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snuggled into the blanket. This was going deeper than she wanted to go. Of course, her best friend would want to see her happy, but how could Cora explain that she already was content with her decisions. That even if it wasn’t a traditional relationship with Aidan, what she found with him was something so uniquely beautiful.
    Something she couldn’t turn away from.
    How could she explain all this without baring Aidan’s pain? Her insight into him wasn’t hers to share with his close friends. Her love for him was hers to feel alone. “The casual D/s relationship with Aidan works for me—why change something that makes me happy?”
    Presley paused as a couple of Doms strode by, heading toward the spanking scene in the left corner of the dungeon. The soft rock music cut through the silence as Presley continued. “But you could have more.”
    “You’re right—I could” was Cora’s hard reply.
    I don’t expect more .
    He can’t give it to me .
    Presley gave a sad smile and said in a soothing voice, “Listen, I’m not trying to stick my nose where it doesn’t belong. It’s just, I love you … and, well, I see things.” She patted Cora’s leg. “I guess your uncommitted D/s relationship confuses me. You’re so good together. You both seem happy. I don’t know why you don’t pursue more from it.”
    Cora slowly shook her head, shutting her eyes. It all seemed so simple when put that way. Cora had thought in those terms for a few months, until she recognized Aidan’s ghost. She loved him, and loving him meant being there for him when he needed it, too.
    What would happen if her feelings were exposed? If she had to point out how sad he still was? At work, she’d seen people crumble when faced with hard truths. She didn’t want that forAidan. Besides, a small part of her still had hope. Maybe one day, past the pain, he’d see her in front of him, waiting and supporting him.
    He’d finally find closure with Lily and move on. And who was she to rush him, by demanding he commit to her? She glanced at Presley, who had shifted closer, her knees pressing against Cora’s. “I know that’s hard to understand. You’ve never had an uncommitted D/s relationship.” Heaviness filled her limbs, and she breathed even and slow. “But Aidan and I get what we need from each other.”
    Presley scratched at her cheek with pinched lips. “Okay, I get that. But you like Aidan, right?”
    Cora loved Presley’s innocence. It was the beauty in Presley. In her sweet mind, everyone needed a happily-ever-after in the traditional form. “Of course I think he’s nice, and yes, I like him.” Even if they were best friends, she wouldn’t let Presley trap her in a conversation she didn’t want to have. “But I think a lot of Doms are nice.”
    “Yes, exactly.” Presley’s gaze hardened, her voice equally so. “But you don’t play with other Doms. You only play with him. You deserve more than all this casual play. I see how Aidan watches you. I think if you said something—”
    Cora’s heart raced, nearly exploding out of her chest. Before she could stop herself, she snapped, “Stop it, Presley.” At Presley’s twisted expression, Cora’s stomach knotted and she softened her voice. “Ugh. Shit, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to snap at you. Thank you for loving me so much to ask.” She wrapped her fingers around Presley’s clammy hand, squeezing it tight. “Please leave this alone. The way things are make me happy, and it’s all good.” Her body weakened and she was damn glad she was sitting down. “Promise me you won’t talk about this to anyone else.”
    Everything would change, and that cannot happen .
    I need him .
    He needs me .
    Those demons … he can’t face that yet .
    At whatever crossed Cora’s expression, Presley’s eyebrows shot up into her hairline. “Okay, okay, I promise. I didn’t mean to upset you. And we don’t have to talk about it and I won’t say anything.”
    Cora blew out a