Andrea wants to submit, but not to just any so-called Dom. He has to be tougher than the slum-bred bullies she grew up with. She's just about given up finding a true Dom when her friend finagles her a place as a trainee in an exclusive BDSM dub with the powerful Shadowlands Masters. Andreas thrilled..and terrified.
Forced to accept an unknown submissive into his carefully run trainee program, Master Cullen is furious. Not only is the young woman new to BDSM, but she's unsuited to her role armored in leather like a Domme, she's more liable to punch a Dom than kneel. He decides to push her right back out the door. But as he ruthlessly intimidates her, punishes her, then comforts her, his glimpses of the woman inside the emotional armor intrigue him and her utter surrender captures his heart.
Although Master Cullen is famous for his unfettered lifestyle, Andrea believes he might be interested in her, until she discovers he's not just a bartender—he's a cop. Maybe he'll overlook her past brush with the law, but when another traince accuses her of stealing money, Andrea's sure she's lost the Master she wanted with all her heart.