He stood there as she stared at his shoes and prayed she hadn’t just fucked things up.

* * *

Tony didn’t look at Shayla as she ran for the bedroom. When the man looked like he wanted to go after her, Tony stepped in front of him. blocking his way.

“You set one more foot in this apartment,” Tony told the guy, “and you’ll leave in an ambulance. She told you to get out of here.”

“Who the fuck are you? I just want to talk to her. She’s my fiancée, dammit!”

It didn’t take Tony long to put things together. “Wrong, asshole. She was your fiancée until you screwed things up. She’s my fiancée now. And I’m not going to do something as stupid as lie and cheat and steal from her.” The man’s face fell. Tony knew he’d hit the mark and then some. “What are you doing here?”

“I just wanted to talk to her. I left her messages over the weekend.” He drew himself up, still two inches shorter than Tony. “Look, she told me to come in when I knocked. She was obviously expecting me.”

It took every ounce of his being not to bust out laughing. Shayla had earned a spanking—for not verifying who was knocking on her door before allowing them to come in.

“She was expecting me. I’d just texted her that I would be here in a few minutes. Whatever you want to say to her, you say to me.”

“I have a history with her—”

“You’re damn lucky she didn’t have you arrested is what you are.” He took a step forward, forcing James back toward the door. “You’re also lucky I’m not kicking your ass right now.” From what little he’d heard about James, Tony suspected he wasn’t in as good a shape as he was, although a knit pullover shirt hid the guy’s physique.

“You’re the guy she wrote about, aren’t you? In the articles?”

Tony didn’t budge. “That’s none of your business. Her life is no longer any of your business.”

“I read the whole series.” He looked down at the floor. Tony tensed in case the guy was trying to throw him off guard. “I fucked up, man. I fucked up big-time. I know that. I didn’t think she’d ever want to do any of that stuff. I’d never tried it in real life before. And now she’s collared and calling you Sir?”

“Let me give you a piece of advice. Real men, regardless of whether they’re kinky or not, don’t go hurting their women the way you hurt her. They don’t lie to them, and they damn sure don’t run up fifteen thousand in debt in their name.”

James nodded. “I know.” He pulled an envelope out of his pocket and handed it to Tony. “Here.” It had Shayla’s name written on it.

Tony finally reached out and took it from him. “What is it?”

“I got a loan from my parents. I got rid of the apartment and moved back in with them to save money. It’s everything I owe Shay.”

“I’ll give it to her.” He stepped forward again, and now James was in the doorway. Tony put his hand on the door in preparation to close it.

“Can I say good-bye to her?”

“No. That’s not a good idea. In fact, unless she contacts you, I suggest you don’t ever contact her again. Not unless you want to deal with me.”

“Who are you trying to bullshit? You’ll order her not to have contact with me.”

Tony shook his head. “Again, it’s obvious you don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. I suggest you leave BDSM to people who have respect for their partners and quit thinking you have what it takes to be a Dominant. You can’t even control your fucking Internet perving urges. And you’re stupid enough to pay for porn? Seriously? And you’re slimy enough to steal from the woman who loved you and even gave you a second chance when you certainly didn’t deserve it? That’s just…wow.”

He slammed the door shut, forcing James to step back or be hit. Locking it, he stared at the envelope in his hand. It felt like there was more than just a check in it, like maybe a sheet or two of paper as well.

He didn’t contemplate opening it. Instead, he put the umbrella down, turned on his heel, and headed for the bedroom. He fought another urge to laugh when he saw the frantic expression she wore as she tried to speak. But when she immediately shut up and dropped to her knees at his signal, it hardened his cock.

She sooo needs a spanking.

Then again, he had told her to be waiting for him. He’d never expected anyone else to show up, and she certainly hadn’t.

And the smell of whatever she’d made deliciously filled the apartment, making his stomach growl.

He stood before her. “Greeting, pet.”

She immediately kissed his feet, the backs of his hands, and then nuzzled his cock where it strained through his slacks.

“Look at me.”

She did.

Who am I kidding? I’m in love with her. I can’t be mad at her. “In the future, pet, ask who’s at the door before telling them to come in. Especially if you’re naked.”

She nodded, so hard he thought her head might come off.

He held the envelope out to her. “He gave me this to give you.”

She looked at it but didn’t reach for it. “Are you mad at me, Sir?”

He took a deep breath. “No, of course I’m not mad at you, pet. I am upset that you let someone in without identifying who was at the door. I know it’s a coincidence he showed up tonight. He said he left you voice mail messages this weekend. Had I not arrived when I did, I’m afraid of what he might have tried with you.”

She nodded again. “I didn’t listen to them when I cleared them this morning. As soon as I heard it was him, I deleted them.”

“Aren’t you going to open it?”

She stared at the envelope without taking it, then looked up at him. “Would you please open it for me, Sir?” she softly asked.

His heart wanted to break for her. He held out a hand to her and helped her stand. He led her to the bed and sat her down on the end of it. Then he inserted his thumb under the flap and opened the envelope.

Sure enough, two sheets of paper wrapped a cashier’s check for $13,800. “He told me he got a loan from his parents,” he explained as he handed her the check. She gasped in surprise over the amount while he read the letter.

In the long, rambling, handwritten missive, he asked for forgiveness, explained he was in therapy, and begged for a second chance. Including that he’d move to Florida to be with her and would agree to any terms she wanted.

He stopped midway through the first page. “Do you want me to read this to you, or summarize?”

“Summarize, please, Sir. Although I bet he’s groveling and begging for another chance.”

“My smart pet. Yes, among other things. I haven’t finished it yet.”

She took a deep breath, then slowly blew it out again. “I don’t need to hear anything else. You don’t have to finish it.” She looked up, meeting his gaze. “You’re my Sir. If that check clears, which I guess it will, I don’t need to have anything else to do with him. Ever.”

“You don’t want me to finish reading it?”

She shook her head. “No, Sir. Not unless you want to.”

“Do you want to keep it? Maybe to read later if you change your mind? I don’t have a problem with that.”

She shook her head. “No, Sir. I’m not changing my mind about you.”

He smiled. “I meant changing your mind about reading what he has to say.”

She shrugged. “I don’t care what he has to say. I can’t ever trust him again and have no desire to be friends with him.”

“No desire to have closure?”

She shook her head. “He burned his bridges with me. He’s lucky I didn’t press charges against him. The only closure I need is when that check clears and I can pay off all the cards and close them. Please, just tear it up.”

He nodded, then ripped the papers into small pieces before taking them into the bathroom and flushing them down the toilet. He returned to the bedroom and pulled her to her feet, sliding his hands down her back to her ass. He dug his fingers into her ass cheeks and pulled her hips tight against his so she could feel how hard he was.

“I think I’m going to give you five good, hard swats for letting someone in without checking first. Not fun—punishment. Any problem with that?”

She shook her head. “No, Sir. You’re right.”

“Good girl.” He ground his hips against her. “Dinner smells delicious. Is it ready?”

A smile finally broke through the look of consternation on her face. “I just have to go put in the garlic bread.”

He turned her around and delivered a playful swat to her ass. “Then I suggest you go do it. I’m starving.”

* * *

Shayla hurried out to the kitchen. She shoved the check into her purse before she removed the casserole from the oven and got the garlic bread ready to put under the broiler. It wasn’t until she had the frozen pieces laid out on the cookie sheet and had it in the oven that she realized she was crying.

She leaned against the counter and closed her eyes, wishing she could control her emotions.

I’m free.

For the first time in the months since she discovered the true depths of James’ treachery, she felt like she could breathe without the pain of stress and loss weighing her down.

The check was actually a little short of what he owed her. There were several hundred dollars in fees and interest that had accrued in addition to the original amount he’d charged in her name, but she wouldn’t quibble over that. It was well worth the price to finally be free.

She’d never have to have contact with James again.

When Tony slipped his arms around her waist, she jumped, startled, then turned to face him.

“Talk to me, pet.”

She shook her head and cried against him, relishing the feel of his hands stroking her back.

“It’s okay,” he softly said. “I’m here now. I’m not going anywhere.”

When the timer went off, she extricated herself from his arms and removed the garlic bread from the oven. She was well aware of Tony’s eyes following her every movement as she worked to plate their dinners.

Before she could pick up the dishes to carry them out to the living room so they could eat on the couch, he caught her hand and drew her close again. He feathered his lips along her knuckles, gently squeezing her hand.

“Talk to me now, pet.”

She blinked at him. “I’m free,” she finally whispered.

He smiled. “Do tell.”

She realized how it sounded and laughed. “I meant free from him. From the whole nightmare. In a couple of days, all the debt will be paid off. I’m free.”

He pulled her close. “And what about me? How do you feel when you’re with me?”

She draped her arms around his neck and stared up into his green eyes. “I’m even freer when I’m with you, Sir.”

“Even as my slave?”

“Especially as your slave. I can let go of everything else, every other worry, and focus only on you. I never knew how freeing being a slave would feel.”

That damn, playful smile of his. She felt moisture pooling between her legs.

“Welcome to the irony inherent in the lifestyle, pet.”

* * *

Dinner was interrupted again by her cell phone ringing. She started to ignore it when she realized it was her parents’ home number.

“Hello?”

Her mom. “I just received an interesting phone call from James.”

Shayla groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose. Tony walked over, brow furrowed, obviously wanting to know what was wrong. “I don’t want to know what he wanted,” Shayla said.

“When I get a nearly hysterical call from your ex-fiancé, claiming you’re being held hostage by a guy who’s treating you like a slave, I think as a parent I should at least make a phone call to find out what’s up.”

She groaned again. “Mom, look. James showed up here—”

“I don’t want to know anything about you and Tony’s sex life,” her mother said, cutting her off. “I read the articles. I suspect I know what’s going on between you two. I’m not an idiot. But are you okay?”

She tried and failed not to snicker as Tony nibbled his way up her shoulder toward her neck. “Yes, Mom. I’m fine. I didn’t know it was James at the door. I thought it was Tony.”

“He seemed like a very nice guy. We both really liked him when we met him.”

“I hope you’re talking about Tony.”

“I am.”

She bit the bullet and closed her eyes. “Good, because he’s going to be your son-in-law.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line. Finally, her mother said, “Seriously?”