Page 66 of Blush

Yeah, that man.

Why am I in love with him again?

Easy.

Because he’s the other half of me. He always has been.

But never in a million years did I imagine he was into kinky sex. Dark sex. Dominant and submissive sex.

All this time, I thought I knew him better than anyone.

But this most intimate part of him was something I never knew.

On the other hand, he doesn’t really know me any better than I know him. He’s convinced I’m sweet and innocent.

Sure, I don’t have a lot of experience, but I’m hardly sweet and innocent. Not the way he thinks I am. I loved being at the club. Part of it was because I was with Jack, but I loved the ambience. The atmosphere. The sheer liberation of it.

At the club, I felt…likeme.

Like I could be me. I could express everything I felt inside, including how much I wanted Jackson.

And I did express that. At least I think I did.

The only problem? He doesn’t want me in return.

Once we reach the gym, Frankie comes inside with me.

“Are you staying?”

“Yeah. I just bought new workout clothes, so why not try them out?”

“Okay.”

“You think Michael would mind if I hijacked your training session?”

I should probably be pissed at Frankie. I should want to be alone with Michael, to get to know him better.

But I don’t.

There’s only one man for me. The man who doesn’t want me.

“I don’t know. You’d have to ask him. He’s giving me this first session for free.”

“Oh. I suppose I should just leave you alone, then. I don’t want to make a faux pas.”

“Okay.” Once in the locker room, I change into my new workout clothes—a tight tank top and compression leggings. All in black.

“Black has a slimming effect,” Frankie had told me at Macy’s.

Yes, I’ve heard it all before.

I lock my clothes and phone in a locker, fill my water bottle, and pull Frankie out to the gym. I’m not exactly sure where I’m supposed to meet Michael, but he finds me right away.

“Hey, you’re early,” he says.

“A little. I’ll just get on the treadmill while you finish up.”

“Not necessary. My two o’clock bailed, so I’m all yours.” He nods to Frankie. “Hey, nice to see you again.”