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Julianna looks at me as if I’ve asked a ridiculous question. “As long as we find it mutually beneficial.”

So, until she gets tired of me, or I get tired of being her fuck buddy. How long could that take? She’ll probably get tired of me before I tire of her.

“I promise to make it worth your while,” she says. “I wish we could get started right now, Alessa. Say the word and I’ll whisk you away to one of my rooms. Yet we’ll have to wait.” She brings up a digital planner on her huge monitor. Even from halfway across the room, I see the details of meetings and events coming up. Including one tonight. “You will accompany me to a small party being held in honor of a friend’s retirement this evening.”

“I will?”

“Yes, but first, you need to go down to HR and take care of some paperwork. You’re no longer an intern, Miss Penrose. You’re officially my employee, and there are things to sort out with them.” Before I can respond, she continues, “Afterward, I’ll be sending you somewhere to get appropriate evening wear for the event. I’m sure you have lovely clothing, but I’ll feel better knowing I bought you something from this year’s trends. There may be photographers.”

Talk about an onslaught of information!

“So, we’re clear…” I stand before her desk, where the wood structure hides my shaking legs from her critical view, “is this like a sugar mama situation, or…?”

She briefly looks away from her monitor and relents from her endless clicking around her schedule. “The thought of me being anyone’s ‘sugar mama’ is a deplorable one.” Julianna pulls open a desk drawer and shows me her address book. “Consider yourself my girlfriend.”

“Your… girlfriend.”

The book flips open. Under P for Penrose, she writes me in between someone named Parker and another called Penstock.“The only people I write in this book are those I consider important enough for me to remember. Considering how you’ve consumed my thoughts these past few days, I suppose it’s safe to assume that you and I are having more than a fling. Things could change. For now, though…” She puts the address book away. “You’re mine.”

I slowly turn to leave, aware that she’s watching my every movement. Those eyes undress me. They fuck me. They leave me wanting more.

I turn back around again.

“So you’re my girlfriend, Ms. Marcon?”

“Julianna.”

“If you’re my girlfriend, I get a kiss whenever I want, yeah?” I round her desk, encroaching on personal, confidential space. She doesn’t flinch. “Can I give you a kiss goodbye?”

“If it pleases you.” Julianna leans back in her chair, skin flexing beneath her suit. I’m a goner.Bye. “And I want you pleased.”

My waist almost topples me over as I bend to kiss her sweet-smelling, ticklish cheek. Her decadent blush dances against my lips.

Her hand shoots up my skirt and squeezes my ass. When I don’t move, she spanks it.

The sharp, sudden pain is more exhilarating than the kiss from earlier. “Madam,” I whisper. The word is as effortless as my desire for her.

Julianna’s hand remains on my ass, tending it with vigor. “You do unprecedented things to me, Alessa. Let’s see where this goes. Perhaps we’ll both be surprised.”

I kiss her again, initiating the moment as if it’s something I’ve done a dozen times before.

She lets me. She tips her head back against her tall, regal chair and lets me kiss her as if I have every right to do so.

Julianna wants to talk about me doing unprecedented things to her? Maybe she should take a look in the mirror!

“Now, go. HR is expecting you. Take the rest of the afternoon off to get ready for tonight’s party. I’ll arrange transportation for you.”

The first thing I encounter in the central office is a sea of curious faces, including Vern’s. And Cher’s. And Courtney’s.

And Presley Bradford’s, who is standing outside her office door. I’m not halfway across the silent room before Julianna’s business partner slaps aDo Not Disturbnotice on my girlfriend’s office door and enters without invitation.

“Wanna share what’s going on?” Cher asks me before I hop into the elevator.

“I have to go see HR.”

A brief look of satisfaction covers her jealous face. “Sorry to see you go, hon.”

“Yeah. Ms. Marcon is sort of my girlfriend, I guess. Gotta get that taken care of.”