Page 48 of Emergence and Ascendance

"Is that your safe word? You elected not to have one last night."

"Christian…" My voice spiked but I pressed my thighs together because I was incredibly turned on.

He only chuckled.

"This is crazy."

"No, it's an offer. Your development gets my full support. The community gets the growth you outlined and you get to continue exploring aspects of yourself you clearly are just now discovering."

"And if I refuse?"

"You'll regret missing out on the best sex of your life."

The smile he flashed was so damn cocky. "Tell me you haven't thought about it."

I couldn't lie and be convincing because my body would drive the reaction. My body that was currently remembering the way Christian had handled it last night.

"Thinking and doing are two very different things."

"They are but you want both." He turned and lifted the steaks, placing them on our plates, and I took several massive gulps of my wine.

My face blazed with the reality he presented. I did want both but…

"That's blackmail."

"I'm not withholding anything. I'm presenting you with an option; that's negotiation. You're damn sure free to say no."

But he knows I won't…

"And lose your help with the project."

"You don't need my help which you clearly stated. Having me on your side would just make it easier to get what you want."

"What if people found out?"

"About which part?"

"Either. Both."

They won't respect that I did this if Christian's name is attached nor would they respect me as a businesswoman if they knew I was in a submissive contract with him.

"They won't. What happens at Erogenous stays there unless you plan on sharing what we do and I damn sure hope you won't. I prefer to keep my time there private."

"And the business arrangement?"

"A consultant agreement. There's nothing unusual about that."

"Why are you really doing this?"

"Because I want you, and even if you're not openly willing to admit it, you want me too."

Shit. Am I that transparent?

"Are you worried about mixing business with pleasure?" he asked.

"Aren't you?"

"No. I'm good at compartmentalizing and the boundaries outlined in the contract protect us both."

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