Page 85 of Pressure

Lance gripped her knee harder. "Kitten, I'm so sorry," he whispered.

She knew he meant it but that didn't soothe the sting of the past. Not really.

God, what was she doing here? What was to stop him from jumping to conclusions again? Her feelings for him were strong. Palpable. Something she couldn't do a damn thing about. Her knees would grow weak whenever Lance Moss walked into the room. But that didn't change a damn thing about their trust issues.

Right?

She sucked in a deep breath. "I just don't know how to put my trust issues at bay."

The therapist cleared her throat and looked at Lance as if she was waiting for him to say something.

"You don't have to put anything at bay," she finally said. "It's up to Lance to give you time. That said, you've hinted before, that him calling the cops was just a manifestation of your problems. Would you care to elaborate on that?"

Marissa looked toward the window and closed her eyes. She really didn't.

When she lifted her lashes again, she volleyed her glance to Lance and back to the therapist.

"Sorry. I just don't know how to talk about this."

The therapist smiled. "It's OK. You've done well the last few years." She turned her eyes to Lance. "Would you care to elaborate on anything?"

Lance shifted uncomfortably.

"I know Riss and I started things hot and heavy and they didn't really ever slow down. That's not something I ever viewed as a problem until things went south. We were passionate and intense. There were days when I had to have her three or more times because I just couldn't control myself. I find myself slipping back into that routine." He looked around. "This is a safe space, right?"

The therapist nodded for him to continue.

"I called her and ordered her to a stairwell so I could fuck her senseless at lunch today. And that was after she told me I didn't have enough women in leadership roles at my company. My girl is a feminist through and through. I want to be one. And yet I insist on her unyielding submission when it comes to our sex life."

Marissa sucked in a breath. She hadn't expected such honesty from him.

What the hell?

The therapist gave him a smile.

"Dominance and submission in sex have been around for centuries. It's possible to be a feminist and be a dominant personality at the same time. I won't pretend to know how you treat Marissa in and out of the bedroom, but I will say the seeming dichotomy is possible."

Marissa gave him a gentle pat on the thigh to let him know how proud she was that he’d opened up a little.

The therapist set her tablet aside and leaned forward, her fingers steepled together.

“I’ll be honest, I’m not a couple’s therapist and while I want Marissa to continue seeing me, it might do you both some good to seek out someone who specializes in couples. I can even point you to a few who are kink friendly. For tonight, though, I want to make it clear that we’re here to focus on Marissa and her needs.”

Lance nodded. “That’s always been my goal. I know I fucked up five years ago. I spent months after she left and asked me not to contact her ever again just trying to make it right. I knew I’d burned her in the tech industry and even my word wasn’t going to repair all the damage, but I tried.”

“I just don’t understand why you never came to me and showed me that,” she murmured.

“You told me no, Marissa. No has to mean something. You took off your collar and your engagement ring and you told me no. How was I supposed to respect that boundary while trying to force you back into my life?”

The therapist leaned back in her chair and watched them for a moment.

“Lance, I don’t know a lot about business, but you don’t make it to the top of the hottest bachelors of Chicago list without having heard no and not listening at least a few times.” She held up a hand when Lance opened his mouth to protest. “Hear me out. I’m not suggesting that you should violate Marissa’s consent. You’re absolutely right that no means no. But judging from your position in life, you’re a persuasive man. What caused you to walk completely away from Marissa after you called the cops on her?”

Lance blew out a breath. “Is this really necessary?”

Dr. Hoffman looked toward Marissa with an expectant stare. Marissa gave a slight nod and whispered, “For me it is.”

The doctor turned her gaze back to Lance and he lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “Maybe I thought she would feel a little like I did in college and would find my attempts to make amends pathetic. I guess I decided I was better off without her.”

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