Page 58 of The Boss

“Advice on what?”I ask.

“Gino, you aren’t obtuse. I wanted advice on how to handle you controlling my finances.”

“I don’t control your finances⁠—”

“You may not think that, but paying for everything without my knowledge is controlling.” She gives me a look I know all too well from her. It’s her bullshit detector look. She will know if I lie.

“Fine,” I grumble. “I’m sorry, that wasn’t my intent. I didn’t want you to have to worry about anything.” I rub my hand over my face.

She smiles at me. “I think that was one of the most genuine apologies you’ve ever given me.”

I gape at her. “Juliet, I have definitely apologized before.”

“You have, but not like that. You just want to get in my pants, so you’re going to make it as real as possible,” she snorts.

“Bella, I’m sorry. If I knew you wouldn’t have appreciated it, I wouldn’t have done it,” I reply.

“I appreciate it, but I would have liked to know about it.”

“I’ll know for next time,” I wink at her, and I lean back, grabbing her hips. “Can we please go back to what we were doing?”

“Yes,” she replies. She bites her bottom lip, and I’m about to come undone.

“Please tell me I can do what I want now?” I ask.

She blushes and nods her head.

“Thank God,” I mumble.

I lean in and kiss her again with intensity, and it is not sweet; I want it to be messy. I want her to release her control to me.

“I’m going to ask you, honestly, can I take the reins here?”

“Yes,” she says breathlessly.

This is why she’s perfect for me—before our one sexual encounter, she had heard stories of what I’m into when it comes to sex. Our first time wasn’t close to the control I like to have. I let her run the show mostly then, but this time it’s all me.

“I’m going to take it moderately easy on you. I’m out of practice since it’s been a while since I’ve done this with anyone.”

She doesn’t know it yet, but the last time I’d done anything sexual with anyone was two years ago, with her.

TWENTY-SIX

JULIET

I have no clue what Gino meant when he said he was going to take it moderately easy on me. I know what he’s into, thanks to many games of truth or dare and never have I ever in college. But last time we were together, he gave me free rein after he made the first move. I controlled everything. And since then, I’ve realized I don’t always want control.

Before I can think, he pulls me away from the door and spins me around, walking me back until my back is to his desk, with his eyes glaring into mine. I know he’s using this as an opportunity for me to stop this, and I won’t. I want this. I want this so bad it hurts. He’s everything I want, and I think he knows it.

The back of my legs hit his desk, and he lifts me slightly, and I’m suddenly thankful I opted for a pencil skirt to lunch.

“Goddamn, this outfit is killing me,” he groans. “Did you know I would do this? Is that why you wore it?”

It’s not, but I wish it were.

He towers over me, his hands firmly on my hips. “Answer me,” he growls.

“If I say yes, what will you do?”