Page 44 of Dissension

Kara splits open, euphoria zipping out of her center to the rest of her body as she shatters, crying out his name. There’s an answering hiss and shout on the other end of the line, and Kara imagines him shooting his seed wantonly across his sheets, imagining her helpless, pinned form beneath him.

Soon, the only sound is their mingled, harsh breathing.

“Did you…?” She asks him, feeling shy and ashamed. Why are they both the sickest people she knows? Why does itwork?

His breathing still sounds rough and it makes her mind spin. “Yeah.”

“Oh.” Kara closes her eyes and tries to not regret it already. Why is she this fucked up? To get off on the idea of a masked stranger taking her like that? “That was…”

A slight chuckle that warms her. “Yeah. It was.”

Biting her lower lip, Kara tries to make herself seem like a decent person. “For the record. I didn’t call you with that in mind.” Shame eats at the edges of her mind. “We shouldn’t have-”

“Don’t bother with the guilt trip, it won’t work on me. Besides, this is off the record, sweetpea. Have sweeter dreams,” he rasps, his tone rich with satisfaction. The phone goes silent as he hangs up the call, successfully avoiding speaking about himself completely with his little stunt.

It’s his nature to distract from anything that might lead to a true emotional connection. To anything that might lead her toknowinghim, the part of him that Nick keeps hidden.

What are you so afraid of telling me? Anyone?

Rolling onto her back, Kara stares up at the ceiling fan, watching it spin in slow motion. Sweat cools on her body, the place between her legs swollen and sticky. “I shouldn’t have done that.”

When she falls asleep, she finds herself without dreams.

Chapter 18

The yacht is full today, with various business associates and friends of Dieter. Kara recognizes most of them now, after all this time, but there are always a few new faces. Her nerves are frayed, because she hasn’t forgotten that Dieter told her Nick would be coming today.

Nicknevergoes on Dieter’s boating excursions.

It’s how she finds herself seated across from Gale, whose blonde hair is neatly pulled back to defend against the breeze as she works on making her notations on paperwork. Just beside her is the one and only Nicholas Havenwood-Calais, looking crisp and well-put together in casual yacht-style attire that Kara has never seen him in before. He looks good, that effortless Trust Fund Baby good.Annoyingly. His brown hair, catching sunlight in shades of copper. The pair are discussing various cases at their firm.

Kara does her best to keep her gaze away from him, trying not to stare or be caught checking him out. Even when she doesn’t find her eyes passing over him, his presence is like a hot brand in her mind.

He never goes on this damn yacht. Never. Why is he here now? God, and why after we had twisted, fucked-up phone sex? How am I supposed to look him in the face?

Every time their gazes meet, the only thing she can think about is how he sounded as he came on the phone call, his low growl as he touched himself thinking of her. How guilty and shamefully good it felt to touch herself, thinking of him-

Her face heats.

Kara feels self-conscious, a little detail that Dieter has clearly picked up on with amusement. With his usual charm, Dieter isnext to Kara with his arm slung casually behind her on the seat. He’s warm, chatting with one of his friends, but his body posture speaks volumes.

He’s claiming her space and effectively,her. She wishes he wouldn’t, not in front of Nick-

Nick has no right to care, she reminds herself, catching Nick’s gaze by accident, seeing the look in his eyes. There’s something biting in his gaze. Jealousy, edgy and raw. He looks to Dieter’s position beside her, to Dieter’s proximity, and loathes it.

He’s the one who never wanted to commit and literally has a future wife.

“I’m so glad you graced us with your presence today, Nick.” Dieter is saying cheerily. “I feared I’d never make a sailor out of you.”

“And you never will. It’s always a pleasure to be in your golden company, Dieter.” Nick says it in his driest tone, eyebrows quirked. “But if you must know, I’m here for Gale, notyou. Sorry to disappoint.”

Dieter dramatically clutches at his heart, glancing at Kara briefly. “Mortally wounded.”

Kara huffs with amusement to hide her hurt at Nick’s insinuation; that he’s not here to see her. She rolls her eyes. “Dieter, don’t clutch at your chest as if you have anything beating in there. We all know you don’t.”

That earns a few laughs from the gathered group, Dieter shifting in his seat to give her those anguish-filled puppy eyes. “How can you say something so heartless about me?”

“Because youareheartless,” Nick offers, a smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth.

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