Begin Reading

Table of Contents

About the Author

Copyright Page

Thank you for buying this

St. Martin’s Griffin ebook.

To receive special offers, bonus content,

and info on new releases and other great reads,

sign up for our newsletters.

Or visit us online at

us.macmillan.com/newslettersignup

For email updates on the author, click here.

The author and publisher have provided this e-book to you for your personal use only. You may not make this e-book publicly available in any way. Copyright infringement is against the law. If you believe the copy of this e-book you are reading infringes on the author’s copyright, please notify the publisher at: us.macmillanusa.com/piracy.

From Part 1

“Daddy, it’s so good to see you.”

Ashley froze at that voice. She pulled the robe tighter around her as she glanced at the door. She wanted to run. To hide. Anything to prevent being seen by the newcomer.

Helen threw herself into Dare’s embrace and his arms reluctantly slid around her.

“What are you doing here?” he asked.

“Can’t I come and visit my dad?”

“I’m not your dad.”

Helen fluttered her hand in the air dismissively. “Okay, my stepdad.” She glanced toward the dining room. “Oh, I see you have a guest. Anyone I know?”

“Helen, another time would be better.”

But Helen dodged past him and marched toward the dining room. As she approached Ashley, her expression suddenly switched from determination to one of confusion. Then she clenched her jaw and looked even more solemn. She stopped beside the table and glared at Ashley.

“I thought it was Jessica fucking my stepfather,” she muttered just loud enough for Ashley to hear. “But it seems you’re the little slut doing him.” Her eyes narrowed. “Well¸ believe me, I will make sure you pay for this.”

Ashley’s stomach clenched. She hadn’t seen Helen in six years, and she had missed her, but now she was confronted by a vindictive¸ angry woman she barely recognized.

Of course, she could understand Helen being upset finding Ashley here, in her stepfather’s robe, clearly having spent the night. She simply stared into Helen’s blazing brown eyes, at a loss for words.

“Helen, what are you doing in town?” Dare asked.

Helen had moved away from Autumn’s Ridge years ago, and Ashley had heard that she was living near her mother in Cambria, a town about a hundred miles south.

Helen dragged her gaze from Ashley’s, then her sour expression blossomed to one of adoration as she turned to Dare again.

“I heard you were in town on business for a while so I thought I’d come visit. It’ll give me a chance to catch up with a few old friends, too.” Her sharp gaze flickered to Ashley. “Of course I hadn’t expected one of them to be sleeping over.”

“Helen…”

At Dare’s warning tone, she sent him a sugary smile. “You don’t mind me coming to visit, do you?”

“Some warning would have been nice.”

“Yes, I suppose that would have prevented this awkward situation. So I’ll just go get settled in my room.”

She grabbed the handle to her suitcase and rolled it across the room, then down the hall.

Dare walked toward the table.

“I’m sorry about that, Ash. She does this kind of thing.”

“It’s okay. I’ll get dressed and head home.”

“You don’t have to leave.”

Ashley stood up. “But it’s best if I do. I don’t think either one of us wants to suffer the awkwardness of me staying.”

She walked to the bedroom and pulled on her clothes. She’d have to rush home to shower and change if she was going to make it to work on time. When she walked back into the living room, thankfully, there was no sign of Helen.

Dare intercepted her at the door and drew her into his arms. He was still in just his jeans and bare chested and the feel of his hot, hard flesh against her set her insides aflame. His lips found hers and the lingering kiss made her want to take his hand and drag him back to the bedroom.

But Helen was just down the hall and that thought was like a bucket of cold water splashing over her.

Reluctantly, she drew her mouth from his. “I’ve got to go.” Then she turned and slipped out the door.

*   *   *

When Ashley got to work, she walked past Adam’s office to her desk in the pit, as they called it. An open workspace with half dividers where the staff writers and production staff worked. Adam’s door was closed.

She dug her journal from her purse and started up her computer. After opening a new document in her word processor, she began compiling the notes she’d been keeping about her research. She kept an eye on Adam’s office door but it was closed all morning. She didn’t know what she’d say or do once she saw him, but they had to find a way to get past the tension between them. They were both professionals, so she knew they’d get by, but she wanted more than that.

He was her friend. And he could be so much more. But it seemed that would only happen if she was willing to give up her time with Dare.

Why did things have to be so complicated?

After lunch, she did some online research to incorporate into her article, digging more into the BDSM lifestyle. It was fascinating to discover the levels of control people allowed. There were submissives—subs for short—who gave up control to their Dominant, the latter often spelled with an uppercase D, but some people took it even further. Some people would essentially become a slave to another person, often calling that person Master. Surrendering so completely to their Master that they made no decisions of their own, even signing over all their possessions.

She learned more about punishment, too. Flogging, spanking, paddling. How the sub would get excited by the pain. Even come to crave it.

Her cheeks heated as she remembered how it felt to be spanked by Dare. How much it had turned her on.

She closed her browser and tried to focus on organizing and reviewing what she had pulled together, but it all reminded her of Dare and his fiery touch. The way his commanding voice burned through her to kindle a flame deep inside her that burned hotter than anything she’d ever known before.

This craving to be dominated—to allow herself to surrender totally to his will, and her own desires—was powerful. So powerful she was willing to give up what she might have with Adam just to have another few weeks of it with Dare. Because Dare wielded a control over her that set her free.

“Ashley, come into my office.”

Startled, Ashley glanced up to see Adam standing beside her desk. His words were curt, unlike his usual friendly tone. She stood up and followed him, becoming aware that the pit was empty. She hadn’t realized how late it was—after six— and most people had left for the day.

She followed him into his office.

“Close the door,” he said as he walked to his desk and leaned back against it.

She closed the door and then approached him uncertainly.

She didn’t know what she’d done wrong but his somber expression assured her he wasn’t happy with her. Her throat tightened. She knew he was upset about her turning him down the other night, but it wasn’t like Adam to allow their personal lives to affect them at work. They’d never really had an argument before, though, and certainly not one so emotionally charged, so they were definitely in uncharted territory.