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*** Vance's POV***

"Have you heard anything?" I wring my hands as I face my best friend. Finn shakes his head, effectively heightening my worry.

I know Rex went to check on her. I know they went to eat. That is the extent of my knowledge at this point.

"He will call when the time is right. This is a Rex situation. Let him work his magic." Finn walks off to set the chairs down from the tables in the club. I follow behind him to help flip over the seats.

"I know you're worried. I won't tell you not to be because there isn't any use. If I'm being honest, I am worried too. It doesn't take a genius to see how shattered that woman is. I have half a mind to take a road trip to that exes house." Finn grows eerily quiet. I know that look on his face. Christopher would be smart to keep his distance.

"I just want her to trust me. I want her to fall into me. I won't drop her." I just want to get all these feelings off of my chest. They are fucking heavy.

"I have no doubt that you are the perfect man for the job. I'm not the one that needs convincing. Karis needs you as much as you want her. She just needs time to get passed all this. Patience is a virtue Vance. With this girl, I would suggest you find a little." Finn smiles at me. He knows patience isn't that easy for a dominant. We kinda like to get what we want when we want it.

"You know, the first time I saw her, I knew. She sat in her SUV crying. I watched her on the security camera. I knew then that I was going to have to work my ass off to take those tears away. That hasn't changed. I will admit, it's been a lot harder than I thought. That doesn't change the fact that I want to be the one to prove to her that all men aren't assholes." I flip a few more chairs while I confess my desires.

"You will. Vance, she is going to come around. I feel it. You know how you knew that Rex and I were meant to be together? Let's just say that I have that feeling. Karis looks at you differently than she does anyone else. I can't say much for how she acted with that other guy but, I bet my ass that she didn't look at him like a fucking king. Be her king. She will be your queen." Finn sets down the last chair as I flip mine under the table. I nod softly. I would do anything for my Queen.

"Daddy." Rex comes running across the bar room floor. He flies into his husband's arms with the largest smile. My heart warms watching the two reunite. You would think it had been weeks, not hours.

"How are you, baby?" Finn pulls Rex back, kissing his forehead softly as he pushes him out away from his body. Finn looks over his husband as he smiles down on him.

"I'm good. We both are. Thank you for letting me take time with Karis. We needed that." Rex gives Finn a deep kiss before he turns to me. I smile at my friend. The fact that he wanted so desperately to help Karis is a testament to what a truly good friend he is.

"She is about to come in. Let her talk or cry or whatever. It's been a heavy day. It's going to be a long night. We have a mess to clean up later." Rex walks off with Finn. I remember the video he sent. That's going to take a while to clean, even with extra hands.

The sun comes into the dark club as the door creaks open. I hesitantly walk forward. I don't want to bombard my petal. I just need to feel her, see her.

Karis comes in slowly. She keeps her head low as she sets her things on the bar top. I take a seat at the bar, in front of her. Sitting, in silence, I wait for her. I will let her come to me.

"Hi." Karis whispers a greeting to me. She doesn't make eye contact. I try not to let that deter me. I hope she does not feel any pressure to please me. She pleases me as long as she is with me.

"Hey, love. How are you?" I wait quietly as she walks a bit closer.

"I'm okay." Karis nods along with her statement. Although she looks like she has been through hell, her beauty still makes me breathless. She is so absolutely stunning.

"Would you like to talk? We don't have to." I offer a solid ground for acceptance or denial. This is her choice. I have already resolved to be whatever she needs for as long as she will allow me.

A moment passes by before Karis walks over to me. I open my arms, extending the invitation for her to make a move. I expel a breath loudly when her head meets my shoulder. I spread my legs as she wedges her hips between my knees. Karis wraps her arms around my neck while I pull her in by my arms around her waist.

"It's okay, love. Everything is going to get better." I whisper into her hair while she nuzzles my neck. I love that. I enjoy when she is vulnerable. That allows me to be strong for her. I want to be her strength.

Words don't exist as I take in her touch. She gives silently while I take with elation. I try my hardest to provide a blanket of security in my embrace. This woman needs healing. I am here to offer just that.

"I made a big mess." I can feel her lips move as they speak against my skin. I wish those movements were kisses to my flesh. I will take whatever she is willing to share.

"I heard something about that." I pull her back, setting her in my lap as I move her hair out of her face. My fingers caress the soft fabric of her yoga pants at her hips.

"I'm sorry, Vance. I know I have been all over the place." Her eyes water as she searches my face for disappointment. She will find none.

"No apology necessary, love. You have every right to be upset." I kiss her fingertips softly. My beautiful Karis has every right to be scattered.

"I want to get past this. I'm trying." Karis looks up to the ceiling, focusing on something that is unseen by me. She struggles. Her emotions are raw and exposed. The beauty of her offering makes me feel deeper than I expect.

"I want to be here for you while you do that. I know you're trying, doll face. It's okay if you need assistance. I don't mind providing that." I try to convey to her how much I want to be the one that she leans on. I know it seems as if the work isn't worth it. That's wrong. Karis is worth so much more.

"Thank you. I think I'm ready to lean on you guys." Karis lowers her face for her eyes to meet mine. I push my forehead against hers. When they meet, I close my eyes to draw in a large breath filled with her scent. The sweetness of her skin is mixed in with an excess of alcohol. It doesn't matter. She is still the most alluring scent I have ever had the pleasure of inhaling.

"Karis, I think I could love you better than that man. I'm not there yet, don't freak out. I'm just telling you; you're my addiction. I don't want to stop." My lips tremble as the confession passes through them. I don't say I love you to my partners. I reserve that for friends and family. Karis isn't just a partner. She is significant. Karis is so fucking important to me.

"I won't dilute your admission with my pessimism. I'm trying desperately to comprehend that you are not just anyone. I am trying to look at this for what it is. I'm going to need you to help me accept that." Karis brings her lips slowly down on mine. I do not dominate her mouth. I don't feel the need to. I let her handle the control. I don't need it.

My mouth parts slowly as she presses her lips firmly against mine. With the slightest movement of her head, our lips connect sensually. I want so badly to lick away every doubt that she has. I use complete control over myself to take only what she is ready to give.

When her hands delicately cup my face, I feel my control slip. My fingers itch to knot in her hair. I want to steal her breath, replacing it with my own. My tongue impatiently waits to sink into her warm mouth.

Karis pulls back slowly with a low moan. She nips my bottom lip before releasing it. Snap.

Gripping her ass, I lift her into my arms as I stand. I set her on the bar top, shifting my hips as I move her closer. My lips take in the flesh below her chin while my fingers scrape up her back to get to her hair. Karis gasps when my hands yank her head back. I dive forward, immediately pushing my tongue to the back of her throat.

I take. I take and I take. Her breath infiltrates my body as I greedily suck against her lips. She makes no move to leave the tight space my possession has created. Her ankles clamp down against my back as she pulls me ever closer. My lips move repeatedly as I find a place in her mouth that I haven't touched.

"Vance." Her breath comes out as a pant when I walk my kisses down the column of her neck. My nose skims her collarbone. I kiss her exposed flesh with need. This woman is my undoing.

"Sweetheart." I mumble into her cleavage. My tongue laps itself into the valley between her breasts.

While her fingers dig into my scalp, she presses my mouth against her flesh. I suck every single inch I can touch. Karis tosses her head further back, presenting her breast as an offering to my lips.

My hands grip the muscles between her shoulder blades as I attack her with kiss after kiss. The warmth between her legs permeates against my stomach.

Karis moves her hips gently rocking her center into my abs. I push against her. My stomach massages her swelling bud while my hand reaches to her ass to give her more purchase. My mouth works over her flesh as my arousal builds. My pants tighten. My breaths multiply under my own actions.

The thumping of my hardening cock alerts me that I really need to take a step back. I do not want to play on her vulnerability for sexual gratification. I gently kiss her skin as I slowly start separating our two bodies. I need a time out.

Karis takes the opportunity to pull my mouth back to hers. When her fingers grip the strands at the back of my neck, my cock angrily pulses in need. Karis devours my unspoken words with her tongue. She delves into my mouth with a deep moan.

Every need in my body screams to satiated. Attempting to keep my senses, I try to relax into her delicious attack. Karis works her lips over mine, tasting my flavor as she sucks on my tongue.

With strength I didn't realize I contain, I finally create space between us. Her lips chase my own. I force myself to release her. Stepping back, I breathe in deeply to clear my racing mind.

"Vance." An uncharacteristic whine leaves my China doll's lips.

Walking closer to her, I nuzzle her neck. I sigh into her skin. My heart beats erratically.

"Yes, love." The acknowledgment comes out as a tired groan. I can't possibly keep this extreme arousal caged at this pace.

"Daddy, please take me to the playroom." Karis whimpers into my hair.