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She stared at him, overwhelmed by him. He didn’t care that she’d been abused or what led to it or even what happened after it. He cared about her. About how she felt, what she went through in that night, and he simply wanted to know she saw him differently.
As he’d done from day one—she realized a little foolishly—she needed to show her trust in him. He needed communication. And she knew in the softest parts of her heart that’s what made Kyler a worthy Dom.
He didn’t think himself above her. He never forced her into anything. Every step of the way, he had made it her decision to grow. On her terms. Everything had been a choice that she made, and in her heart, she knew it was right. He’d simply laid the groundwork for her to fall into his command.
The simplicity of it all, he dominated her mind and body, not from force but from love and trust. “You needed to hear all this because you wanted to make sure I knew the difference between BDSM and abuse?”
He inclined his head, rubbing his hands down her arms. “Saying it is one thing. Believing it is entirely different. And I see it in your eyes, sweetheart: the love, the trust, the acceptance of what was and now what could be.” He heaved a sigh, his gaze never leaving hers. “If I did all the things that I’ve wanted to do with you without hearing you say those things and my believing you, I would be no better than Rory.”
“You’re nothing like him,” she said adamantly.
One brow arched. “But I would be.”
Past all the passion with Kyler and this erotic adventure he’d taken her on, in this moment she stared at a man who gave her something far more than what she craved from her challenge. He’d helped her find her way back to her. The real her, not tainted by pain, loss, and abuse.
She shook her head at herself, seeing things so differently. “I’ve thought all along that you’ve seen me as broken, but it’s not that, is it?” She hesitated, wanting to get this right. “It’s because that’s the only side of me that I was showing you. You don’t see the problems I’ve been through or the pain I’ve dealt with; you see straight into my heart, past all of it.”
His hands bracketed her cheeks, his warm, minty breath caressing her face. “No, Ella, I don’t see into your heart.” His smile was as charming as ever. “Your heart is mine. Mine to cherish. Mine to protect. Mine to love.”
Chapter Twenty-three
Early into the next night at Club Sin, Kyler had placed Ella on the stage off to the right side of the sitting area. Last night, after their talk, all he’d done was hold her, and that was better than any scene he could have taken her in.
Dressed in a leather getup that Kyler had bought for her, Ella attempted to look like a woman totally ready for this. Harder than she thought, since her clothing was basically leather straps that covered her breasts, midsection, and hips, then thick straps covered her sex, but it reminded her of strapless panties—leaving a space for important parts, she mused.
Big nights call for sexy attire, Kyler had told her when he handed her the bag from the sex shop this morning. All day as they lazed around her condo, she had wondered what would happen on her big night.
Now was no exception.
The soft instrumental music played throughout the dungeon, and she glanced around the stage that Kyler had left her on to go and talk to Dmitri. To her right, she noticed stuff hidden under a black sheet. Dammit. If only she could lift that sheet to discover what he had planned, but she didn’t dare do that. Not now. Not when he intended to finally play with her in the manner she’d been craving.
Within a few minutes, Kyler left Dmitri at the couch he sat on and approached the stage. Ella watched his long, purposeful strides that held both arrogance and that sexy confidence she loved.
When he reached her, his spicy cologne swept through the air. “Tonight is for you, Ella.” He smiled, trailing a finger over the leather straps on her shoulders before his gaze lifted. “But it’s also for me. This is a big step for us, yes?”
“Yes, sir,” she replied, nerves skating through her.
He traced his fingers over the leather by her hip, and she squirmed under the promise of seduction in his features. This she wanted—no, she craved—the side of Kyler that wasn’t restrained. Where he looked to her like a woman he intended to command.
Lifting his eyes to hers, he said with a low voice, “We’re not alone tonight. I’ll always be in tune with you during our scene, but it’s good to remember the Club Sin Masters are watching over you, too.” He gestured to his left, and Ella noticed Aidan sitting with Cora, smiling at her. “You’ve got good support here. You realize this, yes?”
Before having Aidan in the dungeon felt horribly awkward, yet now she couldn’t help but feel even safer. People love you here and are looking out for you. She turned to Kyler and nodded. “Yes, sir.”
He inclined his head in approval and then dropped his eye level to hers. “Tell me your safe word.”
“Dragon,” she replied.
“That’s right.” Grinning, he tugged on her hair. “Use it if you need to, all right?”
Never had she seen him like this—so intent in his study of her. As if he knew her better than she knew herself. As if he had a plan already set in his mind. As if his soul were connected to hers. She licked her lips. “Yes, sir.”
His low chuckle brushed across her as he turned to Dmitri, who stood in the corner of the dungeon, then Kyler gave him a nod. Suddenly, the music shut off and Kyler looked to the crowd over by the flogging scene and whistled. “Can I have everyone’s attention?”
Ella gulped. “Oh, no.”
Kyler barked a laugh, skimming his hand down her side. She moved with the path of his hot fingers, experiencing the burn of his touch low in her body. Aching for him. Craving him. Desiring him.
Once most of the members settled in front of the stage, Kyler called in a proud voice, “For those who don’t know, my Ella took up a challenge to herself to do things she never would have done. To live out erotic adventures, and say yes more than say no to new things.” His voice got husky, sliding into that sexy tone that brought fire into her loins. “Best we see to this little sub fulfilling that challenge to herself, hmm?”
