Summer opens the door before I can knock."She's in the kitchen and hasn't stopped pacing."
I follow her inside and find Kayla walking a hole in the tile, her hair a mess and her hands flying as she talks to Gemma.
"Hey," I say, dropping my bag on the counter."What happened?Are you okay?"
Kayla spins to face me, eyes wide."Oh my God, Skye.You are never going to believe last night."
I pour myself a glass of wine from the open bottle on the counter.If Kayla's this keyed up, I'm going to need it.
"Start at the beginning."
"Okay," she says, taking a deep breath."Remember how you hooked me up with Pink?"
"Yes, I thought it was going well?"
Kayla had some experience at Club Red, but she was ready to learn more, and I figured Pink would be an excellent teacher.
"Yeah.We've been meeting outside the club, just talking, doing some trust work.It's been good.Pink's been amazing.And last night she invited me to go to the Club.Said she wanted to introduce me to someone.A Dom who might be a good fit."
Gemma leans forward."And?"
Kayla groans."And at first it was great.The guy was respectful, a little stern, but kind.We talked about limits and expectations.Pink even stayed nearby.I felt safe, and I really liked the guy."
Summer sips her wine, watching Kayla closely."But something happened."
"Oh yeah.Something happened."Kayla sets her glass down with a clink."We were in one of the lounge rooms just talking.Nothing intense.And then...he walked in."
I already know.My stomach flips.
"Hunter," I say.
Kayla nods."Hunter fucking Crespin."
Gemma's mouth falls open."Your ex's dad?"
"Yes!He didn't say anything at first, just stood there with this look on his face.Like he'd swallowed glass.Then he crossed the room, dismissed the Dom I was with like he was nothing, and looked me dead in the eye."
Summer leans forward."What did he say?"
Kayla takes a deep breath and recites the words like they're burned into her memory."If you want a Dom, Kayla, you'll get one.But it'll be me."
Gemma actually gasps.I choke on my wine.
"He claimed you?"Summer asks, eyes wide.
Kayla nods."In front of everyone.The other Dom backed off.Pink just smiled like she knew it was going to happen the whole time."
I put my glass down slowly."Holy shit."
"You should've seen his face," Kayla says, collapsing onto the couch."He was furious.But also...possessive.Like he'd finally decided he wasn't going to pretend anymore."
Gemma fans herself."Okay, but that's hot."
"It was," Kayla admits."Until we left, and he walked me to my car and said, 'Next time, you come to me first.'"
"So, what now?"I ask.
She shrugs."Now?I think I have to figure out what the hell I want.Because for two years I've convinced myself he didn't see me that way.But last night?Oh, he saw me."