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We’d managed to make it through the rest of the meeting in a professional way. It helped that Kendra and Lee had a lot of ideas they wanted to pitch for cementing his image and marketing him to the broader public.

Before I could text him back, Ellen stormed into my office. She shut the door and spun around, planting her hands on her hips. “What thefuckwas that?” Ellen asked.

“What was what?” I whispered.

“You know exactly what,” she said, crossing the office to my desk. “What is going on? That kid looked like he wanted toeatyou.”

“He’s not a kid,” I protested.

Her brows shot up. “Oh. Okay, I see. So what, all rules are off the table now? Sleeping with a potential client is crazy.”

“We—”

“Don’t you try to lie to me,” she hissed. “I know you, Pepper.I know you.Is this the stranger you told me fucked your brains out a couple weeks ago?”

I couldn’t say anything. All I could think about was the fact that Salt had texted me a command, and I hadn’t obeyed him yet. That would get me in trouble, right?

“I’m not talking about this here,” I said.

“He’s too young for you.”

“He’s an adult,” I argued. “I’m an adult. We’re doing adult things.”

“He’s aclient,” she growled. She closed her eyes for a moment before looking at me, pleading with me. “For fuck’s sake, Pepper. What are you thinking?”

“I’m thinking this is the first time anyone has ever wanted me,” I whispered.

Ellen paused, and then her shoulders deflated. “Honey, that’s not true.”

“It is true,” I said. “We’re doing things I’ve never done before. Things I’ve always wanted to try. And I didn’t plan for any of this to happen, but it did.”

“But you could be his boss now,” she said gently. “You can’t keep doing this with him. It jeopardizes you, your career, your company, and his career too.”

“Jeff fucked an intern and got her pregnant,” I seethed.

“But you’re not Jeff.” She sighed, her expression turning grim. “Clearly. Everyone is fed up with him. But that’s a whole other problem that doesn’t matter right now. The industry will eat you alive if it gets out that you signed a client you’re sleeping with.”

“Well, you’re the only one that knows.”

“But not that only one that suspects. Because everyone haseyeballs, Pep, and the way that beast was just looking at you? Like he wanted to devour you? That is not the kind of man that will fall in love. He’s the kind that will corrode every single part of you away until there’s nothing left but him.”

“You don’t know him,” I said simply. “You don’t.”

“You’re right. But I do know you,” she said. “And I care about you. I’m always here for you. And what are you imagining will happen? That a twenty-five-year-old will put his entire career aside for a middle-aged woman he has kinky sex with? He’s getting his dick wet, and you’re losing your fucking mind over it like some fresh out of high school virgin.”

“Stop,” I snapped. “I’m done with this conversation. I can’t do this right now. I can’t, Ellen. Please don’t tell anyone.”

“I’d never tell anyone,” she scoffed. She threw up her hands. “I knew something was going on the last few weeks, but you weren’t telling me. Why didn’t you?”

“Because I knew you’d judge me.”

“I’m not judging you.” She came closer to the desk and leaned down, making me look up at her. “I am not judging you. I am worried about you. I am worried about you being fooled by another dumbass man. I just want the best for you. I just want you to make good decisions.”

“I’m tired of making good decisions.”

Ellen pressed her lips together, clearly wanting to say more, but biting her tongue instead. “I’m here for you, no matter what. I just hope you know what you’re getting into.”

“I do,” I muttered, looking away.

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