Page 73 of Her Nightshade

What if I turn the tables on him?

Charlie had awakened something in me, something I’d always known I had but had let slide for too long. With Jake, I was only submissive in the bedroom. During his presidency, I was the one who made things work behind the scenes. I kept us on track, handled the fallout from his missteps, and ensured the image he projected to the world stayed intact.

He thrived on being in control, but the truth was, that control only extended as far as I allowed it. Everywhere else, I had the reins, guiding us through every storm, every crisis, every carefully orchestrated appearance.

That’s why he needed to have power in the bedroom. Because everywhere else, it was mine. He craved that dominance, that feeling of control I didn’t give him in the rest of our lives. So, I let him have it there. I gave it to him, convincing myself it was a small sacrifice to keep the balance.

But now, I could see how much it had fed him. It had become the foundation of his arrogance, his need to dominate, and his ability to manipulate. And now, stripped of his title, his influence, and the adoration he once commanded, he clung to that control with a new, dangerous intensity.

This wasn’t the Jake I knew before. This was someone else—unhinged, menacing, desperate. His newfound madness made him reckless, but it also made him vulnerable.

So what if I twisted it?

Jake had always been sure of himself, convinced of his power over me. But this need to prove he was still in control was something I could exploit.

If I challenged him in ways he wouldn’t expect, I could unravel him. I could use his desperation against him. Make him question the very power he thought he still held.

This time, I wouldn’t give him what he wanted. This time, I’d take the control I’d once given away—and use it to make him fall apart.

I sat up slowly, watching Jake’s chest rise and fall as he slept. My hands trembled, though I clenched them tightly to still the shaking. This had to work. I had to find a way to regain control.

You’ve done this before.You’ve taken control with Charlie. You can do it again.

I took a deep breath and crawled onto him, straddling him. The mattress shifted under my weight, and Jake stirred slightly, his brow furrowing as his eyes fluttered open.

His lips curled into a slow, lazy smirk as he took in the sight of me. “What’s this?” he murmured.

I leaned forward, resting my hands on his chest to keep him pinned down. “This is me taking the lead,” I said, my voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in my chest. “Things are going to be different now, Jake. If we’re going to make this work, you’re going to give me whatIwant.”

His smirk faltered, replaced by a flicker of confusion. “What are you talking about?”

“I’ve always let you have control,” I continued. “I gave you that because it’s what you needed. But now it’s my turn. You’re going to letmetake control.”

For a moment, he didn’t move, his expression a mix of surprise and disbelief. I could see the wheels turning in his head, his usual arrogance faltering as he processed my words.

“And what makes you think I’ll do that?” he asked with skepticism.

I leaned closer, letting my lips hover just above his. “Because you don’t have a choice.”

Jake’s smirk returned, but it was weaker now, less certain. “You’re serious.”

“Dead serious,” I said, my voice unwavering.

I pressed my weight into him, holding him in place. “Stay,” I commanded softly, and to my surprise, he obeyed.

For a moment, I thought I had him. His breathing quickened and his pupils dilated as he stared up at me. I felt his cock hardening beneath me and I slightly swayed my hips, urging him on.

“See?” I murmured, letting my lips graze his jaw. “It’s not so bad, is it? Letting someone else take control.”

He swallowed hard, his body relaxing beneath me. I could feel the tension melting away, the cracks in his arrogance widening.

I’ve got him.A flicker of triumph sparked in my chest.

But then his hands shot up, gripping my hips tightly as he flipped us over in one sharp motion.

I gasped as my back hit the mattress, Jake looming over me now, his smirk back in full force. “You really thought that would work?” he asked, his tone full of mockery.

“Jake—” I started, but he cut me off, grabbing my wrists and pinning them above my head.

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