I was faintly aware of DeVaan stepping closer, but I focused my attention on Nathaniel. He looked at me with a combination of love, lust, and something else I couldn’t place. Then the corner of his mouth quirked up. “I forgot one thing on my list.”

High on the aftereffects of my orgasms, it took me a few seconds to remember what he meant. “Oh.”

“You never stop taking my breath away,” he whispered and leaned down to kiss me.

It was only then, with his lips on mine, that I finally heard the faint sound of the camera. I allowed myself a few seconds to wonder how I must look: tied on a table, kissing my Master. But I somehow knew that when I looked at the pictures taken that day, I would see more than the way I was physically tied. I would see that I was bound not only by rope, but with bonds of love and trust and a promise that would last forever.

Epilogue

Wilmington, Delaware

Daniel brought the beers over to the table where he and Jeff were watching the football game. He set one down in front of his friend. It was halftime and no one was watching the sportscaster’s commentary.

“I meant to tell you about a conversation I had with Julie not too long ago,” Daniel said, sliding into the booth.

Jeff looked up. He’d been texting someone, and Daniel wasn’t sure, but he thought it might have been Dena. But then Jeff took the phone and shoved it in his pocket. Had he been discussing anything with Dena, he wouldn’t have done that. Maybe it was a family member. He’d mentioned earlier that his father had called.

“What kind of conversation?” Jeff asked, reaching for a beer and taking a swig.

“At the conference I went to recently, she met the couple you knew from New York. Nathaniel and Abby?”

Jeff nodded and his lips curved up just a bit. Not enough to count as an actual smile, but possibly it could be called a grin. Maybe.

“Yeah,” Jeff said. “I remember them.”

“Julie said something to Abby; she brought it up to me later that night. It’s bugged me ever since.”

“Oh.” Jeff seemed genuinely surprised. “What was it about?”

“She said one of the reasons she liked Abby’s blog is that it shows the experiences of a long-term Dominant and submissive couple. And then she said our group didn’t have one.”

The grin left Jeff’s face at that, and for a minute, Daniel kicked himself. If Dena and Jeff hadn’t broken up so many years ago, they would have been the couple in the group who’d been together the longest.

“She’s right,” Jeff finally said. “We don’t have any long-term couples.” He took another swallow of beer. “Damn shame. A long-term couple would bring a sense of stability to the group.”

Daniel glanced up at the TV. The commentators were still chatting. “You spent some time with Nathaniel and Abby when they were in town, didn’t you?”

“Yes, and you know I can’t discuss details.”

“I’d never ask you to do that. I just wondered about their interaction with each other. How they work together as Dominant and submissive.”

Jeff picked at the label on his bottle. “He’s stern, but loving. She’s playful without being bratty. Good dynamic.” He took a long drink. “I actually talked with Nathaniel a few days ago. He mentioned they were discussing buying some property in Delaware.”

“Really?” Daniel steepled his fingers. “I wonder …”

Jeff grinned. “I know that look. What are you thinking?”

“Why don’t we ask them to come to a meeting? Maybe do a demo or something. Then, if they move here and they seem like a good fit”—Daniel shrugged—“problem solved.”

Jeff leaned back in his seat, thinking. “Nathaniel said they had done a bit of mentoring before they had kids. They’re a nice, down-to-earth couple. I think they’d fit in well with our group.”

“Even better. You know them more than I do; would you mind calling Nathaniel to see if he’s interested?”

“I’ll call him as soon as the game’s over.”