Page 54 of Pressure

It was something she'd wanted to do since high school. Computer tech and software programming was such a male dominated sector and she wanted to even the playing field a little.

Lance smiled. "So same dream. That's good to know. What if I said I wanted you back at Moss Tech?"

Marissa shook her head. "Is it such a good idea for us to be working together?"

He held up his hand. "We wouldn't exactly be working together. I want to help you open your own place. I just want you to do it under the umbrella of Moss Tech. I've got some outstanding women in mind who would really benefit from working under someone like you."

Marissa lifted an eyebrow. "So, you don't just want me to work for you. You want to go into business with me? What does that do for our relationship?"

Lance leaned forward and sipped his wine. "We worked so well together before, Riss. Let's do it again. Just better this time. We'll both be cautious because of our past and that's to be expected, but I think that will ultimately strengthen us as a team."

She noticed he didn't exactly answer her question about their relationship. Was he not intending to pursue her romantically after this?

She wasn't sure how she felt about that.

"I think it's important to talk about our relationship first," she said.

Lance sighed. "On the plane, Riss. I don't want to fight with you in public."

"You know we're going to fight on the plane but you're sitting here offering me a job?"

Lance cleared his throat. "Riss, please. I want both, OK. I want you in my bed and I want you back at my company. But if I can't have both I at least want you working with me again."

At least he didn't say for me.

The fact that he would choose working with her over fucking her should have been offensive, but she found it oddly encouraging.

"OK. We'll talk on the plane then. I do have my heart set on owning my own company, though."

He smiled. "I know. And you will. I have complete faith in you."

“So, are you doing anything cool at Moss Tech lately? I admit I have a habit of skipping articles that mention you on the tech blogs I read.

“I should be hurt,” he said with a wink. “Actually, I’m working on a quantum data storage solution using the imperfections in lab produced diamonds.”

She rubbed her palms together. “I’ve heard about this. It sounds so fascinating. Are you specifically using lab produced diamonds because you have a source for them through Patrick and Elijah?”

He nodded. “That and I believe in their goal to greatly reduce the number of mined diamonds in the market.”

For the next few minutes, Marissa listened intently as he regaled her with tales of his experiments with the diamonds. It was all so fascinating.

When their food arrived, they switched gears and talked about new encryption methods for Solitaire's data.

By the time they finished their meal, they had talked in depth about every form of encryption they could potentially use to make Solitaire even safer. It was such an enjoyable conversation, that she'd nearly forgotten about his promise to discuss less pleasant things on the plane. When they were walking up the stairs to the private jet, however, he leaned in behind her and murmured in her ear.

"When we reach cruising altitude and the pilot says it's safe to get up, I want you to go to the bedroom and wait for me. I think we have a few things to discuss."

She bit her lip to keep herself from responding submissively. It amazed and slightly irritated her that she could so quickly slip into that role with him. They did have things to discuss, but she wasn't going to do it on her knees. Not yet, anyway.

"If you think you're going to dominate me into having this conversation with you, you're wrong."

Lance slid a hand into her hair and gave a sharp tug as they approached their seats.

"I think that's exactly what you want me to do, Riss. But no, that's not my intention. I'm moving it to the bedroom because I know how you are about serious conversations in front of strangers, and our flight attendant sits rather close to us. The bedroom will give us privacy."

Her shoulders sagged as he let go of her hair. "Sorry," she murmured.

He sat in his seat and picked up her hand, pressing a kiss to the back of it. "It's fine. I can see where you would think I intended to use our past dynamic against you. We're not in a place to trust each other yet."

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