Page 50 of Trussed In Hope
“You’re back.”
“Told you I would be.” I kissed her shoulder again.
“Mad at me?” she whispered.
“No, nervous.” I admitted.
“Me too.” She sighed.
“That’s why we’re going to take it one day at a time. Whatever you need, I’ll be right here.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Thank you for trusting me.”
“Same.” Then I felt her fully relax into me as she dozed back to sleep.
I pulled the blanket around us and turned off my thoughts so I could join her.
EMBERLYNN
Seven weeks later…
I stood in my bedroom admiring myself. This was the last night that I would be in this apartment back in my hometown. After going back and forth, settling business and getting things together, it was time to relocate down to Florida to continue my happily ever after. I’d found the cutest apartment that wasn’t too far away from Cadell’s Fields.
Hardison still wasn’t happy about it, but he wasn't so gruff either. When he realized it gave him more roleplay options, he suddenly saw the positives in our living separately. He moved his things into the main bedroom and was using the second one as a workout space for his daily workout and his physical therapy. Happy that his strength in his once injured leg was returning, he was vigilant about keeping it there.
He insisted he come back with me this time in order to make sure that the move went well. He’d also made plans forthis Valentine’s Day weekend I wasn’t privy to. I probably had something to do with that…
I smoothed my palms down the satin clinging to my hips, trying to calm the flutter in my stomach. The black dress had been my bold choice—short enough to tempt, fitted enough to leave no question of my curves. The straps crisscrossed over my bare back, and beneath the hem, I wore garters and stockings that made me feel wicked even before stepping foot in the club. My heels weren’t sky high, but they gave me a confidence boost. Around my neck, the silver chain Hardison had given me rested against my skin, its cool weight grounding me.
“You’re perfect,” Hardison murmured from the doorway.
I caught his reflection in the mirror—broad shoulders in a dark button-down, sleeves rolled to his forearms, his black duffel hanging casually from one hand. That bag made my pulse stutter. I knew exactly what it carried.
“You’re staring,” I said, my voice a little shaky as I turned toward him.
“Damn right I am.” His gaze swept over me in a way that was possessive but never crude, like he was memorizing every inch for later. “You’re nervous.”
“Maybe.” I swallowed. “I’ve been to the club a hundred times. But this is different. With you, it’s different.”
He set the bag down and came closer, catching my hand in his. His thumb brushed along my knuckles, steady and sure. “You asked for serious, Ember. I’m giving you serious. But it’s about us. No one else. Tonight, you focus on me. Only me. Got it?”
That stern note in his voice unraveled something low in my belly. I nodded, heat rushing to my cheeks. “Got it.”
The drive across Cincinnati felt longer than it should have. My pulse beat faster with every mile, my mind running through every possibility of what he had in that duffel, what he’dplanned. By the time we pulled up outside the mansion-style building–Club Illusions, my palms were damp again.
The February air bit at my bare shoulders as we crossed the lot. Inside, the club was warm, familiar and intoxicating all at once. The smell of leather, candle wax, and anticipation clung to the air.
“Can I help you?” Tiffany–the gatekeeper–asked us. Always the professional. I don’t know who gave her that title, but she took her job seriously. Nobody got past her, and it wasn’t because there was a guard posted nearby in case somebody got bold and tested her. It was because even as short as she was, she still didn’t play about protecting the people inside.
“Yes,” I gave her my membership card. “I added Hardison as my guest for tonight.”
She nodded once and consulted her computer. “I see you reserved a playroom as well. Swipe your card to get inside, and it’ll give you full access. Can I see your ID, Sir?” Tiffany smiled innocently at him.
When he provided it, she quickly scanned, and entered information on the screen. She gave him a temporary pass. Her baby-blue pigtails bounced as she spoke. Her hair was always colored with some kind of girl-coded color. But then again, she made everything look feminine. Especially the time that she dressed up as the Joker for Halloween.
“Will you be needing a tour?” she asked him while looking between him and the screen.
