ral location. Or her own home, the one she’d shared with Carson. The last time she’d been in

he living room. She stiffened but made no move to distance herself from him. She was

ragging a hand raggedly through his hair. Then he turned, not sure how exactly

doing in The House ton

ry in his tone and her

o you? Let me tell you. He would have had you bent over while he flogged your pretty ass and then he would have f**ked you without mercy, uncaring of your pleasure. I

hing he wanted was to make her cry when she’d made it the entire day, o

e said quietly. “I understa

e you been going to The

ad. “No. This wa

have happened to you if I hadn’t been there? There is no way in hell

mentally shake herself. She steeled her

oing. You don’t understand,

” he cha

g to decide whether to trust him. He was on edge, because damn it, he wanted her

could do not to go to her. Not to comfort and hold her and tell her everything would be all right. But he waited. Because whatever she

arson with all my heart and soul. He was my soul mate. I kn

because she didn’t think another man would ever love her as Carson had. When in fact, Dash was that man. He already loved her—had

I could ever possibly wan

d down again, her shoul

He knew damn well Carson would have given her the moon. Anything t

e,” Joss

ins. His pulse raced and he had to calm himself and clarify that he’d

inan

he wouldn’t—couldn’t—bring himself to do anything that could possibly be construed as abuse. He worried constantly that somehow he would inherit his father’s abusive nature, that it was somehow genetic, and he’d die before ever doing anything to hurt me. As if he

He crossed the room, sat on the couch next to her and pulled her into his

u or his children,” Dash sa

him of that. His father messed him up, Dash. Him and Kylie both. They never recovered from all he had done to them and

anned as well, Joss,” Dash prompted

’m not stupid. I didn’t just up and decide to go to The House. It’s something I’ve thought about and researched for months. I talked

ablishment that catered to every conceivable kink or fetish, but h

not coming back. And I have to pick up and move on. I can’

er thoughts because this was huge. He was learning a sid

arger now that Carson is gone. I loved him too much to ever ask or demand that he give me something he wasn’t capable of. And it sounds

y. I know,” D

how can I make you understand that this isn’t a game? It isn’t me being irrational

want. What you need. I’ll listen, Joss. And I won’t

ondemnation? Had she expected him to accuse

nt a man to possess me, to own me. I want to submit to him and I want him to take care of me. Protect me. God, it makes me sound like some helpless, dependent twit. B

don’t have to defend your choices to me. I’m here to listen. Don’t

That he was dominant and that he desired submissiveness in a woman. Now the promise that Carson had exacted from him made so much more sense. Carson had known his wife wanted something he himself could never provide her, and he wanted

made me feel as though I were betraying Carson. I didn’t want you to know. Chessy and Kylie knew. I told them. They’re worried about me, but they also kno

red to her that Dash had been there. He could see

you doing t

tant things to discuss. It was all he could do to hold himself back. To temper the urg

you are about this. I need to know if this is truly what you want and what

he said in a resolved tone that

ips so close he could feel the warmth from the inviting b

ker that crossed her eyes. “It’s always been what I am. And let me tell you this right now. If this is wha

at she could feel the harsh exhalation of his breath. She could see the determined glitter in his eyes. And for the first time, she be

was a glint in his eyes, a firm set to his jaw. She could see the pulse thudding at his nec

ng his way. He had a quiet authority about him. He didn’t need to be loud to get his point across. She’d been

lind to it, nor was she immune. As she’d pondered just earlier that day, in the beginning he’d intimidated her. She’d felt his concern and disapproval over how

e shivered under the intensity of his gaze, those dark eye

hand lifting and then fluttering downward again

tilted her universe ev

ppy. But as you said, he’s gone now, and I’ve waited. For what seems like an eternity I’ve waited for the right moment. For when you were ready. Maybe I waited

. But no. That wasn’t possible. He’d never betray his best friend. Had Dash developed feelings for her af

en one for far too long. Today had been about letting