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“It’s delicate.” He thought, then shrugged. “Our general nondisclosure should cover this.”
Hope hesitated to even run this past the firm’s lawyer.
“I suggest we talk to each candidate, see if she’s at all interested in that type of relationship. If so, invite them to a mixer. He’s adept at handling his own negotiations. We stay out of it as much as possible.”
Hope nodded. “Skyler?”
“I think we should let them know as much as we can in advance.”
“I disagree.” Tony leaned forward. “As long as the woman is open to BDSM, it’s up to Sterling to handle it.”
Decision made, Hope nodded. “I agree with Tony. Skyler, after nine, start making the calls.”
“To the women we’ve already presented? Or should we expand it to the next set of ten?”
“Let’s start with the original five.” Even though he’d professed not to like any of them.
Assignment understood, Skyler and Tony headed toward the door.
“Wait.”
They stopped.
“See if we have anyone who likes kayaking or mountain biking.”
“Mountain biking?” Skyler asked. “In Houston?”
“I hear Memorial Park has some trails. And we’re not that far from Hill Country. There has to be someone who enjoys it, right?” Who also wanted to wear the collar of one of Houston’s most eligible bachelors. And have his baby. She wasn’t certain why those thoughts made her uncomfortable.
After Hope fled from his office, Rafe had crossed to the window and placed a palm on the wall as he looked down. He’d replayed their conversation, and he struggled to vanquish the thought of her as his submissive. He scened with women who were experienced, but he was captivated by the idea of instructing her in the joys of surrender. He wanted her mouth to part from his caress of pain, gasp with the sting of pleasure.
Proving he already had power over her, she’d stopped on the sidewalk and glanced up. He stayed in place until she hurried off, as if frightened by what she saw.
She had reason to be.
When he crossed his office to return to his desk, he inhaled the scent of lilacs, and he wasn’t certain whether or not he’d imagined it.
After shaking his head, he emailed her his limits list. Though she intended to use it to screen his candidates, he wondered which things she’d cross out and which she might be willing to try.
Those unanswered questions made his cock hard, so he shoved them away to concentrate on business. Getting his father reengaged with the business would settle the issue with Noah, take the marriage pressure off Rafe, and allow him to pursue the curvy little matchmaker.
Resolved, he’d called his father again. Annoyance flashed through Rafe when the call went straight to voicemail. He left a message before rolling the gnawing ache from his shoulder.
When the phone rang sometime later, he snatched it up, expecting his father.
Instead, it was Celeste.
“You met with Hope.”
Like him, she rarely wasted precious moments on pleasantries. “If that’s what you would call it.” He sat back.
“Don’t blame her.” And before he could say anything, she added, “Or me. We were tools for your mother’s use.”
As if Celeste would ever be a mere tool for anyone. “Which makes both you and Ms. Malloy complicit.” He reached for the mug of coffee that Jeanine had brought a while ago. He’d ignored it until now. “Your input might have made their task a little less burdensome.” He took a drink. The contents were tepid, but caffeine was caffeine and maybe it would help ward off the headache grinding at the back of his skull. “All beautiful. All…goddamn perfect.” It was a glimpse of his ideal woman and make-believe life. No wonder he was pissed off.
“There’s another matter…”
Celeste was a master of the expectant pause. In fact, she had studied theater along with psychology and business. A shrewder woman he’d never known.
While he waited for her to speak, he traced the logo on the cup. Instead of the Sterling crown, this one was emblazoned with the golden Titans logo, a laurel wreath cradling Athena’s owl.
“You’ve had this thrust on you. So much responsibility. You’re capable of it, no doubt.”
