Page 120 of Their Famous Dominant (Office Intrigue Duet 4)
“It’s a relationship, Clarissa. Not past tense, either. No matter how you slice and dice it, this is a relationship and what’s going on between you and Master can’t be dismissed in one night.”
“Which is what scares me most,” she said with a huff. “Deep down I know it’s real. But I also know that what happened tonight … the way I acted at the club, I can’t help it. It’s the way I am, and I know he can’t handle that.”
“Being a robot is the way you are?”
She laughed, but there was no humor in it. “I am not a robot.”
I wasn’t trying to insult her, and I think she understood that. “You’re right. You’re not. You’re a strong, independent woman. I’ve spent almost every day this week with you and you weren’t acting the way you were tonight. You retreated. As though it would allow you to be … in control.”
She put her hands on her face. “Oh, God. How did that happen?”
I reached over and took her wrist, pulling her hand down from her face.
“It doesn’t have to remain that way. If you learned to do that, you can learn not to do it. You need to trust the people who care about you. Your insecurities are getting in your way.”
“I know. But it’s the way I protect myself.”
“From?”
“Everyone. Trent. You. How I feel about you both.”
I wanted to ask her how she felt, but I knew better than to push the subject. I think she was referring to how she felt in general, not at the point to claim she was in love with either one of us. Or both of us.
“Well, I think you should consider it. The job and Master. Don’t write him off just yet. And maybe you should come to Chicago for a few days. You can check out the city, spend some time at Chatter, see if it’s something that’ll work for you. And maybe by the time you leave, you’ll figure out if this is something you really want to pursue or not.”
“It is,” she said quickly. “Something I want to … well, entertain at least. The job is everything I’ve ever wanted. But I’m not sure it’s smart for me to jump in so quickly. There’re too many factors at play and I don’t want to make a decision that can’t be undone.”
“Are you referring to the job or the relationship?”
“Both. More importantly, when it comes to you and Trent, I can see myself making a rash decision, falling before I should. Since I can’t be what Trent needs, I’d be setting myself up for failure.”
“Falling?” I turned into her driveway and put the SUV in park.
“In love. It’s far too soon for that to happen, but I’m an emotional person. I’ll get caught up in it all. I’m not sure that’s the best thing for any of us.”
I turned to face her. “I won’t try to talk you into it, Clarissa. As much as I want to, this has to be your decision. It’s the reason Trent’s not here.”
Clarissa shook her head. “He’s not here because he doesn’t want to see me.”
“Not true.” He hadn’t said as much, but I knew him. “He’s giving you space. You’re the one who insisted on going home.”
“But he didn’t stop me.”
“That’s not who he is, Clarissa. If you only knew how many people walk in and out of his life… It’s not a small number. Everyone’s looking for something from him. At some point, he’s going to need someone who’s willing to give back.”
Someone who would show him he didn’t have to be in control all the time. The man needed us to prove to him we could take care of him. He didn’t have to be the one taking care of himself all the time.
Her eyes dropped to the center console. “It’s so much easier when a Dom simply tells me what to do.”
“Do you think that’s how you ended up the way you are? Where you turn into a doll as a way to prove your submission? Letting him pose you the way he wants and only get the reaction he’s asked you for?”
“Man, you’re harsh.” She huffed out a laugh, then her tone softened. “But you’re also right. Until tonight, until Trent pointed out what I did, I never saw it that way. It was my idea of submission and as soon as he laid it out there, I realized exactly why I haven’t been happy all this time. I’ve twisted submission into something else entirely and it left me feeling … empty.”
I stared at her for a few seconds, unsure what to say. It was clear she wasn’t trying to lay all the blame on Master. However, I knew it would take some time for her to come around.
