Page 18 of A Good Girl's Guide to Dominance
I sigh and roll my eyes. “I’m notpersonally bothered. I just don't like the way he talks to people, or how he looks at me.”
“Looks at you? Oh, wait. Is he a perv?”
“No, it’s not likethat,” I try to explain, but the words won't align right inside my head. “He just … he has this way of looking at me that … fuck, I don't even know.”
Jeremiah’s eyebrows rise so high I think they’ll float off his face.
“Oh, youlikeit,” he says.
My brows nearly touch from furrowing so hard. “What? No I don't. I hate it.”
“But do you, though? You might be able to lie to anybody else in this building, but don't forget that I know you, girl. I knowexactlywhat you're into, so don't play. He's so fine that you're feeling some type of way when he stares at you, huh?”
I roll my eyes again, harder this time to really be convincing. “Oh my god, shut up. Okay, yes he is gorgeous—annoyingly, breathtakingly, frustratingly gorgeous—but that doesn't mean anything. He’s my boss, and I had a great time with Marcus at King’s Cage last night. So, you can just chill with all of that. I don't like being stared at, I don't like being put on blast, I don't like the idea of crafting a pitch to work with a criminal, and I don't likeRome. If I’m feeling any type of way, it is all of those things rolled together. Got it?”
“I got it,” a voice replies, but it’s not Jeremiah’s. I look down at him and realize he’s staring blankly over my shoulder.
My heart beats like a military drum as I slowly turn around and let out a quiet groan as I come face to face with Rome.
His light brown eyes connect with mine once again, sucking the air from my lungs and putting me right back in the sauna.
“Mr. … Rome,” I stammer like a complete idiot who is definitely about to be fired.
“Mr. Rome? That’s a new one, but Rome will do just fine,” he says calmly—toocalmly. He’s absolutely about to fire me.
“Rome … umm … what’s up?” I ask, doing my best to play it all off and hoping he didn't hear any of what I just said.
“Oh, nothing much,” he answers. “Just standing here listening to you. You have quite a lot of feelings about me … and the meeting we just had.”
Fuck. That’s it. It’s over. I just ruined my career over a sharp gaze and Nix Malone.
“Oh my god. Rome, I’m so sorry,” I say with as much sincerity as I can muster.
Rome raises a hand. “No, there’s no need to apologize. I could tell you were frustrated in the meeting so I came to make sure you were okay. Clearly you're still upset, which is unfortunate. However, it’s important that you remember what I said back there. If my idea about Golden Diamond doesn't pan out, it’s not on you. If I’m wrong about Nix Malone, that’s not on you either. This ismyplan, and it’s your job to buckle up and go along for the ride the CMO puts you on. So, there’s no need to be so affected by it. You voiced your opinion and feelings to me in front of everyone—which I admire—now all you can do is go along with it. It’s not personal, so let’s not make it seem that way. Okay?”
I hesitate a moment, waiting for the other shoe to drop and for Rome to laugh as he loudly terminates my employment right here in front of Jeremiah. But he doesn't. He just stands there, waiting for me to answer him.
“Okay,” I reply softly. “Thanks for your understanding.”
“You’re welcome,” he says. “Thanks for your honesty in the meeting. However, it’s also important that you know I don't like being talked about behind my back. I know I’m the boss, plus I’m literally the new guy here, so it’s bound to happen. But I don't like it. If you have something you want to say to me, come say it, just like you did in the meeting. Just remember what I told youabout me being the boss. In fact, let’s make sure you don't forget it. Now tell me, Nia, who is in charge?”
I swallow hard, mortification gripping me by the throat. “Y … you are.”
He nods, licking his pink lips. “Say it again.”
Our eyes lock together, and I swear to God, everyone in the bullpen fades away. The walls turn black as all sound disintegrates into nothing. All I can see is him as he stares at me, never once focusing on anything else. So many men have trouble maintaining eye contact, but not Rome. He blinks as though he is unbothered, but he doesn't look away. It’s like I’m the only person in the room to him, and suddenly my embarrassment turns to something else entirely.
“You’re in charge,” I repeat with a shaky breath. My body fizzles like a freshly opened soda, and I'm suddenly ready for him to drink me.
One side of Rome’s mouth pulls up, and I think I’m about to see him smile for the first time, but he pushes it away.
“Good girl,” he says, pulling a gasp from my throat and intensifying the gravity in the room before continuing. “As long as you can remember that, I think we’ll be fine. I also have faith in you, Nia. I think you're going to do great with this pitch, and I very much look forward to hearing what you come up with to land this client. Be as passionate as you clearly are, and you can’t go wrong. I believe in you, so go get it.”
“Yes … uhh … thank you,” I stutter, totally shocked and disoriented by how all of this just went down.
Rome performs his signature head nod and turns on his heel, walking away without looking back.
I stand there for a moment in complete disbelief. The carbonation of my insides slowly fades away as I stare at the ground, shaking my head before turning around to seeJeremiah’s astounded face. His mouth is open, his eyes wide and twinkling like starlight.
