Mine (Club Sin 7)

“Oh, no. I absolutely do not mind.” She took the dress out of the box and hung it in front of her.

Images of what she’d look like tonight filled Dmitri’s mind, but he knew his picturing her would be nothing like the real thing. Presley was a stunning woman without makeup and beautiful evening wear. Yet he enjoyed dressing her in fancy clothing, especially for a night like tonight.

When she finally lifted her head and looked at him, he pointed to the left. “The bathroom is there. I asked Cora to stock it for you.”

She gave her sweet, soulful smile. “Thank you.”

As she turned, holding the dress in her arms, he added, “Presley?”

“Yeah?” She glanced over her shoulder; her eyes were alight with happiness.

“Put your hair up for me. Something elegant would be lovely.”

“Yes, sir.”

Chapter 10

Twenty minutes later, Presley opened the door to the bathroom in the corner of the dungeon, giving herself a last glance in the mirror. The silky white backless gown stunned her and she thought it seemed too fancy for the nightclub, but she wouldn’t argue, either. Dmitri wanted her in the dress. She wanted to wear it for him. She’d done a quick, romantic side updo, using the bobby pins that had been left in the bathroom for her. And she was glad she had curled her hair earlier—it made the updo appear softly elegant.

As the bathroom door shut behind her, a whistle caused her to raise her head. Cora, dressed in a silver chevron dress with her dark hair pulled up, with curls surrounding her face, beamed at her. “Wow. Dmitri sure knows how to pick a dress.”

“Right? I never want to take it off.” Presley smiled, running her hands over the dress that fit her like a second skin. “Are you here for the opening, too?”

Cora hesitated. “Um…yep.” Then she added with a cute smile, “I got here a few minutes ago.” She moved her hands that were around her back to out in front of her, offering Presley a white rose. “Here, for you.”

Presley laughed, approaching. “You’re giving me flowers? What’s the occasion?”

The second Presley accepted the flower, Cora’s arms were around her, squeezing her tight. “I know this week has been hell for you.” Her voice was thick, filled with emotion. “I’m so happy everything is back to normal that I could friggin’ burst.”

Presley hugged her back. “Me too.” A week ago she hadn’t known where things stood, but now everything seemed better. Or at least it was getting there. She loved Dmitri, and she did trust him. His word had always been solid. She believed that what had happened between them wouldn’t happen again. Maybe it was because now she had more understanding of why Dmitri acted the way he did. With Club Sin no longer in their house, hanging over Dmitri, she would be put first.

And that, as simple as it was, was all she had wanted.

“Okay.” Cora leaned away, taking Presley’s hand. “No questions. Just follow. Deal?”

“Um…” Presley eyed the twinkle in Cora’s blue eyes with suspicion. “Where’s Dmitri?”

“I said no questions.” Cora tugged her forward, smiling back over her shoulder. “Those pretty pink lips need to stay shut.”

Presley pressed her mouth closed tight, sending Cora into a fit of laughter as she led them through the door and past the first security guard. He gave Presley an admiring once-over before offering a sweet smile that didn’t fit such a stern face.

As they reentered the nightclub, the loud dance music and chatter from the busy bar stormed over Presley. Cora didn’t seem to notice that the club was now full of people, and she hurried them through the VIP area. Presley noted Miles’s absence at the balcony before Cora led her down the stairs and out a side door of the club.

The moment the warm dry air hit Presley’s face, she gasped in surprise to see Kyler and Ella, dressed in eveningwear, standing by the front of the building. Ella had their baby, Andie, in one arm and held a red rose with her other hand.

“What…?” Presley asked.

Cora winked back at her. “No questions, remember?”

“Oh, right.” Presley rolled her eyes.

They reached the corner of the building, and Ella stepped forward with a beaming grin and teary eyes. Then she handed Presley the rose before taking her into a hug, taking care not to squish Andie. “I love you,” Ella whispered in her ear.

“I love you, too.” Even though confusion swirled in Presley’s mind, she hugged Ella back.

Once Ella finally stepped away, Kyler moved in for a hug of his own. “What’s going on?” she asked.

“You’ll see.” Kyler gazed at her with his soft eyes. “It’s all for you.”