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T he huge indoor “garden” was stunning. Tahira felt like she’d stepped onto the four-square-mile tropical island her family owned in the South Pacific.

Its faux-grass, potted plants, shrubs, and tall trees, cabanas with sheer, white curtains and daybeds to lounge on, a non-alcoholic tiki-bar—alcohol was only allowed at the main bar above the pit—and a retractable roof gave it an outdoor atmosphere.

When the roof was open, a mesh screen was in place to keep out bugs and thwart camera lenses.

Apparently, two of the club’s well-known members, fraternal-twin brothers, and their wife had their lifestyle plastered all over the internet, because of the men’s jealous ex.

Afterward, the press had been trying to get a glimpse of the inside of The Covenant and had used drones.

But the screen was coated in a way that let the fresh air and light in, yet nothing else.

Any images that were taken while the roof was open just showed a layer of black and nothing more.

Tahira loved the little paths that wound around the foliage to hidden areas where people could have a sense of privacy even though anyone could walk by at any given time.

“Harper De ...” she paused, trying to curb her habit of using the first and last names of those people she didn’t know well in order to remember them.

She was getting better, but there were times she faltered.

Darius grinned and winked at her, obviously knowing she’d caught herself.

She winked back and then looked at the other woman.

“I can see why you love it so much. It is beautiful. I would probably want to spend most of my time here too. Although, the rest of the club is magnificent too. May I ask how long you have been in the lifestyle? Or is that too personal a question?”

Harper snorted and waved her hand. “Oh, nothing’s too personal to me.

I tend to be a bit of an exhibitionist, at least when Mara isn’t around.

I went to my first munch in college and have been involved in the lifestyle ever since.

Marco started while in the Navy and introduced Brody to it when they both ended up on the same team with Darius. ”

“They were on the team a few years before I was assigned to it,” he said.

“There were a bunch of guys besides them who were into the lifestyle, but I never saw the draw. I’ve learned a lot more about it since I started with Trident—it’s hard not to with the club right next door.

But what’s a munch again? I’ve heard the term before but never really paid attention to what it meant. ”

“It’s a get-together where people interested in the lifestyle can meet experienced Doms and subs and ask questions and learn what it’s all about.

There should be no play allowed at munches, but sometimes you’ll see some non-sexual videos, defining different types of play, to give people a taste of what they might see at a club. ”

“I find Shibari fascinating,” Tahira exclaimed, much to Darius’s surprise, as she sat on the edge of one of the daybeds under a cabana. “Does anyone do that here?”

“Oh, yes. In fact, Master Stefan is an expert at it. He teaches a few classes a few times a year and will do demonstrations. And you’re right—it is fascinating. I love to watch it, although I’m not too keen on being suspended like that. I trust Marco; I don’t trust the ropes.”

Darius had seen one of Coast Guard Lieutenant Stefan Lundquist’s rope demos.

It really was kind of mesmerizing to see him bind his submissive, Cassandra, one of the club’s waitresses, then suspend her from the ceiling using a pulley system.

The woman was usually zoned out—subspace was what they called it—by the time she was raised into the air.

Harper gestured to the large, inviting space with her hands. “Look around some more, if you want. I’m just going to run down to the women’s locker room. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

As the other woman left them alone, Darius sat down on the bed next to Tahira. “When have you seen a Shibari demonstration?”

“I’ve never seen one in person, but I have seen videos of it on the internet.”

“Yeah, I guess you can find anything on the internet these days.” He paused. “Can I ask you something?”

The seriousness in his voice had Tahira shifting her body to face him. She placed her hand on his where it rested on the mattress. “Of course, Darius. You can ask me anything.”

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Before I ask it, just know that this would be your decision, okay?”

“Okay.” She had no idea what he was leading up to.

“After Ian figured out what was going on with us, he suggested there were things about being in the lifestyle that might help you deal with what happened better. He’s willing to train me to be a Dom for you.

Nothing wild and kinky, but there are aspects of BDSM that are more psychological in nature than sexual.

He mentioned that giving you control might help you overcome the fact things had been out of your control. Does that make sense?”

Tahira bit her bottom lip and thought for a moment.

She’d been reading one of her favorite BDSM authors’ books over the past few days and had wondered about the same thing Ian had suggested.

While there were parts of the lifestyle that did not appeal to her—exhibitionism being one of them—she’d been pondering how the submissives in the books willingly relinquished control to their Doms. After they felt safe enough to do it, they didn’t have to worry about making any decisions.

They only had to get lost in how their Doms made them feel—with or without sexual contact.

With their safewords, lists of limits, and trust in their Doms, the submissives still controlled the scene.

There was no worry that their Doms would go beyond what was safe, sane, and consensual.

“Yes, it does, and I think it might be a good idea.” She paused. “But what about you, Darius? How do you feel about it? Is it something you are interested in? I do not want to impose on you any more than I have already.”

“You’re not imposing, sweetheart.” He sighed.

“If you’d asked me weeks ago if I was interested in it, I would’ve said no.

But after talking to Ian, I’ve been doing a little research on my own, and I think it really might help you.

But it’s totally up to you. If you say no, then that’s the end of it.

This is not something I need like some of the other guys.

But it might be something you can benefit from, and if you’re willing, then so am I.

” He reached up and cupped her cheek. “I worry about you. You’re still having nightmares.

” When she opened her mouth, he stopped her.

“And don’t deny it. What I want to know is why haven’t you come to me for comfort?

You have to know I’d do anything to help you, Princess. ”

“I do know that, and I thank you, but I did disturb your sleep.”

“Princess, I sleep very lightly after all my years in the Navy. If you need me, please don’t shut me out. I’m one of the few people you can talk to, and I want to be here for you.”

She held his hand to her cheek and closed her eyes for a moment, wishing they had a real romantic relationship and not one based on a lie.

Blinking, she focused on his soft green eyes.

Something had changed between them within the last few moments, and she pulled back a bit to concentrate, seeing something she’d never seen with him before—his aura!

Multiple colors swirled around Darius, and Tahira zeroed in on each one and their meanings. Shades of green for healing and compassion; indigos for benevolence; and reds for passion and strength. Tahira’s breath hitched. His aura was just as beautiful as the man.

“Tahira, what’s wrong?”

His voice drew her back into focus. “I am sorry, Darius. As you say, I zoned out for a moment. Nothing is wrong. In fact, I think a lot of things are suddenly right. Yes, I would like for you help me explore this lifestyle, and I hope I can give you something back in return.”

Without hesitation or waiting for him to respond, she closed the distance between them and pressed her mouth to his.

He stiffened for a split second before he took over the kiss, his hand going into her hair and holding her there.

A groan escaped him as his tongue demanded entry to her mouth.

She parted her lips for him, her arms going around his neck as she moved even closer.

Whatever had just happened between them released a hunger she’d never experienced before.

Up until now, their make-out session had been relatively tame.

But now, she silently urged him to release whatever he’d been holding back from her.

His hands slid down her sides and grasped her hips.

Tugging them, he pulled her closer until she was straddling his lap.

She grew wet as she felt his erection pulsating against her sex.

Once she was settled, his hands stroked the contours of her back.

Taking his cue, she let her own hands roam over the sinewy muscles of his shoulders, upper back, and arms. As their lips melded together, his tongue dueled with hers, and his hand snaked around and cupped her breast, causing Tahira to moan in pleasure and need.

A clanging sound in the main club had Darius breaking the kiss. They were both panting heavily as he stared at her with lust-filled eyes, seconds before regret filled them. “I’m sorry, Tahira—”

“Hush, Darius. Please do not say that. I very much enjoyed what just happened between us, and I want it to happen again. It proves that what that bastard did to me has not made me afraid of intimacy with a man ... with you. I am a grown woman, with passion and desire filling me every time you touch me. He could not take that from me, and I will not let you or anyone else deny me what is rightfully mine. I may not be experienced with a man, but I know you will not hurt me, physically or emotionally.” She hesitated a moment.

“But if you are having second thoughts and do not want me as much as I want you, then I will understand—”

He snorted. “Not want you?” He flexed his hips, grinding his manhood against her core.

“Does this feel like I don’t want you, Princess?

Does this feel like I don’t find you desirable?

I like you very much, sweetheart, and I care for you just as much.

Trust me when I say I would be honored to have you in my bed.

But that’s your decision. I won’t push you in any way.

If and when you would like to take things further, then just let me know.

But under no circumstances do you come to me because you feel obligated because of the wedding or that you owe me for helping you out, understand? That is not what I want at all.”

She smiled and blinked away a few tears that tried to escape her watery eyes.

“Yes, I understand.” She caressed his cheek, loving the feel of his evening stubble rasping against her palm.

“You are a very noble man, Darius. And do not roll your eyes at me when I compliment you like that. I know Doms will not allow that, and I am making it a rule between us too. I will not roll my eyes at you if you do not roll your eyes at me.” He grinned at her demand.

“I want you very much, Darius. I will always be grateful for what you are doing for me, but that is not part of my attraction to you. You make me feel more like a woman than anyone else has in my entire life. I feel the heat of your gaze from across a room. My heart speeds up and the rest of my body reacts just because it knows you are near. No man has ever done that to me before.”

From just inside the door to the main club, Harper appeared, cutting off anything Darius may have said. The woman grinned, knowingly, when she saw them. “Are you ready to go back? I’m getting hungry.”

Placing one last kiss on Darius’s lips, Tahira climbed off his lap, stood, and held out her hand.

As he took it, hope and love filled her heart.

She’d discovered several things in the past few minutes.

The most important one was she’d found her soul mate.

Now she just had to wait until he realized it too.