Desired (Club Sin 3)

Vanilla women never did.

“She’s a good girl.”

Kyler turned and found the groom, Aidan Knight, sitting across from him. All caught up in the woman, he hadn’t realized Aidan had joined him. Nor had he known that Dmitri had left to dance with Presley. Nope, he’d been consumed by the woman wearing polka dots.

Dressed in a tux, his jet-black hair slicked back from his forehead, Aidan was a commanding figure. Stiff shoulders and stony gray eyes told Kyler the woman was no stranger to Aidan, making her all the more interesting. “Do tell, who is that good girl?”

“My assistant, Ella Snow,” Aidan replied with a tight voice.

“She works for you?” Aidan nodded, and Kyler grinned. “I’m surprised that Cora doesn’t mind that pretty thing working alongside you.”

Aidan chuckled, shaking his head. “Cora is now my wife.” The amusement in his features fled, replaced by a blazing dominant stare. “She has never and will never have reason to be worried about Ella.” He glanced around him and then leaned in to Kyler. “You do realize that woman you’re eating up with your eyes is vanilla.”

“No shit,” Kyler said with a smirk.

From what he could tell, Ella didn’t act like a submissive. There were no enticing, gaze-lowering looks away from a Dom. She flat-out acted like a little mouse avoiding a hungry lion.

And damn, did she stir desire.

The same old play in Club Sin had become tiresome. In the dungeon, women always submitted. He’d perfected his craft to ensure they would. Until now, he hadn’t met a woman who pushed his need to master.

Perhaps a little vanilla would spice up his life.

He smiled at Aidan. “Have you ever seen me back away from a challenge?”

Aidan regarded Kyler before he stared at Ella, who was downing her glass of wine. “I can’t get into this in as much detail as I should, seeing how you’re looking at her. But that girl has been through a lot, she’s got no family here.”

Even more interesting. “She’s not from Vegas?”

“She moved from Savannah to Vegas four months ago.”

Kyler rubbed his chin, watching Ella place her wineglass on the table. A flood of heat overwhelmed him. Under his stare, she squirmed in her chair, staring anywhere but at him. Turning to Aidan, he asked, “What do you mean she has no family?”

“I mean, she has no one.” Aidan rested his elbows on his knees, giving Kyler a measured look. “She told me her parents died when she was young and she was raised by her grandparents. A few years back, she lost them, too.”

Aidan smiled at guests who strode by before he added, “There is something about her”—he hesitated and sighed—“she seems distressed or haunted in some ways.” Lifting his chin, his gaze became ice-cold. “I like Ella. And I mean I like her like a sister, so I’m telling you to be careful with her.”

She had Aidan’s affection. That, more than anything, told Kyler that not only is Ella beautiful, but she also must be a remarkable woman who had worked her way into Aidan’s heart.

Kyler snorted. “Fuck, you get married and turn into an overprotective brother.”

Aidan gave a halfhearted shrug. “Do what you want, but do it gently. She’s a special woman, and I do care about her.”

“You don’t need to tell me she’s special.” Kyler’s body hummed in need as he looked to Ella. “I can see it with my own eyes.” Glancing to Aidan, he smiled. “Don’t you worry, buddy, I’ll take good care of your assistant while you’re on your honeymoon.”

The band changed songs into something a little slower. Standing to go dance with his bride, Aidan frowned. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

Forgive me.

Ella’s shoulders slumped and she sighed at her phone. Laughter and joy surrounded her, music and happiness, but her stomach plummeted as she read her husband, Rory Snow’s text. When would he give up? Didn’t a domestic violence protection order say This relationship is over?

As the band played a slow song, she ran her fingers over the scar by her right eye. The mark was a constant reminder of Rory. Every day she looked in the mirror she saw it and thought of him.

All she wanted was to forget. Heck, she’d been doing exactly that. Rory was the jackass who couldn’t let it go. Ella knew she should probably call the Savannah police department to inform them that Rory was contacting her, but she was so damn tired of it all. She had moved on and put Rory into her past of big mistakes.

She’d hoped Rory would do the same.

That didn’t look like it was going to happen anytime soon.