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“Am I paying for this trip?”
“Oh, does that mean I’ve been bought for the trip like a whore? Is that what you think of me? Maybe I was naive to believe you had enough in you to call you human.”
The indictment stung, and his expression was deadly. She almost thought he’d slap her, but he didn’t. Maybe she deserved it, but she was pissed as hell for good reason.
“I’m sorry,” she acquiesced, though there was little giving in her body language.
“You know, for a nearly naked woman you’re treading on dangerous territory. What I’d like to do…”
He didn’t say it, but she knew.
“I bet you would,” she couldn’t help herself from snapping.
“Get dressed, now.”
It was another of those commands she should have challenged, but maybe it was wiser to say nothing.
He turned away from her and slammed the bathroom door behind him.
Letting out the bath water, Jocelyn found her clothes in the closet and dressed, while she heard Reggie pacing in the other room. It took just five minutes to be ready, which should have pleased him, though he wasn’t showing pleasure in anything. There would be silence all the way back to the conference room, any attempt to repair the damage would fail. This would take cooling down time, and a lot of diplomacy on her part. She wasn’t sure she wanted to bother.
The meeting was conducted in English start to finish. Reggie consulted with her a half dozen times, Jocelyn appalled by the high level of negotiations that were being discussed, the amount of money involved, and the intricacy of the bargaining. She was thankful that her comments were useful to him. He did trust her insight in this matter, even when her clear thinking comments were contrary to his line of thinking. She did have a knowledge of his company that he respected, and he was right to bring her along.
“You were spectacular, Jocelyn,” he whispered as they left the conference room side by side. He had a smile on his face, their earlier sparring apparently forgotten. She was happy about that. Maybe they could forget that unfortunate moment in the bedroom, but she had a feeling that that wasn’t possible.
“Thank you,” she said.
There was another reception after the meeting, though this one was more enjoyable, with at least half of the participants speaking a language she knew. However, as soon as she and Reggie were in the more relaxed environment, Jocelyn detected a subtle disquiet in her blue-eyed associate. Though he said nothing, she had a gut feeling that the earlier row had not been forgotten after all.
Dressing for dinner in their room an hour later, she chattered like some perky kid. It must have been the pent-up feelings that needed some expression. Even if she wasn’t saying anything particularly important, she needed just to talk. She also hoped her cheery comments might ease them into the rest of their evening.
“Would you shut up,” Reggie finally barked, as he was adjusting his tie in the mirror, listening to her go on about something that was of no concern to him.
“What’s got you pissed?” she asked. “I thought you were in a good mood?”
“I was.”
“But I’m annoying you. Isn’t that too bad,” she quipped.
“You want to start again?”
“That wasn’t my plan.”
“But that’s where you’re headed.”
“So, what the hell have you got to be pissed with me about, didn’t I salvaged your business this afternoon?”
“I wouldn’t put it that way,” he said. “You may have been brilliant this afternoon, but it’s more personal matters that I’m going to blister your ass for.”
“Blister my ass?” She looked astounded.
The belt was already in his hand, not initially intended to be laid against her butt; but he took an instant liking to the idea. He had the perfect opportunity right in front of him, with Jocelyn half naked in garter belt and bra and nothing else, looking as ready as he’d ever find her.
“You don’t mean it, not now! We’re going to be late for dinner.”
“I don’t really care.”
He was sitting on the bed, she was over his lap, and the belt was coming down on her bottom before she could breathe again. The snap of the leather created a quick sharp sting, reminding her that her ass was still sore from the night before.
