Hunter put his arm around her. “You knew he might not, but you still tried. You’ll always try because you care. You’re the glue holding your family together, aren’t you? That’s one reason I love you. Honey, you’re smart and sexy as hell, and even when you’re pissed at me, your razor-sharp humor makes me smile. I know underneath that is a scared girl, and I want to show her that she’s loved and doesn’t always have to be in control.”

She bit her lip. “But I don’t like not being in control.”

“Some part of you does, at least in the bedroom. You found that out last night, and the depth of your submission scared you.”

For the first time since he’d met Kata, she didn’t have a cheeky comeback on the tip of her tongue. “Yeah.”

He cradled her cheek in his palm. “Our marriage was no mistake. And when I come back from this mission, we’re going to spend a lot of quality time together, until you’re comfortable with me. I’ll keep doing whatever it takes to earn your submission and your love. Don’t doubt that.”

Sadness furrowed Kata’s brow. She pursed her lips together, as if she were holding tears inside. “I don’t think it will work. I’m independent. I can’t stand people telling me what to do. I’m stubborn and decisive . . . everything you don’t want. You’re a logical guy—”

“But one who knows when to go with his gut. So our courtship was in fast-forward. So I don’t know your favorite color or TV show. So you don’t know which of my scars are from a childhood bike accident and which are from military service. So fucking what? Those are details.” He shook his head. “Don’t confuse a Dom with an asshole. The truth is, you’ve been in ‘easy’ relationships so your heart would never be threatened. If you were to ask yourself—and be really honest—you know that you can’t ever be truly happy with guys like Ben, who let you call all the shots.”

Pressing her lush lips together, Kata stared out the window. Only the hum of the truck’s engine and the faint twang of an old-time country western station broke the silence. Hunter wasn’t deterred. Even if she didn’t admit it, she was thinking.

“What do you know about me?” he prompted, his tone brooking no refusal. “And watch the sarcasm. You should know I have no problem turning your ass bright red.”

Kata paused, shrugged. “You’re gorgeous, but you don’t act like you know it. You have loyal friends and family, which suggests that you must be loyal yourself. You seem confident in almost every situation, but not cocky. You’re smart and quick . . . and probably good with kittens and babies, too.” Kata quipped with a twist of her lips that gave Hunter hope. “But you’re also relentless and too damn perceptive. Every minute you find some new way to twist me inside out. I hate the word ‘submissive.’ It implies that I’m some simpering, brainless—”

“Never you. I told you, that’s one reason I want you. Some subs lose themselves and their identities to their Masters. If they’re uncollared, in other words if the relationship ends, they’re so used to being dependent, they don’t know who they are anymore. I’ll never worry about that with you. I have no doubt you’ll always challenge me. Honey, the big difference between me and Gordon—and listen closely—is that, with that selfish prick it’s all about his desires. With me, I can’t be happy if I’m not giving you what you need. I’ll concede that our marriage was quick. But give us a fucking chance before you bow to your fear and quit on us.”

RUSH hour, or Lafayette’s equivalent, was nearly at an end when Kata and Hunter approached the city. She stretched, then applied some lip gloss from her purse as her—she still could barely say the word—husband drove with a pair of aviators covering those perceptive blue eyes. With one hand, he held the wheel. With the other, he gripped her hand.

Before last night, the wound he’d made in her defenses in Vegas had just begun to scab over. She could have resumed her life without him, granted, with some regrets. But after last night . . .

Kata trembled. Hunter had introduced her to a whole new pleasure. Electric. Breath-stealing. Once-in-a-lifetime wow. No way was she going to delude herself and say that she hadn’t enjoyed his manacles and firm hand. Hunter had forced her to see deep inside herself and admit her fears to him. In his domination, she’d felt utterly adored, almost pampered, which was contrary to everything she believed. He’d ripped off that scab and permanently scarred her defenses.

Today, she hated the raw, vulnerable feeling left behind. His every move had been designed to shove his way into her life, her head, her heart. He’d made her feel something for him that was way bigger than she could handle. Sure, other women craved being controlled. Kata wasn’t cut out for letting anyone that deeply into her soul.

And whether Hunter fessed up to it or not, he wanted to control bunches beyond their bedroom play. That’s where she had a problem. No, he wasn’t Gordon. Hunter was her stepfather on steroids, smarter, more determined. Under all his pushiness he was probably a decent guy, but he could also act like Asshole version 2.0 when it suited him. He claimed that his behavior was about giving her what she needed. Smooth line. Bet Gordon wished he’d thought of that. Granted, Hunter hadn’t torn her down to build up his own ego, but did that matter if she had no power in the relationship? She’d eventually lose all self-respect and feel like shit anyway.

On the other hand, he’d accused her of not really giving him and the marriage a chance.

She glanced his way. He met her stare, and the electric zing between them charged through her.

Had her mother felt this pull to Gordon, even as her friends, her job, and her individuality slowly slipped away? Hunter even admitted that some subs lost themselves to their Dom. Besides the fact that she couldn’t imagine wearing anyone’s collar, like some pet, Kata worried that if she allowed him complete mastery over her body, she would soon lose herself in the extreme pleasure he gave her, and surrender her heart and soul.

“Are you okay, honey?” Hunter murmured.

Kata chose her words carefully. He terrified her emotionally, but his point about being distracted on a mission was well taken. She didn’t want to do anything that would place him in greater peril. They’d sort out everything when he returned.

“Just tired. Overwhelmed.”

He sent her a searching stare as he pulled into the parking lot of an upscale apartment building, then eased the truck into a spot under a shade tree. Twenty feet away, Tyler stood in the doorway, waiting. Whoa! She’d forgotten how big he was built. With a guy like him, she’d normally assume he was a gym rat whose fantasies revolved around increasing the circumference of his biceps, but she’d already seen him in action enough to know he possessed a sharp watchfulness that promised he could totally kick someone’s ass.

Yeah, he’d keep her safe, but Kata wasn’t at all happy about this arrangement. How contrary did it make her that she’d been dying to put space between her and Hunter, but already she felt the pangs from his withdrawal?

They stepped from the truck, and Tyler jogged down the exterior stairs to greet them. “Hi, baby. I got your suitcase from the back of your car.”

“Thank—” She frowned at the green-eyed beefcake in the killer tight black tee. “How did you get into my trunk without my keys?”

Tyler smiled smugly, then turned to Hunter. “I talked to Jack. He’ll be by to get her tomorrow night.” Then his grin turned sly. “That is, if she still wants to go.”

Hunter lunged into Tyler’s personal space, then growled, “Let’s get one thing straight: Kata is not your ‘baby’; she’s my wife. You don’t touch her. You don’t even think about touching her. Or I swear to God, I’ll rip your face off.”

Really, Hunter had nothing to worry about. Tyler was attractive . . . but her life was complicated enough.

Tyler looked amused. “Possessive much?”

“Focus on the fact that someone wants to kill Kata. I get that other men’s wives turn you on, but—”

“I’ll make sure he’s all bluster, Hunter.” A familiar guy emerged from Tyler’s apartment, with dark, shoulder-length waves that would seem feminine on another man. On him, it looked drop-dead sexy as he sauntered down the steps into the morning light.

“Luc Traverson?” Kata stared, stunned. “Wow, I love your cooking show!”

And he was even more gorgeous in person.

“Thank you.” He extended a hand to her. “Great to meet you. You’re Hunter’s wife, Kata?” At her stilted shrug, he drawled, “My deepest sympathies.”

“Funny.” Hunter didn’t sound amused as he glared at Luc. “You’re here because . . . ?”

Kata frowned. “How do you two know each other?”

The two men exchanged a glance, and she knew something was up here. Finally, Luc nodded. “Kimber’s husband, Deke, is my cousin.”

He was cousin Luc? Wow . . .

Tyler snorted. “He and Deke used to share everything.”

Did he mean . . . ? From the looks on everyone’s faces, yes. Kimber and Deke and Luc? Kata’s jaw dropped.

Luc cast a sidelong glare at Tyler. “Shut up.” Then he turned back to Hunter. “I’m here because I know the hell of wondering if you’re wife is screwing this asswipe.” He jerked a thumb at Tyler. “I wouldn’t put anyone through it. I’m happy to babysit until I have to start prep for tonight’s dinner service at Bonheur. Besides, Alyssa is wrapped up in Sexy Sirens’ rebuild, despite being thirty weeks pregnant. So my very curious wife sent me to collect the juicy details about your marriage.”

“Thanks for staying with Kata for as long as you can.” Muttering a curse under his breath, Hunter glanced at his watch, then winced. He turned all his formidable attention on her, his face tight with regret. Damn if just being near him didn’t make her tingle from head to toe. Damn if he didn’t make her feel everything for him, even when she didn’t want to.

“I’ll miss you, honey.” He layered his lips over hers.

So often, Hunter had kissed her with possession and overwhelming passion. He was always like a cat-five tornado barreling at breakneck speed for the protective walls around her heart, frightfully eager to mow them down. Now he was like a wisp of smoke, so light she almost wondered if she was imagining the kiss. All too quickly, her lips began to tingle, like they did after eating her abuelita’s homemade salsa. But this sensation couldn’t be cured with cold milk. Hunter just impacted her. And this kiss, so tender, hit her right in the chest.

For her, there really was something about him—both incredible and terrifying.

Needing more, she leaned into the kiss, opening to him, fingers digging into his shoulders. She trapped a whimper at the back of her throat.

With a caress of his knuckles down her cheek, he eased back, then gripped her face in his hands with a desperation that further crumbled her defenses.

“I’ll be back soon,” he murmured. “I promise.”

“Be safe,” she choked on a whisper.

After another lingering kiss, he strutted down the steps to the blacktop parking lot already giving off shimmering heat waves, despite the fact that it was just after nine a.m.

Watching him go hurt. Kata realized that he’d been reassuring her that no third world asshole would prevent him from coming back to her. It hit her then . . . Hunter had an incredibly dangerous job. Worse than a cop or a firefighter. He was knowingly walking into a fight with people who wanted to kill him each and every time he stepped into his role. Fear quivered in her belly, and she had to fight herself not to call him back. She doubted that she and Hunter were meant for the long haul, but if anything happened to him? God, she’d crumble and die.

Why?

A taxi arrived to take Hunter away. He waved, and she watched until the ugly yellow and black vehicle rolled out of sight.

As soon as it disappeared around the corner, Tyler put a hand under her elbow and smiled. “Why don’t you come inside and make yourself comfortable, baby? We’ll find some way to have fun.” He winked at her, then glared at Luc. “Even with the third wheel.”

AFTER a quick trip through a nearby drive-thru for a burger and a stop at the video store, Kata settled beside Tyler on the sofa as he cued up their movie.

“When I said cuddle up on the couch after Luc left, this isn’t what I had in mind.” His pained expression said he’d rather be boiling in oil. “Are you really going to make me watch this?”

Hot, funny, attentive without being overwhelming, Tyler was everything she normally went for in a guy. Sure, they’d flirted. It was like breathing for him, both constant and automatic. But she wasn’t feeling a serious vibe between them—which was a relief. Usually, she loved flirting, too, but Hunter had invaded every last brain cell and filled it with thoughts of him.