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“I want you in mine too.”

With that confession between us, we continued dancing, moving together slowly around the room. Where our words were silent, the feel of our bodies and the music binding us together echoed.

When we did tell everyone, I knew it might initially make things tougher. But whatever came our way, I was ready. It was hard to see past what was in front of us, but dreaming about it helped. “I want to win Ellen over outside of the meeting room,” I said. “Since she's your best friend.”

Pepper made a noise. “She may not like you at first.”

“That's fine,” I said. “I’ll win her over. Who else do I have to win over?”

“Dan. Tommy's husband.”

“I can do that,” I said. “Easy. I know Tommy likes me.”

“He likes you for the company—it may take a little longer to win him over otherwise. He's known me for a really long time, and he still thinks of me as prudish and perfect,” she said.

“Well, if he's known you for a long time, he should know that you're full of surprises.”

She smiled against my chest. “You're right. I plan to talk to him soon, but things have been a little tense. And unfortunately, I just don’t think you and I are good at hiding things.”

We certainly weren’t. “It'll be worth it.”

I believed it would be. But then again, maybe I was being selfish. I knew that our personal relationship wasn't necessarily influencing our business relationship, but I didn't want either one of us to feel obligated to work together in that way.

“Are you sure you want me?” I asked.

Pepper’s head snapped up, her gaze meeting mine. “Of course I want you. Have I made you doubt that?”

“I just worry that you feel like you have to give me a chance with your record label because you… like me.”

She shook her head. “I believe in your music. I think that you are talented, and that you’re exactly what we’re looking for. And none of that has anything to do with how much I like you. I would've taken you on even if there wasn't anything between us.”

I could hear the difference when she slipped into business mode. And maybe that helped me believe her.

Her gaze melted from cold to dreamy. “I promise you that whatever happens between us, Rosethorn will still be good for you.”

I believed her.

I just hoped that I could always be good for her, too.

THIRTY-SEVEN

SALT

“Are you ready?”

“Yes,” she whispered.

I held my hand over Pepper’s eyes as I guided her through the door to the garage. Cushioned tiles interlocked across the floor, which would keep both of us from hurting ourselves on the concrete. Above it was a rig for suspension. I’d picked out ropes and had a bag full of toys to surprise her with.

I knewexactlywhat I wanted to do to her.

Pepper’s breath caught as I revealed it all to her. Her body nearly vibrated with excitement and anticipation. After a good night’s sleep and an even better breakfast, we were ready for a different kind of activity.

“Is that for tying me up?” she asked.

“Yes,” I said. “I want to tie you up and suspend you in the air and fuck you. I have other plans too, but I want them to be a surprise. If you want me to tell you—I will, of course.”

“No,” she said. “I want to be surprised. I like that.”

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