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That was true. In a few weeks, Stefan was set to begin teaching another course at the club in the fine art of tying a submissive up in designs made from yards of silky rope.

When his maternal grandfather had taught Stefan how to create dozens of different types of knots when he was a boy, never had he thought he’d be using the knowledge to decorate naked women with intricate patterns that would put them in subspace.

But Stefan didn’t want a new sub—he wanted Cassandra .

He’d gotten used to her, and they’d fallen into a comfortable relationship—superficial as it was.

He’d made it clear, when they’d done their initial negotiations all those months ago, they were a Dom and his sub—nothing more.

Stefan didn’t want a girlfriend or slave.

He’d gone both those routes before—several times—and none had worked out, which was why he avoided those types of relationships now. Less drama that way.

Damn it, he wasn’t ready to give Cassandra up yet.

But he didn’t have a choice. She’d said her safeword, and as a respectable Dom , he had to abide by it.

That didn’t mean he couldn’t try to get her to change her mind.

“ We have a few hours left on the current contract. Do you still want to play tonight?”

When she hesitated and bit her bottom lip, his heart sank. He knew without a doubt what her next words were going to be. “ No , Sir , I’d rather not. I’m sorry— I know you didn’t expect this tonight, but I - I really should be going.”

He had half a mind to ask where she was going in such a hurry but managed to keep the question in his throat. He didn’t want her to know how disappointed he was that she’d ended their time together. Instead , he stood and rounded the table to stand behind her.

“ Lift your hair,” he commanded. When she obeyed him, his fingers went to her nape, but then he couldn’t help himself.

Before he unclasped the simple collar he’d given her months ago, he skimmed her bare neck and shoulder with his knuckles, memorizing how soft she was.

A shiver flowed through her, and goose bumps appeared across her skin.

Damn , he was going to miss her. Taking a deep breath, he undid the clasp and removed the black leather and silver collar from her neck before stuffing it into the front pocket of his navy-blue Dockers .

He wanted nothing more than to bend down and kiss his way across her shoulder to her neck and then nuzzle her ear.

But if he did that, he’d be left standing there with a hard-on when she walked out the door.

Taking a step to the side, he held out his hand.

When she took it, he helped her to her feet, then kissed the back of her hand.

“ It was an honor to be your Dom , Cassie . I wish you all the best.” He couldn’t resist adding, “ As for my offer—paying your membership while you’re in school— I’d like you to agree to it, no strings attached.

This way you only have to work one job and can better concentrate on your studies.

” When it looked like she was going to turn him down again, he squeezed her hand.

“ Please accept my gift. It would mean a lot to me.”

She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. Seconds ticked by as she held his brown-eyed gaze before nodding. “ If it means that much to you, Sir , thank you.”

He knew the smile on his face didn’t reach his eyes, but he tried to keep the tone of his voice light. “ No , thank you , Cassie . It’s my pleasure. Maybe it’ll give us the opportunity to play on occasion.”

It didn’t escape his notice that she winced slightly at his hopeful statement.

He wanted to ask her about it but thought it was best not to.

He’d find out soon but not tonight. She was too upset, and he got the feeling she’d shut down further if he interrogated her.

He’d figured out months ago the best way to get Cassandra to open up was to tie her down.

And that clearly wasn’t going to happen right now.

“ I’ll talk to Master Mitch tomorrow and make the arrangements. He’ll probably need two-weeks’ notice.”

“ That’s fine, Sir . Classes start next Wednesday , so they’ll only overlap with my club shift for a few days— I’ve already made arrangements for two of my shifts to be covered by other waitresses.

” When he didn’t release her hand, she glanced down to where they were joined. “ I - I really should go.”

With great reluctance, Stefan let her go then escorted her to the front door, where he fought the urge to kiss her. “ Goodbye , little pixie.”

“ Goodbye , Sir .”

Ten minutes after she walked out of his life, Stefan sat on his living room couch with an almost-empty glass of scotch—one that had been filled for the second time moments before.

He stared at the coiled lengths of rope he’d set out on the coffee table earlier in the evening.

There was a new design he’d wanted to try out on her tonight.

With the aid of two hooks in the ceiling, the pattern would have looked like Cassie had wings when he was done with it—like a heavenly angel.

But now all he had were the memories of their past time together—for once in his life, he didn’t think it was enough.

Lieutenant Commander Stefan Lundquist is more than happy with his life.

As a member of the US Coast Guard , he works in the Gulf of Mexico , saving lives.

As a Dominant in the BDSM lifestyle, he plays with submissives who are under no illusions their relationship will go beyond a D /s one.

As a Shibari Master , he creates beautiful works of art on those submissives’ bodies with his ropes.

Life is good—until it comes crashing down around him.

Cassandra Myers knows each of the D /s contracts she signs with Master Stefan are for exactly one month, with an option to renew, but when she realizes she’s fallen in love with him and that love is one-sided, she requests he remove her collar.

Despite her broken heart, she tries to move forward with her life.

Working as a cardiac rehabilitation technician is something she loves to do but going back to school to become a registered nurse is now her goal.

When Cassandra discovers her new patient is none other than the Dom she can’t stop thinking about, she’s determined to help him recover.

As she tries to hide her feelings and protect her heart as best she can, Stefan’s new lease on life has him comprehending how short his time on earth could be.

Can he convince Cassandra he now wants more than he ever thought he would, or has he lost her forever?