Page 14 of Dark Holiday

The others in the office start to file out the door, none of them showing any concern for him asking me to stay late. Is he asking me to stay late, normal then? Hopefully, with it just being us, we’ll be allowed to talk about our current situation and how to keep things from getting too far out of hand. I need this job. What I don’t need is him holding it over me like a damn anvil every time I do something that’s not to his liking.

Once everyone is off the floor, including John, Daniel opens his office door and motions for me to come inside. As we enter, he locks the door, the loud schnick filling the air. Dread and arousal churn together as he lowers the blinds that overlook my chair. Walking over to the front of his own desk, he leans against it and starts to unbutton his sleeves, taking a moment to roll them up one agonizing inch at a time.

His forearms ripple with the movement, and my arousal begins to edge out the fear. He was always in such great shape, and I’m so happy to see that he hasn’t changed. “Now then, Cindy, let’s talk about those text messages from earlier.”

Feigning innocence, I shrug and spread out my hands in front of me. “You asked to see a picture of every single outfit. I did what you asked me to do.”

His dark chuckle goes straight to my core as my stomach flutters, making me queasy for a moment. I know I’m playing with fire; hopefully, I’ll survive being burnt. “I never asked you to send me illicit photographs of yourself. I was in a meeting. You made it rather difficult for me to concentrate. What do you have to say for yourself?”

“Oh, I’m so very sorry, Sir. I must have misunderstood your instructions.”

“Oh really? And that’s why it was just the one set?”

“Well, of course! Once you made it clear that wasn’t what you wanted, I stopped.”

“Mmhmm. And what of this nonsense that you meant to send it to another person? Either you’re lying about that text, or you’re lying to me about what you thought my intentions were.”

Fuck. He has me there. At what point am I going to realize that I’m dealing with a lawyer and not some two-bit idiot that will just buy my words? I open my mouth to speak, but he quickly puts his finger over my lips, silencing me.

“I don’t ever want another lie coming out of your lips again. Is that clear, Cindy?”

“Yes, but -.”

“There are no buts here. The only acceptable response is yes, Sir. That is unless you want to change our little arrangement. You can leave at any time. I’m not forcing you to stay. Just know if you do decide to stay as my employee, I’ll expect a whole hell of a lot more out of you than just lip service. I can and will take this matter before the courts if I have to. So those are your options. Stay of your own free will and submit to whatever I demand of you, or leave and find another job that’s a lot less taxing.”

My heart pounds as he stares at me. In an instant, I’m transported back all those years ago. His intense eyes, his commanding presence. Nothing has changed. The only major difference is that he holds all the power this time, and he knows it. What hellish things will he put me through if I stay? Can I even find another job? Even if I did, it wouldn’t pay nearly as well, but it’s not just the money on the line here. It’s my sanity, and if I’m being honest, my heart.

I almost didn’t survive him once; how will I survive him after this? “I think we need some ground rules.”

“Oh, do you?”

“Yes. I do.” My voice is soft, watery, and I hate it. I want so desperately to be a show of force, but yet again, I’m cowed by his authoritative presence.

“What do you wish to negotiate, Little Viper?”

My stomach flips again at his words. He’s using it as a pejorative, but in that tone, my knees wobble, and my clit tingles. “You’re not allowed to sexually touch me unless I ask for it.”

“Mighty bold of you to assume I want you in a sexual way.”

Looking down at the massive tent in his pants, I smirk, pointing at the offending member. “This isn’t you attracted to me?”

“You’re a gorgeous woman; I’d be blind not to notice, but give me some credit. I have far more control than you obviously realize. So don’t worry about that one. Even if you beg me, I’m not going to pleasure you. That would be letting you off far too easily.”

Mouth agape, I stare at him for several moments. “What the hell do you have to be so mad about? If anything, I should be the one ranting and raving at you!”

He leans back, his brows pulling back down into that tummy-flipping frown of his. “You seriously don’t know? Are you that foolish? Or are you just lying again?”

“You left me! What do I have to lie about?”

Daniel brings his fingers up to the bridge of his nose. “Why would I stay for an ungrateful little girl that throws away potential happiness to fuck my best friend?”

Freezing, I stand there, rooted to the spot. What the hell was he talking about? “I never -.”

“Don’t even finish that sentence. If you don’t want to throw away your chance at keeping this job, then close your mouth right now. I don’t give a fuck what you have to say. It’s over with. Done. All that I care about is the here and now, so continue your goddamn negotiations so you can start to actually do something to warrant your unearned paycheck.”

Tears fill my eyes, and my vision shimmers. For a moment, his face looks soft, caring, concerned, but I know it’s just a mirage. Daniel Grinwich doesn’t care about anyone but himself. “I guess that’s it.” Helpless, I shrug my shoulders and look around the room. What else can I say? I don’t want him to take advantage of me sexually. That’s the main issue.

“Should we draw up a contract for that long list of yours? I’m so very good at contracts.”