Page 78 of Hidden

When she stopped talking, Peter had removed his sunglasses and was staring at her as if she had grown a second head.

“Wow. This losing your assignment thing really has you messed up doesn’t it, little one?”

“Maybe. I’m just antsy, and I need to do something. This is the first time I’ve been in D.C. for longer than two weeks. I’ve been home for four months. And to make matters worse, Tom told me I need to take the rest of the week off and start full time as Gina’s EP on Monday. Which means sometime before Monday I also have to talk to a company shrink. I hate shrinks.”

His eyebrows drew together, and he stared at her for a moment as he balled up his sandwich wrapper and chucked it in a nearby trashcan.

“Walk with me. I’ve only got a few minutes before I need to get back.” He replaced his sunglasses and offered her his arm.

Accepting it, she fell into step beside him as they made their way down the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

“I want to make you a deal, but I want to be clear that this isn’t meant to pressure you. Say no if you want and there will be no hard feelings. Things can stay just the way they are.”

Intrigued, she nodded and motioned for him to continue.

“Since you’re asking me to do something I wouldn’t normally do, I want to ask you to do the same.”

Carrie blinked. “Something I wouldn’t normally do? Like what?”

“Try being my submissive. Just for a few days. Maybe during your time off. I can make it less boring for you.”

Her head shook.

“We said we were going to talk about it,” he pointed out.

That was true but talking was not the same as doing. Still, it was only fair to hear him out.

“Keep going,” she urged.

“We can negotiate as much as you want, but I’m asking for at least one full day of complete submission within whatever boundaries we set.”

“And in exchange, what do I get?”

“Whatever crazy adventure you pick for me.”

Carrie looked up at him. “Somehow, I think you’re getting the better end of the deal.”

He shrugged and flashed her an unapologetic grin.

They walked a few more feet before she spoke again. “I might have an issue with this.”

“Only one?” he teased.

Withdrawing her hand from the crook of his elbow, she smacked him on the shoulder.

“I’m serious. We’ve only tangentially talked about our play styles and I’ve only ever really watched you be dominant with Darci. It was hot but that could be because she was eating me. How do we know we’re even going to jive in that department?”

“You can talk to some of the people I’ve played with at Gage’s house.”

“I’m sure Evie would have glowing things to say,” she said dryly.

Peter laughed and put her hand back through his arm so they could continue walking. “Fair enough. Talk to Edith. She likes to gab. I’ll tell her she can talk to you about whatever she wants. Not that she needs my permission to gossip.”

“I’ll tell her you said that.” Carrie winked. “If I agree, what are my limits on the adventure I plan for us?”

He held up a hand and counted off a list using his fingers. “I’m not getting a tattoo, I’m not eating weird shit, and I’m not dying, cutting, or otherwise altering my hair.”

She grinned. There was a lot she could do with that.

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