Page 31 of For the Night

She beamed as she jumped up to talk to Beau, and Ivy assisted with the instructions for the first two poses.

Seeing Nora on her knees like that, perfect posture, so much grace… Why did I even pretend to have resolve? I couldn’t make my way over there fast enough.

“In the end, your Top decides how these poses will be modified, but this one is a common pose for presentation that some—or most—call the Nadu,” Beau explained. He spoke to her as much as he spoke to those observing. “Sit on your heels and spread your knees.”

I took in my surroundings, making sure I wasn’t needed anywhere else, before I allowed myself a few seconds to let the world disappear. Nora obeyed swiftly and got into position, her gaze fixed forward and her shoulders squared.

“Excellent,” Beau commented. “Then you turn your hands, palms up, and rest them on your thighs.”

Damn near flawless.

Nora wasn’t merely beautiful; she was fucking adorable in tiny cotton shorts and a snug top. She pulled off gracefulness with a side of a crooked smile and eyes glinting with joy. She loved this. She was happy.

When Beau eased the end of a cane up her throat, to lift her chin slightly, I envied a goddamn object.

That should be my fingers making sure her chin was held high.

“And close your eyes,” Beau murmured.

Right then and there, Nora’s gaze landed on me. I felt the connection like two wires with magnetic tips rushing together with a snick. And the sensation didn’t fade as she closed her eyes and released a long breath.

“Gorgeous. That’s so good,” Ivy praised. “You have great posture, Nora.”

Fuck, I had to get away from her if I was gonna be able to do my job. I cleared my throat and averted my?—

“Penelope?”

No.

I froze at the sound of Ella’s voice coming from behind me. Why the fuck was she here? I didn’t wanna face her. I didn’t want the anger and the hurt to come rushing back. At a complete loss about my future or not—fine, I could live with that—I’d dealt with the past. We were so done.

I drew a breath and braced myself mentally, then reluctantly turned around and came face-to-face with my darling cheater of an ex-girlfriend.

No changes, at least. It felt weird to see her, and I’d half expected her to look different, though I didn’t know why. It was the same old her. And no hurt. Yet. Or anger. Just annoyance because she was here.

She took a few tentative steps forward, and a sub snuck between us on his way somewhere.

Suddenly, I would give anything to get back to watching Nora. She was…the opposite of what I had in front of me. Nora was a breath of fresh air. Ella was tainted by her betrayal. Her blond hair and brown eyes that’d once reeled me in just made me see another woman’s hands on her. I could picture Ella’s expression contorting in pain and pleasure while she was with someone else.

Weirdly enough, it didn’t bother me as much as it had a few months ago.

I was simply…over her.

What a fucking relief.

I exhaled and folded my arms over my chest. “Make it quick. I’m on DM duty.”

To be honest, I couldn’t see this working out. We couldn’t share this community. She had to go. She had to realize this was a dead end.

Her gaze flickered with uncertainty. “I know. I was, um, just wondering if we could talk after the party?”

Talk about what?

“I have plans.” It was the truth. “What’s there to talk about?”

I caught one of my big oafs moving in the background—Colt, and he mouthed, “You okay?” to me.

I nodded subtly, grateful for him. He nodded once in return and got back to what he was doing.

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