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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.”
Porter snorted, laughing. “Does your sister still live in Vegas with her very vanilla husband?”
Cora nodded. “Yup.”
The hard rock song drifted through the speakers, as the shock of what Aidan had done smacked her like a hard brick. Porter likely thought she had issues with him, and that was never anything she wanted.
She stared at her ex-Dom, who studied her closely. Under his stare, memories surfaced. He had taught her so much about BDSM, and about what it truly meant to submit to a man. Hell, he had laid out the foundation of the submissive she was today.
By the hard set of Porter’s gaze, and the confidence all but oozing out of him, Cora figured he’d become more experienced in the three years they’d been apart. To her, it was as if she stared at a Club Sin Master, a well-trained Dom, educated in all things BDSM. One who knew how to handle a submissive, even a sassy one like Cora.
Porter had always said, “A weak man can’t handle a submissive like you, Cora. A strong Dom knows exactly how to make you surrender.” And she always submitted, every single time. No glares and smart mouth had worked on him, nor do they work on Aidan.
The difference between the two Doms? Porter’s touch never had the effect of Aidan’s; they didn’t shake the foundation of her world. His expression didn’t freeze time, and his mastery didn’t make her nearly as heated. In Aidan’s command, Cora discovered something deeper, something powerful.
Something she allowed herself to be hurt over, because she couldn’t get enough.
Porter tilted his head, and whatever crossed her expression had him clearing his throat. “What’s going on, Cora? Aidan is worried about you.”
What have I done? How have I caused this?
It was all getting too personal, too close to a truth she didn’t want to admit. She curtained her face with her hair and dropped her chin to her chest. “Thank you for coming to see me. Honestly, it’s all very sweet.” She looked to him, spotting an ugly twist forming at his mouth. “There’s no need to worry. I’m okay.”
“Lies, Cora. Lies.” Porter gave a quick, disgusted snort. “When did all this lying start?”
She remembered that tone all too well. Her fingers tightened into fists. She had quite enough of being forced to talk about something she didn’t want to talk about. “Can’t a woman feel things without nosy Doms poking around?”
“Doms who are acting out of concern,” he offered gently.
She raised her eyebrows. “Coming from one of those nosy Doms.”
“Ah, at least the sass hasn’t changed.” Porter stroked his chin, regarding her. “Speak to the problem, Cora. It’s not like you to hide.” His chin dipped, lowering his gaze to hers. “I’m not here to interrogate you. I came because I deserve answers to settle my mind.”
“Answers that are none of your business, since, news flash, you are no longer my Dom,” she retorted with a scowl. “Answers that I don’t want to give. Answers to a nonexistent freaking problem.”
He frowned. “Being defensive does not look good on you.”
Cora murmured a curse beneath her breath and pinched the bridge of her nose. “I’m done explaining myself. If I have to say I am fine once more, I’m going to deck the next person who makes me say it.”
“Note taken.” Porter chuckled. His eyes danced as he raised his hands in surrender. “I won’t make you say that.”
“Good.” She scoffed. “Finally, someone is listening.”
Porter paused, his eyes squinting with his regard of her. “While I know better than to push you too far, since I enjoy my face, please talk to me a little. Aidan’s concern has me thinki
ng it has to do with me.”
