Page 115 of Their Famous Dominant (Office Intrigue Duet 4)
She seemed shocked by his admission.
I knew Master well enough to know he had a point. He wasn’t merely telling her all the things she likely wanted to hear. True as they might be, Master was leading up to something.
I watched as Master’s fingers continued to trail over her. He was careful not to be too intimate, despite the fact she was naked in his arms.
“Close your eyes, sunshine,” he repeated. “I want you to listen to the sound of my voice. Don’t do anything but breathe.”
It took a moment, but once again she relaxed.
“This is how I want you, Clarissa. Open and receptive to my instructions. Not what you’ve learned from others. I don’t want you focused on trying to figure out how to please me. You already do, simply by breathing. If I’ve earned the right to be your Dom, then you’ll trust that I know what’s best.”
I hadn’t thought of it that way, but it made sense. And I knew that Master had noticed the same thing about Clarissa that I had. She was eager to please, but rather than enjoying herself, she was doing her damnedest to ignore her own desires to give him his. That seemed like a shitty way to go about this.
Not that I knew a damn thing about this lifestyle the two of them obviously lived, but I had learned a few things. When Master gave a command, it was because he wanted to. Not because it was his job or he was viewed as the authority. He was a Dominant through and through.
Funny how I’d spent three years with him and I’d never seen this side of him. Well, I had, and I hadn’t. I’d seen the authority, the power, but I’d never realized where he’d honed those skills or what brought him true pleasure. He was in control of his entire life, but I feared that was because he refused to let people in. Here, in this room with us, he was in control because he wanted to be.
“I want you to go to Chicago with us, Clarissa.” The words came out strong, but a hint of emotion rang through. “Do not open your eyes.”
Too late. She already had, but she quickly closed them, squeezing them shut. I smiled to myself as I continued to slide my hands over her calves.
“Before you try to get your two cents in, hear me out,” he continued.
Clarissa didn’t speak, but I could see the denial she’d been about to lay on him.
“I’m going to head up there for the week so I can work through the logistics with the partners. I know you’ve got a life here, but I’d like you to give me one week. This week. I want you there as my submissive but also as my girlfriend. And—”
“And your employee?” she interrupted, a snap in her tone.
Where that had come from, I didn’t know. Clarissa’s insecurities seemed to be rearing their ugly head. I replayed the last few minutes in my mind and I couldn’t understand what had put her on the defensive.
Trent cleared his throat and a frown marred his forehead. “I’d be honored if you’d review the contract with me, but if that isn’t something you’re willing to do, I can certainly find someone else. But that’s irrelevant. I would pay you for your consulting, as anyone should. I want you there because I want you. And I think this is a good opportunity for you. It’ll give you a chance to explore the city, see if you’re interested in taking the job they’ve offered.”
I wanted her there with us as well, but I got the feeling Master had something specific in mind. He seemed different than when he’d abruptly called a halt to our playtime in the club. Calmer, as though he’d had a chance to think things through. This wasn’t necessarily the Dom speaking. This was Trent, the man. Surely Clarissa saw that, too.
My phone buzzed on the bar.
“That’s probably the pizza,” I told him.
“Please grab some clothes and go down and get it. I need to have a few words with Clarissa.”
“Of course.” I shifted Clarissa’s legs off my lap and got to my feet.
As I headed out of the room, I hoped that whatever conflict the two of them were dancing around, they managed to work it out. At this point, I found myself invested in the two of them.
And I wasn’t sure things would be right without Clarissa with us.
TWENTY-TWO
Clarissa
“BREATHE FOR ME, SUNSHINE.”
Trent’s words caressed my skin as I fought to keep my eyes closed. I heard the door open, then shut with a soft click. Troy was going down to get the pizza and now I was left alone with Trent.
“If you don’t want to go with us, I’ll respect your decision,” he said, his hands grazing over my skin, sending chills dancing along my nerve endings. “But I need you to know what I want. How I feel.”
