In her world, there’s only one rule: Cardinal’s Rule.

Tilly Cardinal’s world ended when her Master, Cristo, abandoned her, disappearing with no explanation other than a short, cryptic note releasing her as his slave. Five years later she’s Mistress Cardinal, a vicious and successful pro Domme charging big bucks to dish out whatever abuse men will pay to take. Materially she has all she wants, but she’s never felt more alone.

In walks Landry LaCroux, a handsome, rich man with a proposition: he wants Tilly to train his slave. Landry holds the key to Tilly’s past, and her future. She’s shocked to discover Landry’s slave is her very own former Master, Cris.

Unfortunately, Landry has a secret—he has cancer and wants to make Tilly a deal. Marry him and nurse him through his recovery, and he’ll pay her handsomely. As a bonus, she can abuse his slave in whatever way she sees fit to make up for the pain she’s suffered. Love wasn’t supposed to be part of the bargain, but as the three of them move in together, can they all find healing and a lasting happiness under Cardinal’s Rule?

Contains whips, floggers, laughter, tears, a snarky French Dom, paint-peeling hot sex, and fun through forgiveness.

Content Warning: Contains subject matter that might offend some readers—graphic language, explicit sex, mf sex, mmf ménage, mm sex, anal sex/play, sex toys, Femdom and Maledom BDSM practices, bondage, Domination/submission, Master/slave, spanking, impact play, humiliation, cuckolding, public exhibition, public sex, and piercing sarcasm.

Love hurts...if you're lucky.

Kaden knows he's dying, but before he goes, he has one problem he needs to solve - he must ask his oldest friend Seth to take over as his beloved wife's Dom and Master after his death. Seth has always seen himself as the perpetual screw-up and Kaden as the strong and steady one, so his friend's request rocks his world.

Now Seth finds himself immersed in a role he's far from comfortable with: inflicting pain to provide emotional comfort for the woman he's secretly loved for years. Can he deal with his crushing grief and learn the skills he must master in time to become THE RELUCTANT DOM?