Intense

“How are you liking your stay so far?”

“Good,” I say. “The food is amazing.”

“You can thank Michelle for that, my cook. You’ll meet her soon.”

“I look forward to it.” I hold the receiver between my ear and my shoulder, twirling the cord between my fingers.

“I’m stuck at work, but I’m thinking about you,” he says softly. “What are you wearing right now?”

I smile to myself. “Black bra and matching panties,” I say, which is true. Though I’m also wearing a white t-shirt and soft jogging pants.

“That’s all?” he asks. “I doubt you sleep in just that.”

“Who says I’m sleeping?” I ask, suddenly getting an idea.

“It’s late,” he says.

“I was up thinking of you,” I answer.

He pauses. “What were you thinking?” he asks.

“I was thinking about your hands on my body,” I say. “I’m your pet, but you haven’t even stroked me yet,” I say.

Another pause. “And you want me to stroke you?” he asks.

“Yes,” I whisper. “As soon as you’re home. I’m so bored without you.”

“I’m sure you are.” He pauses again and I can feel my heart hammering in my chest. “I’ll see you soon, pet. Sleep tight.”

He hangs up suddenly and I’m left staring at the phone, not sure what just happened.

I tried to be sexy for him and he just hangs up on me. Like he wasn’t interested in it at all. I hang the phone up and collapse back into bed, sighing.

Maybe I suck at this. If I can’t figure out what he wants and soon, I’m going to screw it all up, and I can’t afford that.

This is my last attempt. It’s all or nothing for me right now, and I can’t give up. One bad phone call won’t change anything.

I’m going to make this man happy whether he wants me to or not.

7

Ethan

I have to force myself to go to my last meeting, even though it’s one of the most important meetings of the day.

All I want to do is go home to Aria. I haven’t seen her since yesterday morning. I slept in my office again last night and because of some stupid emergency, I couldn’t make it home all day. I called her briefly last night, and again this afternoon, but that was it.

She sounds bored. I have to admit, I figured it might take a little longer for her to get sick of her little vacation. Maybe I’ll have to punish her for letting me know that she’s bored.

Then again, I want her to be herself, so that can’t fly. I’ll punish her still, but it’ll have to be for some other reason.

I smile to myself, imagining how I’ll punish her as I walk into the restaurant. This last meeting is with Richard Taylor, one of the most notorious businessmen in the city. He’s a real estate guy, and I want to buy out one of his buildings to use as my new corporate headquarters once all this merger stuff goes through. But he’s hard to work with and has an awful reputation for being involved with some shady ventures.

I spot Richard sitting in a booth table toward the back. I walk directly toward him. It’s interesting how being a good businessperson very often means you’re a bad regular person. The sort of thing business demands from you usually means you’re a hard person to be around in normal circumstances.

Richard Taylor is no exception to this rule. As I approach, he frowns and checks his watch, almost as if I’m late. I’m not, of course, but he’ll make me feel like I am just because he showed up early.

“Ethan,” he says, standing, and we shake hands.

“Richard. Good to see you.”

“You too. Sit down, have a drink.”

“Nothing for me tonight,” I say, waving off the waitress as she approaches. “I have to get home.”

He laughs at me. “You go home? I feel like I haven’t been home in days.”

“Which is exactly why I’m making it a point to sleep in my own bed tonight,” I say, smiling at him.

He nods and for a second, I wonder if my little theory about businessmen extends to myself.

Am I just as bad as Richard is? I like to think I’m not. My employees respect me, maybe even like me. I’m generous with benefits and raises and I never yell. I pride myself on being a good boss, because I absolutely hate bad bosses.

But I’m still at the top of my game, and my personal life definitely suffers for it. I can see myself in men like Richard, or at least part of myself. Still, I’m not like him, and won’t let myself become like him.

I have my pet at home to help keep me sane.

“Well then, down to business so you can get home,” he says, and I know it’s a backhanded insult.