Page 26 of Pierced

I laugh again. It’s haughty this time. Slightly contemptuous.

“I told you I read the book. I know there’s room for negotiation, so that’s what this is. Renegotiation.”

I smile, even though I don’t want to give him the wrong impression. Because picturing Pierce reading the Ana-Christian sex contract negotiation is just fun. “So…” I say in my low, throaty Mistress Myrtle voice. I kinda missed that voice. I wonder if Andrew needs a new Sultry Siren? Because that’s what Mistress Myrtle sounds like and it’s a helluva lot better than the one he’s currently using. “You fancy yourself an expert.”

“I am the boss,” he says. Is he using his Master Pierce voice on me? “So I could make the rules up as I go.”

“Whoa,” I say, putting up a hand. “That’s not—”

“But I won’t. I just want something of my own added to the contract.” He pulls the folded paper out of his inside suitcoat pocket and flattens it out on the desk.

“Oh,” I say, getting it. “You’re afraid I’m going to sue you for sexual harassment.”

“What?” He screws up his face, like this was not what he was thinking at all. “No. I just want a date.”

“A date?”

“Yeah. A date. With you. One that doesn’t involve the Red Room of Pain.”

“Pleasure,” I correct him. “My room is about pleasure.” I purr that last part so smooth, he blinks. And if that desk wasn’t hiding his groin, I’d probably see his cock jump.

He clears his throat. “A date. A weekend, actually. We’re going to the mountains. The magazine owns a place up in Vail and—”

“Hold on,” I say, putting up a hand. “You want to take me away for a ridiculous romantic weekend?”

“That’s right. And it’s a deal-breaker. So if you say no, I say no. I’ll rip this contract up, walk out of this office, and have expectations, Myrtle. Job performance expectations.”

“Oh.” I laugh again. It’s loud too. “Is that so?”

“Yup. Take it or leave it.”

“I don’t think you understand what this is.”

“I understand,” Pierce says. “Perfectly. You want to humiliate me like I humiliated you.”

“That’s not exactly it,” I say, feeling defensive.

“Sure it is. And I’m fine with it. I probably deserve it. But it’s not going to be fun for me. So I want some perks. I want the new car and the new computer. I want the glider ride and the helicopter tour. I want you to work for it.”

“Oh, my God. You really did read the book.” I have to cover my mouth to hide my smile.

“So we’re going on a date to Vail and I’m gonna give you the Christian Grey experience.”

“You’re not Christian,” I say. “I am. So technically I should be giving you the—”

“Sign it,” he says, thrusting the paper at me.

I glance down at the paper, which is filled with the red marks of new demands, and then reach for my glasses that hang on a chain around my neck, and put them on with one hand as I reach for the contract with my other.

Pierce’s hand clutches mine before I can do that, and I look at him, realizing I’m half bent over the desk and this is not at all a position of dominance.

I snatch the paper away and turn my back to him. Scanning the new details.

“Share a bed?” I ask, looking over my shoulder.

He shrugs.

“Breakfast in bed?”