I didn’t know what more I could do to prove to her how much I loved her and that I would stay faithful to us. My past was my past and I wanted to keep it there. There were things she didn’t need to know because it didn’t concern her. At that moment, I decided the ball was in her court. Actually, it was always in her court. Maybe she just needed time to think things through.

I was probably too much of an alpha male, but I would not have pursued her if I knew she wasn’t interested. I could see it in her eyes and the way her body responded to me. She wanted me just as much as I wanted her. Maybe I needed to back away and give her time and space to breathe. Too much has happened since the day she met me. But giving her time could possibly mean she would leave me. Oh hell, I don’t know what to do. All I knew was that if she left me, I would stop breathing.

I didn’t know if it was because I was tired, or the effect of the whisky, or just too much thinking, but my body felt so heavy and there was an overwhelming feeling of loss and sadness. Rubbing my face into the palms of my hands, I let out a long sigh of frustration. Too tired to walk up the stairs, I spread my legs, tilted my head back and sunk into my sofa so the dream world would take me away. At least there, Jenna would be in my arms and we would be together. But she didn’t call…

28

I CAME BACK FROM the market to find Jenna at home. Strange. Heading toward the kitchen, I noticed her door was closed. After I put everything away, I decided to knock on the door.

“Come in,” she said softly.

Swinging the door open, I started to jabber about the two big buff men by the front entrance, but I cut my sentence short when I saw her face. She didn’t need to say a word. I could see it in her eyes. I knew that look all too well. Something was definitely wrong. If Max had hurt her, I would kill him with my bare hands. “Jenna, what happened?” I sat on the edge of the bed.

After she closed her eyes, as if to gather her thoughts, she spoke. All I could do was try not to drop my mouth open as the words spilled out of her. Holy shit! It sounded like something that could only happen in a novel. Jenna told me about how she ran into Crystal at the club, the lawsuit, the paparazzi, the security men watching our apartment, how Max kept things from her, and about what the lawyer suggested. What words of advice do you give to your friend when you have no idea what to say? I was totally dumbfounded by it all. “Wow, Jenna.” That was the most idiotic thing to say, but that was all I could think of at that moment.

“I know,” she agreed. “I can’t believe all these things are happening. What happened to ‘meet a wonderful guy, date, get married, and have children?”

“You don’t think Max is the one?”

“I thought he could be. I care for him so much that it feels like my world is falling apart. Who knows how long this lawsuit will last? Who knows how we will feel about each other after this?”

“What do you mean? Max loves you. I can say it without a doubt.”

“He kept things from me. He should’ve told me.”

“Jenna, I’m going to stop you right there. What guy is going to discuss what he did with other women? Quite frankly, I’m glad he didn’t tell you. Knowing you, you would’ve freaked out and wouldn’t have given him the time of day. Am I right?”

“It doesn’t matter. It should have come from him and not his lawyer. He should have known better.”

“There is something else that’s bothering you.”

Jenna didn’t reply. Instead, she moved on to another subject, blowing my mind. “Apparently, Max likes to use handcuffs, whips, and stuff like you talked about.”

I didn’t need to know this about Max, but okay. Jenna needed to talk about it so I would try to forget afterward. “He actually used them with you?” I sounded surprised. I think I even raised my voice.

“No.” Jenna shook her head. “Max and Crystal. I think it was the reason why he stayed with her. I’m sure he cared about her at the beginning, but I think in the end, that’s how she controlled him.”

It was cute how Jenna was careful with her words, always looking for the positive side of people. “Well, hun, sometimes a woman like her knows how to control young, naïve men. To tell you the truth, any guy in his right mind would want to experiment if the lady was willing.”

Jenna bit her bottom lip, her gaze drifting. “What if he needs more? What if I’m not enough? What if he gets bored with me? I’m as plain as they come. You of all people know that.”

And there was the answer to the question she ignored earlier. There WAS something else bothering her. “Don’t sell yourself short and don’t think that far ahead. It will drive you crazy. Yes, I do know you. You happen to have the most beautiful heart I know. Max could never be bored with you. It was one of the reasons why he never stopped asking you out. He knew he found someone special. You guys have something wonderful. Don’t walk away from that.”

“I know,” Jenna murmured. I hope she was agreeing with me and not just saying it for my sake. Jenna always assumed the worst in fear of having her heart broken. When her ex-boyfriend cheated on her, her world fell apart.

Draping my arm around her shoulder, I pulled her in for a hug. “You know what? When a guy has sex or makes love, or whatever you want to call it, with the woman he loves, it’s a lot more intense and enjoyable for him. So just know that you rock Max’s world.”

Jenna let out a small laugh. “I’ll keep that in mind.”