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T here was no other word for it. As soon as she heard the word ‘Dom’, she remembered that stupid book.

How the woman who told her about it thought it was perfectly fine to let a man have that sort of complete control, sadistic abuse, and domination over a woman.

No other part of Jack’s sentence got through once she heard ‘Dom’.

No way would Lucy sign up to be assaulted for one man’s pleasure.

It surprised her that Jack had. She was disappointed but, at the same time, suddenly terrified.

She knew she had to get out of there. Lucy wrapped her arms around her body, trying to protect herself.

She glanced left and right. There, on her left, she saw her bag.

Leaping to her feet, she grabbed it, clutching it tight against her breasts. “Look, I don’t think I’m the one you want. I’ll see you later.”

Practically running down the hall, Lucy noted the two men jump up in shock when she did and followed her to the door.

“We’ll walk you to your car.”

“No. No, it’s fine. Thanks for dinner.” Her voice sounded strained, even to her ears. She almost tore the door open.

Sebastian touched her hand. “We understand, Lucy. Thanks for listening to us and, more importantly, thanks for being honest. I can’t say I’m surprised, but I’d really hoped...” His voice trailed off.

Lucy had been halfway out the door when Sebastian spoke. She hesitated. I haven’t been honest with them. They’d laid their life out for her, been upfront and truthful. She’d just said no without explaining why. In fact, she’d run almost screaming from the room.

She sighed and turned back to them. “It isn’t the ‘two men’ thing.

I’m really not sure how it all works, although it doesn’t put me off at all.

It’s the Dom thing.” She took a deep breath.

“Look, I’ve read this book about a Dom and his sub—well, I only started reading it.

Sorry, but there’s no way I would ever allow a man to abuse me like that, to never accept when I said no, to treat me like I was some sort of slave to use whenever he wanted. To have no say in my own life.”

With that, she sped through the door, down the hall, and onto the stairs.

She glanced back when she’d reached the first step and saw Sebastian look at Jack.

Both wore the same puzzled expression. Then they both took off running at the same time.

Lucy was halfway down the stairs when the two of them caught up to her.

Sebastian grabbed her arm, scaring her more than she liked to admit. He appeared angry, and knowing he was a Dom, fear rose of what he might do to her. The man in the book had hit the heroine whenever he was angry.

A scream hovered in her throat.

“Lucy, what the fuck are you talking about? What abuse?” His anger disappeared when he saw her face.

Tears ran down her cheeks—from fear, confusion, and disappointment.

Jack shook his head, taking her hand. “Lucy, Sebastian’s never abused me. I don’t think you understand what a true Dom-sub relationship is if the only thing you read about it is from a few pages in one single fiction book.”

“Jack’s right, Lucy. You’ve got it all wrong.”

“Have I? Have I really?” Her voice was harsh. “So you don’t tie Jack up? You haven’t got some contract written between you? You don’t hit him? Tell him what to do?”

“Well, some of it, yes, but you’re taking it out of context.”

Lucy shook her head.

“Lucy. Lucy, look at me!” Jack’s voice held a tinge of urgency. “Do I look like I’m abused? I love Sebastian. We have a wonderful, caring relationship. I have needs like everyone, but mine are met by this type of relationship.”

Lucy put a fist to her mouth, her thoughts so mixed up. “I can’t. I’m sorry,” she mumbled as she tried shaking off their hands.

Jack dropped hers and looked sadly at Sebastian, who still had his hand on her arm.

“Please, Lucy, just give us the chance to explain it all. To tell you what it’s really like. That’s all I ask. Please. Please. Just an hour to tell you exactly what our relationship is.”

Her tears flowed faster now and perhaps Sebastian knew it was fruitless to pressure her, because he dropped his hand from her arm and stepped aside.

He spoke so quietly, Lucy had to strain to hear him. “I really wish you’d give us a chance to explain. I know you’ve got it all wrong, but I understand.”

Lucy stared down at her arm where he’d held it, almost feeling it’s warmth. Studying each man, she was certain they could see nothing but confusion, fear, and disappointment written on her face.

Lucy wanted to go, but at the same time she wanted to stay. Maybe they’d given her too much to think about far too quickly, although she knew it was better to be upfront right from the start.

Sebastian regarded her kindly, giving a lopsided smile—a half grin and half frown.

He quietly spoke. “I know this has been too much to take in.” He drew a deep breath.

“Honestly, Lucy, whatever you’ve read about Doms and subs, I know you’ve got it all wrong, especially from a piece of fiction.

If you’d allow us, we could meet you somewhere, talk about it all.

Answer any questions.” He exhaled noisily.

“How about tomorrow, or some other day soon, we talk about things? How our relationship works.”

Jack stepped around and stood alongside Sebastian who put his arm around Jack’s waist. These two were the type of men she dreamed about—had dreamt about.

She’d been tempted, even knowing she wanted control—that is, until she’d heard that D word.

Now they were telling her she’d got it completely wrong.

Have I?

All she actually knew about Doms and subs was from those fifty or so pages she’d read in one fiction book. Jack certainly didn’t seem as if he were in a toxic relationship. But then she knew people in abusive situations covered things up.

Lucy recalled years ago she’d worked in an office where a woman was in a violent relationship. She would pretend things were okay. Lucy only found out when the woman ended up in hospital and some of the other staff told her what they knew. It had shocked Lucy because she’d never had an inkling.

She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

Her head spun with everything, a total overload.

A headache began its pounding. Should she at least give them the chance to explain or should she just forget all about them?

They must have looked strange, the three of them standing on the stairs, not saying a word.

Minutes ticked past as she tried to sort through her feelings.

Uppermost was the fact that she really liked them and was definitely interested in both of them. She’d honestly been tempted to try this threesome thing. She’d at least been prepared to get to know them as friends until they’d uttered the D word.

“Oh hell!” She looked to the heavens, sighing out loud, then staring at the men.

Both appeared to smother a laugh.

Sebastian touched her arm. “Go home, Lucy, think about what I’ve said. If you want to learn more or just want to be friends, give us a call. No strings attached.”

Talk about torn between two decisions!

But how could she phone them? She didn’t know their number, only the main switch of the complex. It startled her when she recognized she was considering. She watched Sebastian as he smiled.

Her gaze lowered back to the ground and she whispered so quietly that he leaned forward to hear her. “I don’t have your number, only the switchboard.”

He put a hand beneath her chin, gently raising her face. “Does that mean you’ll talk to us?”

Decision time.

Lucy searched his face then looked at Jack’s. Jack smiled at her, his whole face lighting up. Thinking it through, she understood there would be nothing to lose by talking to them, but she’d feel better doing it on her ‘home turf’.

Lucy knew if she discovered later that she was wrong, she’d be devastated at her missed opportunity to know these men.

Still, she didn’t want to do it here and now.

At the moment, she was upset, very much confused, with the beginnings of a rotten headache.

They had her address and, if the book was right, then they could turn up at any time like the book ‘hero’.

She could meet them somewhere, but how on earth would she have a conversation like this without someone overhearing?

She knew she’d be embarrassed just by the fact that some of the things they’d be talking about would be sexual.

No, her home was where she’d feel best. So many thoughts raced through her mind, still far too many, in fact. Sighing heavily, she nodded, then held up a hand when they both went to move closer.

They stopped.

“You already have my name, address, and number, at least Roger wrote it on a file in Gordon’s office. So, I guess if you wanted to stalk me, you could.” Sebastian appeared bemused by her choice of words but let her continue. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow—but at my home where I feel comfortable.”

“Are you sure, Lucy? We could meet you somewhere? Wouldn’t you feel safer somewhere public?”

“And have people listening in?” Vehemently, she added, “No way!”

“Okay. How ‘bout we come over around two? There are a few things we need to organize here first, but we’d be free by one.”

Sebastian smiled at her, his full, thick lips suddenly catching her attention. They intrigued her as she wondered what it would be like to kiss them. She shook her head, pushing that thought far away.

Jack took a half step closer. “Lucy, don’t be scared. Nothing bad will happen.”

A stray tear ran down the side of her face.

His fingers gently lifted it from her cheek and she wanted to lean into him, to let him wrap his arms about her and comfort her. She held herself stiffly, if only to hold herself back.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Lucy.”

She nodded.

Sebastian looked as if he wanted to kiss her cheek but resisted. There was a stab of disappointment, but he said, “Tomorrow, sweet lady.”

They both moved to the side and stood leaning against the brickwork of the stairs, giving her plenty of room.

Lucy turned and fled down the steps. She glanced up when she reached the bottom. Both men stood watching her as she turned the corner and left the place.