After Brodie, the man she'd thought would fill the roles of friend, lover, and Master, had proven to be not at all the person she'd thought he was, she had sworn off dating a Dom. The liberties he'd taken-and forced her to consent to-still gave her nightmares. Memories snuck up on her at the oddest times, battering her with intense waves of humiliation that stole her confidence and sense of self.

Yes, Dustin was a good man-much too good for her. Once he found out about the things she'd allowed Brodie to make her do, he would gently break her heart and run as far as he could go.

Dustin's palm pressed against hers, warm and firm, tangible proof that she was about to take a step forward. Right now, she had paused in a figurative half-step, her foot hovering uncertainly in the air. Once she put her foot down and shifted her weight, the ground behind her would fall away, leaving her forever teetering on the precipice.

Full disclosure. She should warn him of the consequences to his actions.

"Dustin, if you're serious about this, I think you should know that I date vanilla."

He didn't move. She lifted her gaze from the floor to find him staring at her curiously. Was she nervous? Utterly. She stared back, her manner appropriately sober.

"Why?"

No need to go into the details or give voice to uncomfortable memories. "BDSM scenes are fun, but they're not what I'm looking for in a long-term relationship. If I ever settle down, I want a husband, not a Master." n.o.body was ever going to order or coerce her into doing anything she didn't want to do. Not again.

He brushed his thumb back and forth over her wrist, evidence that he was both considering and bothered by her a.s.sertion. "Can't you have both?"

Once she'd thought it possible. Brodie had proven her theory wrong. "No. A husband is a partner. A Master is the boss. That's exciting, but impractical for the long haul. I just think you should know my views on the issue before you decide to change lanes." Silence fell in a heavy, oppressive blanket, but she didn't attempt to alleviate it with mindless chatter, further explanation, or false a.s.surances.

Finally his head bobbed a brief nod, indicating he'd arrived at a conclusion. "So you're thinking that we'll eventually get married?"

Lost G.o.ddess Publishing.

Visit www.lostG.o.ddesspublishing.com for information about our other t.i.tles.

Lost G.o.ddess Publishing Anthologies.

BDSM Anthology/Club Alegria #1-3.

June 2015: New Adult Anthology/Lovin' U #1-4.

Menage Anthology/Club Alegria #4-7.

Lost G.o.ddess Publishing Novels.

Re/Bound (Doms of the FBI 1) by Michele Zurlo.

Re/Paired (Doms of the FBI 2) by Michele Zurlo.

July 2015: Re/Claimed (Doms of the FBI 3) by Michele Zurlo August 2015: Blade's Ghost by Michele Zurlo.

Nexus #1: Tristan's Lover by Nicoline Tiernan.

Tessa by Ali Baran.

Dragon Kisses 1 by Michele Zurlo.

Dragon Kisses 2 by Michele Zurlo Dragon Kisses 3 by Michele Zurlo.

end.