Page 6 of The Boss (Roosters #7)

Aaron

Shit. Shit. Shit. I’d promised myself I wouldn’t be defensive, but as soon as the situation got more intense, I couldn’t help myself.

My mouth was quicker than my brain. Is this where he fires me, or at the very least, tells me from now on our relationship will be strictly business?

I can’t blame him if he’s annoyed by my attitude.

Why would he even consider taking on a sub like me when he could have anyone he wanted?

I gripped the edge of the desk and averted my eyes.

Maxwell’s voice lost any lightness. “Look at me.”

I couldn’t do it. I felt vulnerable and more than a little scared because I’d fucked up again. My emotional walls went up and I tried to numb the ache in my chest.

“Be a man. Look me in the eye.”

That pissed me off and I lifted my head. I feigned a disinterested expression. “Go ahead, fire me. I don’t care anymore.”

I waited for an angry outburst, but Maxwell just lifted a brow and studied me like a cat watching a mouse. “So you don’t care about losing the job, or me?”

I wanted to get down on my knees and take it all back, but it was too late. “No.” I shook my head for emphasis.

Maxwell’s expression turned darker. The silence between us went on and tension filled the room. I hated myself. Not only had I acted like a dick, I’d wounded his ego. He’d have to fire me now. Meanwhile I was completely miserable, and it was all my fault.

It killed me that I wouldn’t get to submit to him again.

I wanted to feel him bend me to his will, and over his knee.

I wanted so much more. But damn, I was convinced we were done.

I didn’t want him to see how broken I really was, so I kept my walls up and went on the offensive.

“There’s no point continuing this. I’m out of here. ” I tried to move around him.

“Where do you think you’re going?” He crowded me and kept me pinned between him and the desk.

“Home. Office hours are over.”

“You don’t get to walk out on me.”

“Didn’t you tell me to act like a man? Well, I’m a grown-ass man and I can leave whenever I want.”

“You’re my boy, and you can’t leave until I say you can.”

I looked at him incredulously. “Are we playing a scene? The boss and the office boy? Are you my Dom again?”

A conflict of emotions crossed Maxwell’s face. “Is that what you want?”

I was confused, but if he was offering me a chance to stay, I’d take it. “Sure.” I hesitated for a second. “If that’s what you want.”

A vein throbbed at his temple. “Don’t you get it? I’m not playing games.” He was fuming.

“I don’t understand.”

“Obviously. Not everything is a role play. This is my life.”

His words hit me hard. I had hurt him and it killed me. What if I’m going about this all wrong? I’m missing something, but what? All I can do now is plead my case. “Sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference. I’m trying to be what you want, but I’m not always sure what that is.”

Maxwell looked stunned. He backed away, slumped into one of leather chairs, and put his head in his hands. “Aaron. I’m so sorry. How can I expect you to know what I want when I don’t know myself?”

For the first time, I realized that for all his wealth, Maxwell had a few insecurities of his own. I walked over, knelt at his feet, and put my head in his lap. It seemed perfectly natural. “I’m sorry I made things harder for you.”

Maxwell stroked my hair. “No. Actually, you helped me make up my mind. For a long time, I’ve been all work and no play. I decided it was time to get back into the lifestyle. I told myself I just wanted an occasional playdate. Then you appeared.”

Surprised, I lifted my head.

“I knew it was wrong to go after you, but…” He waved a hand and smiled. “I got Brett to help me arrange our date. He told me from the start that I would want more, but it took me a little longer.”

“Sir, I --”

“Wait. Let me finish. I do want more than an occasional playdate. I want you. We mesh in so many ways. It’s not always perfect, but that takes time…” His voice trailed off. “What do you want, Aaron? Is all this about keeping your job?”

“It’s never been about my job.” I paused uncertainly and lapsed into silence.

It was hard to admit my true feelings, but Maxwell deserved my honesty.

I had to let down my walls. “Sorry, I’m not good at expressing my feelings.

I’m still working on my trust issues. The truth is I want to be your submissive, but… ”

“But what?”

“But I also want more. Sometimes I just want to be Max and Aaron.”

Maxwell let out a sigh. “You’re not the only one with trust issues.

I’ve had my share of bad experiences. Some years ago I met a man at the club.

Brett didn’t know him very well and he warned me to take it slow.

I didn’t listen. Joseph was a chef, attractive, intelligent, funny…

I fell hard and fast. After several months, he started to play on my sympathy.

He would tell me he needed money for an emergency.

I always gave it to him, no questions asked.

Eventually, he started talking about opening his own restaurant.

He asked me for a substantial amount. I was prepared to fund him, but I spoke to Brett first. Brett hired a PI to follow him.

To make a long story short, Joseph was seeing someone else.

They probably would have skipped town with my money.

” Maxwell winced. “He wasn’t even a real submissive. ”

“I’m sorry.”

“I don’t want your pity. It was my fault. Lust can blind a man to the truth.”

“I don’t care about your money. That’s the truth. I care about you. But I feel like you’re way out of my league. I never thought you’d want an ordinary guy like me, except as a plaything, and I was willing to accept that because I wanted you so much. So, I acted in ways I thought would please you.”

“So you want to learn how to please me?”

“Very much.”

“Then don’t pretend to be someone you’re not. Just be yourself.”

“I will.”

“Good. Come with me.”

Maxwell headed to a door behind his desk. I’d assumed it was a washroom, but it led to a stairwell. I stumbled up the stairs behind him, wondering where we were going. When we got to the top, he charged through another door, flinging it open and revealing a beautifully furnished modern apartment.

* * *

Maxwell

“I have another home, but I rarely use it. My work is so consuming that I find it more convenient to live here.”

“It’s a gorgeous apartment. You can fit my entire flat in this living room.”

“Thanks. Remind me to show you the rooftop terrace. The view is fantastic.”

“I’ll bet.”

“Aaron?”

He turned warily. “Yes, Sir?”

“You’re the first man I’ve brought here.”

Aaron’s eyes went wide. “Really?”

“Yes. When you know me better, you’ll discover I don’t lie.”

“I didn’t mean…”

I smiled at him. “It’s okay. I’m not offended. I just want you to know that I think you’re special. If you were just a play partner, we’d play at the club.”

“I appreciate that.”

“So, Aaron, would you like a drink?”

“I don’t drink when I play, Sir.”

“Neither do I. I guess I didn’t make my intentions clear. I don’t want to do a scene. Tonight is about Aaron and Maxwell. Is that okay?”

“More than okay, Sir.”

“My friends call me Max.” Ah, I finally got a smile from him.

“Max.” Aaron said my name softly, as if he were trying it out. “Gin and tonic if you have it.”

“Tanqueray?”

“Perfect.”

“Have a seat.” I walked over to the bar and mixed us both stiff drinks, carried them back and sat next to Aaron.

We sipped in comfortable silence. Content to be close, I didn’t feel the need for conversation. Not yet anyway. It was enough having him there.

Aaron broke the silence first. “Can I ask you a personal question?”

I grinned at him. “You mean there’s something I haven’t told you yet?”

“It’s not that personal. I was just wondering where your house is.”

“The Hamptons. It’s two hours away, more of a summer retreat, actually.”

“Do you go swimming?”

“Sure. Fishing and biking, too. I used to, that is. I don’t get there very often.”

Aaron got a smug look on his face. “You probably couldn’t keep up with me on a bike.”

“Says you. Maybe I’ll take you up there sometime and we’ll see.”

“I’m a good swimmer, too.”

“Ha. I swim like a fish.”

Being with Aaron made me feel younger. His energy complemented mine. He would love the Hamptons. We could have fun together. I knew I was in trouble, well and truly smitten. “Do you want another drink, Aaron?”

“No. I might lose my filter after a few and I don’t want to turn into the cocky brat again.”

I chuckled. “I wouldn’t mind having the flirt back.”

“I don’t need more liquor to flirt with you.”

“Really? Well, feel free. But, first, let me ask you a question. Why do you like me?”

Aaron seemed surprised. “How could I not? You’re so good-looking.” Suddenly shy, he looked away and fiddled with his glass.

I could tell there was a lot going on in his head, but I wanted to hear it. I reached over and took his glass, put it on the coffee table with mine. “I’m glad you think so, but I hope there’s more to it.”

Aaron seemed to consider his words. “I admire your intelligence and I respect your skill in the courtroom. You have power and status, but you’re not afraid to let loose and act silly. And I love the way you make me feel when you dominate me.”

“Tell me.”

“I was bullied a lot. To cope with my pain, I kept part of myself closed off. I thought that would keep me safe, but it just kept me in a dark place. When I submit to you, it gets me out of my comfort zone. I feel like I’m in a safe place where I can let go, release the pain and replace it with pleasure. ”

“It gives me pleasure to know I can do that for you, Aaron. You make me feel needed.”

“And you make me feel wanted. Like I’m the most desirable man on Earth. That feeling turns me on. It makes me feel sexy and heightens every sensation. I love knowing that we share something that nobody else knows. That makes me feel special.”

“You are special.” I was thrilled that Aaron had opened up to me. I loved the parts of him that he shared with me, and the parts that I had yet to learn. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For being honest with me. We’re laying ourselves bare tonight and accepting each other for who we are.

No judgments. That’s pretty terrific. I want you to know that when I’m sexually dominant over you it doesn’t mean I don’t respect you.

In fact, it’s the opposite. You’re always in command.

You have your limits and your safe words.

There’s trust and respect between us. You can tell me anything. ”

Aaron flashed that smile that always tied me up in knots. I felt more confident with him now that we’d shared our desires and some of our dark secrets. I didn’t know everything, but I knew enough.

Suddenly, we needed to be closer. I met him halfway and our lips crushed together in a hungry kiss. By the time we came up for air, I was sure he was the one. I’d never met anyone more perfect for me. I vowed nothing would get in the way of making him mine.