“That’s because of our cover.”
MaeBe groaned. “Why am I the only smart person?”
“Hello, master’s degree from Cal Tech. Yale alumna.”
MaeBe’s nose wrinkled. “Well, I have a degree from UNT and I know when a guy likes me.”
“Who likes you? Don’t let my nephew know. I’ve buried all the bodies on my property that I can, and he doesn’t own property. We’re all full on the murders,” a deep voice said. “I suppose we could go the acid route, but I’m getting too old to put on a hazmat suit, and Charlie doesn’t like it when I use her soaking tub to disintegrate the bodies of my enemies.”
Ian Taggart stood at the front of the plane, a big cooler in his hands.
MaeBe turned her boss’s way. If she was concerned he’d overheard her, she didn’t show it. “I was talking about Kyle. He’s using the op to turn our fake relationship into a real one. I firmly expect at some point he’ll say he needs to sleep in my bed because of danger or something and then oops, how did that get in my vagina? Don’t worry. We have condoms.”
The biggest smile came over Taggart’s face, transforming his normally taciturn expression into something swoon worthy. “You are the smartest of my employees, Mae. I assure you that everyone will be thrilled when he finally just moves in. I’ll send a fake assassin your way, and you’ll be engaged by the end of the year.”
“I welcome the assist, boss.” MaeBe gestured Maddie’s way. “She doesn’t think Deke wants her.”
Taggart snorted and set down the cooler. “Dumbass.”
The guy did not have a way with words. “I’m not pulling this theory out of thin air. I practically begged him to take me to bed Friday night.”
“After your bratty performance?” Taggart asked. “Yeah, honey, that was punishment.”
She felt heat scorch her cheeks. “I wasn’t trying to be bratty. I was feeling self-conscious and it came off as arrogant. I’ve been perfectly nice since and he still high-fives me and tells me good work. It does not feel like a sexy relationship.”
Taggart chuckled and leaned against the side of the plane like he owned it—which he did since she’d been told it was his company jet. “Have you said ‘Hey, Deke, let’s hug this out and by hug I mean I want to hug your dick with my vagina’?”
He was a terrible man. He also made her laugh because she kind of liked his put-it-all-out-there attitude. “No. No, I have not said that to him.”
“There you go. Problem solved.” Taggart looked pleased with himself.
“She’s not going to come out and say it,” MaeBe argued. “And she shouldn’t because that would totally put Deke in the better position. I do have a suggestion, though. Deke and Kyle have a lot in common these days. I think Deke is also using the whole fake D/s relationship, we-have-to-train-to-fool-the-world thing to get his hands on you. He wants you hot for him.”
“Well, it worked.” It was strange, but she felt comfortable talking about this very intimate subject with two people she’d only known for a couple of days. Spending so much time in Sanctum had loosened her up. It was sex and love and relationships. It was something that should be talked about. It was okay for her to want things.
It was okay for her to want Deke.
“Deke’s being a sneaky bastard. I approve,” Taggart announced. “I think Mae’s about to advise you that you can be sneaky, too. Despite Friday night’s bratastic display, you’ve done well. You’ve been a good student and done everything Deke’s asked of you. But I think you’re the kind of student who goes for extra credit.”
Mae pointed her boss’s way. “That’s exactly what I was going to say.”
“We’re practically family,” Taggart said with an affectionate grin. It was obvious he liked MaeBe and approved of her relationship with his nephew.
“Well, I am not practically family and don’t possess the Taggart family hive mind,” Maddie pointed out. “You’re going to have to use human words to explain this plan to me.”
Taggart chuckled as though the whole conversation amused him. “When Deke walks on this plane, greet him with the type of affection he wants Byrne to see. Play your part. Sit on his lap. See how he likes having you as his sweet sub. Like this one is doing. Play his game.”
“I’m dedicated to our cover,” Mae said with a nod. “That means being the best sub I can be and making sure my Dom has everything he needs.”
Actually, that wasn’t a terrible idea. How long could he hold out on her if they were constantly affectionate? “So I should do all the things he trained me to do even though we’re not in public. Because I need practice.”
“Exactly. Turn this shit around on him.” Taggart straightened up, his gaze going to the door as the plane shifted. “Hey, guys. Charlie made sandwiches for the trip.”