Page 66 of Emergence and Ascendance

"What?" Her high pitched squeal made me pull the phone away from my ear. "Scotlyn Whitney, your ass better explain yourself immediately."

I told her everything, and by the time I finished, Tezni was damn near hyperventilating through her laughs

"So you’re living with a sexy-as-hell millionaire who wants to dominate you in his personal playroom while also helping you get that property you want and you're calling me to complain?"

"First of all, I’m a millionaire too, hoe. Which you know and I'm calling to ask if I've completely lost my mind."

"Oh, absolutely you have and I couldn't be more proud."

I groaned. "Tez, be serious."

"I am being serious. Look, you spent most of your marriage following rules and being the perfect Whitney. Then you found out it was all bullshit. Why not do something wild and completely for yourself?"

"Because it's reckless?"

"So what? Life is short, girl. You deserve some recklessness."

I glanced around the study then thought about Christian's playroom just down the hall. "It feels like I'm jumping off a cliff without a safety net."

"Sometimes that's exactly what you need. Besides, you said there's a contract. Everything's consensual. You can walk away."

"It's not that simple."

"Yeah, it really is, friend." Her voice softened. "What are you really worried about?"

I hesitated. "That I'll like it too much and get attached."

"To the sex or to him?"

"Both," I admitted. "The way he looks at me..."

"Like he wants to devour you?"

"Like he sees me. Not Scotlyn Whitney of Whitney Developments. Just me."

Every other man in my life saw access and benefits. Even the man I’d thought married me because he loved me, so this was hard to accept.

"And that scares you."

"Terrifies me."

"Good."

"How is that good?"

"Because you've been detached since the divorce. Scared means you're open to feeling something and that’s exactly what you need."

I sighed and leaned back in the chair. "I don’t trust myself and I damn sure don’t trust you."

"Listening to me means happy Scotty and happy kitty."

I laughed then sank into the leather chair. "I'm listening now. Tell me what to do."

"Hell no. This is all you. But if you're asking if I think you should stay, then yes. A thousand times yes. Live a little, Scot."

"While letting him control me?"

"While exploring what you want. Wasn't that the whole point of going to Erogenous?"

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