Page 70 of In His Cuffs

She froze.

“It’s probably better this way,” he said.

“Is it?” She could hardly force the words past the lump in her throat. “It’s not for me.”

“I’m a demanding bastard. I require any sub of mine to be honest and respectful at all times.”

“A submissive. Is that what I was to you?”

“I was hoping so. I thought we were moving that direction. Clearly it was not what you wanted.”

She lowered her hands to her lap so he couldn’t see the way she was wringing them together beneath the table. The wall that faced the hallway was made of glass, so anyone passing by could see inside the room. This wasn’t where she would have chosen to have this discussion, where anyone could witness her humiliation, but she didn’t want to lose the opportunity. “It is what I want,” she confessed, voice raw. “I was out of line in more ways than one.” She took a breath, and he didn’t speak. Unsure if she’d have another chance to apologise, she continued, “You own the company, and I should have told you what I had done. I called your phone that day, but I could have, should have, left a message. Regardless, the relationship we have—or had—outside of the office demanded I show you more respect.” She blinked. “I’m not sure how to make it up to you, or if I can earn your forgiveness.”

He pressed his palms together in front of his face and tapped his index fingers.

The moment drew out over at least thirty excruciating seconds before he spoke.

“I want to be very clear about a few things. First, your immediate action saved the Hoskins Group account. Second, I see that you made systems changes to ensure it doesn’t occur again. I’m not happy the fuck-up happened to begin with, and I’m not happy we extended the term of the original agreement without giving the renewal due consideration.”

She absently picked at a cuticle.

“Where I take exception to your behaviour is with your deviousness.”

Maggie exhaled a shaky breath.

“You are supposed to be my most trusted adviser, Maggie. Is there another word that applies better? Distrustfulness, perhaps?”

That was worse. “No, Sir,” she said.

“Where do you want to go from here?” he asked, dropping his hands and leaning towards her.

From the corner of her eye, she saw Barb walk by.

“I’ve been lonely, Mr Tomlinson.” And the nightmares were a constant companion. “I’d like a second chance. I’m not sure I will ever be a perfect submissive. But I do know the time with you makes me want to try.”

“Your behaviour would have to be punished.” He leant back in his chair, studying her.

Oh God. Panic made her freeze. “Sir?”

“We discussed punitive spankings, Maggie. As I recall, you said you would not like to receive one. I promise, you would hate it.”

She shuddered.

“I’ve taken some time to consider the situation from your point of view and understand why you would betray my confidence in that way.”

Betray. Another harsh word.

He’d said he’d taken time to think about her motivations. Now she also saw things from his vantage. He’d been relentless in his honesty throughout and she understood how she’d hurt him. The knowledge made her heart ache.

“We could be good together, Maggie, on a personal as well as professional level. The decision as to whether we will be or not has always been in your hands. It still is.”

“But I’d have to submit to your punishment.”

“It’s for you, as much as for me.”

“I don’t understand.”

“You said you didn’t know how to make it up. You can, anytime you want, by submitting to my cane.”

“Jesus.” Her heart slammed to a stop as fear collided with nerves.

“Five strokes. In my office. Your behaviour happened here, it will be punished here.”

She couldn’t string two coherent thoughts together, and speech became impossible. He gave her time to process what he’d said. “You… Are you serious?”

“Deadly.”

His lips were set in a firm line. His eyebrows were relaxed, his shoulders loose. He was calm about this. And, she was certain, not negotiable. “I need to think.”

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