Decklan Dare knows about the unexpected loss of loved ones and for this reason, he values control in all areas of his life. Amanda Collins enjoys the freedom she finds in casual encounters without the emotional connection a relationship brings. They meet and their physical attraction is mutual but both experience feelings that could run deeper – if they drop their guard and let each other in. Decklan is first to trust, but when he discovers the secret Amanda’s been hiding, will he forgive? Or will he rebuild every wall before she has a chance to explain?

He put his phone back in his pocket just as Max arrived, settling into his usual seat. “I have to say, for a man who insists he’s not going to renew his membership, you’re here all the time lately.”

Max knew exactly why Decklan was here, so there was no point in answering.

“If she does show, at least tell me you’ve got a plan?” Max said, pushing as usual.

“I have no fucking clue.”

“Well I hope you get one.” Max slapped him on the back. “I see Emmy giving me the eye. I’m going to go remind her who’s the Dom,” he said. “You ought to find a sub and do the same.”

“Have fun,” Decklan said, ignoring the suggestion. He wasn’t in the mood. Hadn’t been for a long time, but especially since that night.  Since Amanda.

He glanced around the room, familiar with all the spaces and places in the club. The St Andrews cross on the wall was occupied, a dark haired female getting pleasure from absorbing pain. His gaze slid onward. A group of men sitting and talking, their subs at their feet. A quick look confirmed she wasn’t one of them. His emotions were already frayed tonight and if he found her with someone else, he couldn’t promise himself he’d keep a handle on his temper.

He ordered a Glen Livet on the rocks and tried to put his night with her in perspective. Chemistry. They’d had that in spades. But there was something more to her. A strength combined with a vulnerability he didn’t see often. They’d clicked in bed and out. He’d had fun with her, a word he never associated with sex. And most importantly, the thing that unnerved him the most, she tempted him to want her touch. To free her from the restraints so he could feel her soft hands on his cock, her nails at his back, and her arms wrapped securely around him.

Shit. He shouldn’t be here. Didn’t need that kind of intensity and seriousness in his life.

She wasn’t here again, something he took as a sign. Definitely time to go.

He stood, pushed back his chair, turned and saw Amanda paused at the threshold to the main room. His breath left on a whoosh of air, the unexpected sight of her when he’d all but given up, a shock to his system.

Over the last few weeks, he wondered if he’d over exaggerated the memory of her affect on him. No such luck.

Her head bowed, hands clasped together, she was clearly working up the nerve to enter. And every muscle in his body tightened at the sight.

She finally lifted her gaze and glanced around the room, her stare lingering on various places and people, just as he’d done earlier. And then she looked towards the bar. The sounds around him, the people, the lights, everything dimmed. There was only her.

Whatever it was, it was still there.

He’d waited for this moment and now that it was here? Decklan had never backed away from a challenge. He wasn’t about to do so now.

Breathe, breathe, breathe, Amanda told herself. But the very sight of Decklan was both a relief and sent her into panic mode at the same time. His dark eyes slid over her and for a brief second, she feared he was going to dismiss her. She’d unravel if he did.

Then he rose and slowly walked across the room. All the air left her lungs. She hadn’t imagined one thing about him or the intense physical attraction he inspired. Today he wore the same type of outfit, black denim and a black tee-shirt that hugged his masculine, well defined body. She had no doubt he worked out and she still wanted to feel those hard muscles beneath her hands. If he’d let her.

He strode up, so close she was enveloped in his delicious scent, and all her strategic female parts went on red alert. Her nipples suddenly ached for hands, his mouth, his teeth.

“Tell me you came here for me,” he said, not beating around the bush. At all.

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips has written over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels that today’s readers identify with and enjoy. After a successful 15 year career with various New York publishing houses, Carly is making the leap to Indie author, with the goal of giving her readers more books at a faster pace at a better price. Her Serendipity books will still finish up in January/February 2014 via Berkley as planned. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She’s a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she’s a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers.