Page 28 of A Good Girl's Guide to Dominance
Still reeling from the break-neck-pace of it all, I find my way to my desk and drop into my chair. There is so much going on I can barely wrap my mind around the sum of it. After telling Rome that I’m a submissive and to stop staring, he turns up thedial and intensifies his gaze. Then he picks me for the pitch on the spot. My god, he is impossible to read, and I’m left floating adrift with a strange new sense of desire for him and frustration at the lack of answers. But does it even matter anymore? I’m pitching Sandcastle to Nix Malone and aiming to reel in the biggest account this company has ever had. I acknowledge how important and monumental that is, and I wish I could say that I did it all on my own, but Rome was the one who selected my pitch. As much as I made it happen, so did he.
“How did it go?” Jeremiah’s voice slices through my thoughts. I look up at him, and he winces at the sight of my facial expression. “Damn. You didn't get it? That’s alright. You didn't want to have to talk to Nix Malone’s criminal ass anyway. And fuck Rome for not choosing you. That pitch was great, and if he can't see that, he’s dumb as fuck. Beautiful … but dumb as fuck.”
My frown slowly shifts into a thin smile. “I appreciate that you're ready to have my back at the drop of a dime, but that’s not it. I actually did get it.”
Jeremiah’s eyes light up. “What? You got it?”
“I got it.”
Jeremiah runs into the room, whirls around my desk and wraps his arms around me from behind, squeezing my shoulders like a bear.
“I knew you would get it!” he exclaims proudly. “I’m so proud of you … ofus. We killed that pitch, and I knew you would deliver it like the fucking boss you are. Yes, Nia! Represent, girl!”
I laugh as he takes a step back and forces me to give him a high five, my smile fully developed now. This is why I love my friends.
“Okay, so tell me all about it,” he says, finally moving to the front of my desk and sitting down in a chair. “How were the other pitches? Trash, I’m sure.”
“Well,” I start, already shaking my head from how crazy the story is. “Simon went first, and he was a train wreck—couldn'tget his thoughts together, was sweaty, stammering, and just didn't seem well-prepared. Rome looked like he was ready to have him thrown out of the building the second he was done.”
Jeremiah laughs. “Good. That's what that little brown nose gets. Okay, who went next, and did they do better than Simon’s sweaty ass?”
“I was next,” I reply behind a laugh. “I delivered it exactly how we planned, making sure to pitch directly to Rome and Sierra, and when I was finished, Rome said he didn't need to hear anything else. He chose me to pitch to Nix right there on the spot, then he got up to leave. Sierra tried to remind him that there were three more presentations, but he didn't care. He picked me and left. That’s it. End of story.”
Jeremiah’s eyes bulge. “Are you serious? I know it was good, but damn. He chose not to listen to the others? Girl … now you know.”
“Don't even start,” I cut in quickly before the rest of his words can make me even more confused and flustered. “He said he couldn't have come up with a better pitch himself, so let’s not make it seem like he picked me because he's into me.”
“I mean … if you say so.”
“I do say so. You just said that we killed the setup, so don't try to take it back now. Plus, I don't need you thinking that when it already felt like Sierra was thinking it. She was pissed about Rome’s quick decision and looked at me like it was my fault.”
Jeremiah turns his head to the side, looking at something I can't see from my desk.
“Oh, for real?” he asks. “Could that be the reason she’s speed-walking toward your office right now?”
“What?” I respond, but before he can answer, Sierra is standing in my doorway, her face still stiff from the meeting.
“I need to talk to you,” she demands before looking down at Jeremiah. “Alone.”
My friend doesn't hesitate to jump up and exit the room. The second he’s gone, Sierra steps close to my desk, placing both hands on it and leaning forward.
“Exactly what the hell is going on here?” she asks. The VP of Sandcastle stares daggers into my soul, making me feel wounded without any physical pain.
“I don't know what you're talking about,” I reply.
“You think I'm blind?” she goes on, even madder now. “I was sitting right next to you, Nia. I saw the way you were staring at Rome. The two of you couldn't have been more obvious, which means the situation couldn't be more clear.”
“What situation?”
“You're trying to fuck the new boss.”
My mouth drops to the floor. “What the hell? Have you lost your mind? I’m not trying to fuck anybody.”
“Bullshit,” she snaps. “You're giving him “Come fuck me” eyes, and then he chooses you without listening to the three other pitches that could potentially have been better, and he does so without consulting me. I’m the goddamn VP of marketing, and you two are making moves behind my back. I don't think so. And I bet you think I don't see the bigger picture.”
“Bigger picture? Sierra, you're way out of line,” I reply, which is far less confrontational than the words I wish I could say.
“Am I? Is it out of line to say that I know you want my job?” she asks, shooting the words at me like an accusatory revolver.
