“Aidan, buddy, it’s not like that between us.” Porter gave a blank look. “It’s been three years since we broke up.” His neck bent forward, his hands carving through his hair. “We talked about random shit. And she certainly didn’t talk about being sad that I didn’t collar her.”
That was what bothered Aidan most. Cora had always been so straightforward, and he loved that about her. He didn’t doubt that if Cora wanted Porter back, she would’ve left Club Sin and sought Porter out. So what was she hiding? “When you were with her, did you feel like she yearned for a collar?”
“No. Never.” Porter stared at Aidan as though he had three eyeballs. “It was Cora who first brought up the idea of ending the relationship. A collar was far from her mind, my friend.” Aidan rubbed his face. “Then why in the hell did she tell me that earlier?”
“Maybe she wants a collar now.”
Aidan’s hands slowly fell from his face.
“Not with me, of course,” Porter said and laughed at whatever crossed Aidan’s expression. “Has she met anyone at Club Sin?”
“She’s played with me for the past two years. How could she meet anyone?” Porter’s brows creased. “You two aren’t dating, then?”
Aidan stared at Porter, hard. Porter had known Lily. He’d seen them together. “I’m not dating, no.”
“Hrmph,” Porter muttered, pursing his lips. After a long moment of Porter’s eyes searching Aidan’s, he shrugged. “Got nothing else to tell you. I’ve got no clue why she’d tell you that. We might still stay in touch, but she didn’t want my collar, I have no doubt about that.”
Aidan considered his next move and glanced around the club. A flurry of activity had him looking to the left as a Dungeon Monitor wearing a Chains T-shirt intervened on a scene where there was a sobbing submissive.
What in the hell was going on with Cora?
If this was any other submissive, things would be very different, but Cora was the most outspoken woman he’d ever met. Porter wasn’t wrong—she knew herself. She had confidence. She knew what she wanted and how to get it.
It didn’t shock Aidan to hear she had the strength to end a relationship with her Dom—that was so Cora. So what, if she was so interested in a collar, was she doing playing with only him?
His head hurt.
This tension surrounding Cora was like poison in his veins. “I don’t know what this is about. But she’s not been forthcoming with me,” he admitted, all too sensitive to the noise around him and sudden need to get away from it all. “She’s telling half-truths.” That he firmly believed.
“I’m surprised.” Porter broke eye contact before he slowly shook his head at Aidan. “That’s not the Cora I remember.”
Aidan rubbed his hands over his face. His arms were barely able to move under the strain. The Cora who had wrapped him in her spell told it to him straight. His pride to personally solve her problems held no weight in ensuring Cora got the help she needed.
Seeing her unraveling did the same to him. With aches and pains invading every inch of his body, he muttered, “Porter, for the first time since I’ve met Cora, I feel like I don’t even know her.”
Chapter Nine
In Cora’s yellow-painted office at the Las Vegas Wellness Clinic, she pressed the phone against her ear, listening to the messages. She never came to work on Saturdays, especially in the evening, but after Aidan left her house she received an e-mail from one of her clients canceling their session for Tuesday.
She confirmed the cancellation and put it into the computer system. Then she hung up the phone. Leaning back into her modern black chair, she glanced out the window as the sun settled behind the mountains.
Aidan’s conversation remained heavy on her thoughts. Her hand slid to her throat. She hadn’t lied to him. She had once craved a collar as much as she wanted a wedding ring. Now she wasn’t sure what she wanted anymore.
How important were either?
At this point, she wanted Aidan. Not even the Aidan she’d dreamed of, just the old Master Aidan in the club. The man who rocked her socks off, without digging too deep or asking too many questions.
She shut her eyes. Things were messy. They’d go back to normal. Always had, always would. Until Aidan faced his demons in his own time, Cora needed to be the strength for both of them.
Hell, she got paid to be strong for others.
Cora had done so for two years.
She didn’t plan to stop.
Opening her eyes, she grabbed the mouse on the glass tabletop of her desk and opened her schedule. Just as she thought—with the cancellation, her schedule was clear all day Tuesday. With the new scheduling for the sixteen-year-old group that would start next week, her entire day was also free on the Wednesday.
Cora smiled, opened an e-mail, and hammered off a message to her boss. She had a week left of her holidays and only the change in groups was giving her these days off. An opportunity not to be missed, and who knew if another coworker would come in after the weekend and book the time off. Cora wanted a couple days to herself. Those days were open for someone to take vacation, and she was taking it.
“And I thought I was the only one who worked too hard.”
Cora laughed, spinning in her chair to face her coworker, Sandy-Lynn. Her auburn curls were perfect atop her head, as always. Cora had never seen her not perfectly put together. She had round brown eyes and a kind face. One of those faces that Cora could picture as a grandmother surrounded by grandchildren.
“I had a cancellation and just wanted to confirm my schedule was clear.” While she always checked e-mails to make sure no teenagers were trying to reach her, she really hated bringing work home. “I’m taking Tuesday and Wednesday off.”
“Good for you,” Sandy-Lynn said.
Cora smiled. “Um…why are you here?”
“I received an attempted suicide call tonight. He’s at the hospital now, but I wanted to stop by and document it while it was still fresh.” Sandy-Lynn drew in a deep breath, and as they’d been trained to do, she shook off the darkness in her gaze. “Any exciting plans for tonight?”
“I’m going out with the girls.” That was Cora’s go-to answer. If someone asked who Cora felt guilty if she didn’t invite them to join her, she went with “Dinner with the family.” But Sandy-Lynn was in her forties with four children. After her evening, Cora suspected she wanted to go home and be with her family.
Everyone had their thing they did on their weekends to unwind. Cora’s was to go to a BDSM dungeon and orgasm until she couldn’t possibly orgasm anymore. She loved that she wore sexy lingerie under her clothes—her dirty little secret. That tonight she wouldn’t be looked at like an everyday woman who counseled teens, but that she was a woman to be admired.
“Enjoy,” Sandy-Lynn said with a genuine smile.
She was a good woman. Her arriving tonight only proved how thoughtful she was to her clients. She wanted to make sure she remembered every little detail to help the person later. “That client’s lucky to have you, Sandy-Lynn.”
She gave a sad smile. “Thanks, Cora.”
Cora supposed most people in her line of work had a natural nurturing part of them. How could they not and do this job without having a breakdown themselves? “Okay. Now go home to your kids. I’m sure they are missing you.”
“I’m sure they are making a mess.”
Cora laughed as Sandy-Lynn gave her a wave and left her office.
Too bad for Cora her mess wasn’t something so easily picked up and put back together. With thoughts of Aidan on her mind, she left the office and got back on the road. At a few minutes past nine o’clock, Cora drove through Club Sin’s wrought-iron gates and headed up the cobblestone driveway.
When she spotted Aidan’s motorcycle resting near the front entrance, she heaved a sigh and parked next to him. She cut the ignition and stared at Club Sin, which was also Dmitri and Presley’s home. The Georgian-style mansion with its red brick, black shutters, and white pillars stoo
d proud on its large plot. Set back from the road, private from the lives of others, the club offered much consolation to many people.
After a deep, long breath, she exited the car. Her muscles twitched with each step as she approached the house. When she reached the dark hardwood front door, she swept her hand through her curled hair before she turned the door handle.
Her gaze settled on the huge balcony that curved the entire upper floor and the grand wooden staircase. Cora wrapped her arms around herself as she took it all in. From the art on the walls to the decorative pieces, the home exuded wealth.
Lucky Presley.
Cora wiped her feet on the mat in the foyer and inhaled the citrus scent coming from the kitchen. As she headed down the long, wide hallway, she strode by an oval-shaped dining room, and then continued on past Dmitri’s home office.
Her mind raced with thoughts of tonight and of Aidan. Would he be back to his normal self? Would he have forgotten about what he saw in her eyes? Her skin prickled as she reached the end of the hallway. She journeyed down the basement steps and her breath caught as the stone walls led her to the dungeon’s door.
She wrapped her hand around the handle, chewing on the side of her lip. He came to her house today—did that mean he was finally opening himself up to her? Did he finally see that all of this was simply because she loved him?
Did he finally want to move past Lily?
When she entered the dungeon, the sounds of erotic pleasure washed over her in seductive waves. Her muscles loosened and she shut her eyes, basking in the low hum coursing through her veins.
“Hi, you,” Presley said.
Cora snapped open her eyes, discovering Presley wearing a beautiful mauve-and-silver corset and dark silver boy-cut underwear. Her long, dirty-blond hair flowed over her shoulder with a slight curl at the ends. “Hi, sweets.”
Presley’s gaze searched Cora’s before her brow wrinkled. “Still doing okay?”
“Oh my God, stop asking that. I’m not dead or holed up in my house.” Cora squeezed Presley’s arm. “I’m fine.”
Presley gave a tight laugh with a crisp nod. “Okay, okay, I’ll stop asking.” Though her smooth, placating voice indicated she didn’t believe Cora.
Cora added, “Just so happens, I booked off Tuesday and Wednesday to veg on the couch, so life is great.”
“Lucky you, I’m jealous.” Presley grinned. “Well, I wanted to say hello, but I better get back to Master Dmitri. Come find me later, okay?”
“Okeydokey,” Cora replied, ignoring Presley’s concern.
Their worry will pass.
As Presley hurried away, Cora removed her jeans and blouse. She placed them on the bench by the door, leaving her in the lingerie she’d purchased earlier—black lace, boy-cut underwear, and matching shelf bra. The warm air brushed across her flesh, causing her nipples to pucker.
She scanned the dungeon, and in seconds she found Master Aidan leaning against the far wall, watching her every move. By the slight curve to his mouth, she was sure he’d seen her enter the club.
His hooded eyelids indicated he approved of her attire.
When she approached and settled in front of him, she inhaled his woodsy scent. His smoldering gaze regarded her from head to toe. Moisture slid into her expensive panties and she squeezed her thighs together, easing the ache his stare caused. She yearned for those sinful looks to turn into hot-as-hell touches.
More than anything, she craved to fall into his command. She needed him. She wanted him to take her out of her mind and to quiet her thoughts. She was desperate to forget that he didn’t keep her at a distance and touch her without restraint. Her insides quivered to lose herself in the safety of his hold, to experience nothing but pleasure. He held his hands loosely behind his back, and with a strong posture, he circled her.
Under his examination, Cora’s mouth dried and body flared with a seductive burn. Master Aidan slid his fingers over her skin from hip to hip, and she shivered. Her mind raced with images of his fingers touching her wet and warm places.
His finger slid up her spine and the heat of his body radiated against her. Cora’s mouth parted with a soft sigh. The study of a Dom wasn’t a quick, passionate fuck like a one-night stand. It was a slow, sensual regard, a deciding of what to do with his submissive for the evening. Every touch, each look, and the seconds within that dance made her ache with desire.
He made her feel special, as if no other woman mattered but her in this moment. That she was a woman worthy of such devotion. As if she held a power so heady that could command all of his focus. Within one moment, Aidan owned her, yet she owned him all the same.
When he returned to her front, he slid her hair off her shoulder and dragged his finger along her arm. Her eyes fluttered closed as one touch, so simply made, seemed like a direct assault to her hormones.
“Beautiful,” he murmured.
At his low voice, Cora opened her eyes and spotted the flare of dominance in his stormy gaze. A tremor slid through her, pulsating in her lower half. “Thank you, sir.” Her gaze drifted over him in his black T-shirt and jeans. “You’re…” She winked. “You’re so damn sexy, sir.”
He chuckled, deep and low. “I’m glad you think so.” Leaning in toward her, his scent consumed her and increased the hard thud in her chest. “Even happier you’re this aroused.” He dropped his hand and softness reached his gaze. “Do you trust me, Cora?”
With lightness in her limbs, she smiled. Thank you, Jesus, he wasn’t asking unnerving questions. Good. He got the hint. Let’s play! “You know I do, sir.”
A visible flush crept over his cheeks, and his expression became stony. “Please keep that trust in mind.”
When a flicker of movement caught her eye, her heart dropped into the pit of her stomach. Cora blinked, and then blinked again. She remained rooted on the spot as Porter approached with wide steps and swagger. His hazel eyes held hers, and in khaki pants and a white T-shirt, Porter looked lethal.
When he reached her, he gave his mischievous grin. “Hello, Cora.”
“Err…” She blinked twice. “Hi.”
Her thoughts spun wildly out of control, and she battled the haziness to understand why the hell he was here, with Aidan. Had Porter joined Club Sin? Why hadn’t he told her that on the phone? Wait…he said he was going to Chains. “What are you doing here?”
Porter examined her as if looking deep into her soul. “Got a visitor’s pass.”
Her nose scrunched. “I didn’t think Master Dmitri gave visitor passes?”
He shrugged. “He does now.”
One answer told her everything she needed. All her hopeful thoughts crashed and burned; nothing had changed. Aidan wasn’t seeing the problem within himself. He thought it was about Porter.
She turned to Master Aidan and her mouth slackened. In the depths of his gaze, a truth shined through: He’d brought Porter to Club Sin to comfort her. While part of her hated him for it since he was still so blind, his action also warmed her, exactly why she couldn’t walk away.
Deep down, Aidan was a good man.
He hadn’t demanded information from her, nor had he forgotten her pain. He’d done what a loving friend would do: He brought a person that she’d indicated had been part of her pain in her past and forced the confrontation to help her.
Dear God, a Dom had gone to another Dom for help. Wasn’t that unheard of? This single action spoke to Aidan’s worry, and how much he undeniably cared about her. Only problem? It still wasn’t enough.
He wasn’t facing his pain. He was only trying to deal with hers.
Tears welled in her eyes before she could control them. She parted her lips and only a soft breath of air escaped. Master Aidan brushed a finger over her cheek, his gaze focused and attentive. “Catch up with Porter. I’ll return to you soon.”
His voice was devoid of emotion, utterly deadpan, making her heart drop. With a grave expression, he strode away. Time stopped. No, stay. Cora gripped her middle, rocking sli
ghtly on her feet as she turned to Porter. “Did Aidan ask you to talk to me?”
“He’s worried.” Porter’s genuine smile cut through the ice invading her. “So let’s talk.”
Cora followed Porter to the couch near the entrance and her stomach churned. When would Aidan see her and the truth staring him in the face? She crumbled down next to Porter, gripping her middle in hopes she wouldn’t vomit.
When Porter turned to her, regarding her, she rubbed her hands over her face. She knew a truth she didn’t want to accept. Aidan must have gone to Chains to seek Porter out, which meant he’d returned to the place he played with Lily. God, she couldn’t even imagine what memories that had brought him.
She wanted him to get over his pain, not drown in it.
With nausea setting in, she dropped her hands and curled her legs underneath her. Looking to Porter, she noticed the creases around his eyes. Somehow three years had made him distinguished. He appeared wiser, even more authoritative than she remembered. While they talked mostly through e-mails, chats, and once in a while got together for dinner, she hadn’t seen Porter in a nearly a year.
Now, sitting next to him, it seemed as if no time had passed at all. She inhaled, scenting the same citrus cologne he always wore. Where Presley was her best friend, Porter was the male version. They just got each other. She felt safe with Porter. More important, she knew without a doubt he’d always have her back.
His presence now spoke to that level of friendship. Aidan might’ve asked Porter to come tonight, but Cora knew he wasn’t doing it for Aidan. He loved Cora, and hearing she might have been in trouble brought him here.
That concern stormed through the depths of his eyes.
He leaned against the couch, lacing his hands behind his head. “How’s your family?”
“My parents are good—retired and relaxing.” Small talk, she hated it, and she shifted uncomfortably against the leather. She also knew why he was doing it—he was taking some time to get a read on her. “Cassandra is on her third kid and living a very vanilla life.”
The Club Sin Series 4-Book Bundle Page 29
