Page 2 of Jack's Second Chance
“Not really. I’ve grown to know most people in the group.”
“Kyra, I don’t know what to say.”
“How about you say that you are going to finish that coffee and then come shower with me? I don’t need a lot for aftercare, but now that we’ve had this little talk, it doesn’t bother me to ask for it. Is there anything you need from me?”
I had no clue how to answer her. Here I was sitting on the couch with my ex-girlfriend from High School. We lost our virginity to each other and now she was telling me she’s part of some kink community in town. I knew the second she asked I would stay with her. Never in my life had I declined a request for aftercare from a partner and I certainly wouldn’t start with Kyra. She deserved more than that. She deserved more than what I had given her.
I put my coffee down on the table and stood, holding a hand out for her. “Come on, let’s get cleaned up and then we can talk some more. I should have taken better care of you last night, and I’m sorry for that. Let me prove it to you now.”
Kyra’s head tilted as she squinted her eyes, looking up at me. “Okay then, let’s do this.”
When we got back into her bedroom, I had her sit in bed to finish her coffee while I ran the shower. I wished she had a bathtub because I’d have preferred to soak with her, but I’d do the best I could, given our environment. When I made my way back to the bedroom, I found her on the phone.
“It’s okay, Kensey, really. I’m fine. I told you I’ll just see you for New Years. You act like being alone is the end of the world. Maybe it’s time you just realize I’m okay with being by myself.”
She paused for a minute to listen, then went on. “I know it’s Christmas, but it doesn’t matter. I wanted you to take this trip, and I meant it. Just because things changed for me, it doesn’t mean your plans need to change. Enjoy your week. I’ll see you for New Year’s Eve.”
Kyra’s back was to me and with the sound of the shower, she didn’t hear me come back into the room. I watched as she hung up her phone and put it down, taking in a deep breath and wiping her eyes. My sweet Kyra, who was probably the best human being I had ever met, was alone for the holiday and pretending for her best friend’s sake that she was okay with it.
“You okay?”
She jumped at the sound of my voice, sniffling a bit, then jumping out of bed with a fake smile on her face. “Yup, sorry. I didn’t hear you come back. Is the water ready?”
“Why did you lie to Kensey?”
“I didn’t lie to her.”
“Yes you did, Kyra. I thought you two were close. Why wouldn’t you just tell her the truth?”
“Because I am fine. Christmas isn’t even that big of a deal. Now, if it were New Years, I’d tell her to jump on the next plane so we could share champagne and talk about all the things we would do differently next year, but it’s not and I’m okay.”
“Christmas used to be your favorite holiday.”
“No, it was Mom’s and now she’s gone, so it’s not a big deal any more.”
Kyra’s mom’s funeral was the last time I had seen her. She had always lived a hard life and Kyra spent most of it helping her stay clean. Christmas was the one time of the year that her mom would really try hard, which was why it was always so important to the two of them. I had so many things I wanted to say to her right now, but none of it felt right. She deserved my attention and care after what we went through last night, so I needed to do that first. Then I’d work out how the rest of the day was going to go.
“Come on, let’s get you cleaned up.”
Chapter Two
Kyra
I stepped into the hot shower and Jack followed me in. The warm heat and gorgeous man made all the bad disappear. I did lie to Kensey. It wasn’t hard to do, I lied to everyone lately. I was fine. Things were fine. All was good. I had those responses memorized for everyone and anyone who asked. No one really wants to hear how shitty things are going when they ask. It’s best to stuff it all down until the horrible thoughts and feelings just go away. I thought I had the weekend planned with Mitch, but he turned into a total ass last night, leaving me in the arms of Jack. I can’t say I’d complain. My heart longed for this man more than I would ever admit, and any moment with him was well worth my time.
I stood while he adjusted the spray on the showers so it wasn’t hitting me in the face, then he reached for my shampoo and began washing my hair. I closed my eyes, relishing in the feel of having someone take care of me for once. The prospect of having moments where I could just relax drew me to the kink community in the beginning. As a submissive, I could give up all control and let my mind go blank. Then, with time, I realized there were a ton of other things about it I enjoyed. I always wondered if Jack had a darker side to him he wasn’t willing to share, and last night I pushed him until I got what I wanted. We broke all the rules, we did it all wrong, but I needed him and I didn’t care in the moment. If I stood any chance of salvaging this, then we would need to talk. Limits, negotiations, expectations were all things that needed to be figured out. The biggest thing was that we played while impaired; I knew it was a risk but it was one I was willing to take. By the look on Jack’s face, that would end up being his biggest regret.
I moaned as his head dipped and he placed a kiss over the bruise on my neck.
“I’m sorry Kyra. I’m so sorry,” he murmured as his hand ran over my swollen backside.
I turned in his arms and reached for his face. “Don’t do that. Don’t ruin everything with apologies. Nothing happened last night that I didn’t want. I pushed you, Jack, not the other way around.”
His eyes closed, and he pulled me to him. I wrapped my arms around his waist while he conditioned my hair, then stepped back while he washed my body. I loved moments like these almost as much as I loved playing. Some Dom’s didn’t like the intimacy of aftercare and they would do the bare minimum. Jack was in it wholeheartedly and I loved that about him.
He reached and turned the water off before stepping out for a towel that he wrapped me up in. “Have a seat at your vanity and I’ll dry your hair.”
I did as he asked because why wouldn’t I? I watched as he dried himself off and wrapped a towel around his waist. Across his chest was a large tattoo that he got when he was twenty-one. I remember it like it was yesterday. I sat next to him for hours while it was finished, but now his body had more art that I hadn’t seen until last night. I looked up in the mirror when his tattooed hand rested on my shoulder.
