Page 62 of Color of Love

He gaped at her, he opened his mouth, but she held up her finger to stop him, she wasn’t finished.

“I know you’re a fighter, I know you’re strong. I know you’re a warrior and nothing will make me think otherwise. So, stop trying to dominate with your sexuality, it means nothing. It’s all the work you’re doing to combat your issues is what makes you strong, and because you fight to beat them every day, you could never be weak.” She climbed off his lap. Her body screaming at her to get right back where she was, missing him already, but she needed to draw boundaries.

She couldn’t meet his stare, afraid of what she would see. Instead, she went back to her seat opposite him, smoothing her shaking hands over her thighs.

“Now then, let’s work on some more techniques to help you when you feel anxious. We’ll start with a positive realization, let’s find a place that calms you…”

*

The next day, Blake entered Justine’s office, smiling in greeting at Hilda.

“Morning Blake, how are you?” she beamed at him.

“Very well thanks, and yourself?” he replied, genuinely interested in her answer. He was becoming such a chatterbox lately.

“I’m good. What are you doing here today? Jim’s not causing any trouble, is he?” she asked, concern lining her face and Blake laughed.

“No, not at all. He’s been raving all morning about the delicious paella you made last night,” Blake said, and pink tinged Hilda’s cheeks.

“That man’s heart is in his belly: as long as you feed him, he’ll stay happy,” she said.

“Good to know,” Blake chuckled again and then glanced towards Justine’s office door. “Is she free?”

Hilda nodded and he winked at her before heading inside and shutting the door.

Justine looked up from her desk. He leaned against the door and stared at the woman who was twisting him up inside. Yesterday had been a revelation. She’d helped him break through a serious barrier and as a thank you, he had mauled her like some wild caveman beast in a pathetic attempt to redeem his masculinity in her eyes. But she had seen right through the attempt and called him on it, giving him a dressing down that had opened his eyes to his poor behavior. She had helped him yet again.

“Is everything okay?” she asked, getting up from her desk. He ran his eyes over her, taking in the leopard print dress that hugged her figure tightly, showing off every single curve that he was desperate to explore again. His eyes dipped to her orange high-heeled sandals. She really loved orange, didn’t she? He would love to see her wearing those and nothing else.

He missed her. It had been so long since he had gotten to touch her, he was going out of his mind. Yesterday had just been an excuse to get his hands on her. He’d seen her expression, she wanted it too, which was why he had the confidence to come back here today.

“Everything is great,” he replied, and he meant it. Their session yesterday had lifted something inside him, he felt like he could breathe easier. He tried to do his forgiveness mantra this morning, it felt a little silly and nothing had really changed but he knew he had to keep working on it. Like she said, it wouldn’t happen right away.

“I just wanted to stop by to apologize for my behavior yesterday. I shouldn’t have touched you in that way during one of our sessions, it was extremely inappropriate and I crossed a line,” he said. He thought he saw a flash of disappointment cross her face. Gotcha, he thought smugly, and worked hard to keep the grin off his face. “Especially to try and prove a point, that was a shitty thing to do to you after everything you’ve done for me.”

He meant it too, he did feel guilty over it. He had done it for the wrong reasons and that wasn’t acceptable. This time it would be for the right reasons. He wanted to and so did she. He couldn’t go another day, another minute without her skin against his.

“Thank you, I appreciate that,” she said, narrowing her eyes as she perched on the edge of her desk.

“Great,” he smiled, and took a step forward, closing the gap so there was only a breath between them. “Now take off your clothes.” he commanded. Her eyes flashed fire at his order and her mouth parted.

“But you just said…” she floundered.

“I know, yesterday was wrong, it was during our session, emotions were running high, and I was doing it for the wrong reasons. Today I’m clear-headed, we don’t have a session and I’ve been wanting you since we were last together. I know you want me too, so I’m done waiting. Take off your clothes.”

Just when he thought he had her pegged, would have bet his house on her pulling that dress over her head without hesitation, she surprised him. She stood up, her breasts brushing against him. He fought a moan, his cock hardening in his jeans.

“You think you can come into my office and order me around, cabrón? Tell me what to do? No, no, no!”

His expression faltered slightly at her offended tone, and he was pretty sure cabrón didn’t mean sexy hero. Shit, had he read this all wrong? Had his ego been lying to him?

“I’ll accept your apology, maybe some groveling, either way, get on your knees.” The arch of her eyebrow, the rasp of her voice and that demanding tone, sent a jolt of arousal straight through him, warming his blood.

He tried not to smirk, he loved her like this. In control, independent, assertive, demanding what she wanted. It fired his blood. She wanted to play a game and he was ready and willing. He unleashed a wolfish smile and slowly dropped to his knees, staring up at her, admiring the curves of her body.

“I don’t hear an apology,” she sniffed primly.

He scrubbed a hand over his jaw, his palms rasping through his stubble. “I think I need an incentive.”

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