Page 92 of Corporate Escapades

“No. That’s just the beginning. He began to text and call me, but I didn’t take his messages. He felt frustrated and lost his temper. I didn’t want to care, but something was gnawing at me and causing my brain to itch. For three months, I acted as if nothing had happened. I could tell the situation was driving him crazy. If I didn’t acknowledge him, it was as if I was telling him he had made it up in his mind. The silence had become maddening.”

“I’m sure it was,” mused Paris. “So, what happened next?”

“One night, after another event, Cristo left a depressed message on my phone saying my reaction saddened him. He told me he was miserable and worried that he had hurt me. He didn’t understand why I was acting like that evening never happened and that he, at the very least, deserved a reason for the turmoil I’d placed upon him.”

Paris nodded. “Why’d you do it?”

“I’m getting there,” replied Mya. “That night, I showed up at his place. When he opened the door, I told him this would have to be a secret if he wanted more. It would be a game between us, and no one else could be the wiser. I had my reputation to protect, and I didn’t want the board snooping around. I alsodidn’t want to allow myself to create anything serious. We were scratching an itch, and he had to agree to my terms, or I would turn around and leave.”

Leaning forward, Paris asked, “Did he agree?”

“He more than agreed. This time, after we had ravaged one another, I told him that this couldn’t progress into anything more than sex. To keep ourselves even further apart, we adopted different roles, and we played them well. Sometimes I was in charge, and he was my slave. Other times, he was the big bad wolf, and I was the innocent sheep.”

“So, basically, you traded roles back and forth regarding who was the dominant and who was the submissive?”

“Yeah. I guess that’s one way of putting it. Anyway, we always had a safe word, and until recently, no one ever used it, and we always enjoyed the game no matter how crazy the scenario.”

“So, you have a crazy sex game going on with Cristo. Is that all? And who used the safe word?”

“Not entirely,” she admitted. Pausing, her face turned red. “I used the safe word to push him away. I think I’ve fallen in love with him.”

“What?” shrieked Paris, “Now, that, I didn’t see coming. I always thought you might have a sick and twisted side somewhere within that perfectly composed package of yours, but in love with Cristo? How’d you let that happen?”

“It turns out he appears to be as sick and twisted as me.”

“Well, as long as you have your safe word and you respect each other’s boundaries, I say, have fun.”

“Thanks,” replied Mya. “So, what do I do about this? Do I end it with him, or do I pursue something more? How will the board react?”

“I think you do what makes you happy. The board loves you both. If you want to be with him, tell him. Maybe go on an actual date together?”

“But he’s not my type, and he’s nearly twice my age,” complained Mya.

“Who says he’s not your type? Maybe your type isn’t what you perceived it to be?”

“He’s nineteen years older than me, Paris.”

“Mya, if you don’t want to be with him, then don’t, but if you care about him, age doesn’t matter. Don’t be an ageist,” laughed Paris.

“Right, but if he were nineteen years in the other direction, I’d be a pedophile, so I don’t know that ageist is a proper term in this type of situation.”

“You know I was kidding, and clearly, I do not condone pedophilia,” stated Paris. “All I’m saying is that if you care about him and he feels the same, why not try it?”

“What if it really is sex and nothing more?”

“Then your dates will be awkward, and you’ll figure it out and move on.”

Mya let out another deep sigh. “I guess you’re right.”

“I know I am, so why don’t you shoot that man a message and tell him you need to talk?”

“Tonight?” asked Mya. Paris nodded. “I thought you didn’t want to be alone?”

“I don’t. He’s out of town until tomorrow, remember?”

“Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. I’m a little nervous,” replied Mya. “What if it ruins what we have?”

“I shouldn’t be one to speak, but don’t you know friends with benefits never work? Someone always falls in love. How can you not with the regular intimacy you’re sharing?”

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