Chapter 26
DAVE
ELOISE
Iescaped to my room after dinner to take a call from Monique and her parents as they celebrated Christmas in the alps.
The family wanted to hear about my burst pipe and other nonsense.
I told them a sanitized version, leaving out that the other actor in it was the future King of the United Kingdom.
To them, my boss was a rando called Dave. I did not mention our agreement.
“Okay, go on then,” Monique spoke French to her parents. “I want to talk to her alone.”
“They are too sweet, as per usual, Mo.”
“I know,” Monique said. “They miss you and wonder if you could visit. Come skiing?”
“I dunno. This client is... demanding.”
“Dave is the client, right? Dave is the guy?”
“Dave is the guy, yes.”
“And have you and Dave managed to find any time together while trapped in the middle of a snowstorm?”
I groaned.
“What? It's like every holiday rom-com in history. Your misfortune writes its own love story in which you end up with a very happy ending with the handsome white knight on his horse—or maybe a prince?”
“He is no knight, that Dave.”
She giggled. “Okay, fine. But has anything... happened?”
“No,” I said. “Okay, maybe, but like... it's not sex.”
“What? So did you kiss Dave?”
“No, actually. There's this thing going on. He's like, into me. I thought for sure Dave would be the older man who wanted to treat me like a child. Instead, he's... he likes me to be in charge.”
“Oh, that's fun. I didn't have him in that category.”
“Nor me. He's like... totally okay with me giving him orders. It revs his engine. So much. And I am... liking it? Is that okay? Or is that... weird?”
“If you're both enjoying it and both consenting adults, why wouldn't it be okay, ma cherie?”
“I don't know.” I laughed. “Girl, it's a high. He's such an asshole sometimes. And he doesn't like to be told what to do... outside of this. He can be so annoying. But also... I like to boss him around?”
“It's a kink. Lean into it. Get yours, Ella! How often do you get to dominate someone like Dave?” Monique asked.
“But we're like... babies in comparison.”
“Oh, who cares. We're not babies. We're fully-grown women with jobs. And you are killing it.”
“With little support. Abi is doing well. She sent pictures of the baby. It's sweet. I cannot wait to get back and snuggle that kid! But freaking Jax? Freaking fucking ugh.”
“Freaking fucking ugh, indeed. What has she even done beside sit on her duff and collect a paycheck?”
“Not shit.”
“I love her. Nice work if you can get it. What a bitch.”
“It's a grift. Gotta love the way she plays it. But I think I'm getting a pay rise out of this, so it's worth something.”
“You can have your cake and eat it, too?”
“Well, I haven't eaten it yet,” I said. “But I know someone who would be glad to eat mine. And maybe I will torture him by letting him do just that?”
“Oh God. Tell me all about it when you do! Take full advantage of it. We're only young once!”