Page 52 of Control

His eyebrow hiked with worry. “Is everything okay?”

I nodded. “Yes. For the first time in my life, everythingwillbe okay.” Placing my hand over his heart, I continued, “I just need to tell you everything…about my past. I think I’m ready.”

He let out the small exhale of worry that he’d been holding in—probably because he was worried that I was about to bail on him again. His expression softened as he caressed my cheek. “I’m all ears.”

“Not here. I don’t want to ruin today.” I didn’t want to put a stain on what we had just experienced. This day would forever be remembered as the start of my new life.

“Whenever you’re ready, I’ll listen.” He pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead.

“Thank you,” I breathed out. I grabbed his fingers and pressed soft kisses to the tips.

He looked at me with intent, like he wanted to say something but was struggling to do so. Finally giving in, he spoke. “I have something I need to tell you too.”

Jai looked different too. His guard was finally down, and his secrets were finally ready to surface. “Whatever it is,mon cher,I will listen.”

Staring intensely, he held my gaze. “I don’t want to lose you, Claire. I just got you back.”

“You won’t,” I reassured him. “I love you and I’m all in.”

His lips met mine, giving me the softest kiss, yet so full of the love he had for me.

“Me too. No more secrets,” he whispered against my lips. His hand held mine over his heart and tapped it against his chest. “This is yours and that means whatever is inside of it should be yours too. I’m ready for that talk.”

•••

The Next Day

“Fuck!” I had two minutes to make my first class of the day, and I was ten minutes away.

I spent the night at Jai’s place last night. After my performance at the theater—andourperformance afterward—we took the show back to his place. We made love all night, only taking breaks to grab a drink of water to hydrate our bodies, which had been working overtime.

Unfortunately for me, I hadn’t brought a change of clothes with me for class today. I bolted out of his house too late but still needing to trek all the way over to my apartment to change my clothes. It would have been easier to just leave from his place, but I couldn’t show up to my class unprepared for my students. The parents would demand their money back.

Jai’s driver was nice enough to speed through town to take me home and then to the studio. Except, I was still running late as I sat in the back of the car, praying by some miracle I’d make it within two minutes.

Still, even my tardiness couldn’t shake the bliss that surrounded me. My heart had never felt so full. For the first time in my life, I was in love and someone loved me in return. I finally understood what all those sappy romantic songs that used to annoy me were droning on about.Love.

Jai and I still had a ways to go to strengthen our relationship, but honesty would soon fix all of that. I knew inside that he was the one I could finally share my past with. It felt right.

I could feel his walls breaking down too and I was even more ready to hear everything he wanted to share with me in return.

My phone buzzed in my hands.Speak of the devil.

When are you coming back to me, baby girl?

I giggled, imagining him pining away for me in his office.I have class until late this evening and Lana wants to meet up for dinner.

I hadn’t seen her in forever. She had called and messaged me multiple times to hang out, but things had just been so crazy, I hadn’t had a chance. A girls’ night out was long overdue, especially because, judging from her texts, her relationship with Bouncer Craig was getting serious.

He replied.Your ass better be in my bed tonight.

I typed out my response, unable to shake the oversized grin on my face.Tomorrow, mon cher. I really need some girl time. My body needs to recover from you. ;-)

I like you sore. I can massage your ass for you.

I rolled my eyes. Always about sex!I swear I’ll be there tomorrow. I’ll miss you.

I’ll miss you, too. Let’s have that talk tomorrow night over dinner. I’ll cook.

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