His little sub looked back over her shoulder, her eyes wide and worried. Adorable. Cullen kissed her cheek.

“Can y'all elaborate on what 'take charge' means, please?” Marcus asked.

“You're the new trainee master. It'll be good for them to have a new boss.” Cullen waited for some sense of loss and felt only satisfaction. He'd done his job there; time to move on, and what he was moving toward filled him with anticipation.

Marcus studied the cuffs for a minute and then smiled slightly. “I am honored.”

“And Marcus? I'm afraid you have another vacancy in your trainee list. This little sub is so much trouble that I'm going to give her my personal attention.” Cullen caressed her velvety nipples, and Andrea made a hungry noise.

Marcus laughed and tipped his head before moving away.

Andrea's auction card kept bumping against Cullen's fingers as he fondled her breasts. Come to think of it, he'd bought her, hadn't he? He picked the paper up and read it, grinning when he saw the totally blank space after TIME OFFERED. Apparently Z had added the “Until closing” part all on his own, the lying bastard. He'd have to thank him later.

Cullen glanced at the offerings. “I see that I've won a volunteer for a blowjob. Perhaps we'll start there and work our way through each item on this very short list.”

Those soft lips wrapped around his cock would be a fine way to start the evening. Then perhaps he'd chain her to the bondage table with her legs wide open and tease that sensitive pink clit of hers until—

His little sub turned in his arms, derailing his thoughts. Her eyes were already heavy-lidded, her cheeks flushed with arousal. After a second, her lips, swollen from his mouth, curved. “May I be excused for a moment, Master?”

Master. Did she know how that turned his heart to mush? He lifted an eyebrow at the mischief glinting in her big eyes. All right, let her run with it. “You may.”

She joined Kari for a moment's conversation. After rummaging in her apron pocket, Kari pulled out a felt marker and handed it over. Andrea smiled at Kari and wrote something on her auction card.

Cullen exchanged glances with Dan who looked equally confused.

When Andrea walked back, the look she gave him was one he hadn't seen before—one he'd thought would be offered to another Dom someday. Complete Surrender. Complete trust.

Love.

A submissive's gift. She dropped to her knees in front of him, and he touched her face, hoping she could see his acceptance in return.

Her eyes gleamed with tears for a moment, and her lips quivered. Then she smiled and the mischief returned as she offered her auction card.

What was she up to now? Cullen put a hand on her shoulder, to keep her in place, enjoying the tiny tremor that went through her. He lifted the card, and his gaze dropped to where two lines had been added.

He chuckled at the first: Sex. Lots and lots of sex.

How had he been so lucky as to find someone whose sense of humor matched his?

He read the last line, then lifted her into his arms, his own sweet sub to cherish and protect and love.

TIME OFFERED: Forever.