Black Diamond (Obsidian 2)

She could read my emotions, but thankfully, not my thoughts. “You’re doing it again.”

She didn’t know the half of it. “There’s something I need help with. And you’re the perfect person to turn to.”

“I’m not giving you a blow job in the bathroom. I’ll admit I’m a little slutty with you, but I have some class.”

I smiled, something so rare I nearly forgot how to do it. This woman made me feel things I hadn’t felt in decades. “What little class you have left is about to disappear. But that’s not what I wanted to talk about.”

“I’m listening.” She adopted her professional composure, staring at me intently with open ears.

“The head of the Homeless and Working Class Department just resigned a few weeks ago.” Actually, I just promoted her to a higher salary position two days ago. “I haven’t found a suitable person to replace her and wanted to see if you were interested. The primary duties of this role are to orchestrate food and clothing drives for the homeless, as well as work to find them suitable jobs. The working-class aspect focuses on programs to aid underprivileged communities, single-parent families, etc. If you’re interested, I’ll write you a formal offer letter with your salary listed. With your experience and education, I truly believe you’re the best person for the job.” Rome was smart, compassionate, and no one would do a better job than her. There was no doubt her heart was in the right place, and frankly, she could help a lot more people with a bigger budget and team members.

First, she was shocked. Her mouth opened slightly at the incredible offer I just gave her. Her eyes lit up the same way they did when we were in bed together. But instantly, that delight changed to suspicion. “Did Christopher ask you to do this?”

I played dumb. “To get you to move out? He may have mentioned you were a little annoying, but no, he didn’t ask me to offer you a job.” I didn’t have a problem lying when it came to someone else’s privacy. “If you don’t want it, you don’t have to take it. I just thought I would talk to you about it because the position is open. I understand you’re passionate about your company, so if you want to stay there, that’s perfectly fine.” The more aloof I appeared, the more likely it was she would consider the offer.

Her suspicion died once she heard everything I said. “I don’t know what to say… I’m flattered.”

“I’m not trying to flatter you, sweetheart.” Although, I loved it when her cheeks turned red like that; it made my palm twitch under the table. “Does that mean you’re interested?”

“Of course, I am.” She chuckled as if the question were humorous. “I’ve been having some problems with For All lately, and I’m not sure if I can solve them.”

I knew she had a scary amount of debt from student loans and running a nonprofit all on her own. Honestly, I was surprised she’d lasted this long. “I think you’ll be able to help people just as much, if not more, with Humanitarians United. If you walk away from your company, you aren’t abandoning the people you serve. You aren’t abandoning this city or the community. I really think you’d be a great asset to the team.”

She smiled in that beautiful way that went straight to my heart. “You’re so sweet, Calloway.”

I wasn’t trying to be sweet. I was working to make her my submissive—the best submissive I would ever have. “Does that mean you accept my offer?”

She fingered her water glass without taking a drink. The glass was full of ice cubes, water, and a single lemon wedge. Condensation collected on her fingertips, reflecting the sunlight that came through the window. “I don’t know…”

I hid my irritation deep in my gut, forcing myself to remain patient. “What’s your hesitance?”

“You don’t think it could be a problem? Us working together?”

If I had it my way, she would be bent over my desk every time I called her to my office. Her skirt would be bunched around her waist, and her panties would be around her ankles. Looking across the city, I would thrust into her and fill her with my seed, feeling like a king. “Why would it be a problem?” I fingered the black ring on my right hand, eager to slip the black diamond onto hers.

“Because we’re seeing each other, Calloway. Won’t that make people uncomfortable?”

“No one needs to know, sweetheart. And if it does make them uncomfortable, they can find another job.”

She was warming up to the idea but still hesitant. “Are you sure about this? Maybe you need to take some time to think it over.”

Nothing annoyed me more than someone doubting me. “I’ve been running this company for a long time. I believe I have the experience and capability to make important decisions on a daily basis.” I didn’t hide the anger in my voice. I didn’t stop unclenching my jaw either. “No, I don’t need to think it over.”