bound Series, Book #3
Regency-set D/s M/M erotic romance
Release date: 02/13/2017
Word count: 30,000
ISBN: 978-1-37016-228-4
Available now at:
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Audio: Audible
Audio: Amazon
Audio: iBooks
Audio CD: Amazon
Story Behind the Story - for behind the scenes info on the book
Lord Oliver Marsden's life is perfect...well almost perfect. His bookshop is doing well, his bank account isn't empty, and his nights are filled with a deliciously dominant man...who tends to be a bit too domineering outside of the bedchamber. But Vincent loves him and that's all that should matter. Right? And of course, Vincent still firmly holds the reins of control. Yet while Oliver feels Vincent is finally ready to give himself fully to him, to make good on the offer Oliver refused a year ago, the looming threat his lover could someday be forced to marry keeps him from tugging the reins from Vincent's grasp.
Then Vincent receives a letter that changes everything. Oliver seizes the moment and pushes Vincent toward a night neither of them will ever forget. Yet come dawn, Oliver awakens to an empty bed.
Lord Vincent Prescot knows he loves Oliver. The man's his best friend and he trusts him. So why does submitting to Oliver leave him so shaken? It doesn't take him long to find the answer, yet his solution could drive his lover away for good.
Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: D/s theme and elements, and male/male sexual practices.
© Ava March
"Shall we retire to the study?" If he allowed it, Oliver would remain in the dining room and chat with the housekeeper, keeping the woman at the house precious minutes longer than needed.
Oliver must have picked up on the hint, for he didn't glance at Vincent in question when he nudged him -- all right, the nudge bordered on a shove -- toward the door. When they reached the study, he found Mrs. Hollister had already stoked the fire in the hearth. The strong flames warmed the room.
Rather than head straight for the small plate of tarts, Oliver stopped before the console table situated in front of one of the windows. With the candles lighting the room and the dark sky backing the window, Oliver's reflection was visible in the glass as he picked up the crystal decanter from the silver tray. He bowed his head, a chunk of his wavy hair falling forward, and focused on pouring brandy into first one tumbler and then another.
Vincent settled in the armchair angled toward the couch. Glass clinked faintly as Oliver set the decanter back on the tray.
"For you," Oliver murmured, offering a tumbler to Vincent.
"Thank you." He brought the glass to his lips. The well-aged brandy flowed smoothly down his throat.
Oliver sat down in his usual spot on the couch, conveniently enough within arm's reach of the tarts on the end table. After taking a sip of brandy, he reached for a tart. "Care for one?"
"No, thank you."
"Are you certain? They're delicious."
"I'm certain they are. However, I'll leave them to you." Unlike his lover, he had never had a taste for sweets. After a satisfying meal, a nice glass of brandy and good company were all he needed.
A little smile played on Oliver's lips as he chewed. Then he popped the last bit of the tart into his mouth, swallowing it down with a long sip of brandy. He brushed a fingertip to the edge of his mouth, swiping up a droplet of liquor. The motion quick and without thought, unlike when he wiped the trickle of pearly white seed from the corners of his mouth.
The decadent image played in Vincent's mind -- of Oliver, his heavily-lidded gaze locked with his as he slipped his fingers back into his mouth to suck on the tips as if savoring every drop.
Vincent shifted, stretching out his legs and settling more comfortably in the chair. Oliver was damn brilliant at sucking cock. But a good half hour remained before the housekeeper finished tidying the kitchen and left for the night. A good half hour before he could give Oliver the order to drop to his knees. Rather than let impatience build, he simply savored the low hum of anticipation and the smooth glide of the brandy down his throat.
Heat rolled off the fire in the hearth behind him, warming him from the outside while the brandy heated him from within. Resting his head on the back of the armchair, he let his eyes drift shut.
The only sounds that broke the companionable silence were the very faint clinks of china and glassware as the housekeeper worked in the kitchen, the crackle of the logs in the hearth, and the creak of leather whenever Oliver shifted on the couch.
He sensed Oliver's presence a second before he heard the splash of liquid. He opened his eyes to find Oliver refilling the tumbler resting on the arm of the chair, Vincent's loose grip just enough to keep the glass from falling to the floor. Lashes at half-mast, Oliver looked down at him, that little smile playing once again on his mouth.
"Thank you." Though one more splash and Oliver would have been in danger of over filling the glass. Vincent carefully brought the tumbler to his lips and took a long sip. No reason to allow perfectly good brandy to go to waste.
After replacing the decanter on the tray, Oliver settled back on the couch. "Did you enjoy supper?"
"Most assuredly, and especially the company."
Oliver tipped his head in acknowledgement. "Mrs. Hollister should be finished soon."
"Indeed."
Vincent's gaze swept over his lover. He had one leg drawn up, elbow resting on his bent knee and his heel braced on the edge of the couch cushion. At first glance, he appeared fully at his ease. Yet the little smile that seemed fixed to his full lips, the faint glint lurking in the depths of his dark eyes...
He swore he could detect a new layer of...confidence radiating from his lover. Not blatant but subtle and definitely there.
Interesting. Perhaps it was merely a byproduct of his afternoon appointment. Oliver adored books, and the purchase of a few new crates' worth surely pleased him.
"Is there anything else you gentlemen need before I leave?"
Vincent pulled his attention from Oliver. The housekeeper stood in the open doorway of the study, her brown woolen coat buttoned to her chin and her gloved hands clasped before her.
He opened his mouth, but before he could reply, Oliver spoke.
"No, thank you, Mrs. Hollister. I hope you have a good evening."
She tipped her head and turned. Vincent gathered his wits just in time to bid her good evening before she disappeared down the corridor.
His attention snapped back to Oliver who regarded him with that same little smile. The click as the back door shut seemed to fill the study, fairly echoing off the walls. His lover's gaze remained locked with his over the rim of his glass as the man drained the last splash of brandy. Oliver set the empty tumbler on the end table and, in one fluid motion, stood from the couch.
He did not know what to make of this new version of Oliver. Not that he held any qualms with it, yet he could do nothing but stare at Oliver as he crossed the distance separating them. Of their own accord, his legs opened wider, just enough for Oliver to step between them. Bracing a hand on the back of the chair, he leaned down. Vincent expected a light brush of his lips. Instead Oliver's mouth slanted over his. Hot and quick, his agile tongue sweeping into Vincent's mouth.
Lust washed over him. A startlingly thick, heavy wave that clung to his senses.
Oliver pulled back just enough to break the kiss. "Are you ready to retire to my bedchamber?"
Struck mute by the combination of anticipation and need and determination blazing in the dark brown depths of his lover's eyes, Vincent could only nod.
"It's romantic, lovely, charming, warm, and so sexy you'll squirm in delight." - Whipped Cream Romance Reviews
"Not only did Bound Forever wrap up the series perfectly, it just might be my favorite book in this series yet. [Ava March] is one of the best authors in this genre, and she never fails to please this reader with her fast-paced storytelling and amazing characterization." –Night Owls Reviews Top Pick!
"Ava March is a wonderful romantic writer and her men's stories are vibrant and rich and nigh on addictive and she never fails. But I have to admit that in this third Bound book that she's surpassed herself. My sincere thanks to Ms March for a story that reaches out to the heart and imagination, and carries both away." - Dark Divas Reviews
"Ava March always packs such emotions in her short stories and I am so glad she gave these two a final book that shows us such love and tender emotions." - Smexy Books
"If you have not read an Ava March book you are in for a real treat with this series. ...Bound Forever is a lovely send off for Vincent and Oliver and I was very happy with the final book in this very sexy, romantic series." - Fiction Vixen Book Reviews
"Ava March writes unashamedly erotic books and this one is no exception. From the first page we know we are in for a romp, and we aren't disappointed. ...this installment deserves a five star-and if you haven't checked out Ava March, then you really should." - Speak Its Name
"I also loved how you could see the two men committing to each other, see them learning from their mistakes, see them trying not to make them again. ...it really worked. I would heartily recommend these three stories individually, but recommend them MORE together." - Dear Author, review of the Bound Series