Chapter 26

While the seven women were together at Megan’s house, Jalen was at his apartment comfortably sunk into his couch, controller in hand, locked into an intense Call of Duty match. He was in his element: sweatpants, t-shirt, socks on, fully relaxed for the first time in what felt like forever. The past few months had been chaotic, but at this moment, there were no court cases, no threats, no crises. Just him and the game.

Knock*Knock*Knock

Jalen turned around at the sound of knocking and frowned, sighing as he quit the game and put the controller down. He wasn’t expecting anyone.

He got up, stretched, and peered through the peephole.

It was Jennifer Rollins.

Jalen exhaled sharply. Of all people.

He hesitated. For a brief second, he debated not opening the door, but that wasn’t his style. He swung the door open, keeping his expression neutral.

“Hi...” Jennier said softly, her nerves evident in the way she shifted slightly on her feet. “Can we talk?”

Jalen leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. His face remained unreadable.

“I don’t know,” he said bluntly. “Last time I saw you, you basically accused me of ruining your life.”

Jennifer winced. She knew she deserved that.

“Jalen...” she started, her voice quieter now. “I was wrong for yelling at you that day, and I’m really sorry.”

Jalen’s expression didn’t change. “Thanks,” he said flatly. “Well, at least you don’t have to agonize about choosing me anymore.”

That hit Jennifer hard. She stared at him, taking in the coldness in his voice, the hurt behind his eyes. She had done that. She had hurt him.

Jalen, the man who had never manipulated her, pressured her, or deceived her, and who had shown her nothing but patience and care ... She had attacked his very character when she yelled at him. She had made him feel like the villain, when in reality, she had wanted him to finish inside of her. She had stayed in his lap, she had clung to him, and then she had blamed him for it.

Jennifer swallowed hard. She felt sick.

“ ... Can I come in?” she asked quietly.

Jalen didn’t move at first. He let the silence stretch, studying her carefully. Then, after a beat, he stepped aside, letting her in.

She walked in slowly, standing awkwardly in the middle of his living room as he closed the door behind her.

Jalen crossed his arms again, waiting. “Talk.”

Jennifer stood in the middle of Jalen’s living room, arms lightly crossed over her stomach. The space felt different than last time she was here ... or maybe she just felt different.

Jalen stood a few feet away, arms crossed, his posture closed off. He wasn’t making this easy for her, and he shouldn’t.

She took a breath, steeling herself. “I owe you more than just an apology, Jalen,” she began carefully. “I hurt you. I know I did.”

Jalen said nothing. He just tilted his head slightly, waiting.

Jennifer exhaled. She wasn’t used to feeling this vulnerable, but she knew she had to be honest.

“I was scared,” she admitted. “Not just of the whole ‘you and seven women’ thing. I was scared of how you make me feel. I was scared of how much I wanted you, and how easy it was to let myself go with you. And when I realized what I’d done, I panicked, and instead of owning that, instead of just ... admitting it, I turned it on you.”

Jalen’s jaw tensed slightly, but he still didn’t speak.

Jennifer licked her lips, shifting her weight. “I told myself for years that I’d never be one of those women who let herself fall. I told myself I’d never lose control.” She scoffed at herself. “And then I met you, and I lost control in the backseat of my own damn car.”

Jalen let out a short breath through his nose, his gaze flicking away for a moment.

“I stayed on top of you, Jalen,” Jennifer whispered now. “I knew what I was doing. I didn’t stop it, because I didn’t want to stop it.” She swallowed, eyes locking onto his. “And when I realized that? When I realized how much I wanted it? I freaked out, and I blamed you.”

Silence. Jalen’s face was unreadable, but his eyes ... they weren’t as cold now.

Jennifer inhaled deeply, pushing past the lump in her throat. “You didn’t deserve that, and I don’t expect you to just forgive me right now. I just needed you to know the truth.”

A long, heavy pause settled between them.

Jalen finally shifted, his arms uncrossing as he exhaled. “Why now?” he asked. His voice was calm, but firm. “Why are you here now?”

Jennifer hesitated. What should she say?

Because I missed you. Because I can’t stop thinking about you. Because I don’t want to be afraid anymore.

“ ... Because I don’t want to lose you,” she admitted softly. “And I was afraid I already had. Part of the reason I waited so long to come here is because I was ashamed of myself for how I treated you. You changed my life, Jalen, and now ... when you’re not in it ... life feels empty and cold.”

Jalen studied her for a long moment, his deep brown eyes searching hers, peeling back the layers of her words. Finally, after what felt like forever, he spoke.

“I was really hurt by what you said that day, Jennifer.” His voice was low, but steady. “I don’t think you understand just how much.”

Jennifer’s stomach twisted. “I know,” she said, voice barely above a whisper.

Jalen ran a hand over his jaw. He sighed. “I want to believe you.”

Jennifer felt a pang in her chest at his words.

“But?” she prompted.

Jalen looked at her, his expression raw. “But I don’t know if I can trust you not to push me away again.”

That hit her like a gut punch.

“I won’t,” she said quickly, stepping toward him. “I swear, I—”

Jalen held up a hand, stopping her. “Don’t make promises you aren’t sure you can keep,” he said gently. “Not to me.”

Jennifer shut her mouth. Jalen sighed again, softer this time. His fingers pinched the bridge of his nose, as if trying to think. Finally, he dropped his hand and looked back at her.

“I need time, Jennifer.”

Jennifer nodded, but her heart squeezed painfully. She hated this.

“ ... Okay.”

Jalen nodded slightly. “I appreciate you coming here, and I hear you ... but I need some time. And I can’t promise I’ll be able to let this go.”

Jennifer swallowed against the lump in her throat. “I understand.”

Silence stretched between them again.

“ ... Will you let me know when you’re ready to talk again?” she asked, voice small.

Jalen hesitated, then gave a single nod. “Yeah.”

Jennifer nodded too, then slowly stepped back toward the door. She didn’t want to go, but she also knew she had to.

She reached for the handle, then paused. She turned back.

“For what it’s worth,” she said softly, “I really hope you can trust me again one day.”

Jalen met her gaze. He said nothing. Jennifer nodded once, then turned and walked out the door. Jalen stood there for a long time after she left. Thinking.

Jennifer got in her car and it took everything she had to fight off tears. She felt so horrible.

She gripped the steering wheel tightly, her perfectly manicured red nails pressing into the leather as she fought against the sting in her eyes. She took a shaky breath and exhaled slowly, trying to steady the storm of emotions raging inside her. Jalen had every right to be guarded with her now. He had every right to question her intentions and hesitate before letting her back in, and yet ... it still hurt.

She turned the key in the ignition, but made no move to shift gears. Instead, she just sat there, staring blankly ahead, the lump in her throat growing tighter by the second. She had spent her whole life running. Running from love, from vulnerability, from any situation where she wasn’t in complete control. Jalen had been the one man who saw through her and made her feel like she didn’t have to run, and then she had run anyway. Jennifer shut her eyes and pressed the heels of her hands against them, willing herself not to break down. Not here. Not now..., but the pain was real. The weight of regret sat heavy in her chest. She didn’t know if Jalen would ever fully forgive her or truly trust her again.

The following Sunday night, Jennifer did her usual performance as Jessica Robinson at the Ice and Flame Club. She was noticeably more subdued in her performance. Despite this, she was still undeniably stunning as usual. She wore another strapless sparkling dress, bright pink this time, that hugged her curves and had long splits to show off her toned legs. She had her usual complement of flawless makeup, including her signature purple eye shadow and red lipstick. She completed her look with a pair of sparkling pink patent leather, Christian Louboutin So Kate high-heeled pumps. The audience of course had no idea where her head was truly at. She still felt sad about her situation with Jalen and her feelings were bordering on despair.

She was about halfway through her song when her eyes scanned the back of the room and they landed on a broad shouldered black man...

JALEN.

He was there. He was actually sitting there watching her, looking as fine as ever in a dark grey blazer, white buttoned down shirt, black slacks and black dress shoes. His silver watch reflected from the lights and he had a fresh haircut. Jennifer never in a million years would have thought he’d come tonight given everything that’s happened and how much she’d hurt him.

The second she saw him, her breath caught in her throat. She almost missed a lyric in the middle of her song, something that had never happened before. Her signature sultry confidence wavered just for a fraction of a second, but she recovered quickly, at least on the surface. Inside, though, her heart was pounding. Jalen was really here. It felt like a miracle. His expression was unreadable, but the fact that he came at all meant everything.

She tried to maintain her composure, but her performance was different now. It wasn’t just a show for the crowd, it was for him. Every lyric, every movement, every longing glance was unintentional yet deeply intentional at the same time. As she reached the last verse of her song, her gaze found him again, and this time ... he smiled.

Damn him. That small, knowing smile sent a rush of emotions through her: annoyance, excitement, relief, desire. She knew exactly what he was doing. He was making her feel what he had felt: uncertainty, longing, that frustrating, undeniable pull toward something bigger than herself. The song ended, the applause filled the club, but Jennifer barely registered any of it.

Her eyes were locked on Jalen. She needed to talk to him. Now.

She turned quickly, exiting the stage and heading straight for her dressing room. If Jalen wanted to talk to her then he knew where to find her, and damn it ... She was praying he would.

As if he knew perfectly well that she was dying to talk to him, several minutes later, there was a knock on her dressing room door and sure enough, it was Jalen. Jessica was determined to show him that she’s done being scared of choosing him.

Jalen stepped into the dressing room, his eyes scanning her from head to toe. Jessica knew she looked stunning, but this time, she wasn’t dressing for anyone but herself. She had made her decision. No more running. No more fear.

Jalen shut the door behind him, leaning against it, arms crossed, waiting. He wasn’t going to make this easy for her, and honestly, he shouldn’t.

Jessica took a breath, steadying herself before speaking.

“I was scared,” she said again as she had said before at his apartment. “Scared of what you made me feel, scared of how much I wanted you, and I lashed out at you because of my own fears, and that wasn’t fair. You deserved better.”

Jalen didn’t respond, just watching her, listening, and letting her say what she needed to say. She stepped closer, the click of her heels the only sound in the room.

“I’ve been living in two worlds for so long. Jennifer Rollins, the girl who wanted control, who thought keeping people at arm’s length was the only way to survive, and Jessica Robinson, the fantasy, the persona I created so I could feel powerful, so I could be untouchable.”

Jalen’s expression softened just slightly, but he still didn’t interrupt. Jessica took another step forward, now inches from him.

“But I don’t want to live like that anymore,” she whispered. “I don’t want to keep running from myself, or from you.”

Jalen finally spoke, his voice low and careful. “What are you saying?”

She looked up at him, eyes full of certainty.

“I’m saying I choose you. If you’ll still have me.”

Jalen studied her, as if searching for any sign of hesitation, but for the first time, there was none. Jessica reached for his hand, placing it over her heart so he could feel the truth of her words.

“I’m not just Jennifer Rollins and I’m not just Jessica Robinson. They are both me, which is why from now on my name will officially be Jessica Rollins. I’m going to change it legally.

She placed a hand on his face. I, Jessica Rollins, love you, Jalen. More than anything.”

Jalen exhaled, his shoulders finally relaxing, as if he had been holding in all the pain, all the uncertainty, all the frustration until this very moment. Then, with no more hesitation between them, he pulled her in.

Their lips met in a deep, searing kiss, one that tasted of passion, forgiveness, and the promise of something unbreakable. Jalen’s hands gripped Jessica’s waist, pulling her flush against him, and she melted into him, her perfectly manicured red nails threading through his short hair. She moaned softly against his lips, the heat between them rising fast. Jalen pressed her back against the dressing room wall, his hands roaming over her curves, his touch hungry, needy.

Jessica had never wanted someone like this before, not just physically, but completely. She tugged at his blazer, pushing it off his shoulders, and he let it fall to the floor. His hands slid down, gripping the hem of her sequined dress and hiking it up, revealing smooth, bare skin.

“You sure about this?” Jalen murmured against her lips, his breathing heavy.

Jessica gave him a smile, eyes filled with fire. “I wouldn’t have said all that just to send you home with blue balls, Moss.”

Jalen chuckled darkly. “Fair enough.”

His mouth trailed along her jaw, down her neck, leaving slow, open-mouthed kisses that sent shivers down her spine. She gasped as his hands found her breasts, cupping them over the fabric of her dress before reaching behind her to unzip it. Once the zipper had been slowly pulled all the way down, Jessica let it fall at her feet, and she stepped out of it gracefully, leaving her in nothing but her matching pink lace panties and her sparkling pink heels. Jalen groaned at the sight of her.

“You’re so damn beautiful,” he muttered, his hands roaming over her soft, warm skin, appreciating every inch.

Jessica reached for his belt, unbuckling it in a swift motion. Jalen kicked off his slacks and boxers in one go, his thick, rock-hard cock springing free. Jessica licked her red lips as she wrapped her fingers around him, stroking slowly, teasingly.

Jalen sucked in a sharp breath. “Jessica...”

“Shh,” she whispered, kissing his collarbone, his chest, her lips traveling lower. Jalen relaxed as she softly kissed her way down his body, leaving red lipstick marks the whole way down as sunk to her knees.

Jessica’s hand wrapped around his cock, stroking slowly and deliberately. Her long lashes fluttered as she looked up at him, lips parted with that signature mix of sultry confidence and raw vulnerability.

“I missed this,” she whispered, her voice low and smoky. “Missed you.”

Jalen let out a strained breath, one hand finding the back of her head, his fingers gently tangling in her soft hair. He didn’t guide her. He didn’t have to. She was in control now, reclaiming what she’d once run from, but this time, with purpose.

She leaned in and ran the flat of her tongue up his shaft in one long, teasing stroke, her lipstick leaving a faint trail of red against his skin. Jalen’s hips twitched, his head tilting back as he exhaled sharply through his nose.

“Goddamn...”

She smiled softly, lips brushing the tip, then took him into her mouth slowly and deliberately until her lips met her fist. Her throat flexed slightly as she took more, eyes never breaking contact with his. That connection, that intensity, it was damn near spiritual.

Jalen’s other hand found her shoulder, gripping gently, not to push, but to ground himself.

“Jessica...” he groaned, eyes heavy-lidded now. “Fuck!”

She didn’t stop. She just went deeper and slower. Her other hand massaged the base while her mouth worked up and down, her cheeks hollowing as she pulled back only to sink again, wetter, warmer, more focused. This wasn’t just about pleasure, it was an offering. A vow. It was her way of saying, I’m not scared of you anymore. I’m not scared of us.

The sound of wet, rhythmic suction filled the dressing room, echoing between moans and sharp breaths. Jalen was trembling slightly now, abs clenched tight as he fought the urge to finish too fast. Jessica’s tongue worked lower, slow and methodical, as she teased his balls with soft flicks and wet kisses. She cradled them in her hand with practiced tenderness, her other hand still stroking his shaft, which was slick, throbbing, and twitching under her touch.

Jalen’s breath hitched. “Shit, Jess...”

His voice was ragged now, deeper, more primal. He looked down at her on her knees in those pink heels, lips glistening, eyes half-lidded with hunger, and nearly lost control right then and there.

Jessica looked up at him and smiled wickedly, her lips swollen and red from her work. “You remember how I said I missed you?” she asked, her voice sultry and breathless.

Jalen nodded, jaw tight.

“I’m gonna make up for every second I wasted running away from you.”

Before he could answer, she took him back in, this time deeper and smoother. She relaxed her throat, letting him glide farther, lips stretching wide around the base of his shaft. Her nose brushed his pelvis, and she held him there for a beat, savoring his groan as his fingers clenched in her hair. When she pulled back, a long, glistening trail of saliva connected her mouth to the tip. She stroked him slowly with both hands now, alternating pressure while her tongue circled his crown with practiced finesse. Jessica licked her lips, tasting him.