Page 119 of Their Famous Dominant (Office Intrigue Duet 4)
“If you want to tell me what happened, I’m more than willing to listen.”
I saw her head turn and I cut my gaze to her quickly.
“I’m not the submissive Trent needs.”
“Really?” I didn’t buy that at all. “Did he say that?”
“Not in so many words.” She turned her attention toward the window again. “He didn’t have to. He said I’m topping from the bottom.”
“Are you?” I’d read that somewhere, so I had a good idea of what it meant. I knew it wasn’t a positive thing.
Clarissa shrugged.
“Okay. Say you are,” I said. “Hypothetically, of course. You don’t mean to do it, right?”
“Of course not.”
“Do you think it’s true?”
She sighed. “I don’t know. I think Trent’s trying to shift the blame.”
Clarissa didn’t sound as though she believed that, but I wasn’t going to argue. I continued to drive, letting the silence linger, hoping she would continue talking.
“That’s a lie,” she finally said. “I don’t think Trent’s trying to shift the blame. But I do think we’re incompatible in this case. I’m not the submissive he needs.”
“And he’s not the Dom you need?” I glanced at her again, noticing the way she winced.
“I never thought Trent would be permanent,” she said softly. “He’s not that kind of guy.” Her head turned toward me. “You know him. Probably better than anyone. Do you think he’s in it for the long run?”
That wasn’t a question I could answer. In all the time I’d known Trent, I’d never seen him in a serious relationship. I’d also never seen him look at anyone the way he looked at Clarissa. Or me, for that matter. I wasn’t going to diminish what was transpiring between us.
She obviously wasn’t expecting an answer because she rattled off a line of questions. “What about him sneaking out of bed? Do you think that’s normal? Was it my fault he did that? Am I so abhorrent he had to sneak out in the middle of the night?”
“I … uh…” I frowned over at her. “I don’t think him slipping out had anything to do with you.”
Her head snapped toward me. “Why? Does he do it to you, too?”
I turned back to the road, unable to respond.
“Does he, Troy? When the two of you are intimate, does he sneak out of bed before the sun’s up?”
I cleared my throat. “We haven’t been… We haven’t had sex, Clarissa.”
“Oh.” Her voice softened. “I just assumed. So, maybe it is me.”
I sighed because this was getting us nowhere. The woman was fixated on this and I wanted her to think it through. I opted for a change of subject.
“What about the job? In Chicago?” I asked her. “Are you planning to take it?”
“Doubtful. It would be too weird having to see Trent all the time.”
Okay, and clearly, she was writing us both off completely. I had to admit, there was a tightness in my chest that wasn’t all that comfortable. I pushed it aside, ignoring my own feelings. In the grand scheme of things, they didn’t matter.
“But it’s a great opportunity, no?”
“Sure it is, Troy. But that doesn’t mean it’s the right opportunity for me.”
“Well, I doubt you care what I think, but if I were you, I’d take it. Why let one man change the path of your entire life?”
“I do care what you think,” she replied, a slight tremble in her voice. “I happen to care about you a lot. And I care about Trent. I just don’t think it’s meant to be.”
That was the last thing I expected her to say, but I couldn’t come up with a response.
“You really think I should take the job?”
I cast a quick look her way. “Of course I do. You’re more than qualified and it’s obvious they want you. Plus, you said it was everything you’ve ever dreamed of. That means something, Clarissa.” I kept my eyes on the road. “And three, because I’m selfish. I want to spend more time with you, and if you’re in Chicago, the chances of us seeing each other would be good.”
“Trent won’t let you see me anymore,” she said matter-of-factly.
“Really?” She clearly didn’t know Trent the way I did. “And why not?”
“Because you belong to him now. You’re his submissive. I’m sure he’ll find another woman who will complete your little triad.”
Okay, she was going to be bullheaded about this. It wouldn’t matter how much I argued with her. Nothing I said would sway her opinion. Not tonight.
We were almost to her house before she spoke again, this time catching me by surprise.
“Troy, I’m scared.”
My eyes flew over to her face. “Of…?”
“Everything. Of the way this is playing out. The way I feel about it. You. Trent. A new job in a new state. I don’t know what to expect and … well, I don’t usually do relationships. Not that this was a relationship. I’m not saying that. It’s just—”
