Exposed (VIP, #4)

by Kristen Callihan

Her heels strike a click-click, clickety-click on the pavement. I hear that rhythm in my dreams sometimes. She’ll never know it, but that rhythm is the bass line for “Forget You.” No one will ever know that but me, though. A man has to keep some things to himself.

Going after her shifted the foundations of our shared world. She’s right to worry. It is definitely a risk doing this. For the first time in my life, I won’t be able to keep emotion out of the equation. Maybe she can; I don’t know. But if this goes south, I’ll be wrecked.

Letting her go was never an option.

“Question.” I turn to Jax who’s thumbing through my LP collection. “Do women truly frown upon the whole ‘call me Daddy’ thing?” Jax pauses, his mouth falling open. “Please, for the love of vinyl, tell me you didn’t go there.” “What? I was joking.” Mostly. I mean, I’m up for anything Brenna wants to throw my way. I aim to please. But it’s not my personal kink. Jax shakes his head. “I thought you had better game than this.” “I never needed game before now.” “Sadly, I believe that.”

“It isn’t easy to admit when you’ve been wrong. Especially for stubborn women like us. Then again, letting love in never is.” “I thought loving someone was supposed to be easy.” Isabella shakes her head slowly. “My dear, I was talking about loving yourself. If you don’t do that first, you’re always going to push away those who try to love you.”

“I always was.” I can’t quite make my mouth work correctly. “Always was what?” “Yours.” Tender hands cup my cheeks. “I’ve always been yours. And you…You already are my everything. You’re my music, Bren.”

“I love you.” So simply said, like it’s always been true. It soaks into my skin, fills my heart. Finally, I turn. He reclines on his side, head resting in his hand, looking back at me with that truth shining in his eyes. Strong, pure, gorgeous. Mine. This man is mine. My friend. My lover. My home. My heart. “I love you too.”