Page 246 of Bound By Her

“No,” he said quickly.

Glancing over his shoulder, he said, “We’re better as friends.”

She gave him an understanding smile.

Cole fidgeted. He couldn’t seem to decide what to do with his hands, before finally settling on putting them in his pockets. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about,” he said, his eyes shifting. “Now that my contract is up. I wanted to ask you out.Officially. Maybe we could meet at Club Shale, or go out for dinner?”

His face was full of light. Her Black knight in shining armor.

“Cole, I’m sorry, I can’t,” she said.

He shook his head.

“Why not?” he asked, his hand reaching to grab hers. Adria waved her bodyguards away and put her hand on top of his. Cole felt so warm and safe in her grip.

“Adria, I would be devoted to you. I can protect you, help you, work with you. I can be everything you need,” he pleaded.

But you are not what I want.

“No, you can’t,” she said, firmer than she meant to, and his face fell.

She hated the pain that flashed in his eyes. Hated that she had caused it.

A flash of red caught her attention, and she watched as Elena and Bryson left their private room.

“I don’t date my submissives,” she said. “Ever.”

The certainty in her voice made the party slow down around her. Clarity finally reaching her. Bryson and Elenawasa good thing. The boys had someone. She didn’t need to be torn.

Adria could let go.

CHAPTER 62

NORTH CAROLINA

Bryson needed Elena gone before the dinner started. For her safety and, frankly, for his own comfort. Being naked near her was uncomfortable enough. Performing in front of her was unthinkable.

“El, I need you to not be at the dinner,” he said, willing her to understand.

She rolled her eyes. “Brysey, if you are worried that I’ll see you naked, it’s done. I’ve seen it.”

“It’s not just that,” he ground out.

Did every woman in his life have to be this difficult?

“El, please.”

Something in his voice must have conveyed the deep-seated desperation he felt because she sighed and said, “Fine.”

Bryson’s shoulders relaxed, and the tension in his brow eased. Finally after an exhausting ten minutes of back-and-forth Elena had agreed.

“I’ll get Eric to walk you out,” he said.

“Not necessary,” she said, opening the door.

Both of them paused when Rolland’s smug face appeared at the threshold.

How long had he been there?

---