Page 16 of The Boss

I didn’t know what to say, so I kissed him.

Max squeezed my ass.“We’re good together.I’m serious.We’re a terrific couple.”

“I… uh… Does that mean we’re a thing?”

Max laughed.“What’s a thing?”

“Well, it’s when you care about somebody and you take things a step further, like only being physical with that one person.But,” I hastened to add, “Don’t worry.We’re not officially together.No labels.”

Max grimaced.“This is what I get for falling for a younger man.”

This statement truly stunned me.Obviously, we had a strong physical connection, but Max seemed on the verge of the L word.“You fell for me?”

“Yes, sweetheart.I’m smitten.I think we’re way beyond beingthings.A label is in order here, lover, partner, significant other.What do you think?”

I think I’m in love.I wanted to belong to Max, and Max only.I trusted him.He made me feel safe and secure, and desired.We had that elusive combination of friendship, respect, and an intense desire to rip each other’s clothes off.

On the other hand, how could I start something new when I’d failed so badly in the past?Not so long ago I’d had my heart broken, and a few ribs as well.I’d become skeptical and suspicious and I was terrified of getting hurt again.

What if Max and I turned this into a real relationship instead of the Dom/sub thing we’d started and it didn’t work?I’d be left with nothing.Maybe it would be smarter to leave things as they were.“We’re not ready.We hardly know each other.”

“That’s not quite true.I had you investigated when I hired you.And in the short time we’ve known each other, we’ve explored some of our deepest secrets and confessed that we have real feelings for each other.”

“Yes, but --”

“I’m not asking you to marry me, just to take a chance.Be exclusive.Allow ourselves to fall in love.”

I’m already in love.“What if you get tired of me?”

“I could ask you the same question.”

“I don’t know how to do this.”

“What’s stopping you from trying?”

“I’m terrified.”

“I am, too.But hey, didn’t someone say, it’s better to have loved and lost?”

“That’s very poetic, but I’m working at your firm.It feels like we’re on different stratospheres.You’re way out of my league, Max.”

Max frowned with exasperation.“There is no such thing as leagues.It’s a mind-fuck.Something you tell yourself because you’re afraid of rejection.Baby, you don’t give yourself enough credit.You’re caring, funny, intelligent, hot, and ambitious.The firm has a financial aid program to help aspiring lawyers.If you’d take advantage of it, you’d have no problem passing the bar.You’d probably end up being a better lawyer than I am.”

“I had no idea the firm would help me go back to school.”

“Because you’re too busy putting yourself down.You’re your own worst critic.The way you view yourself is way different from how I see you.And the way you see me is different from the way I see myself.I struggle with self-confidence just like everyone else.When I was starting out, I’d wake up, and think, I’ll never get the jury on my side.Then I’d tell myself, ‘act confident, fake it till you make it.’It may sound absurd, but after a while, I didn’t have to fake it.”

It was hard to believe that Max wasn’t always the confident person he appeared.I still felt self-doubt, but maybe I could overcome it, too.“I guess it still bugs me that my ex called me a shit sub.”

“I’m not your ex.I know what I need.I know what you need, too.”

“What?”

“A top who’s sexy, hot, brilliant, caring…”

“You left something out.”

Max raised a questioning brow.