Page 49 of Dirty Little Secrets
“Leave.”
“Only a fool allows history to repeat itself,” Javier mutters, offering Emery a flat smile before exiting the office. “Enjoy your first day, Miss Jones.”
“You look tense,” Emery notes, picking up her tablet and notebook. “Is it the ball? If it’ll make it easier for you, I can ask Miranda to take my place. She seemed rather eager to go.”
Itwouldmake it easier. If she didn’t go, I wouldn’t have to worry about Quinton cornering Emery the first chance he got. But if I don’t bring her, it’ll make me look insecure. I’d rather walk in with her on my arm and show him that I’m not a weak and fearful man. Easy is not an option.
“IfIhave to attend a Marquis event, so do you,” I say, gesturing out of the boardroom. “Let me show you to your office.”
“I think you give him too much power over you,” Emery muses brazenly. “Even his name causes you to tense up. I get that you have a…complicatedpast, but if you react every time he eggs you on, you’re giving him exactly what he wants.” I stiffen, pushing down the unease building in my chest. Emery offers me a soft smile, brushing her hand against mine as we enter her office. Accident or not, I find my shoulders relaxing. “It’s just an observation. Take it with a grain of salt.”
“I find…” I swallow, my tie feeling like a snake around my throat as I cross my arms. “I find it rather difficult to keep my emotions in check around him.” Bridge. Build a fucking bridge. “Especially when I’m with you.”
“I know,” Emery says, setting her onboarding documents on her desk. She props up against the edge, crossing her legs, my roaming gaze following the mid-length split of her iridescent navy pencil skirt. “You think he’s going to steal me from you, right? Like some sort of payback?”
I remain tight-lipped. Fuck, how transparent can I be?
She sighs. “Do you realize how offensive your fear is?” She pushes herself off the desk, hips swaying side to side like a hypnotizing pendulum. My lips part slightly, arms dropping to the side in surrender as she stops in front of me. “I am not some keepsake or heirloom. I am not a piece of intellectual property or a confidential file.” She lifts her hand, feathering her fingers along my jawline. My breaths turn heavy as shewhispers, “If Quin somehowstealsme, Mr. Cavanaugh, it will be because Iwantto be stolen.”
“And do you?” I ask, voice hoarse and rough as I lean into her palm, barely able to keep my eyes open as she caresses my cheek. “Do you want to be stolen?”
“No.” My eyes flutter open when I no longer feel her skin against mine. Emery turns around, collecting a document off her desk. Pinching the contract with two fingers, she tilts her head, giving me a daring smile. “Before you get too excited, I didn’t sign all of it.”
I frown. “What do you mean?”
She nods at the loveseat tucked in the corner of her office. We both sit. “Now…” She lays the five-page contract on the coffee table, flipping to the first page. “This is the NDA. I’ve signed that.” She flips another page, and my skin buzzes. Limits. “I’ve taken the liberty of color coding my preferences.” She looks up at me, cheeks rosy. “Truthfully, the latter half of these…activities…I’ve never even heard of.” She cocks her head. “You’re a bit messed up, aren’t you?”
I smirk. “This is a thorough list, Miss Jones. It’s meant to cover all the bases. It doesn’t mean,” I glance down at her DIY coding chart, “that they’re all green to me either.” I lift a brow, catching DP marked in green. “Starting off strong, Miss Jones. Although, I can’t promise I’ll be willing to share you with another man.”
“Guess we’ll find out sooner or later.” She squirms against the ivory leather couch, clearing her throat before she continues to flip the pages. “I’ve left your sections empty. You can fill them out when you’ve gotsome free time.” I nod. She flips to the last page, the exclusivity clause, which isn’t signed. “Now?—”
“You didn’t sign,” I mumble, brows furrowed. “Why?”
“Because I’d like to amend it,” she says, chin held high. “This section stipulates that yourdominanceextends past the club, that punishment and reward are not confined to the playrooms, and I…” She licks her lips. “I’m not ready to give up that much control over my life. But,” she turns the page over, and I smile at a revised version which is signed at the bottom. “Within the club, I agree to your terms.”
“I guess we’ll have to move into the club,” I say, flashing her a sly grin. “Or maybe I’ll just buy the entire building.”
She rolls her eyes. Something that, if she had signed the original contract, would be just cause for a spanking. “I wouldn’t hold it past you.”
“Good,” I say, reaching for a pen in my breast pocket. “I must say, Miss Jones, this might be the first contract I’ve ever signed that’s been amended to benefit the other party.” With a satisfied sigh, I sign every page of the contract, dropping the pen when I’m finished. “Well then, I suppose I’ll need to buy you a ring.”
Emery blinks. “A ring?”
I smirk. “Or would you prefer a collar?”
She frowns. “A collar?”
“Yes, Miss Jones,” I rasp. “You’ll need to wear something to show everyone that you’re mine.” I cock my head, licking my lips as I grab the base of her throat. “Acollar would suit you well, I think.” Dragging my hand down her neck, I pick up her right hand, bringing it to my lips. “Or you can wear a ring.” I kiss her knuckles, peering up at her. “Which will it be?”
“A ring,” she breathes, her hand trembling from the anticipation. “I’d prefer a ring.”
“As you wish.”
I prefer rings as well. They’re never-ending.
THE HEAVY HAND
EMERY
