Page 26 of Dark Holiday

“Oh, come off it, Daniel. You don’t give two shits about my language, or else it would have been added to the damn list.”

Sitting back, I steeple my fingers together and rest my lips on them. “I have asked you to call me Sir. Or did you forget?”

Her face flushes with an enchanting swath of pink. “No, Daniel. I didn’t forget.”

“Ahh. There it is again. Do you feel you’ve done enough to earn the right to call me that?”

She looks away for a moment, her fingers fiddling with some random button on her skirt. ”I’ve been doing the best I can.”

“But is it enough?” I stare her down, mentally willing her to tell me the truth, to stop lying to herself for once.

“Yes, it is.” Her voice is a bit stronger, with just a slight edge of conviction.

“Under whose interpretation? Because from where I’m sitting, you’re screwing up more than you’re actually succeeding, and hell, I was just thinking how you were at least doing okay. Let’s just take this calendar issue as an example. How in the hell did you manage to get rid of all my meetings.”

“I. Don’t. Know. Okay? How about instead of sitting there in your precious ivory tower, you actually come to earth and teach me how to do it?”

I stand, resting my palms against the desk. Oh, how I want nothing more than to teach her. The problem is, the lessons I have in mind go well against our agreement. “Want to renegotiate then? Because I promise you. I can be an exacting taskmaster if that’s what you wish.”

She gulps, her pupils dilating just a touch. “No, Sir.”

My heart sinks at those two little words. “Fine. To your desk then. And if I hear you curse once more in my presence, I’ll start writing you up. Professionalism at all times, my dear. Now, if you would be so kind, I need to clean up yet another mistake of yours.”

Her head drops as she turns away, and I long to gather her into my arms, but I can’t. It’s all her doing. If only she’d let me discipline her my way instead of constantly pushing me and forcing my hand. I don’t want to take her to HR. I want her to do a good job, but she’s tied my hands. Either I discipline her, or we send her on her way. My heart aches at the thought of us not working together again, but what other choice do I have?

Glancing down at the calendar, I skip to the next month, breathing a sigh of relief as I look at the words Winter Retreat emblazoned across the screen. Even if she managed to erase it, it’s the one thing I look forward to every Christmas. Hell, it’s the only thing about this blasted holiday that makes it worth celebrating.

At least there, I can be myself, blow off some steam, and perhaps take out my frustrations on another delectable ass, one that’s more than willing to let me have my way with her. It doesn’t matter who it is. A body is a body, and I know it will be Cindy I’m picturing anyway.

If only I can make it a few more weeks. Once I can dispel some of this fractious energy, I might be in a better frame of mind to deal with Cindy. I pull out my phone, shoot off a few texts, and fix this blasted schedule.

* * *

Ryan’s eyes light up as I meet him at the bar. If anyone can understand what I’m dealing with, it’s him. We come together in a clash of hands and a bro hug before sitting down and ordering our drinks.

“Please tell me the retreat is still on for this year. If I have to donate my life savings to the cause, I will.”

Ryan chuckles, tipping his drink back. “It’s still on. I just thought you’d have your hands full by now. You know, Operation Daddy Dom? Not gonna lie. It would have been nice for you to let us know you were back in town. This could have been a lot easier. My jaw literally dropped when Cindy told us you were her boss. At least you being here will make ODD even feasible. We’ve been plotting this for years!”

I cringe at his words and take a shot. “You’re the only one that calls it that, and besides, I’m sure you can tell by how well Cindy is sitting that it’s not going so great. If things don’t change, I’m going to have to fire her.”

Sighing, I turn the glass about in my hands. I hate vulnerability. I hate anyone knowing that I need help, especially when it’s a close friend like Ryan. “Besides,” I continue. “With the way she’s acting around me, I don’t think she even wants me.” It hurts to say it, but there it is, out there for the world to see.

“I’m sure she’ll come around. She really is a good girl.”

Snorting, I finish the shot and smirk. “Only because you don’t have to deal with her like I do. I’m sure she’s perfectly pleasant at your place, but then again, why wouldn’t she be. She owes you. You’re right. She is a good girl, but she could be so much better. If only she’d just let me guide her, mold her. She’s so fucking stubborn.”

Laughing, Ryan tips his glass towards mine, clanking it before finishing his drink. “You knew she was. That part hasn’t changed since high school. Admit it, though. There’s a part of you that enjoys the challenge. If she fell to her feet and called you Daddy on the first day, you would have hated it.”

“True, but I never expected her to push back this hard against me.” Glancing down at my watch, I shake my head and shove the glass towards the bartender. “Lunch break is over soon. Got to head back in.”

Ryan frowns as he stands. “You still want to come to the retreat?”

“Trust me, if things change, you’ll be the first to know. Cindy will come home and not be able to sit right.”

* * *

Thoughts swirl about in my head as I walk out of the bar. Clutching my coat around me, I push through the howling wind and walk back to the office. If I timed things right, Cindy should just now be going to lunch herself, and I won’t have to see her. I can’t even believe that I have to sidestep her in my own damn office.