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To her, it was like knowing what sport someone would be good at. She knew the moment she saw a Dom interacting with a submissive that she belonged in the lifestyle. It was an itch almost, a draw to the lifestyle that ensnared her. And she was right—the lifestyle had centered her and made her happy.
Cora nodded. “Yep, that Porter.”
Aidan hesitated, watching her curiously. “No, I’m afraid we never kept in touch after I left Chains.”
Perfect and safe! “Well, I noticed Presley’s collar and that upset me.” Which was a half-truth; she didn’t want to lie to Aidan. “That’s all it was.”
His head tilted. “You were upset because Porter never collared you?”
“Err …” She nodded.
She couldn’t do it—she couldn’t open her mouth and tell a lie. Her relationship with Porter had been incredible. She’d learned so much from him in that year they’d dated. He’d shown her sexual adventures she never could have dreamed up. But she would have refused his collar, just as much as he never would’ve given her one.
By the end of the year of their relationship, they both realized they weren’t crazy in love, but were all too comfortable. Their scenes became more robotic; he was a man she cared about without the heat.
She wanted passion and sparks flying. She never found that in Porter, but she had found that in Aidan. Even still experienced that with him, after their two short years togeth
er. That’s why she waited. That’s why she stayed. “So that’s all it was. I was thinking that Porter never collared me and it made me sad for like a second. But I’m over it.”
Aidan watched her intently, his eyes searching hers. “Tell me, then, if you’re over it, why was your pain so obvious?”
She took another long sip of water and it slid easily down her throat. When her lips popped off the bottle, she replied, “Because we were talking about my past and I felt something. That doesn’t mean I’m weak. Nor does it mean that I’m consumed by pain. It also doesn’t mean that there’s anything to talk about.” She narrowed her eyes on him. “I don’t know how much clearer I can make myself.”
He ignored her use of his words thrown back at him. His gaze hardened. “I know you’re not weak, but I also know that pain. I’ve been there. I’ve lived it. And I don’t want you to feel like this.”
You are still living it!
While his shadowed past raged darkness in the depths of his eyes and spun her into a feeling of breathlessness, his words simply annoyed her. If he didn’t want her to feel this way, he needed to face his pain and wake up to what sat right in front of him. She didn’t want to have to tell him that—she wanted him to see it for himself. “Please don’t let this bother you. You saw something that I didn’t want you to see.”
He gave a slow, disbelieving shake of his head. “Sorry, Cora. I’m bothered.”
Chapter Seven
Later that evening, Cora leaned her hip against the dark wood vanity in her bathroom, which had a pebble-tiled floor and an all-glass shower. Looking into the round mirror, she finished with the last curl in her hair. Her makeup was dark and sexy, and perfect for a night at Club Sin.
Aidan had left her house hours ago, looking tense, and Cora had quivering muscles, too. She had no idea what would happen at the dungeon tonight. Would he get over his questions by the time she got there? Would he let this matter drop? Cora shook her head, snorting to herself.
Yeah, right!
Though the question remained: What would Aidan do next? And what would Cora’s next move be to avoid him? She didn’t want anything to change. She wasn’t ready for that yet—possibly because she had no idea what the outcome would be.
How would Aidan respond if he found out the truth?
She couldn’t face that daunting reality of the unknown. Not yet. Cora didn’t want to be his damned therapist. She had enough of helping people on a daily basis at work. She wanted to be his girlfriend … his submissive.
Was that really asking for so much?
The beep of her telephone had her putting down the curling iron. She grabbed her phone off the vanity.
Coming to CS tonight?
She dropped down onto the closed toilet seat and smiled at Kenzie’s text. Yep. You?
I wouldn’t miss it! A short pause followed, and then another message popped up. I have to ask—what was with you running out last night? Is everything okay?
Cora had no idea how to answer that. Were things okay? In her mind, she’d say yes. She also doubted Aidan would agree, only making her twitchy. Aidan could be determined when he wanted something. And Cora was unsteady about how to deal with him.
Her fingers worked quickly over the small keyboard, and she replied, Just some weird stuff going on with Aidan, but it’ll be fine.
