Page 22 of A Secret and a Lie

When Genevieve walked me to the front doors, she told me that she’d be sending me a new questionnaire, as well as a list of things to research and familiarize myself with. I have forty-eight hours to immerse myself in all things BDSM just as Crawford Enterprises is slated to close on a multi-million-dollar deal.

But before I can dive into anything else, I need to handle Jackson.

The idiot always has shit to say, so when he’s silent for a few beats, I know he’s worried. “How bad? Do you need an extraction?”

“We met at a gala,” I lie, leaving out the part about the bar, as well as what I told Drake: the fact that I like her. I wish I could say that’s changed, but it hasn’t. “I gave her my name, myrealname, Jackson. She knew who I was the moment she walked into the room tonight.”

“Do you think you’re in danger?”

Yes.“No.”

“Do you think she ran the background check?” I’d wrap my fingers around his damn throat right now if this conversation were happening in person.

“Definitely.” There’s no doubt in my mind that she saw the extensive fake identity that was created for this op. My only hope is that I can play it off like I had it created to cover my ass, given my powerful position at Crawford Enterprises, and there’s a chance it’ll work, given our rapport. I tell Jackson as much.

“Fuck, Crawford.” He sighs, sounding more tired than usual.Me too, asshole.“I think pulling you might spook her more. When do you get together again?”

“Two days.”

“Can you fix this? Are you comfortable seeing her again?”

That’s part of my problem. I’m entirely at ease with this woman, unburdened and weightless. I want her: in my bed, in my life, at my side. It’s terrifying for so many reasons, chief of which being that I’m tasked with tossing her tight, sexy ass in prison as soon as I get what I need.

Instead of sharing any of that, I go with a simple, “Yes.”

Genevieve

“Spill,” Corinne orders, sliding into the chair opposite my desk the next afternoon, crossing her legs and arching her eyebrow expectantly.

I incline my head, and she holds up a hand. “Don’t you dare try to pretend like you don’t know what I’m talking about. Wearegoing to talk about your new client and the fact that he’s sex on legs.”

A giggle tumbles from my lips for a moment before I sober and explain, “He’s the guy from the bar. I ran into him at the gala with Julien, too. He obviously didn’t know who Allison was until I walked into that room.”

Her brown eyes round wider before she shakes her head, clearing her expression. “He’s not a sub, is he? When I told him that you preferred to meet your submissives on their knees, he looked at me like he’d rather be hit by a car than fall to the floor.”

“I think that’s true. He’s as dominant as they come.”

“But you’re taking him on as a client? I saw him on your calendar for tomorrow night.”

I sigh, tilting my head back to stare at the bright white ceiling before admiring the black and gray toile wallpaper, then finally meeting her eye. “I agreed to teach him to be a Dom.”

I told myself that there’s no harm in giving him a crash course.After all, the world could use more good Doms, the kind that don’t treat their subs the way I was treated.

Ultimately, it’s just a few lessons. What’s the worst that could happen? It’s not like I’m going to fall in love with the man. I don’t do that shit. It’s essentially risk-free for me.Right?

My insides twist with unrest, but I ignore the coiling alarm blaring in the pit of my stomach.

“Speaking of Superman, do you think you could schedule a meeting for me with Sloane? I’d like to discuss if she’d be willing to join our lessons.”

“Superman, huh?” she teases, her small, pouty mouth hitching in a grin. “You’re really going to teach him?”

I shrug. Why not? It can’t hurt, but it might help, or at least that’s what I’m reminding myself.

“You’re going to teach him so he can do what? Play with someone else?Or you?”

“He can’t play with me,” I reply, my voice thick.Not even if I want him to.

“And why not?” she challenges, lifting her chin defiantly. If she were my sub, I’d whip her for that insubordination, but she’s not. She’s simply my friend, trying to push me for my own betterment.