“And so you should be,” Kyler added, sidling up to her with a satisfied smile. “You’re an incredible woman, Cora. Never forget that.”
She turned and glanced from Porter to Kyler. These two men had put their lives aside for her. They weren’t engaging in anything sexual or asked anything of her. Doms might be arrogant. They might demand submission. But with that trust was a deep care for their submissives. She belonged to Club Sin, and they protected what belonged to them. “You’re both a little perfect yourselves.”
They smiled at her.
She tilted her head to the side and spied the mischievous glint in their gazes. “Okay, what gives with all the sweet talk?”
Kyler gestured to the house. “Go in and find out.”
She paused and glanced to Porter, who gave her a quick nod. She looked to the house, and even though it wasn’t nighttime, she hesitated. They had driven her out to a log cabin, and by all appearances they intended to leave her. “You’re not coming with me?”
The men shook their heads.
“Really?” Cora placed her hands on her hips, narrowing her eyes on them. “And why not?”
“Trust us.” Porter waved her on with a grin. “Go in.”
“Yeah, right, like that charming smile is going to work.” Cora snorted and said, “You’ll have to do better than that.”
Kyler leaned against the hood of the truck, crossing his arms over his thick chest. “Have we ever steered you wrong?” Cora shook her head, and he added, “Exactly. Go into the house, Cora.” He dropped his gaze to hers, and lowered his voice. “Now is not the time to be bossy.”
Cora studied them. Trust had rested so heavy between them. God, what they’d done for her lately. She might be a tad bossy at times, but she knew when to shut up and listen. She wondered if they’d planned a weekend retreat for her that included massages, pedicures, and breakfast on a balcony overlooking the mountains. “Okay, fine, I’ll go.” She looked from Porter to Kyler, and then she pointed. “If I hate whatever you have planned, you’ll come back and get me, right?”
“You won’t hate it.” Kyler’s eyes were half-lidded. “But yeah, I’ll come back if you need me to.”
Cora scoffed at his portrayal of indifference. Bullshit. But why did curiosity always have to get the better of her? Leaving the men behind, she approached the steps leading up to the big wooden balcony. The log house looked like something out of a magazine. Perfect in every way, with huge windows and large wooden beams.
As she reached the front door, Kyler called, “Don’t knock. Go in.”
Cora glanced over the railing. They watched her every move. “You’re both acting weird, just so you know,” she called out. Their laughter drifted to her as she approached the front door. With shaky hands, she opened the door.
A play party?
A spa resort?
A bed-and-breakfast?
The moment she stepped into the house, she stilled.
Two things happened.
First, she heard the roar of Kyler’s engine outside, indicating he and Porter were leaving. Second, time came to a dead halt. Shadowy gray eyes stared at her, jet-black hair hanging over dark eyebrows, and the hard body filling out his dark gray dress shirt and black slacks rendered her unable to move.
She gulped. “Aidan?”
Resting in a large wooden chair next to a stone fireplace, he grinned. “Hello, Cora.”
Chapter Twenty-six
The door behind Cora remained wide open. She watched Aidan as if he were a ghost scaring the living shit out of her. This he hadn’t intended. Christ, these past weeks he’d been trying to make everything better for her.
While his muscles itched to go to her, he forced himself to stay in his chair. His needs and wants weren’t important right now. “I know you’re surprised, but I asked Kyler and Porter to keep tonight a secret. I didn’t want you to worry or stress on the drive here.” When she didn’t move and awkward silence settled in, Aidan added, “You can come in and close the door.”
Cora stared at him for a long moment before she shut the door. She didn’t approach and her glossy gaze held his. “Why are you here?” Her voice shook as her gaze drifted over the living room. “Whose house is this?”
“It’s my house,” he replied with a soft voice, watching her carefully.
She blinked. “You never told me that you owned a home in Mount Charleston. I thought you owned a house in Summerlin.”