Chapter 13
Ididn’t know what to expect the following morning when I arrived at work, but I had to admit to being shocked that not a single person looked my way as I exited the elevator.
Most noticeable was Katherine’s absence.
An older woman sat in her place; she answered the phone as I passed by on my way to Gage’s office.
Holding his coffee in one hand, I knocked on his door with the other…
and froze as a loud moan filtered through.
I was debating on what to do when the door jerked open a few moments later.
Katherine aimed her iciest glare in my direction as she brushed by me.
“Come in, Kayla.” Gage casually zipped his pants and took a seat behind his desk. “Shut the door.”
I went to do as told, only I didn’t merely shut the damn thing—I slammed my fingers in the process. “Ow!” The coffee dropped to my feet, coating my heels in brown liquid. Gage shot up and crossed the office before I could take a breath.
“Let me see.” He grabbed my hand and inspected my fingers. “They’re a little purple, but they don’t appear broken.”
I couldn’t see beyond the front of his pants; he hadn’t tucked in his shirt fully. “Did I do something wrong, Master?”
His eyes zeroed in on my face, eyebrows slightly raised. “Why would you think that?”
“Well…I’m assuming Katherine was in here doing what I…did yesterday?”
His mouth twitched. “Does that bother you?”
Not for the reason he apparently assumed it did.
I couldn’t afford to displease him, and if he felt the need to go to other women…
“No, I just don’t want to displease you, Master.
” I’d started my research the previous night and had been overwhelmed with information.
Being a “proper” or “good” slave wouldn’t be the easiest thing I ever did.
I was beginning to understand what Gage wanted from me; he wanted me meek and pliable, willing to drop to my knees on demand and obey his every command.
He expected me to anticipate his needs, as his pleasure was to be my first priority, as was serving him.
The center of my being revolted at the notion, but I’d do it for Eve.
“You do please me.”
“Do you want me on my knees, Master?”
“No. We’ll keep our office relationship as normal as possible, notwithstanding special circumstances.
” He tilted my chin up so I met his gaze head on.
“Katherine was in here because I fired her. Considering what she pulled yesterday, sucking my cock was a fitting punishment.” He smirked.
“Or rather, my reaction afterward was. She thought she could manipulate me with her mouth.”
Hadn’t I had a similar thought yesterday?
What the hell was happening to me? He was drawing me in, and I was helpless to stop it.
Just remembering how he had the power to cast me into a void so intense in pleasure was enough to stall my breath.
I was addicted to that void…that blissful escape from reality.
I’d stumbled onto the term “subspace,” and now I wondered if Gage was sending me there with every strike of his whip, every scorching touch of his mouth and hands.
I couldn’t deny he was one of the sexiest men I’d set eyes on, and on some level I was very much attracted to him, whether I liked it or not.
But I wasn’t in love with him. I’d move on when our six weeks ended.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
“Am I that obvious?”
“You wear everything on your face, Kayla. You always have.”
My first instinct was to lie, but then I remembered his non-negotiable terms—terms I assumed he’d have me sign today. “I was thinking how I’d move on from you when this is all over.”
His eyes darkened. “Can’t wait to get away from me, huh?”
I wrung my hands. “You won’t like the truth, Master.”
“Maybe not, but I demand it.”
“I can’t be who you want me to be. I’ll pretend for Eve’s sake, and I’ll do whatever I have to in the meantime, but it’ll be a lie. As soon as our six weeks are up, I’ll walk.”
Gage slid his hand along my cheek. “We’ll see.” He returned to his desk. “The company Christmas party is this Friday night. We’ll attend together.” He’d switched gears so fast, my head spun.
“Won’t that fuel the gossip?”
He waved away my concern. “No one will dare treat you badly after today. You have nothing to worry about.” He leaned back in his chair.
“As far as anyone needs to know, you and I are dating. I’m not about to squander the opportunity to have you on my arm for the next five weeks.
” He focused his attention on his computer. “Let’s get to work.”
I hastily pulled out my iPad as he began dictating to me. After he’d armed me with the day’s instructions, he slid a piece of paper across the desk. “Your new contract. No safe word, and no lies.” A pen accompanied the paper.
My hand shook as I scrawled my name at the bottom. “Master…will you let me visit Eve on Friday? I won’t be long—I just can’t stand the thought of going a whole two days without seeing her, especially now that her condition is so rocky.”
“I’ll give you an hour. And if you behave well, you can call the hospital on Saturday too.”
“Thank you.” I let out a breath. Deep down, I hadn’t expected him to say yes.
“Speaking of the hospital, do you expect to get a visit from Dr. Kaplan this evening?”
I froze at his words. “I don’t know, Master.”
“Don’t forget what you have to do. I want him out of your life, is that clear?”
“Yes, Master.”
“Good, then I’ll see you at lunchtime.” Gage casually dismissed me as he went back to work.
I left his office, and only after I’d closed the door did it occur to me that I’d never mentioned Ian’s name.