Air whooshed out of Ethan’s lungs as he landed ass-down on the edge of the mattress.

Oh, shit. He’s fucking livid, isn’t he?

He gulped and stared at the formidable man towering over him. His stomach dropped when he registered Joe’s shuttered expression.

Ethan still couldn’t believe he’d agreed to Eveline’s cockamamie idea from when they’d met up for lunch five days ago.

“What?” Eveline had squealed, her blue eyes wide with shock. “You two haven’t had sex yet?!”

Ethan had shushed her, his cheeks warming when her voice drew stares from across the chic restaurant where he was giving her advice on her stocks and shares portfolio over a free meal.

“I mean, what’s the problem?” Eveline leaned across the table. “Are you impotent or something? I know Joe isn’t, so—”

“I swear to God, every time you open your mouth, I want to stab you with a fork,” Ethan said between gritted teeth.

Eveline tut-tutted. “So, what is it then?”

Ethan found the words spilling out of him before he could stop himself. He told Eveline everything. About how he’d seen Joe for the first time a year ago and had fallen in love at first sight with the sexy club owner. About his plan to work at Saron to get closer to Joe and try and win his heart. About Joe finding out Ethan had a stalker and going into protective mode. About their date night and the one he’d spent in Joe’s bed.

“He hasn’t kissed me since that day. Hasn’t touched me,” Ethan said, his voice trembling slightly. “It’s as if he doesn’t even want to be in the same room as me anymore.”

Eveline pursed her lips and watched him for a silent moment.

“I think what we have here is a serious case of Overly Protective Alpha Male Syndrome,” she said finally. “Also known as The Guy Is So Crazy for You, He Daren’t Touch You.”

Ethan stared. “Come again?”

Eveline sighed and rolled her eyes.

“He loves you, you dumbass. Utterly and irrevocably. And he’s probably going crazy right now stopping himself from touching you.”

Ethan stared at her, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly. His pulse sped at Eveline’s words. He didn’t want to believe them yet wished so hard they were true he couldn’t help but dig his nails into his palms.

“I—I don’t understand!” he stammered.

Eveline reached across the table and took Ethan’s hands. She uncurled his stiff fingers before gently holding them in her own.

“Joe thinks he failed you,” she said quietly. “Failed to protect you. And it’s killing him. He doesn’t want to hurt you any more than you’ve been hurt already.”

Ethan’s stomach twisted at the look in Eveline’s eyes.

“You mean, he thinks he’ll—hurt me if we have sex?! Why would he—”

“Because he’s afraid of losing control, you dope.” Eveline sighed. “Joe has never truly been in love before.” A sad smile curved her lips. “He thinks he has, but he hasn’t, really. So he’s scared. Scared of what he could do to you if he surrendered to his body’s urge to, well—,” she leaned in again and lowered her voice, “—fuck the living daylights out of your sweet little ass. And, FYI, there’s a reason Joe was my best escort. He’s a demon when it comes to stamina in the bedroom. And the guy’s dick is a work of—”

The rest of Eveline’s words were swallowed by Ethan’s palm as he pressed a hand to her mouth, heat flooding his cheeks at the graphic image Eveline had just painted.

Eveline blinked rapidly.

“Oh my God, are you blushing?” She scrambled for her cell. “So cute! Let me take a picture and send it to Joe!”

“Eveline!” Ethan barked.

She’d spent the next hour coming up with the ridiculous scenario now playing out before Ethan’s eyes, even picking out a suit for him and telling him which hotel he should book for his meeting with Joe.

Ethan was wondering what he could say or do to soothe Joe’s ire presently when the club owner spoke.

“Soooo,” Joe pursed his lips and made the word drag out. “I’ve been told you like to be disciplined, Mr. Client.”

Ethan froze, his train of thought completely derailed by Joe’s words. He blinked at him owlishly.

“Huh?”

Joe ignored his dazed stare and strolled over to the nightstand. He opened the top drawer and studied its contents for a moment. Ethan blushed when Joe removed the box of condoms and the bottle of lube he’d put in there earlier, setting them on top.

“I see you came prepared,” Joe murmured.

Confusion washed through Ethan when Joe suddenly dipped down on one knee and reached under the bed. A smile curved Joe’s sculptured lips. He brought out a box, rose to his feet, and tipped it out on the mattress.

Ethan’s heart stuttered when he saw the sinful black leather items scattering across the sheets. His eyes widened.

“And I gather you also like a bit of S&M,” Joe continued silkily.

He picked up a leather riding crop and flicked it gently against his palm.

Ethan’s belly clenched at the sight of Joe with the whip, not sure whether it was unease or excitement that had his pulse hammering away in his veins.

“Look, I have no fucking idea how those got there,” he said stiffly. “I sure as hell didn’t—” Ethan paused, realization striking him like a bolt of lightning. He scowled with his next breath. “Oh, that witch! I’m SO gonna screw up her portfo—” Ethan bit the inside of his cheek and swallowed the rest of his words when he saw the puzzled light that flashed in Joe’s eyes.

“Is there something you want to tell me, Ethan?” Joe snapped the whip against his palm again and walked slowly around the bed.

Ethan’s stomach flipped-flopped at Joe’s predatory stance.

“Um, nope, I’m good,” he mumbled shakily.

“You sure?” Joe said softly.

He stopped in front of Ethan, nudged Ethan’s knees open with one powerful leg, and stepped inside the cradle of Ethan’s thighs. Ethan gasped when Joe tilted his chin up with the end of the whip. He gulped at the cool feel of the leather against his skin and the heat of Joe’s body so close to him, his heart pounding so hard he thought he would have a heart attack.

“Looks like someone needs to be punished,” Joe said gruffly.

He reached out, curled his fingers in Ethan’s hair, and tugged Ethan’s head back as he trailed the whip down Ethan’s throat.

Oh God.

Ethan swallowed a whimper and squeezed his eyes shut, mortified at the thrill that accompanied the dread rising inside him.

“Just do it!” he said.

Joe’s fingers stilled on him.

“Do what?”

“You want to hit me, right?” Ethan bit his lower lip and kept his eyes closed, not wanting to see the anger and disappointment on Joe’s face. “Go ahead. Do it.”

Silence filled the space between them, so heavy and tense Ethan felt a whisper would shatter it.

“Shit,” Joe said huskily.

Ethan blinked his eyes open and looked up at him. His breath caught in his throat when Joe dropped the whip and knelt on the floor before him.

Joe raised his hands and cradled Ethan’s face as if he were the most precious thing in the whole world, his hazel eyes glittering with emotion.

“I was only joking, you fool,” he said with a tremulous chuckle, his fingers trembling on Ethan’s skin. “And I know Eveline never intended for me to use those on you.” He indicated the bondage materials on the bed. “She was only teasing you.”

Joe dropped the softest kiss on Ethan’s forehead and took him in his arms, hugging him gently to his broad chest.

“I would never do anything to hurt you,” he whispered in Ethan’s hair. “Ever.”

Hotness flooded Ethan’s chest. His vision blurred. He wrapped his arms around Joe and held on for dear life, not quite believing that this was happening. That Joe was saying these words to him. Words Ethan had been dying to hear for as long as he’d known him.

They stayed like that for a long time, their hearts thundering against each other’s, unspoken words whirling around them. The air gradually thickened, so taut with raw need and sexual tension that Ethan’s breath hitched in his throat. Joe’s scent and heat were overwhelming his senses and threatening to make him lose his mind.

Joe pulled back and tipped Ethan’s chin with his finger, his feverish expression telling Ethan he was also close to losing it.

“Tell me, Ethan. What do you want me to do?”

The sexy smile that curved Joe’s lips made Ethan’s pulse flutter wildly.

“Tell me your dirtiest fantasies. Everything you’ve ever wanted me to do to you.” Joe leaned in and brought his lips to Ethan’s right ear, his stubble tickling his skin. “I will do it all.” He whirled his tongue against the shell before sucking and gently biting down on the sensitive lobe.

Oh, sweet Jesus!