Page 101 of The Player's Club

I could almost believe she didn’t know the answer. I felt the familiar shame and anxiety creeping up my throat. But I wasn’t going to let my past dictate my future. Not anymore.

I told her what she already knew: about how my dad had always been strict and had expected me to follow in his footsteps. How I’d struggled to be the perfect Christian boy. How I’d never lived up to my parents’ expectations.

Elodie then asked me about my dating history, and specifically about me dating married women. It was strange talking to Elodie about these subjects. Maybe it was because I’d already told her everything. Or perhaps it was because she didn’t seem like the Elodie I knew.

This was Elodie, the reporter, in front of me. She had a job to do. Seeing her work made me fall even harder for her at that moment. When we got to the end of the interview, Elodie folded her hands. “Why did you want to do this interview, Mac?” she asked quietly.

“Because I want to take back control of my own life,” I said finally. “I’m tired of running away. It only creates more speculation anyway. So I’d rather give my side of the story and take the reins of the narrative.”

“Is there something specific you want people to know?” she pressed.

I swallowed. “I wanted to say that the rumors are true. I am a member of a sex club. I like BDSM and have for a long time. And you know what? I’m not ashamed of that fact. Not anymore.” I leaned forward, my gaze intent on Elodie. “I’m not going to apologize for what I like to do in private with other consenting adults. Nobody else should either. Everybody spends too much time and energy judging what other people do. And you know what? Fuck that. I’m tired of it. I’m tired of being a prisoner of other people’s opinions.”

Elodie smiled. “Off the record, are you sure you want me to include all that?”

“If you don’t print it, I’ll sue you.”

She chuckled, shaking her head and scribbling something down on her notepad. I waited for her to look back up at me.

“This is also on the record,” I said. I kept my gaze glued to her beautiful face. “Most of all, I wanted to do this interview because I wanted to apologize to you. I wanted you to trust me, but I couldn’t do the same for you. I’m sorry, Elodie.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “Mac . . .”

“No, let me finish.” I took her hand. “You’re everything, baby. You’re the most incredible woman I’ve ever met. You gave up your job for me. You’re doing this interview pro bono, even. The only thing that’s your fault is making me fall in love with you.”

Her eyes widened. “What?”

“I love you. I know I said we weren’t supposed to fall for each other, but I did. Do you still love me? Because if you don’t, I’ll spend the rest of my life proving to you how much I love you and to make you fall back in love with me.”

Elodie laughed and then sobbed. She was just shaking her head over and over again. “Of course I still love you, you idiot.” She wiped her eyes, laughing again. “How did you know I’d quit my job?”

“Your boss told my publicist. He sounded pretty annoyed about it.”

“Roy is annoyed about life in general.”

Seeing her there with tears spilling down her cheeks broke my restraint. I got up and pulled her into my arms.

“Do you love me?” I demanded.

“Yes, I still love you. Do you love me?”

“Didn’t I just say I did?”

She poked me in the chest. “Say it again. I forgot.”

“I love you. I love you. I love you.” I wrapped her tightly in my arms. “I’m never letting you go, Elodie Andrews. And you can put that on the record, too.”

ELODIE

I lightly slapped Hannah’s hand away from the tray of cookies. “Those are for tonight!” I admonished.

Hannah stuck out her tongue. “I’ve only eaten one!”

“Try three, going on four. Those are Mac’s favorites.”

“Oh, well, we can’t make Mac mad.” Hannah winked. “He might take me out back and spank me.”

I rolled my eyes, even as I laughed. Mac might be into spanking, but Hannah and I both knew he was only interested in spanking me.

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