Page 18

Carol waves her hand higher. “Yes, Carol?”

“Are we actually fishing in the mornings?” she asks, her voice starting out soft but then getting louder as she gains confidence. “I was up at five this morning, and no one was there.”

Crap.

“Um…Canyon? I’ll let you take this one.”

I stand and paste a smile on my face. “Sorry, Carol. I’ll post a sign-up. But people will need to decide the night before, so I know ahead of time.”

“Or you could just be there?—”

“Thank you for the wonderful suggestion, Carol,” I say, utilizing my inner Alex. “I won’t be doing that, but I really appreciate your input.”

Her mouth drops open and lines appear on her forehead as she decides whether I’ve insulted her or not.

“Anyone else?” Ander glances around the room. “No? Then let’s meet in the picnic area in fifteen minutes.”

Ander leads the goal-setting and brainstorming sessions, and by the end, the groups are talking animatedly. He moves from group to group, checking on their progress, stopping to make a comment or give an encouraging word. He doesn’t glower, yell, or swear once. Huh.

He shakes his head at something Al says, a grin on his face as he walks over to me.

“It seems to be going well.”

His gaze moves over the group. “Yeah. They’re all great managers in their own way. Well, George is not really a people person.” He laughs.

“I noticed.”

He looks at me, and it’s like he’s waiting for something. “Wade is on his way back.”

“Great.” I keep my eyes on the group and not Ander, but my heated face probably gives me away. And it helps that, for once, my focus isn’t on my gorgeous boss. Not totally on him. “You’re really good at this.”

“Not as good as Wade. He’s been doing it for a while.”

I’m not sure I agree. They both do well in their own ways. When the groups are done, they report back, and after that, it’s my turn.

I do the Privilege Walk activity. Originally, I wasn’t sure how it would go. While I’d like to make a difference here, my motto from the start aligns with the medical profession. First, Do No Harm.

I have everyone line up side-by-side facing me. “As I read out each Privilege Statement, if you feel it applies to you, take one step forward.”

“If you can walk alone at night without feeling afraid, take one step forward.”

None of the women and all of the guys, except for Ander, step forward. Jared gives him a look, but Ander stares straight ahead. With my new knowledge about Wade and Ander’s upbringing, this makes sense.

“If you’ve never been in a situation where you were the only person of your race or ethnicity in a training or classroom, step forward.” Everyone steps forward except for Jet and Sheila. There are several of these, and it’s daunting to see how far the others get ahead.

And then a gender statement about not ever being denied a job because of gender. The men get farther ahead. I swallow and read the next one. “If you’ve never had to worry about where your next meal comes from, take a step forward.”

Ander doesn’t move, and my heart breaks. I’ve worried about food stability a lot due to not having money. But Ander’s family owns this company. And it makes me want to hurt Meredith even more. Jared flashes Ander a look, and he almost seems hurt. Did he not know?

I quickly go on to the next question about never being made to feel uncomfortable about body size or appearance. Only a few people step forward—Jared, Dillian, and Owen.

It’s not until I’m reading them out that I realize how uncomfortable these questions might be. “If you’ve never had to hide your relationship status or who you love, take one step forward.”

A few of the women don’t step forward. This might relate to their sexuality, but there could also be various other reasons. Dillian and Jet do not step forward and neither does Ander. This is also the first time Jared doesn’t take a step.

I don’t go through all the questions, but I make sure to cover privileges around race, gender, sexuality, income stability, physical and mental disabilities, and religious beliefs. At the end of the activity, everyone looks around.

“This is just a reminder that we don’t always know or even think about what others are going through.

The hurdles they’ve had to overcome in their lives.

While some might seem obvious, others aren’t.

The best thing you can do is respect your coworkers and your employees.

Don’t assume you know what they’re going through because you don’t.

Sympathy sucks, man. Don’t do it. Empathize with them instead. ”

I dismiss the group, and Jared and Ander both approach me. “That was amazing, Canyon,” Jared says. He nods to me and glances at Ander. “It was very enlightening. Powerful.”

As he walks away, Ander shakes his head. “Wow. Jared humble. Never thought I’d see the day. That’s— Great job, Can,” He claps me on the back.

“Thanks.” I feel emotional, but also like I might have done something good. We’re grinning at each other, and someone coughs.

Wade. My heart tries to jump ship, and I have to rein it in. “Hey.”

“He’s right. That was amazing. And I caught part of yours too, Ander. Great job.”

“Thanks,” he says, glancing between us. “Lunch time. I’ll see you in there.”

After he’s gone, things feel awkward, as if we have hurdles between us. Who’s going to be the first to jump?

“That wasn’t one of River’s activities.”

“No. I thought we needed it.” I cross my arms, suddenly feeling unsure. “You said I could change things up if I wanted.”

He steps closer, and I can feel the heat from his body. “It wasn’t a criticism, Can.”

“Oh. Right.”

“Look at me.”

I obey the command without hesitation. The heat in his gaze reminds me of last night, and I jump from comfortably warm to burning up in seconds.

“You did well. But I admit hearing my brother praise you— I’m feeling very possessive.”

Why does that bug me? Oh yeah. I remember. “You left this morning without a word, but I can’t get praise from someone else? That’s messed up.”

His jaw tightens. “I left you a message. I told Jared.”

“He was busy not talking to Ander.”

“I’m so sorry, Can.” He squeezes the back of my arm. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. Last night was amazing.”

And that’s seriously all it takes for the world to shift. How can one person affect me so much? And what happens when the retreat is over, and this is all just a memory?

“It’s fine.” But my happiness sours a little at the reminder that this is fleeting.

He lets out a growly sound, and if he’s wanting to get my attention, that does it. “Follow me.”

He leads the way into the dining hall, nodding at people as we weave through the small crowd. He barely slows down. Where are we going?

Lydia steps in front of him, asking about cherry pie. Then Sheila wants to know if he got healthier dinner options. And George wants to talk about a snake he found outside his cabin and his worries about getting bitten.

He finally breaks free from the group and strides ahead, expecting me to follow. And, of course, I do.

He is my boss.

A small conference room is off the dining hall.

It’s clearly designed for youth because the walls are brightly colored.

It has several tables, a bookshelf, and even a small TV.

There’s a keyboard in the corner of the room.

He closes the blinds to the windows, all business, and it’s hot as hell. “Shut the door, please.”

“Am I in trouble?” I ask sweetly because I love to see the heat flare in his eyes.

Instead of answering, he walks toward me until I’m pressed against the green door and he’s pressed against me. “Do you want to be?”

“Depends on the punishment.”

His hands go to my face as he kisses me. When he moves back, his eyes hold a hint of concern. “Are we okay?”

This is sweet, but I need the bosshole. I nod in response because words with him this close are impossible. The heat of his body. The scent of his cologne and…bug repellant. Which shouldn’t be sexy at all.

“Good.” He kisses me again. Soft, sweet kisses that grow in intensity until I’m moaning breathlessly. He moves from my mouth to the side of my neck.

I gasp. “Wade?”

“Hm?”

I lean my head back to give him better access. “Not complaining. But did you bring me in here for a make-out session?”

His gaze catches mine. “I wanted to check that you were doing okay. But then you did that thing where you pretend you’re going to submit…”

“I’m not pretending.”

“And your inner brat comes out to play. I couldn’t resist.”

Several more kisses. “Canyon,” he says, his voice firm. “Put your hands over your head. Like you’re reaching for the sky.”

Excitement and a healthy dose of lust shoot through me at his intense look.

His commanding tone. I raise my hands above my head, extending my arms and resting them against the door.

My shirt rises up, exposing my stomach. I feel vulnerable but also sexy.

And that’s all because of the heat in his eyes.

He looks over me, his eyes stopping on that sliver of skin. The air conditioning blows cool air over my hot body. My dick is impossibly hard.

“Good boy,” he purrs against my cheek, his fingers exploring the exposed skin. And now I’m impossibly harder.

“Wade—”

His fingers stop. “Did I say you could talk?”

I snap my mouth shut. Oh holy Jesus. We can’t do this. Not here. But God, I don’t want him to stop.

“You’re a slut for this, aren’t you. My slut. You like it when I tell you what to do, don’t you?” His hand is moving again, sliding up my shirt.

I nod.

“Now you can talk.”

“Yes…” My heart kicks up a few beats. “Daddy.”

“Oh fuck.” He kisses me hard as his hand palms me through my shorts. “So responsive. Such a needy boy—oh God, tell me to stop, Can.”

“Is that an order?”

Wade pulls back. “Are you getting cheeky with me?”

“No, Daddy.” I bite my lip. “Just clarifying.”

Returning his hand to my dick, he lets it rest there. Torturing me. I want to thrust into his hand. Beg him to really touch me. But this is a test of how good I can be.

I feel vulnerable and wanton with my body on display for him. He presses his thumb against my bottom lip, and it’s as if it’s tied directly to my dick. I open my mouth, not taking it, just watching. Waiting for permission.

“Suck it.”

Relief and excitement clash within me. I keep my eyes on him as I wrap my lips around his thumb and suck, hollowing out my cheeks.

His breath catches. “That’s so, so good. Use your tongue—yes. Oh fuck, Canyon.”

I work his thumb as if I know what I’m doing. News flash: I do not.

This is nothing but pure instinct.

He removes his thumb, and I hold back my whine.

Spit dribbles on my chin, and I imagine it’s his cum.

When he licks the spit on my chin, I slam my eyes shut so I don’t lose it.

His hand tightens on my dick, squeezing the base.

“Don’t you dare come without permission.

Tonight, Can, I’m going to make you come so fucking hard.

Until then, you are not allowed to jerk off.

This is mine now. Got it? Only I get to touch you.

Taste you. Fuck you. Do you understand?”

I nod, but I can’t stop the needy whimpers. “Yes, Daddy.”

He kisses me again, taking what he wants. “God, this is a terrible idea,” he says, running his knuckles across my cheek. “But you’re so fucking beautiful. Trusting. Mine.”

“Yes,” I agree. He grabs my arms and brings them to my side. They tingle as the blood returns.

Wade steps back and adjusts his dick, and my gaze locks on the bulge in his pants.

He shakes his head with a laugh. “You’re not helping.

” Then he grabs random papers off the table and covers his not-so-little problem.

“Remember what I said?” I nod, not trusting my voice.

“Good.” He gives me a quick kiss. “Go get some lunch.”

After he’s gone, I slide against the door. I’m still hard, needy, and so, so screwed.