Page 81 of Relentless Pursuit

“Why would you do that?” Blake ran his hand through his hair. “After everything we have done for you over the years?”

“I thought he needed...well, I wanted to repay him for how he helped me.” Large tears leaked from her eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt her. I’ll explain to her.”

“No, you won’t,” Julian said. “From this moment on, you and Kayla are through. You were never her friend. I want you out of this club immediately. You’ll be denied access if you come back here.”

“Please.” She looked at Blake. “You know I’m good for business. I always leave your customers satisfied.”

“I’m sorry, Connie, but I’m with my cousin on this one. You’ve already gotten yourself into trouble and tried to involve a prominent client in the process. We gave you another chance, but trying to sabotage Kayla and Julian is unacceptable. He’s happy and isn’t looking for a match. You knew that. Consider your membership to Sapphire revoked. Don’t come back here.”

“You can’t do this.” She looked to Julian as if he would lift a finger to help her. “I thought I was doing you a favor. I figured you could still be with her, but I’d do the things she couldn’t. It would be a perfect arrangement for you. If you were agreeable, I would help her understand.”

“When did I ever ask you to do that or make you think I’d be interested in cheating on her?”

“You’re a man, you don’t have to ask. I know what you need. It wouldn’t be cheating. Lots of Doms keep pets.”

Pets?He’d never given this woman an ounce of hope that they’d be together.

“Okay.” Blake took her arm and guided her to the door. “We’ve had enough for one night.”

“Connie,” Julian said before Blake could escort her out. “Forget everything you know about this club and the clients who frequent it.”

“Are you going to threaten me now?” She held her head up and wiped the streaked mascara from her cheeks.

“I don’t have to threaten you.” He moved toward her, getting in her face. “You walked away from a huge problem last month because of me. Believe me when I tell you I can make your life a living hell. If orange isn’t your color, I suggest you stay out of my way.”

One call to Larson, and all of Connie’s past indiscretions would tumble out of the closet. He would have no problem using them to send her away. Not after what she did to Kayla. He’d never forgive that.

“The same goes if you try to hurt Kayla again. I’ll make sure you suffer. Are we clear?”

“Yes,” she mumbled, and he knew he had her. Everyone had secrets.

“Yes, what?”

“Yes, Mr. Anders.”

“Get her out of here,” Julian said. “I don’t want to see her any more than I already have.”

“Come on.” Blake led her out of his office.

Julian kicked the door shut before screaming, “Fuck!” Slamming his fist against the wall, he tried to get a hold of himself.

As he thought back to the way he’d handled things when Kayla showed up, he realized he could have done a better job. He was so frustrated with Connie’s stunt that he wasn’t in tune to Kayla’s feelings. He just assumed she would see right through Connie. He never considered how wrecked she must have been when she walked in on the two of them. If he had walked in on her with a naked guy he would have beaten the shit out of him and asked questions later.

“Damn it.”How could I have been so stupid?

He told her to trust him. He swore he’d put her needs and feelings above all else, and the first time he had to prove that, he screwed up.

Chapter 19

Kayla tried to make sense of what had happened that evening. She wandered the chilly streets, rationalizing what she’d walked in on. The more she thought about it, the more she realized Connie had set her up. She’d spoken to her earlier that day and told her she would be meeting Julian at Sapphire and they were going to dinner. She’d even mentioned what time Francis would be picking her up. If Connie was having an affair with him, would he be so stupid as to allow his driver to bring her there to walk in on it? He could have had Francis take her to the restaurant. But it still didn’t explain why he hadn’t mentioned that Connie tried to kiss him.

She made her way back to the penthouse, but he wasn’t home. Maybe that was a good thing. She slipped off her shoes and hung her coat in the closet. Leaning against the wall, she slid down and plopped onto the hardwood floor. She tensed when the sound of the elevator doors opened in the hall. The beeping of numbers being punched into the keypad had her heart beating erratically. Was she ready to face him?

When Julian entered the foyer, he looked down at her. “Thank God,” he whispered. “I went to your apartment. I didn’t think you’d be here.”

“It seemed like the right place to be.” She’d been staying there most nights. The two had been inseparable since the afternoon they made love.

He took off his suit jacket, slung it over the chair in the corner of the foyer, and took a seat on the floor next to her. He rested his back against the wall, but didn’t say anything.

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