At His Mercy (Masters Club 1)

“When you walk into a Masters Club anywhere in the world, you know you’re going to have a stellar scene with an experienced Dominant, and then you get to walk away.”

She had probably been confusing the intensity of experience Master Cameron offered and her own strong reactions with romantic feelings on both their parts. If she’d had any doubt, Master Cameron had made it pretty clear those feelings were not reciprocated. Which was fine and dandy, since she wasn’t looking for a relationship either.

No, she’d stick to the script, the one she’d knowingly and willingly signed up for. She’d use the Masters Club for what it was—a great place to enjoy intense, powerful scenes with experienced Doms. End of story.

Work was going to be a little trickier. At least for a while, until she managed not to blush beet red every time she caught even a glimpse of Cameron Fucking Lord. It had happened on Monday, at the case and project briefing that all associates were expected to attend. Their eyes had met for the briefest of seconds, triggering her ridiculous and unwelcome blush, as if she were in ninth grade, pining after the captain of the high school football team.

It had happened again on Tuesday evening, when she thought all the partners had left the building. She’d passed by his office on her way to the breakroom, even though it wasn’t really on the way. To her surprise, he was still there, tapping away at his computer. She rushed past before he saw her, but that didn’t stop the heat from washing into her face. It was ridiculous, and it had to stop.

“Call for you, Jess,” Brenda called from her desk, snapping Jess out of her reverie. “Mr. Stanton from the Lansing Group. Shall I put it through?”

Josh, the managing partner on the deal, had asked Jess to work directly with Ben Stanton on various tax issues. While it had been a feather in her cap to be tapped, it had meant lots of extra hours. Ben and she had worked well together, meeting in person several times to hash out various details. But the deal was signed, sealed and delivered. So why was he calling now?

One way to find out. “Yes, thanks, Brenda. Put him through,” she called back.

The call was buzzed through. “Jessica Cooper,” she said crisply into the speaker phone, her fingers still poised on her keyboard.

“Jessica, it’s Ben Stanton. How are you?”

“I’m well, thanks, Ben. How can I help you this morning?”

“Are you on speaker?”

Interesting.

She picked up the receiver and clicked off the speaker. “Not anymore. What’s up?”

“It’s a confidential matter. Not firm work. Just a conversation between you and me.”

Oh, shit. This fifty-something twice-divorced guy wasn’t going to ask her out, was he? Please, not that.

But, to her relief, he said, “It’s about an opportunity you might find interesting.”

When he didn’t continue, Jess said politely, “I’m listening, Ben. You’ve got me curious now.”

“Well, as you know, we’ve been very pleased with the work Silverstein & Hart have done for us. Your work, especially, stood out. You’re a very impressive young lady. You’re only, what, a third-year associate?”

“Thank you,” Jess said sincerely, ignoring the “young lady,” which always made her cringe. “I’m glad we could meet your needs. Oh, and I’m a second-year,” she added, a smile in her voice.

“Even more impressive,” Ben replied. “Here’s the thing. I know you’re busy, so I’ll cut to the chase. Now that we’ve successfully acquired Veranda Esplanade, we’re going to be making some organizational changes. We have an opening for an in-house attorney at our Manhattan office, and I think you’d be ideal for the job.”

The zinger caught Jess completely off-guard. “What?” she asked stupidly.

“It’s a senior position, but I really think you’re up to it. I’ve made my recommendation to Pete Lansing, and he concurs. We’re prepared to make it worth your while. Our salaries are quite competitive, and there are bonuses, too. And, once we go public, lucrative stock options as well.”

“Gosh,” Jess replied, still trying to get her bearings. “This is so unexpected.”

It wasn’t all that unusual for a client to poach attorneys from law firms that did work for them. She was happy at Silverstein & Hart, but more money would certainly be welcome.

“I’m throwing a lot at you. I don’t expect a response right this second. What’s your personal email? I’ll send you a more detailed description of the job requirements, and the compensation package. We’re ready to move on this ASAP, and I didn’t want to blindside you at the dinner. Read the email and we can talk again when I see you this weekend in Atlantic City. You’ll be there, right?”

“I will,” Jess agreed. She had secured one of the hotel rooms the firm had reserved overnight for the event and was looking forward to a little luxury.