Chapter 78

James

Upon opening the bathroom door here at the hotel suite, the instant he’d seen Mia in the bath, her face pale as if she were having a nightmare, his stomach lurched with dread. She was going through it again, her unpleasant past, her demons.

Fuck, how he wanted her to confide in him, to share her past with him. He knew, however, he couldn’t force her into that, not until she was ready.

Mia’s voice drew his attention back to the present. She said, “I’m sorry too. I’m… I’m sorry I called you all those mean things. I mean…you know…that you’re a control freak…that you’re…”

He chuckled, amused at her assumption of his character. “I am?” he asked.

She blushed and stammered, “Well, yes, of course. The way you made me say and do things…and stuff…” She licked her lips, her eyes downcast. “But…but it’s quite nice being controlled by you too, you know.”

James felt his breath catch at the back of his throat. What was this feeling? It was warm and cozy, like Mia herself had captured his heart