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The longest second of his life went by before Cora turned to him Her eyes were frantic “No, please don’t”

Christ, she looked beautiful The rejection in her gaze was the ugliest thing he’d ever seen His lungs constricted,it hard to breathe The pain in her eyes—he’d somehow caused that, too His heart ached as he watched her struggle He wanted to hold her and fix her problems Instead, he shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans

She’d showed hiht his touch didn’t help, it hurt

He softened his voice to keep their conversation private “You’re not in the right headspace”

“Master Aidan …” She shook her head, blinking It never returned life to her eaze “No, please don’t do this, sir”

His gut twisted That sadness he’d first seen and hoped he could fix fucking ruined him “I can’t play with you like this” He took a step back, shutting down any connection “I won’t”

She raised her wrists, offering them for his rope “Sir, no, please, I’ there …”

His breathing beca He didn’t knohat he had done wrong And he surely didn’t want a sub when, in fact, she loathed his touch “You’re safe-wording”

“I’ “I never said the club’s safe word, Dragon”

“You don’t have to say it with your voice” He clenched his fists in his pocket, ignoring his desire to gather her in his arms He forced hi for her Whatever he’d done, it had daed the trust between theetting worse “Your body is screa it at me”

“No, sir, that’s not true,” she whispered

Seeing thatdestroyed hi to hold her until she only felt loved Then he froze Don’t touch her “I don’t knohat I’ve done …” He hesitated, choosing his words carefully “As much as I wanted—and hoped—that I could help you, we seem to be at an impasse, Cora”

Aidan had thought that night caht about it ever since, and smiled every time at the ed things …” The tightening of his chest and quivering of his muscles forced his mouth closed

“It did” Her voice cracked as she continued to hold out her wrists “But I …”

Aidan’s heart sank, and he couldn’t hear any more He didn’t want to accept that as her Dom he had failed her Nor could he ad he lived for, all theyou what you need, Cora”