One Dirty Night - Page 114

“So…you were using us?” She wrinkled her nose. “But I thought—”

“Not using us,” Rhodes interrupted, wrapping his arm around other Ella’s slim waist, keeping pace with us. “Testing to see if this is where she belongs.” He smirked. “Where they both belong.”

Nick pursed his lips but tilted his head in acknowledgement. “Sorry for barging in and breaking any rules. I’ve yet…I’m still not sure what I’m doing.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that.” Rhodes chuckled. “You’re doing a pretty fine job already.”

Nick accepted the compliment with a polite nod. “I’m also sorry for forcing her to stop touching you. I, eh…I wasn’t prepared for the fury—”

“A word of advice?” Rhodes grinned. “Don’t apologise to another Dom unless it’s absolutely justified. And you did nothing wrong. You’re possessive, as you should be. Your task is to protect her. Cherish her. And you did that by claiming what’s yours.”

I thrilled.

I tingled.

His.

I’m his.

The Neanderthal terminology wasn’t frowned upon in here. It wasn’t slandered by feminists or forbidden by outraged protesters.

In here, it was simple: a heart for a heart. A life for a life. A soul for a soul.

And that means…he’s mine.

Rhodes gave me a soft smile. “She’s special. I’ll admit, I’m sad that I didn’t have the opportunity to get to know Hypatia better, but…you’re both welcome back. To drink. To play. To talk and just hang out—to find friends who understand what you’re going through.”

“We appreciate that.” Nick’s shoulders softened a little.

We.

Had there ever been a more magical word?

Other Ella squished my fingers again as we reached the steps to the foyer. “You do belong in this world, Tia. I knew it the moment I set eyes on you.” She flicked Nicholas a glance before whispering in my ear, “He’s a natural, just like you are. And my good lord, does he love you.”

I shivered. “I hope so.”

“You also know you hold all the power, right?” She kept her voice too low for Nick to hear. “You hold his heart and soul, so…be careful with them. Just because you’re the collared one, doesn’t mean you haven’t leashed him right back.” Her voice turned sharp with seriousness. “Don’t ever forget that. Don’t forget that you rule him, even while you kneel for him. Remember to talk to one another. Lean on one another. Our world isn’t just about power exchanges but the depth of connection it brings. The bond that will be forged between you will be unbreakable…so be wary of the intensity your new dynamics will bring.”

“Thank you.” I squeezed her hand back. “You’ve been so kind to me.”

She smiled and kissed my cheek. “Once you’re both secure in your new affection, please do what Rhodes suggested and return. I need to hear how you just broke a Dom. How you came here with no man and ended up with one chasing after you. I need to know your story, Tia.”

Nick rounded on her, hearing the final parts of our conversation. With his face stern and eyes swimming with possession, he tugged me into his side and staked every claim he could. “Her name is Ella, and she’s mine. The only story you need to know is…she didn’t just break me tonight, she broke me the moment I opened the door to my new rental and found her hanging a welcome sign over the mantel for me. She turned to face me, lost her balance, and fell off the chair she was standing on. I dropped my bags and caught her. And the moment she landed in my arms, I knew.”

He looked at me, his face etched with stern, savage affection. “I knew the moment she looped her arms around my neck and gave me all her trust. So freely. So fully. No one had ever trusted me with their life before. It’s her fault that this urge awoke inside me. This need to possess her, all because she possessed me.” Forgetting we were surrounded by people, he murmured only for me, “You gave me something I didn’t know I needed.”

“Said like a man who’s always needed to be needed,” Rhodes said quietly.

Nicholas didn’t look at him, his hazel eyes locked on mine. “I want you, Ella. So fucking much.”

The club faded around us. My new friends vanished from my attention.

All I saw was him.

His domination and his desperation.

His power and his weakness.