“I remember.” Her throat tightened. “But you kept coming back.”
He hesitated, and that alone told her the truth mattered.
“Because you’re beautiful,” he said simply, meeting her gaze at last. “A dom would be a fool not to notice when someone as genuine as you offers trust so freely.” A muscle in his jaw jumped. “But it turns out, I am a fool because I accepted what you offered when I had no business doing so.”
Her heart twisted. “So you’re saying it meant nothing.”
His voice came low and steady, the words... devastating. “I’m saying it meant too much.”
She blinked hard. “Then why—”
“I don’t walk away when it gets dangerous. Everything in my life is dangerous. I won’t drag you into that.” He exhaled, the sound rougher than she’d ever heard from him. “I never meant to give you mixed signals. I never meant to hurt you. I’m sorry for that.”
She didn’t pretend to understand everything he meant, only that, in his way, he was protecting her. Maybe she could figure it out when she wasn’t reeling from an apology that hit like a final blow.
Music swelled behind them as Alec lifted Emily into a laughing twirl, the whole patio glowing with joy. Well… almost.
“Thank you for being honest,” she whispered, because anything more would have splintered her voice.
She turned before the tears could rise, before he could see the crack in her composure. Her heels clicked softly against the patio tiles as she walked, weaving through clusters of laughing guests.
Julia heard him swear, low and gruff, unmistakably frustrated. But she didn’t turn back. She kept her shoulders straight, her chin lifted, her breathing steady.
She should give Emily and Alec her best wishes, but she didn’t dare. Seeing in them what she didn’t have, what she may never have, would break her. So she hurried around the corner of the house, away from the lights. Alone, in the dark, her knees almost gave out, and she had to lean against the wall to steady herself as she fought back tears.
It would have been easier if he’d been cruel. If he’d dismissed her. If he hadn’t cared at all. But knowing he did, made it hurt even more.
Taking a slow breath, Julia straightened her shoulders and walked to the parking area at the front of the house for the last time.
***
Couples drifted into the indoor lounge, drawn by the promise of air-conditioning and a break from the Florida humidity. Warm from dancing, Rhys and Gaby followed. He snagged two bottled waters from an ice-filled tub on the bar and led Gaby to a love seat with a clear view of the backyard.
They settled in, Gaby curled comfortably on his lap, both of them getting used to the smug looks from friends who’d figuredout they were meant to be together long before either of them had—particularly Rhys.
“How long will this go on, do you think?” Gaby asked, not really minding. She was perfectly content tucked against him.
Rhys took a long sip of water then deadpanned, “Until every last one of them gets tired of congratulating themselves for being right.”
She breathed out a laugh, lifted her own bottle, but when a flash of pink passed by the windows, her hand froze before it ever reached her lips.
“Uh-oh,” Gaby murmured. “I know that look. It’s the heartache of wanting something, but what you want is too stubborn to see what’s right in front of his eyes.”
Rhys tightened his arms around her. “I don’t know what you’re referring to, love. But it can’t be us. We’ve worked everything out and have now embarked on our happily ever after.” He leaned in, voice dropping. “Side note: just because the club’s closed doesn’t mean I can’t open one of the rooms if a sassy submissive needs practice.”
She looked at him for a long beat. “I could always use morepractice.”
Rhys laughed, squeezed her close, and pressed a kiss to her temple. “I really was an idiot for not seeing how perfect you are for me.”
His sincerity stole her breath more than the teasing ever had.
“She won’t be back,” Emily said from across the room, peering out into the darkness after her friend.
“Who won’t?” Cari asked as she and Dev joined them,still catching their breath from all the dips, lifts, and spins.
“Julia,” Emily answered without turning back. “Her membership ends tomorrow. She told me she’s not renewing.”
“Why?” Gaby asked.
