Chapter Seven #2
“Thank you for the clarification, Master R,” she said, injecting enough sweetness into her voice to ease his concern.
“I’m a big girl, and I can assure you I can decide on life goals very effectively myself.
” She jabbed a finger against his chest, taking a strategic step back before her traitorous body could melt against him again.
“You may dictate my work goals, but that’s it. ”
“That’s a rather ambiguous response, subbie.” His frown returned, drawing those perfect brows together. “I’m warning you, Xia. There is no future for you with me, in any shape or form. You’re leaving for Hawaii in a week, and—”
“Two months,” she cut in as her lips twisted into a wry grin. Her heart fluttered at the possibility of more time near him, while her brain set up warning flares.
“I thought you were starting immediately.”
“No, I’m only leaving in two months.”
“Perfect.” The devilish smile that curved his lips should come with a warning label. “That’ll give you more time to help me find Mrs. Right.”
“W-What do you mean?” Her stomach performed an uncomfortable flip. Was he really going to make her play matchmaker for her own crush? Talk about cruel and unusual punishment.
“What are the chances I’ll find my perfect match on this one flight? Slim to none, so I’m extending your employment until you leave. That way there’s no rush, and we can do this properly.”
“You want me to wife whisper every weekend?” The universe clearly had a twisted sense of humor. Here she was, already struggling with unprecedented feelings for this man, and he insisted on her helping him find his perfect match—someone who definitely wasn’t her, according to his repeated warnings.
“And sometimes mid-week as well.” He tapped her under the chin, sending sparks of electricity through her traitor nervous system. “Don’t worry. You’ll be very well compensated. Since this is a much more demanding position, I’m doubling your salary.”
“Y-You’re what?” Great, now he was paying her double to torture herself.
She couldn’t decide if this was the best or worst job offer ever.
On one hand, more time with Rex. On the other hand, more time watching him scene and have sex with other women while treating her like some kind of professional matchmaker with benefits.
“You heard me.” He turned to smile at Little Red Riding Hood, who was still eye-fucking him from across the room, much to Xia’s irritation. “Now, the wolf is hungry. Let’s see what delicacies hide under that red cape, shall we?”
Delicacies, my ass. Xia barely restrained an eye roll.
That woman wasn’t a delicacy—she was a shark in a push-up bra, circling Rex’s abs like they were a chum bucket.
Xia’s knuckles turned white just thinking about her throwing herself at him.
Possessive? Her? Please. She had zero claim on the man—he’d made that painfully clear when he’d hired her to evaluate possible Mrs. Olivers, not be one.
The irony was so thick, she could’ve spread it on toast. Here she was, the expert in reading submissives, and the one person who couldn’t see the obvious was the six-foot-something, muscle-bound Dom who probably thought emotional intelligence was a type of protein shake.
In business, Rex Oliver was a piranha—ruthless, sharp, and unstoppable.
But in matters of the heart? He clearly was a confused penguin in a tuxedo, waddling in circles, trying to navigate using a broken GPS.
And somehow, she was the one stuck playing Cupid. Great. Just what she needed—more arrows in her life. Preferably, those she could fire back at him.
Xia trailed behind Rex like a reluctant wing woman/relationship saboteur, watching as Little Red practically vibrated with excitement at his approach. The woman’s smile was so bright, it probably violated several aviation safety regulations.
“Master R,” Petals purred, managing to make two syllables sound like a porn video intro. “I’ve been hoping you’d notice me.”
Xia snorted as she batted her eyelashes. The woman was over the top... in all aspects of the word.
Notice you? Honey, you’re wearing fire-engine red in a sea of black leather. Even air traffic control probably spotted you.
“What’s your name, sub?” Rex asked as he ran his fingers through her hair.
“Petals, Sir.”
“Petals,” Rex’s voice carried that commanding tone Xia already associated with weak knees, but apparently, it made this woman turn into human Jello. “You’re looking... festive.”
Festive? More like ‘desperate housewives meet Halloween clearance sale,’ Xia thought uncharitably.
She knew she should be more professional about this whole matchmaking business, but her inner romantic had apparently joined forces with her inner savage, and they had declared war on any of Rex’s prospects.
“Oh, this old thing?” Petals giggled, twirling to make her short skirt flutter. “I just threw it together.”
Yeah, threw it together after three hours of planning and a Pinterest board titled 'How to Trap a Billionaire Dom.'
As Rex and Petals discussed scene preferences, Xia found herself mentally composing her first official prospect evaluation report.
Subject: Petals (Real name probably something like Karen).
Red Flags: Giggles more than a hyena on nitrous oxide.
Has definitely watched “50 Shades” more than the recommended zero times.
Probably has a shrine to Christian Grey in her closet.
Wearing red like she’s trying to flag down a rescue helicopter.
Professional Assessment: About as suitable for Rex as a rubber duck is for deep-sea diving.
“I’m very experienced, Master R,” Petals said as she trailed a hand up Rex’s arm like she was marking her territory. “I can take whatever you dish out.”
Whatever you dish out? This isn’t a buffet, honey, Xia thought, fighting the urge to roll her eyes.
Her new mission just turned into that of a romance assassin. One that would clearly require all her skills—and possibly a spray bottle labeled ‘Bad Subbie, No Cookie.’ She wasn’t proud of these thoughts, but then again, all’s fair in love and... wife hunting, right?
Besides, she was doing Rex a favor. Clearly, he needed someone to save him from himself and his very apparent questionable taste in potential life partners. It was practically a public service.
“Shall we negotiate, pet?” Rex’s voice drew her from her plotting.
Petals nodded enthusiastically, reminding Xia of those bobblehead dogs on a car’s dashboard. It was hard not to roll her eyes again.
“Whatever you want, Master R. I’m very... flexible.”
I bet you are, Xia thought darkly.