Page 245 of Bound By Her

Seeing him at the feet of Elena, the woman he had called while she clung to life, poured fuel on the fiery rage that already burned in her center.

Marching to him, she was stopped mid-step by Matilda, a frumpy brunette and a player at Club Shale.

“I have to say, Adria, after the performance at the club, I wasn’t sure these boys would see auction.”

Fury boiled inside her. “Why, didn’t you think I was capable of bringing them to heel?”

Matilda’s eyebrows bunched together. “No, they just responded to you so well. I thought maybe you might keep them for yourself.”

She considered Adria. “Are you all right, you seem…”

“I appreciate your concern, I just haven’t been myself since Loretta passed away.”

Matilda relaxed, understanding dawning her face. “Of course, we were all very sorry to hear about the accident. You never know how much time you have.”

“I agree,” Adria said, sidestepping the woman. She looked at Bryson, still at Elena’s feet, and she wished like hell she could change things.

Steeling herself, she approached the pair, acutely aware that upon her approach, Bryson looked anywhere but at her.

“Adria.” Elena gave her a curt nod.

“I was wondering if I could borrow your prize for a moment?” Adria asked her.

Elena looked at Bryson, who Adria noticed gave the slightest of nods, but Elena hesitated with the leash.

“If you wouldn’t mind, I would like to have a moment in private with him,” Elena said.

Adria felt her jaw drop, the shock reverberating through her body like a slap. The refusal washing over her, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth and a red flush on her cheeks.

“I won’t be long,” Elena assured her. “He has piqued my interest.”

“For your buyer,” Adria said flatly.

Elena brushed some of her shiny hair behind her ear. “Yes, for my buyer.”

Adria pointed to a room they could have to themselves and watched as the two of them moved away.

A soft hand tapped her on the shoulder, and she rounded. Why did everyone always need something from her? Couldn’t she just have a moment of peace, justone?

The anger on her face melted away as Cole’s soft brown eyes came into view. He wore a tailored black suit, and it fit him in all the right places.

“Cole,” she said in surprise. “Your hair?”

He trailed his fingers along the side of his face. “Yeah, I wanted a change.”

He peeked at her from the bottom of his long black eyelashes. “Do you like it?”

For a ridiculous moment, she thought about reaching out and touching his newly shortened hair. Her fingers would no longer be able to tangle within it.

She blushed at the intrusive thought, and Cole looked down.

“I do. It looks very grown up,” she said. “Where is Mistress Eve?”

He looked through the crowd before pointing. “Our year is up. She wanted me to come as a guest, not a sub. Start getting my sea legs back.”

Adria nodded. Eve was a great Mistress. Acclimating Cole to his pending transition was an excellent idea.

“Are you two going to continue seeing each other?” she asked, hopeful. She could really use a win right now.

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