Page 56 of Boss of Her

But was that really true? When Jade thought about that time in her life, everything was so fuzzy. But she remembered the constant pressure, the feeling like she couldn’t say or do anything Philippa didn’t want her to do. She’d bulldozed over Jade’s needs, shutting her down, not giving her any real choice but to do whatshewanted.

And while Jade had been naïve, Philippa hadn’t been. She had to have known what she was doing. She had to have known how impressionable Jade was. Had she used that to bend Jade to her will without Jade realizing it?

Simone interrupted her thoughts. “Even if she didn’t force anything on you, that doesn’t make what she did okay. Her actions, the way she treated you, were wrong.”

“I know. I know that. But it’s hard to accept it sometimes. Because what good does it do to admit that she took advantage of me? What am I supposed to do about that fact? Report her? She was right. It’s hard enough to report this kind of thing when it’s a male professor. When it’s a woman? A womananda female student? Who would believe that? All I’d end up doing is dredging up everything that I’ve spent the last two years trying to move on from.”

“I understand,” Simone said. “There’s no right or wrong way to handle a situation as difficult as this, no right or wrong choice. What matters is that you choose the path that allows you to live your life. You’ve already made a brave choice in telling me all this tonight.”

“You’re the first person I’ve ever told. I’ve never even said out loud that what Philippa did to me was wrong.”

“I know that couldn’t have been easy for you. I’m proud of you.”

“It was hard,” Jade admitted. “But it helped.”

“I’m glad. And if you ever need to talk some more, I’m here for you.” Simone stroked Jade’s arm gently. “I’m sorry Philippa did that to you. I’m sorry she made you feel broken. But I know you still have that spark inside you. I see it every time I look at you. I see it in your eyes when you smile. And I feel it whenever you talk about your dreams, about the future. So don’t lose hope. Don’t lose that part of yourself that yearns for something more. It’s what makes you shine the way you do. And it would break my heart to see it disappear. So promise me you’ll hang onto it.”

Jade’s stomach fluttered. “I will.”

Simone took Jade’s hands in hers, tracing her fingertips over the wrinkles on Jade’s fingers. “We’ve been in here far too long. Let’s get you dried off and into something warm.”

Slipping out from behind her, Simone got up and drew Jade out of the bath, wrapping her up in a soft white bath sheet before taking another towel and drying her body from head to toe. It wasn’t until she’d dried Jade off completely and bundled her into a warm, fluffy bathrobe that Simone toweled herself dry and slipped into a robe of her own.

She led Jade back into the bedroom. “It’s getting late. You should get some rest. You can sleep in here with me tonight.”

Jade nodded. And as she slipped into the bed, all the doubts she’d had about Simone seemed foolish. She was nothing like Philippa. Simone cared about her, really cared. And if Jade was ever going to trust anyone with her heart again, it would be Simone.

But to do that? She needed to put everything with Philippa behind her.

Which meant she had a choice to make.

CHAPTER 23

Simone stood by her office window, looking out over the Los Angeles cityscape. It was late in the evening, and the sun was setting over the city.

She’d barely had a chance to enjoy the view when her phone rang.

Simone picked up the call. It was Olivia. “Back in town already?”

“My flight just landed,” Olivia replied. “How has Club Velvet fared while I was away?”

“Just fine. The three of us took care of it.”

“And the private rooms?”

“The finishing touches are done. The paperwork and insurance are sorted, and we’re on track to open them next week. But I’m more interested in hearing about your trip.” Olivia had gone to New York on business and had taken the opportunity to do some scouting and networking for Club Velvet, visiting half a dozen clubs like it on the East Coast. “Learn anything useful?”

“Not as much as I’d hoped,” Olivia said. “We’re one of the few BDSM clubs in the country that caters exclusively to the sapphic market. Some have ladies-only events, but nothing like Club Velvet. One was owned by a lesbian couple we could learna thing or two from. I believe you’re already acquainted with Vanessa Harper? She and her wife own Lilith’s Den.”

“We’ve met once or twice on business,” Simone said.

“She said as much. I told them to let me know next time they’re in LA so we can all get together and trade ideas.”

“I’ll reach out to her, let her know they’re welcome to come by at any time.”

The click of heels interrupted her as Jade slipped back into the office, a bound document in her hand.

Simone held up a finger in Jade’s direction, speaking to Olivia. “I’ll let you get home. I’m looking forward to discussing your findings with you in more detail later.”

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