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Ten minutes. Shit, he was in the area. Blinded by panic, Connie lurched to her feet and tripped over her shoes. The only reason she stopped was to shove them on, because some rational part of her brain was still in control, rolling its eyes at the flurry of riotous emotions capable of rendering her down to a prey animal. She hit her shin on the coffee table, barely felt the pain, and stumbled over to the desk to find her purse.
Then she just stood there, unable to recall what she'd done with the damn thing. A moment later, she couldn't remember what she was looking for. Mind as clean as a polished pane of glass, she could only sway in place, lost as to what to do next.
“Sit down, Connie.” Gentle hands pushed her into her chair, then urged her head down between her knees. Archie rubbed her back firmly, crouching down beside her. “See, this is what you need to work toward stopping. Get it done and out of the way, and you don't need to go through this again. You know, Jasper uses a cream on me sometimes, to numb things. Feels weird, but in a good sense.”
“You're not helping, Archie.”
“Yeah, I am. You're just freaked out to admit it right now. Thane's going to come, and you'll calm down. Jasper has that effect on me—I think it's a Dom trait. They walk into a room and just blanket everyone under their power. Some people get scared, but for people like us, it's a comforting weight. You offer that comfort to everyone, Connie, wherever you go. It's time you let someone else do the coddling now.”
When the hell had this situation devolved, and why was it going downhill so fast? Connie couldn't pinpoint the precise moment when it all blew up in her face, what she'd said or done to bring her here. There would be an opportunity to cancel out Archie's actions, but Connie didn't know if she wanted to. Apparently, her friend listened to her more than she thought, and she was putting everything Connie had taught her into play.
Bitch.
She was well aware of the time ticking past as she remained bent over, breathing in slow, long breaths to give herself time to think. Archie remained beside her, her hand still stroking and petting. Eventually, she sat up slowly, all the blood from her head filtering away and leaving her dizzy.
An instant message popped up on the computer through the interoffice system. She read it, a request from reception to allow a personal visitor to be allowed access. She almost told Shauna to refuse Thane access, then reconsidered. If Thane wanted in here, he would come. No feisty receptionist, no door or lock, would keep him out of here now.
Archie tsked and leaned over, quickly typing: Please ask him to come back to my office.
When Thane tapped on the door and stepped in, Connie's throat tightened. He was every inch the damn Dom, and she hated him for having the self-control she'd lost somewhere along the way. The door shut at his back, but he just stood there and raked his amber gaze over Connie, then Archie. Heated,focused, serious.
“That's my cue to leave!” Archie stood quickly, bending to kiss Connie's cheek. “I love you like a sister, Connie. Enjoy yourself, okay? Find the bliss that comes after the first part, and let him look after you.”
As her friend and lifeline bolted across the room, yanking the door open and slamming it at her back, Connie straightened in her chair and attempted to put on a deadly expression. She was sure it was a failed attempt, but she had to try and regain some of her equilibrium.
“Hello, sugar.”
***
Chapter Ten
Jasper's sub shot past Thane, giving him an exaggeratedwink as she went. The little troublemaker wasn't hanging around to explain the message he'd received, nor to threaten him to his face. A very wise move on her part, because he was not in the mood to defend himself right at this moment.
Thane glanced around the room, taking in the two halves of the room that were so different, yet so Connie in design. The desk, the bookshelves, the administrative area of the office might as well have had Dommestamped on it in big red letters. It was a workspace, organized and orderly. The other half was all submissive, a lot softer and welcoming than the hardwood and darker colors on the other side. The couch, the table, the colors spoke of home and comfort.
“Hello, sugar. Someone did a sweet job with the decorating in here,” he commented, wandering further into the room. The door was still shuddering on its hinges from the almighty slam Anarchy had given it when she left, but Connie was frozen in her chair, gray eyes huge and wary. “So, a little birdie told me you're done for the day. Do you know what that birdie suggested I do?”
Her head bobbed twice, barely perceptible.
“Did that birdie send the message with your knowledge and permission?” Thane crossed over to the couch, sitting down with his back in the corner opposite Connie, and stretching his long legs out in front of him. He didn't get his phone out—he'd memorized the fucking text.
This time, Connie hesitated before nodding. Her breathing was labored, despite her attempts to conceal it.
“Scale of one to ten,” he said conversationally, reaching over to pluck a familiar box off the coffee table, “how scared are you? Honestly, sugar. I'm curious.”
Connie mumbled something, sliding her eyes to the carpet.
“A little louder, Connie. There's no point hiding from me now—there's a whole deck of cards on the table we need to sort through. This seems an appropriate place to talk things over.” He lifted the lid on the box and ran a fingertip over the sleek contour of the anal plug he'd chosen for her.
“Fifty-six,” she whispered.
Thane didn't laugh. He had an inkling he knew what had gone on here this afternoon, and he couldn't whole-heartedly approve of Anarchy's tactics. But then, he doubted the woman had all the necessary data required. He pulled the two items out of the box, then tossed it aside. “Go lock the door, Connie, and strip on your way back here. Are there cameras in here for your safety?”
“No cameras.” Connie licked her lips. “How did you get here so fast?”
He scowled and jerked his head toward the door. When she got up and walked towards it, he flicked open the cap on the lube and drizzled a thin stream around the shiny tip of the plug. “I fully expected you to make an escape after you got my present,” he told her simply, using his thumb to distribute lube over the steel. “I've been waiting in the parking lot down the street, just in case. I wanted to be able to catch you before you ran too far, too fast.”
She stopped dead, looked at him over her shoulder. “Excuse me? You woke up this morning and figured it was a good day to stalk me?”
