Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 65054 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65054 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
“Not helpful,” I shoot back automatically. “What the hell am I supposed to do now?”
She takes a sip of her drink and nods thoughtfully.
“Okay, next steps,” she spitballs. “Obviously, you could quit. It sounds like you only took the job to help your dad with his debt, right? So, now that it’s paid off, you can work anywhere.”
I nod reluctantly. Despite what’s happened, I do actually like my job. I don’t necessarily want to quit.
“God, your face is so loud,” she says. “So, you don’t want to quit. What if, and hear me out, you threaten to sue him for sexual harassment?”
“Maya!” I hiss. “I would never do that! It was completely consensual!”
“Maybe so, but it sounds like he’s pretty fond of paying hush money. Just think about it. You could threaten him, get a big payout, and finally have some time to think about what you actually want in life, instead of taking care of everyone else’s problems.”
Who else is going to take care of you?
“Fuck!” I say, as Dominic’s words come back into my head.
Maya watches me curiously. “Sorry,” she says. “Forget I suggested it.”
“It’s not that,” I say, shaking my head. “I mean, it is that a little bit. Blackmailing him is a horrific idea and our working relationship would never recover.”
“Do you want it to recover?” she asks bluntly. “I mean, are you really considering working for him after all of this?”
“I don’t know,” I tell her, but it feels like a lie on my tongue.
I do know. The idea of leaving this job is awful. Even after last night, I can grin and bear it for as long as it takes. I love what I do. As chaotic as some days get, I’m good at organizing things. I also know that Dominic couldn’t function without me. There’s a part of me that loves to be needed.
“I just want you to consider the power imbalance,” she says carefully. “He’s your boss, and he’s worth like, trillions of dollars.”
“A few billion,” I correct.
She rolls her eyes. “As if the distinction matters. He has more money than God, and he’s clearly not afraid to use it on you. If, at any point, you feel like he’s paying you for sex, that’s coercion, okay? I mean, unless you’re into that. No judgement.”
“He isn’t paying me for sex,” I groan. “He paid the debt. I got mad. Then we had sex. Two separate events.”
She shrugs. “If you say so. I just want to make sure you’re safe. If you feel safe, and you feel like you can keep working for him, then by all means. I’m not going to get in the way of you and some hot, forbidden office sex.”
“But you still think it’s a bad idea,” I remind her.
“Oh, I think it’s a terrible idea,” she replies, grinning. “I also know that I can’t talk you out of something once you’ve made up your mind. And you’ve made up your mind to stay. I can tell. I’m not going to stand in the way of that.”
Maya and I finish brunch and then we part ways so she can get to her shift at the hospital.
By the time we say goodbye, I know I’ll be going back to work in the morning. Being with Maya cleared my head, and it made me realize how much I’d missed the office. I hated being away from my desk, away from my calendar. Despite everything, I worried about how Dominic was getting along without me.
So the next morning, I wake up before my alarm again. I get dressed and put on my makeup. It takes me longer than usual, though, because I’m second-guessing every decision. Does this dress look like it’s trying too hard? Does this lipstick say fuck me on top of your desk?
When I’m finally ready, I straighten my shoulders and leave, feeling like I’m walking into battle.
10
DOMINIC
When Sofia calls out sick the morning after we hook up, I’m certain I’ll never see her again. Nina, my CFO’s second assistant, sits at her desk when I arrive, spine straight, hands folded in front of her like she’s waiting for permission to move.
“Ms. Bellini emailed a little while ago,” she says before I can ask. “She’s not feeling well, but should be back tomorrow. Monday at the latest. Miss Turner asked me to cover her desk today.”
I nod and head into my office without a word. She rises and follows me timidly.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” she asks in a quiet voice.
“Forward me Sofia’s email,” I tell her.
“Of course, sir,” she says dutifully.
She lingers in the doorway, uncertain, like she’s waiting for another order. I’m sure she’s good at her job, but she and I have never worked together, and she’s frozen stiff. Sofia wouldn’t need me to tell her what comes next. Nina needs direction.