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“Yet,” Roman said shortly. “He hasn’t done anything violent yet that we know of. He’s capable of anything, though, and he may do crazy things if cornered.”
“Roman’s right,” Wander said. “Just because he hasn’t resorted to violence yet doesn’t mean he won’t, especially if they find out who you really are.”
“So I’d better build one hell of an alias,” Caleb said. “Is it okay if I get started on that? Because Ryan and Alex won’t be back for another two days, and I don’t want to miss the deadline to apply for the job.”
Wander nodded. “You can build your backstory and apply once that’s done. But you can’t go for an interview until I’ve formally approved it. Deal?”
“Yes, Sir.”
Wander rose from his chair. “Burke just got home, and I’m in the mood to spend some quality time with my boyfriend, so I’m gonna head to our bedroom. Why don’t you two stay and talk? Sounds to me like you still have some communicating to do.”
With that, he walked out, leaving Caleb with Roman, who looked at him sheepishly. “I didn’t mean to…you know, make the decision for you.”
Caleb chuckled as he slid onto Roman’s lap. Conversations like this were so much easier sitting close together. When Roman pulled him close, he leaned against the man’s chest. “Oh, I think you absolutely meant to make the decision for me, but you got called out. And that’s okay. You’re not the first Dom who thinks he can cross that line with a sub, and you won’t be the last.”
“Jesus, you don’t pull your punches, do you? But thank you for your understanding. I’m well aware I fucked up.”
Caleb snuggled against that soft chest. “It’s all good, but I hope you now understand the difference between Caleb the sub and Caleb the cybersecurity specialist.”
“I’ll try to remember, but I may mess up a few times more before I get the hang of this.”
Caleb swallowed. That sounded an awful lot like someone who was counting on more of these situations, right? Someone who was, consciously or subconsciously, planning for a future together?
No, he couldn’t allow himself to think like that, to get his hopes up. He had to take this one day at a time. Otherwise, he’d drive himself crazy. Besides, it wasn’t like he was in love with Roman or anything. Right?
Shit. Too fast, too soon. He couldn’t.
Instead, he fell back on what came most naturally to him.
“For now, let me be your sub again,” he whispered.
He slid off Roman’s lap and sank to his knees, the plush carpet brushing against his legs like a welcome caress. The room seemed to hold its breath, and time slowed to a crawl as Caleb tilted his head up, his gaze locked on Roman’s. His submission wasn’t an act. It was etched into his very being, a core part of who he was.
He waited as silence stretched between them. The air crackled, charged with a current of anticipation that buzzed beneath his skin. He was like a live wire. All his senses homed in on Roman, hands resting on his thighs, fingers twitching with the urge to touch. This was where he belonged, at Roman’s feet, ready to serve, ready to give himself over to whatever Roman had in mind. The rest of the world, with its chaos and questions, faded until all that remained was Roman, his command, and Caleb’s eagerness to comply.
Roman swallowed. “What do you want to do for me?”
Caleb’s throat tightened. Words lodged there, thick and eager. “Anything, Sir. Everything.”
“Be specific.” Roman’s tone was a challenge wrapped in velvet, a command that demanded truth.
Caleb’s world narrowed to the man before him, his Dom. “I want to serve you, Sir. To obey you. To give you pleasure…in any form you desire.”
“Good boy.” Roman’s approval was simple, direct, and shot through Caleb like the finest whiskey—warm, intoxicating, addictive.
This was what he needed to focus on. Not on the future but on the present. Not on what might or might not be but about what was right here, right now.
On his Dom.
And on his submission.
Nothing else mattered.
17
He’d fucked up the day before, not a feeling Roman was accustomed to. Caleb had been graceful about it, showing nothing but understanding, but still, the embarrassment was real. He wasn’t used to having to defer to others, least of all people who were much younger than him…and submissive. Yes, he had mixed up personal and professional with Caleb. Stupid, but he wouldn’t make that mistake again.
That said, he still didn’t like the idea of Caleb working for Isabella Coldrick. Not that Roman had any better ideas to get close to her, but the risks were too high. What if Coldrick discovered who Caleb was? What if Whitman found out? He hadn’t shown violence so far, but a man who stood on the brink of losing everything was unpredictable. How far would Whitman go to protect his empire? Roman’s gut said he’d go to great lengths.
