Page 22 of Unzoned

Garrick's texts had stopped the day before. At first, she'd been grateful, then she realized why they'd stopped. He'd given up. And why shouldn't he? She assumed the worst about him, insulted him, yelled at him in the street and then ran away like an idiot. Her father had called her that afternoon to apologize, and to explain Garrick had been telling the truth. He'd shot down the association. He wouldn't lose any property to Garrick or any of the other owners.

There'd been a time, not long-ago Jade would have jumped to his defense with her father. She would have taken his side in a heartbeat, but she knew he was a good soul. Even when he was doing horrible things to her, it was out of love that he did them. After a particularly hard spanking, he'd kissed her hot cheeks while she stood in the corner. He'd rubbed arnica cream over them so as to keep any bruises from forming, and even though it was completely her fault for having cursed at him when she didn't get her way, he'd held her tight and wiped away her tears. He never belittled her or made her feel less than everything he wanted. Yet the first sign of imperfection on his part and she had gone for his throat.

"No, I'm going to the party. I could use a good distraction myself." Carissa opened the freezer and hid behind the door, keeping Jade from knowing what she really thought.

Her cell buzzed in her back pocket, and she pulled it out. It buzzed again and again and again. "What the hell?" Swiping the screen, five messages popped up on display. All from Garrick.

I get you're scared.

I get you don't understand some of your feelings, or mind. And I get that you think everything is a mess right now. What I don't get is why you think hiding from this will make it better?

I don't do games, you know that.

I want you, Jade. I want you for my girlfriend, my best friend, and my submissive. I want to own every inch of your body, your heart, and your soul. All cards on the table, I love you. But you have to make a decision, and it has to be tonight. No more waiting, no more stalling.

A package will be delivered shortly. If you decide to be mine, accept it, wear it and meet me at the party like planned. Though when you arrive, you'll be directed to a private room. Wait there for me.

Jade stared at the screen, unable to breath or think. He wasn't done with her?

"What is it?" Carissa plucked the phone from her shaking hand and read over the texts. She let out a low whistle. "Fuck, this man is hot." Looking unapologetic she gave Jade back the phone. "If only he wasn't yours, or you know, Garrick."

"What do I do?" Jade looked back at the screen. Isn’t that what she wanted? Another chance? A way to fix the mess?

Carissa patted her arm and pointed to the table when the doorbell rang. "You just sit, that's probably his package."

Jade didn't move to sit or to get the door, instead she watched Carissa do all the moving. She greeted the delivery man, signed something, and took a box from him. Jade swallowed, wetting her dry throat, when Carissa brought it back to the kitchen.

"What is it?"

Carissa rolled her eyes. "Well, I'd have to open it to find out." Putting it down on the table she stepped away. "Open it, Jade."

Jade took a deep breath. "What-"

"Open the fucking box." Carissa pushed it toward her. "The man has all but begged you, now put a little trust in him and open the damn thing."

"Trust him? I totally trust him. I mean, except for the whole computer thing."

"Wait." Carissa put her hand on the package. "Are you really upset about that? How many times has the man used your computer while he was here? So, he saw your history and didn't tell you. Did you want him to sayHey Jade, what's this kinky shit you have on here? Do you really wanna take it in the ass while being tied up to the bed?"

Jade stared at her for a long moment. "No." She shook her head. "That wouldn't have been good." A smile started to break through her, and she soon found herself giggling. "Okay, he was trying to be nice, but what about the club?"

"Does he tell you about all of his investments? No, because you fall asleep when he talks business."

Another good point.

"So, he used the opportunity to approach you not only about your submissive side and his dominant side, but to start making something more of your relationship. Really, it was kind of fucking sweet. Him waiting there for you to show, and then swooping in and taking over. Tell me you didn't find that hot."

Solid arguments, all of them.

"Why am I so afraid then?"

Carissa shook her head. "I don't know, because what we don't know scares us? Because we see a future that might be real, but you can't possibly understand why or how it will be, and it terrifies us." Jade couldn't be sure if she was talking about her own experience or generalizing.

Without putting more energy into her doubts, she grabbed the box and tore the tab down the middle, opening it. Shuffling through the tissue paper she found a jewelry box and lifted it out. Taking a deep breath, she pulled off the lid.

Two diamond tennis bracelets laid in the box, each spread out next to the other, shimmering in the overhead kitchen light. Her breath blew out at the sight of such simple beauty. She'd never owned anything so stunning before.

"Holy. Fuck." Carissa whispered, as though if they were too loud the delivery guy would come back and take it away. "Two." A smile formed on Carissa's lips. "Fuck, he's hot." She shook her head and searched through box. "No note."

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