Page 62 of Master Cole

Chapter Nine

Janie staredat her empty bedroom the next morning. When she got home, she’d gone straight to her room and started sorting through her things. In the six months she’d lived with Cole, she’d gained some clothes and books, which she piled next to the door. At three in the morning, she’d carried the items she wanted to keep down to her car, quietly so as not to disturb Cole.

Now, all she had to do was confront him. She blew out a breath and crossed to the dresser. There she laid out the necklace he’d given her and the journal. She’d written one last entry in it early that morning.

The sound of footsteps caused her to turn her head. Cole was up. Might as well get this done now. She picked up the necklace and the journal and made her way downstairs. She was going to miss the house. It was beautiful, but she would make a new home. And maybe, in five years or so when she got over Cole, she’d find a man who could give her what she wanted and needed.

Cole stood in the kitchen, waiting for the coffee to finish. Sweats hung low on his hips; his chest and feet were bare. Her fingers itched to touch him, but she forced the feeling down. Instead, she moved to the kitchen and set the journal and necklace on the table.

“Good morning,” Cole said, turning.

“Morning.” Janie squared her shoulders and lifted her chin.

“What’s on the agenda for today?”

“I’m leaving.”

“Okay, what time will you be home?”

“I’m not coming back, Cole.” Pain laced through her heart at her words. But she had to be strong.

“What do you mean?” His features froze, and his eyes turned icy blue.

“I mean I’m moving out, or should I say, I've moved out.” The pain spread through her body. This was hard, so very hard. She wanted to throw herself into his arms.

“I see.” He crossed his arms over his chest and stared at her with those icy blue eyes. “When did you come to this decision?”

“It’s been brewing for a while.” She took a deep breath and held his gaze. No weakness or she’d fall apart right then and there.

“Why, Janie?”

“Because you can’t give me what I want.”

“And that is?”

“Love, emotions, a true power exchange.”

Shock passed over his features before he masked his face. His arms dropped to his sides, and his shoulders went back. “You’re right, I can’t give you those things.”

Until he uttered those words, Janie had held out some hope, but now hope was crushed under his softly spoken words. She closed her eyes and then opened them, pushing down her hurt, her tears, and her love.

“And that’s why I’m leaving.” Unable to help herself, she walked up to him, stood on her toes, and brushed a kiss over his lips. Then she turned and left.

The second she arrived at Alicia’s apartment—her apartment, now—Janie burst into tears. “It’s over,” she told Alicia. “He let me walk away, didn’t even fight for us.”

Friday morning arrived,and Cole was tired and frustrated. His week had been a disaster, and most of it was his fault. Since Janie had left on Sunday, he was short-tempered and distracted. He decided to take the day off to get his head back on straight.

He snorted. Like that was going to happen any time soon. Everywhere he looked, he saw Janie. He missed her. Missed her laugh, her smile, most of all her quiet presence that made his house feel like a home.

Cole made his way into the library. On the table sat Janie’s journal and necklace. He’d put them there last Sunday; now they mocked him. Picking up the journal, he thumbed through it, found her last entry, and began reading.

I’m sitting here at four in the morning writing this. I can’t live this way anymore. Cole, I’m sorry I haven’t been truthful with you.

What? He ran a hand down his face. What had she been hiding from him?

You believe I got my degree in communication. I did and I didn’t. My bachelor’s degree was part of the communications program, but my master’s degree is in women’s sexual health and biology. You’ll be happy to know I graduated with high honors. I did start off in business classes, but after my first semester, I changed courses, and I want you to know why.

How had she kept this secret? And why? Well, he knew why. She was aware he wouldn’t have approved, and she was right. He wanted her doing something safe.

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