Page 86 of Entice

She blinked. “What?” Her hearing couldn’t be wrong…could it?

“I know you heard me.”

“I’m confused.” She tilted her head to stare at him. Was he saying what she thought? Her heart pounded.

“Will you tell me what you and the therapist talked about?” His hands were gentle but firm at the same time.

“Mainly my family. Their views on sex, and how I grew up.” She’d cried more times through her sessions than she thought possible. “She helped me see I don’t need to feel guilty about not loving my toxic family.”

Jordan stayed silent, and she continued. “What it took for me to leave at eighteen was like tearing a part of myself apart. I didn’t realize how much it affected me. I’d lost my family.”

“So there’s no chance you’ll make up with your family?”

She shook her head. “My family isn’t going to change. They’re dysfunctional, and that’s on them.” She took a breath. “But it doesn’t mean I have to be unhappy. I love my life here. I enjoy going out, being with my friends. I enjoy being with you and being a little kinky.”

“I enjoy it too.” His lips tilted up, and a ray of hope filled her.

“I had to work through what might have happened if Brady’s family decided to go forward with their threats. While it might have hurt my reputation, it wasn’t world-ending. My family finding out and showing up would have been world-ending. Plus, I worried about you, Max, Sierra, Damon, and others here at the club.”

“We would have survived.”

“I know that now. You have to remember the little girl inside of me still wanted her family’s love, but their love is conditional. I deserve unconditional love.”

“You do.” Jordan shifted, parting his legs to pull her chair closer to him.

“Once I made the decision, the rest fell into place.” Crystal lifted her chin again and looked Jordan in the eye. “I love you. I want to be with you. In and out of the club. I want to learn more about kink and explore it with you. Only you.”

Jordan stilled, and Crystal’s heart dropped.

“Look, if you’re going to reject me, then make it quick,” she said. She’d survive his rejection somehow.

Jordan threw his head back and laughed. “For that, you’re going to get a spanking. For doubting me.”

Crystal shook her head. “What?”

“You need to have more confidence in your Dom.”

“But—”

He put his fingers against her lips.

“Yes, I was angry you left. Angry you wouldn’t answer your phone or return my calls or trust me to help you through this. But seeing you tonight, in this outfit, kneeling for me and only me blew it all away.” He shifted closer to her. “I love you, Crystal.”

Tears filled her eyes. “Oh, Jordan,” she whispered.

“I didn’t know how to help you when you obviously didn’t want it. I was worried you would choose your fears over us. But most of all, I didn’t want to lose the love of my life.”

“Never,” she whispered.

“I’ve been dealing with some of my own shit. My father came to see me.”

Crystal clasped his arm. “And I wasn’t there. Oh God, I’m so sorry.” Her heart hurt. “I hate I wasn’t there to help you.”

“I’m glad you weren’t. While I’ll never forgive him for killing my mother, he is my father. His blood runs in my veins. I didn’t realize, until he mentioned something about his temper, how scared I was I might have the same anger within me.”

“You don’t have a temper,” she said.

“I do, but nothing like his. When he left my office, a weight lifted from my shoulders. A part of my life was done with, and now I can move on.” He framed her face with his palms. “I know how much family means to you.”

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