"Good," he said, so very softly. "Look at how far we've come. It wasn't that long ago I'd have you going all to pieces on me just for a little tie-up. But you've learned I can be good to you, haven't you?"

"Yes, sir," she breathed.

"And you've learned I don't have to be, too."

The answering shiver, nervous and aroused and eager, jerked through the leather strap of the belt tied at her throat. "Yes, sir." Her voice was barely audible.

Sometimes it feels like he runs the world. In a breath he can win your heart or break your will. No matter how painfully sexy and honest and right he might seem, Heather has never let herself forget how dangerous he really is.

But against all her better judgement, against a thousand repeated promises, she's starting to let herself fall in love.

Troy never meant things to go this far. He never meant to let anyone get hurt, but there's something about Heather that won't allow him to let go. He knows he's either the man she dreams about or the man she fears. He'd give anything to be able to choose which one he'll be, but some days it feels like that choice has never been his.

Reader Advisory: This series is intended for mature audiences only and features intensely erotic situations, themes of dominance and submission, forced exhibition, discipline, bondage, and rough sex. All characters are 18 or older.