The argument shone on her expression, but he quickly sealed his mouth over hers. She melted beneath his touch, following his movements as if her lips were a mold made perfectly for him.
A kiss that so simply held none of the complications between them.
When he broke away, he murmured against her mouth, “I know what you want. You know what I want. We will find an even ground on this, and there is no reason to rush anything. I’m just saying, please wait and let us figure this out. Give me that time. Don’t argue with me about this.”
For now, she didn’t.
Chapter Twenty-two
Four days had passed in a quick blur since the night with Rory, and Ella hadn’t heard a peep from him, either. She’d mailed the divorce documents to Derek in Savannah, and soon things would be finally over.
Though with the relief that brought, her mood hadn’t much improved. Things with Kyler had never been better—relationship-wise. Almost as if she’d settled perfectly into his life and he into hers. But that dark cloud remained over them: What would happen in Club Sin tomorrow night?
Would he be the Dom she craved?
Or would he look to her as broken?
While she was tempted to let him decide the path they should take, she had enough of waiting around and hoping for big life changes. Her challenge brought her to Vegas and gave her so many wonderful things, but she was tired of not taking control and making things happen for herself.
She had allowed fate to control her world.
Now she’d show fate that she held the wheel.
Sitting in Kenzie’s small and cozy apartment above her used bookstore, Ella glanced over to the women she’d become so close to … so fast. Women she couldn’t imagine not having in her life. No one had discussed her abuse after the night with Rory, which made her realize how nice it was not to be judged.
They cared for her, regardless of what she went through.
There was something special in that.
As she topped off the four wineglasses for herself, Presley, Cora, and Kenzie, she thought over the situation with Kyler. The saying “Don’t poke the bear” meant jack shit to Ella.
She had plans.
Big plans.
She corked the bottle and called, “Come get ’em, girls!”
“Thank goodness for men who chauffeur us around,” Presley said, entering the kitchen with bright red cheeks. “I would not be able to drive.”
“Me neither,” Kenzie muttered, scooping up her wineglass and then taking a big gulp.
Cora followed in behind and added, “I’m going to pay for this tomorrow at work, but who freaking cares?” She turned and headed into the living room, then dropped down on the big gray couch. “Besides, Aidan will treat me to one of his hangover cures anyway.”
Kenzie sat in the next to Cora, laughing. “You mean flogging you until you forget you’re hungover?”
“Exactly.” Cora smirked.
Laughter led Ella into the living room, and she sat next to Presley on the couch near the bay window. She scanned the room, a bit surprised by Kenzie’s apartment. She expected modern and hip, like Kenzie, but her house was warm and inviting, with antique
s in every bare spot.
Cora lowered her wineglass to her crossed legs and said to Kenzie, “Aidan told me about the arrangement between you and Porter.”
Kenzie studied Cora, oddly careful. She finally asked with a tight voice, “Are you okay about it?”
Confused, Ella looked between them. “Why would that upset Cora?”
Cora smiled softly. “Porter’s my ex-boyfriend.” To Kenzie, she said, “Of course I’m okay with it. We’ve always just been really good friends.” She raised her flashy wedding ring. “Besides, I’m a married woman now, and, honestly, I want Porter to be happy.” She hesitated, narrowing her eyes. “You’re not going to be your typical pain in the ass with him, are you?”