Page 4 of The Boss

“So why break the rules now?”

I wanted Aaron badly.In order to gain his trust, I had to be brutally honest.“Because I think you need me.”I put up a hand to stop his protest.“And I need you.”

“I needed a job.That doesn’t give you any rights to the rest of my life.”

“I think you need more than a job.I think you have a need to give up control.I have needs, too.You see me as Maxwell Barnes, Esquire, but there’s another title I hold dear.Master.It’s been a long time since I trained a sub.I miss it.”

Aaron swallowed hard and squared his shoulders.“Why me?”

I shrugged.“A feeling of rapport, compatibility, chemistry.I think you feel it, too.”

“Maybe I do, but you’re my boss, and off limits.I didn’t even know you were gay.”

I smiled.I was willing to confide more if it would keep him here.“I always knew I was gay.I can’t say the same about being a Dom.”

Aaron’s interest was piqued, just as I knew it would be.“When did you know?”

“It was a process.I met Brett freshmen year in college and we started fooling around, but it wasn’t working.We were better friends than lovers.I moved on with a man I met in a club.There was something different about our dynamic.”

I paused suddenly remembering something.“There was a time, I lent him my favorite sweater and he ruined it at a frat party.I was angry, but half-fooling around when I told him he deserved to be punished.He didn’t laugh, protest, or get angry.He lowered his eyes and said, ‘You’re right, Sir.I deserve to be spanked.’It was so fucking hot.I whupped his ass and we spent the night in bed.That’s when I knew who I was meant to be.”

Aaron hung on every word.“Did you stay with him?”

“Until we outgrew each other.Eventually, I compared notes with Brett and we realized how alike we were.That’s why it never worked for us.We started going to BDSM workshops.Eventually we found The Playhouse and the previous owner mentored us.When he retired, we bought him out.”

“You own this club?”

“Yes.Half of it, anyway.I have my hands full with the law practice.Brett runs the club.Occasionally, I do a scene with a sub.So, what do you say, Aaron?Do you want to play a scene with me?”

Chapter Three

Aaron

Playing a hot, sexy scene with Maxwell Barnes was definitely number one on my bucket list.If it included sex, even better.But I was terrified that if we made this real it would turn into a big clusterfuck and I’d lose my job.I still felt like Maxwell was toying with me, messing with my head.It would be smarter to end this before it all turned to shit.

“No.”I stood.“I’m sorry, Mr.Barnes.I shouldn’t have come.”

Once again, I turned my back and headed for the door, but before I could open it, Maxwell’s voice stopped me.“Please stay, Aaron.”

His husky, sensuous tone had power over me.It communicated over and beyond the words he uttered.

“Come here.”

I was powerless to resist.Obeying him felt natural.I approached and stood in front of him.Heat radiated between us, burning me.I felt dizzy, like I’d been out in the sun too long.

When he spoke again, his voice was commanding, but his eyes were gentle.“I told you my story.The least you can do is tell me yours.”

I was suspicious, but so fucking hard, so turned on that I couldn’t breathe.“I’m not that interesting.I don’t want to waste your time.”

“Let me be the judge of that.”

I could fall in love with that voice.Maybe I already had.Damn.I was in trouble.I should have run like hell, but lust kept me frozen in place.Maxwell tempted me like no other man, and he was offering me a chance to find myself.If I left now, this would become a what-might-have been moment and I’d regret it for the rest of my life.Stay,I told myself.The odds are stacked against us, but at least I’ll have this one night.“All right.I’ll stay for a little while.”

That dazzling smile lit up his face.“Good.Why don’t you start by telling me why you decided to come tonight?”

“I, ah, I don’t know.I mean I’m not sure.”I took a deep breath.“I guess I wanted to find out if I’m a real submissive.”

Maxwell rubbed his stubbled jaw as he considered my words.“What does that mean to you, Aaron?What is arealsubmissive?”