Page 91 of Ravish

She felt him lift her in his arms. A blanket was thrown over her. “Take care of her,” Max said.

Lara’s arms encircled Colby’s neck as he walked away from the play area over to the aftercare area. Tears still flowing down her face. Lord, she loved this man so much it hurt.

He sat down and held her in his lap. “Lara, sweetheart. I’m so damn proud of you. You did fantastic for your first club flogging.”

Lara shook her head as her tears continued to flow. “I can’t stop crying.” Her words were garbled. Darn it. She slid her hand up and cupped his cheek, then leaned forward and brushed a kiss over his lips.

Colby’s eyes widened.

A wad of tissues was dropped into her lap. Colby picked one up and began wiping her face.

“I’m okay,” she finally said in a wobbly voice.

“Yes, you are. You are fantastic.”

She tapped his cheek. “You helped me let go of all the emotion I’d been bottling up for a long time. It all came pouring out of me.”

His eyes gleamed with pride. “I’m happy I could do that for you.”

She pressed her palm harder against his cheek. “What you did was perfect; it allowed me a freedom I never allowed myself before.”

Colby pulled her close. “That’s part of what a power exchange is. Allowing each other to fly free.”

“I like that.”

Colby lowered his forehead to rest against hers, and they both let out a breath. They sat there for a while, then Lara shivered.

“You’re cold,” Colby said.

“A bit, Sir.”

Colby waved Regina over and asked her to get Lara another blanket. Regina brought one over, and Colby draped it over her shoulders.

“I want to know how the scene went for you, Sir?”

“Perfect until I saw you crying. Baby, you tore my heart out with your tears.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. Now I know you can release your emotions that way.” Colby glanced up. Lara turned her head.

Max, Jordan, Damon, Sierra, Crystal and Tessa all stood at the edge of the aftercare area. Not so close they’d interfere with Colby’s aftercare, but close enough to assist if Colby or Lara needed help. Colby told them she was all right, and they slipped off to give them more privacy.

“Family,” she whispered.

“Yes.” Colby tightened his arms around her.

“I love you so much. You are my life.” The words slipped from her lips. She’d said them before, but this time, they meant so much more.

Colby’s eyes widened. He opened his mouth.

Lara placed her fingers against his lips. “Before you say anything. I want you to know that having you in my life is better than I even imagined. I needed you. You helped me get past my fears about what others might think about seeing me here.”

She took a deep breath. “You’ve shown me so much. I’ve grown as a person because of you.”

“I’ve said it before, but damn, I love you.” He captured her lips with his.

Lara gave herself over to his kiss. When they broke apart, Lara laid her head down on Colby’s shoulder. This is where she wanted to be. In his life, in his arms. Forever.

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