Dante knew Daniel was the man for him the minute he said his first curse word. He was everything Dante could ever want in a sub: gorgeous, spunky, and totally into the lifestyle Dante enjoyed most. But nothing's ever as simple as it should be. When Dante gets called away on business he expects to be gone for a couple of weeks. He figures to claim Daniel when he comes home, but two weeks quickly turn into six months.

When Dante finally returns, everything he'd been looking for in a mate is gone. Daniel's been assaulted and beaten by a Dom out of control. He no longer trusts anyone-including Dante.

Determined to find the man he knows Daniel can be, Dante moves Daniel into his home and his life. But along with Daniel's insecurities and lack of trust, Dante has to fight the Dom that assaulted Daniel in the first place and a host of other misunderstandings before he can prove to Daniel that what they have is worth fighting for.

Special Content Alert: M/M, BDSM

Excerpt:

How delightful!

Logan laughed. "Yeah, go ahead. There are some unopened toys and lube in the dresser; I'm sure you will find them useful."

"Come along, Daniel," Dante said as he walked toward the spare bedroom. He didn't wait to see if Daniel would follow. He knew the man would. Now he just had to see if Daniel could follow him once they were in the bedroom, as well.

"Works every time," Daniel said, giggling.

Dante smirked as he walked down the hallway. He could hear Daniel speaking to Logan and Joey behind him. Daniel had no idea how well his words of defiance worked but he would find out.

"I'm waiting, Daniel," Dante said as he stepped into the bedroom. "And I'm not known as a patient man."

Daniel quickened his pace but he had a cocky grin on his face. Not for long, Dante thought. By the time I'm done with you there will be no doubt in your mind who is in charge.

He waited until Daniel passed through the door then shut it quietly behind him. Turning, he studied the gorgeous man, his mind running over every little thing he wanted to do to him.

"Take your clothes off, fold them, and put them on that chair over there," Dante said, pointing to a rocker by the wall. "Then come back and stand before me."

Dante watched with eager, hungry anticipation as Daniel revealed inch after inch of silky white skin. Daniel had a jubilant air about him as he folded his clothes and laid them on the chair then came back to stand in front of Dante.

"What's your safe word, Daniel?"

"Pecan."

"Any boundaries I need to be aware of? Anything you won't do?"

Daniel shrugged.

"Speak, my dear boy; I require verbal communication, not a shrug in response to my questions."

"Well, I don't like defecation," Daniel replied. "I prefer not to experience anything that will cause me lasting pain and I don't like verbal abuse."

"I'm pretty much in agreement with all of that," Dante said. He walked around Daniel in a circle, reaching out to brush bits of naked flesh here and there. Daniel quivered in response. "I don't like humiliation of any kind. It's demeaning to both of us."

"Good, good," Daniel said. "What . . . what do you like, sir?"

Dante chuckled. "I like 'sir'." He stepped around to stand in front of Daniel and rubbed his thumb along the line of Daniel's plush lips. "I like the way it sounds on your lips but I imagine master would sound even better."

"Master."

The softly whispered word went straight to Dante's cock like a gentle caress. He barely suppressed a groan. It wouldn't do for Daniel to know the power he held at this point. He'd know soon enough.