Page 54 of Boss of Her

“Everything is ready for you.” She held out her hand. “Come.”

Jade took Simone’s hand and got to her feet. Simone led her up the stairs, into her bedroom, and into the ensuite bathroom. Inside, the jacuzzi tub was filled to the brim, a haze of steam hovering over it. Rose petals danced on the water’s surface, their fragrance mixing with the vanilla-scented candles that sat on the rim of the bath. Nearby, a pile of bright white bath towels wasfolded carefully on a bench, and a soft, fluffy bathrobe hung by the door.

“If you’d like some space, I can leave,” Simone said. “Will you be all right by yourself?”

“Yes, but…” Jade glanced up at her. “Can you stay?”

“Of course.” She squeezed Jade’s hand before releasing it. “Now, get undressed and get in before it gets cold.”

Jade stripped off her clothes piece by piece, avoiding Simone’s gaze. Simone had seen her naked before, so why did she suddenly feel so exposed?

She shielded her body with her arms as she hung up her clothes on a nearby hook, then stepped toward the bath.

“Wait,” Simone said. “Your hair.”

Jade brought her hand to her head. Her hair was loose and would get soaked as soon as she sat in the bath.

But Simone was already behind her, gathering her hair in her hands. Jade watched in the mirror as Simone wound it into a bun at the top of her head, securing it with a single hair tie.

“There.” Simone swept her hand gently down the side of Jade’s neck. “That’s better.”

A warm shiver radiated through her. She stepped into the bath and sank into the water, letting the gentle flow of the jets caress her body, the sweet floral scents enveloping her. The water was perfect, not too hot, not too cold. And something in it made it smooth and milky, like liquid silk.

Jade stole a glance at Simone. She’d taken a seat on the edge of the bath, her feet bare on the plush mat beside it. Her presence was comforting. But Jade wanted her closer.

“Will you get in with me?” she asked.

Simone gave her a soft smile. “Whatever you need.”

Rising to her feet, she stripped off her dress, then her underwear. Jade averted her gaze. It felt wrong to look atSimone that way now. Jade wanted to be held by her, that was all.

But she didn’t have to ask. Simone lowered herself into the tub at the other end, beckoning Jade to her. As Jade slipped between her legs, Simone wrapped her arms around her, pulling her close. Jade leaned back against her, sinking deeper into the water, a heavy sigh falling from her chest.

Simone kissed the side of Jade’s head. “That’s it. Just let go.”

Jade closed her eyes. She let her body relax, let all the tension in it melt away. She stopped holding back, stopped holding it all in.

And she let go of everything.

A gentle sob rose through her body, then another, then another, tears spilling from her eyes. She pulled her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around them as she trembled in Simone’s embrace.

“That’s it,” Simone said, her arms tightening around her. “Just let it all out.”

Just like always, Jade couldn’t help but obey. Her sobs grew louder, her tears flooding forth freely, tremors racking her whole body.

She didn’t try to stop them. She let her sobs echo through the room, violent war cries against all the pain and hurt inside her. She let the tremors surge through her, purging all her dark thoughts from her body. She let her tears, her heartache, flow into the water beneath her until they dissolved into nothing.

And through it all, Simone held Jade’s body to hers, riding each wave of emotion with her. “I’ve got you,” she said softly. “I’ve got you.”

Slowly, Jade’s sobs turned into breaths. Her body calmed, her eyes dried. She had no tears left to cry. Nothing left inside her but the sweet freedom of release.

Seconds passed in silence, then minutes. Simone loosened her hold on her, but didn’t let go. Jade relished the feeling of Simone’s arms around her, the touch of her skin, the scent of her hair. It grounded her just like it had that night in the hotel.

“How are you feeling?” Simone asked.

“A little better,” Jade said quietly. “That really helped.”

“If you think talking will help too, I’m here to listen. Whenever you feel ready.”

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