She turned, facing her best friends, and something inside her broke. Shattered. She was standing in front of women who had all started dating their Doms after she’d met Dmitri. Each of them wore a diamond necklace, which in their world was a sign that they were owned by a Dom. And all three of her friends were married. Presley reached up, touching the collar Dmitri had given her two years ago, and her heart clenched, as somehow that seemed not as important as a wedding ring.
She felt a sudden and most unexpected flare of jealousy. The other three women’s Doms were there for them, wanted them to share in their lives, but where was her Dom? Since Steven, Presley hadn’t consciously thought much about being married, but suddenly, and for the first time in a long time, she realized that was the life she wanted.
Why did I forget that?
Her heart banged against her ribs as she followed the girls into the living room, returning to her spot on the couch. Cora sat next to her, and Ella and Kenzie took a seat in wingback chairs. Doing her best to be strong, Presley swallowed the hard lump in her throat. “Have you heard anything more about the pictures?”
Eyes huge, Cora sputtered, “Has Dmitri not told you anything?”
Embarrassment warmed Presley’s cheeks as she fiddled her hands in her lap. “I haven’t seen him since he brought me to the casino yesterday.”
“That’s weird,” Kenzie said, unconsciously placing her hands on her pregnant belly. “What happened?”
“His phone started ringing the second we entered the room.” Presley tucked her legs beneath her. “He was gone by the time I woke up.”
The sun beaming through the French doors cast a glow over the side of Ella’s face. “That doesn’t sound like him.”
Presley noticed the beautiful diamond ring on Ella’s finger, reminding her of her own bare finger. “I know,” she admitted. “He’s not being himself.”
“He’s going through a lot with the club,” Cora offered. “I would imagine that must be hard on him. He probably has a lot on his mind. And I’m sure he feels like he’s failed to keep his members safe.”
“I’m trying to tell myself that,” Presley muttered, suddenly feeling foolish for making it all about her. “Okay, so update me. What’s going on?”
Kenzie crossed her legs and answered, “Kyler is trying to get fingerprints off Miles’s picture and then Porter can start to investigate things on his end.” She adjusted the small square pillow behind her, then leaned back against it. “I’m sure they’ll have answers soon, and will bury whoever is trying to sell the pictures.”
“Let’s hope,” Cora added. “I can’t even begin to think about what will happen if this story is released.”
“Horrifying things, that’s what,” Ella interjected in a high voice. “Kyler is worried because of his dad being the police chief and all.”
Cora snorted. “I hear you. Aidan will leave the company to ensure that his practice doesn’t go under. It’s a scandal that no one wants.”
“He’ll give up his job?” Kenzie asked, alarmed.
Cora nodded, lips pressed into a tight line. “That’s what he said. To protect the company.” She slid her glance to Presley. “But isn’t that kind of like them, always worried about everyone else?”
Presley understood what Cora was implying. Dmitri had a lot on his plate. Somehow it didn’t comfort her. The scandal should bring her and Dmitri closer together, as it apparently had done with everyone else. They were dealing with it as a team. She hated more than she wanted to admit that she’d had to hear about Club Sin’s updated status from the girls rather than from Dmitri himself.
Their relationship wasn’t like this, or it hadn’t been—until now.
Things between them had been based on trust, honesty, and a deep connection. Her heart bled as doubts about her and Dmitri flooded her. In the room with all her married and pregnant friends, one question swirled on her mind: Why hasn’t Dmitri proposed? She’d never wondered about that before, but a nagging thought now made her wonder if there was a good reason he hadn’t taken that next step.
Maybe he didn’t want to.
Perhaps he didn’t share all this with her, because he, as the Dominant in the relationship, didn’t think of her on the same level as him. And possibly he hadn’t proposed because deep down all he felt for her was a Dominant/submissive relationship, not a relationship that would lead to marriage.
Not a partnership.
“Presley?”
She blinked, realizing all eyes were on her. “Sorry. Spaced out there.”
“Nah, really?” Kenzie said with a grin. “As I was saying, we’re going for lunch. Wanna come?”
Sit in this hotel room alone? Think about all the shit I don’t want to think about and worry over Dmitri? Presley pushed up off the couch. “Only if it includes wine.”
“A girl after my own heart.” Kenzie mused, placing a hand on her chest. “You always were my favorite.”
“Hey,” Ella and Cora protested in unison.