Chapter 51
CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Elle
The club feels different tonight – less like a daunting maze of expectations and more like a second home, which I guess it kind of is now that we’ve been coming here together for the last couple of months. Not every week, but enough that people know us.
The low hum of voices, the clink of glasses, and the soft thrum of music wrap around me like a familiar embrace as I lean against the polished bar, nursing a glass of sparkling water, my fingers tracing idle patterns along its rim.
A sharp whistle cuts through my thoughts. “Well, well, if it isn’t the woman of the hour,” Candy drawls, sliding onto the stool beside me with the kind of effortless confidence that only she could pull off. Her grin is wide, mischievous, and distinctly Candy.
I glance at her, unable to stop the smile tugging at my lips. “I’m pretty sure I’ve been the woman of the hour a few times now,” I reply, tilting my head. “You’ll have to be more specific.”
Candy throws her head back with a laugh, the sound warm and genuine. “Touché. But tonight, you’re positively glowing, babe. Marriage suits you.”
I can’t argue with that. The weight of the delicate collar around my neck – the one Seb fastened himself – grounds me in a way I never thought possible. It’s more than just a symbol; it’s a promise, a connection, and a declaration all rolled into one.
“It’s not just the marriage,” I admit softly. “It’s everything.”
Candy props her chin on her hand, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Everything, huh? Care to elaborate, Mrs. Sterling-Knight?”
I grin at the emphasis, but I can’t help the warmth that spreads through me at hearing the name. “You know what I mean. I’ve changed. Or maybe…I’ve just stopped hiding.”
Candy nods, her expression softening. “You’ve come a long way, Elle. I remember the first time you walked in here – wide-eyed, nervous, clutching that little clutch bag like it was a lifeline. I thought you’d bolt before the night was over.”
I laugh, the memory vivid in my mind. “I almost did. If it weren’t for you and your relentless charm, I probably wouldn’t have stayed.”
“Relentless charm?” Candy gasps, placing a hand dramatically over her chest. “Ha! You flatter me.”
I shake my head, chuckling. “You know exactly what I mean. You made me feel like I belonged, even when I wasn’t sure I did. And for that, I’ll always be grateful.”
Candy’s teasing smile falters for a moment, replaced by something more genuine. “You give me too much credit. You were the brave one, Elle. You faced your fears head-on. Letting someone in the way you have with Seb? That takes guts.”
Her words settle over me like a warm blanket, and for a moment, the noise of the club fades into the background. “You’ve always been the fearless one, Candy,” I say, nudging her shoulder. “I used to envy you for it. You seemed so sure of yourself, like nothing could shake you.”
Candy lets out a soft laugh, her gaze dropping to her glass. “We all have our masks, don’t we? Confidence, charm – it’s easier to wear those than to let people see the cracks. But you? You’ve shown me what it looks like to truly let someone in. And honestly? I’m a little jealous.”
The confession catches me off guard, but it also makes me smile. “Guess we’ve both learned a thing or two,” I say, bumping her shoulder lightly.
She grins, her usual spark returning. “Don’t get all sentimental on me now. You’re going to ruin my reputation.”
I laugh, pulling her into a quick hug. “Thanks, Candy. For everything. For pushing me, for being there when I needed you, and for believing in me when I didn’t believe in myself.”
She waves me off, but I catch the shimmer in her eyes. “You’re making me mushy, and I hate it. Now, go find your husband before I start crying in public.”
I make my way through the club’s winding hallways, the noise fading behind me as I move toward the quieter, more private lounges. The gentle weight of my collar presses against my skin, grounding me with every step. We’ve done a couple of on-stage demonstrations together, but we much prefer our privacy behind closed doors here at the club.
So much has changed since the first night I stepped into this place. Back then, I was terrified – of being seen, of being judged, of confronting parts of myself I didn’t fully understand. But now? Now I walk with a confidence I never thought I’d possess.
My thoughts drift to Seb, to the man who’s seen every part of me – the good, the bad, the broken – and loved me anyway. He’s pushed me, challenged me, and shown me that vulnerability isn’t a weakness but a strength.
For the first time in my life, I feel whole. I’ve found a love that’s equal parts fire and comfort, a love that’s as exhilarating as it is grounding.
As I approach the private room we tend to favour, I catch sight of him through the slightly ajar door. He’s standing near the bed, his silhouette framed by the soft glow of the lights. He looks powerful, commanding, and impossibly handsome.
“Are you going to stand there gawking, or are you coming in?” he asks without turning around, his voice low and teasing.
“Maybe I just like looking at you,” I reply, stepping into the room.
He turns, his gaze sweeping over me with an intensity that makes my heart race. “Careful, Mrs. Sterling-Knight. Keep looking at me like that, and I might forget my manners.”
I smirk, closing the distance between us. “Who says I want you to remember them?”
His hands find my waist, pulling me flush against him. “You’re playing with fire, Elle,” he murmurs, his lips brushing against my temple.
“Good thing I don’t mind getting burned,” I whisper, tilting my head to capture his lips with mine.
His kiss is slow and deliberate, a perfect blend of possession and tenderness. When he pulls back, his hand trails up to my collar, his thumb brushing over the clasp.
“You’re incredible,” he says, his voice rough with emotion. “And you’re mine.”
“Always,” I reply, my heart swelling with love and gratitude.
As we stand there, wrapped in each other, I can’t help but think about how far we’ve come. Life isn’t perfect – it’s messy, unpredictable, and sometimes downright chaotic. But with Seb by my side, I know we can handle whatever comes our way.
Because in the end, it’s not about perfection. It’s about love, trust, and the unshakable bond we’ve built together.
And as I glance over my shoulder one last time, catching Candy’s knowing grin from the hallway, I smile.
Life’s a beautiful mess, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Besides, I’ve got everything I need: a man who sees me, a life that excites me, and a best friend who never lets me forget it.