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He leaned in, erasing the distance she’d put between them. His woodsy scent engulfed her and she pulled the blanket tighter around her. Lord, this man stopped the world from spinning.
Master Aidan was a man’s man, just thirty-three—eight years older than her. His black T-shirt hugged muscles that layered muscles, and he looked smoking-hot in a pair of blue jeans. With his stylish dark hair, there was no denying he was drop-dead gorgeous.
He was a hundred percent beautiful, a confident, irresistible man.
His chiseled face tilted to the side, his eyes searching hers. “You sure?”
To avoid the oncoming feeling of sadness if they stayed in aftercare too long, she needed him to leave. She needed a breather from his intensity. She needed to remember that the emotions she experienced could never become more than what they were. She couldn’t forget that what she felt for him wasn’t reciprocal.
Years ago, that truth shattered her. She’d told herself a thousand times not to play with him, that his pain and avoidance of closure over Lily’s death could ruin her. Yet her heart had always betrayed her; she just couldn’t stay away.
Now her heart and her head compromised. Drown in his love for as long as she could get it, and then allow him to walk away. She couldn’t have all of him. She knew that. She had accepted that. He wasn’t capable of giving more. Even if her heart bore the bruises every time separation slid between them, what she experienced with Aidan she couldn’t run from.
She didn’t want to.
Cora forced a laugh, sliding into friend mode. “I’m satisfied to my bones. Trust me, I’m great.”
“Oh, there you are.”
At the sweet, soft voice, Cora glanced to her best friend, Presley Flynn, who wore lacy black lingerie. A fellow submissive who had apparently had a scene, too, since her blond hair was ruffled, her emerald eyes glossy, and her cheeks pink. “Hi.”
Presley turned to Master Aidan. “Do you mind if I sit?”
“Not at all.” Smiling at Presley, he stood and stepped away from the couch. “We’re done tonight.”
Cora’s heart clenched as Aidan began to leave. To most, Presley’s interruption wouldn’t be a big deal. Though if Cora had been in a committed D/s relationship what Presley had done would warrant punishment. Interrupting a Dom and a submissive during aftercare wasn’t tolerated in Club Sin. The physical distance Cora had put between her and Master Aidan told outsiders they weren’t in aftercare.
They were, she forced herself to remember, two friends sitting on the couch together. Her throat tightened and she bit her lip, not allowing that thought to affect her. God, she hated herself after a scene. She was a freaking emotional mess. She knew where she stood with Aidan and she had accepted being with him in this way. Sometimes it was just hard to remember that.
Sometimes her heart wanted a little bit more.
To ignore her flip-floppy stomach, she focused on Master Aidan as he strode around the glass coffee table and approached. Which wasn’t a difficult task, when Master Aidan moved, time stopped. He held his head high, shoulders equally strong and his lengthy stride contained arrogance. Cora might love a man incapable of loving her beyond friendship, but this Club Sin Master who’d dominated her for two years aroused the living shit out of her.
Aidan was smart, wealthy, and sexy, but he never flaunted it. In a scene, he cared deeply. He’d never misled her. He was always honest, kind, and considerate. As her Dom, she trusted him. He sent her into unfamiliar sexual adventures. He pushed when she needed him to. He also held her when she was in need. Cora had bonded deeply to the Dom, but she reached to know the man outside of Club Sin.
A man blinded by his pain.
Once he settled in front of her, he caught her chin in his grip. His gaze zeroed in on her, making her forget that a moment ago she wanted him to leave. “Beautiful scene tonight, yes?”
“Incredible,” she agreed.
Gray as a stormy sky, his eyes held hers. “Anything I need to know?”
I need you to go. I need to get back into control. No, please stay. “Nope.” While her heart battled and craved for more, her head recognized she needed distance. She was well aware she was letting herself get hurt by staying with him, but she understood his pain and his inability to put closure on Lily.
Besides, he gave her enough in the dungeon. There, she was his world. She was his focus. She felt his love. He held nothing back in those moments. She might never have all of him, but she knew—with total certainty—Aidan gave her the most he could possibly give to anyone.
There was something special in that.
With a slow curve to his mouth, he gave her his typical goodbye kiss, ending their playtime together. The kiss was too short to bring heat; a good reminder for Cora to be happy with what they had. She might hope for more, but, deep down, she loved his friendship above all else. He broke the kiss and flashed Presley a grin before he strode through the dungeon.
Cora watched him, noticing the ease to his gait. She hadn’t been the only one exuding tension earlier, and she liked that she had that effect on him. She gave her head a little shake, shedding the ping-ponging sensations within.
“Wow, that man has some serious gifts,” Presley said, slow and steady, drawing Cora’s attention. “That wax dragon was incredible.”
“I know, it shocked me,” Cora said and laughed, tucking her hands under the blanket and welcoming the warmth. “Right into orgasm.”
“Yeah …” Presley’s cheeks flushed. “I saw that.”
