I can barely breathe and, when he lifts his hands away, I cry out in protest.
Adam’s smile is filthy and wicked. “You are the undisputed queen in the boardroom, Nova,” he whispers, his eyes darker than the black of night, “but in here,I’mthe boss. Do you understand?”
Sayanara, resistance.
I’m languid heat and anticipation when I wrap my legs around him. “Yes.”
* * *
The days flowinto a rhythm of eating breakfast with Adam and Rowan and using the rest of my time to putter around my apartment, go shopping at the stationary store, or just sleep in to recover from whatever Adam did to me the night before.
Sometimes, in the evenings, I’ll pick Rowan up from art camp while Adam’s at work and we’ll go shopping at the supply store together. Or we watch movies and pick apart the plot until it’s nothing but bones.
Rowan’s trying to teach me how to draw, but it’s hopeless. Poor thing just won’t accept that yet.
Since leaving Vision Tech, my life has expanded to include more people as I have more time and less excuses to avoid events.
I’ve accepted Dejonae’s invitations for Girl’s Night more than any other social engagement. The farmhouse ladies are always funny and I leave the house feeling warm and happy.
It’s nice to belong.
I’ve never had a group of female friends.
Correction, I’ve never had a group of friendsperiod.
But Kenya, Sunny, Vanya, Dawn and Dejonae are understanding. They respect that I don’t always have something to add to the conversation and seem content just to have my presence.
With all that, I do feel a bit aimless. Everything else in my life is rocketing upward, but there’s a hint of discontent in my professional life that won’t go away.
I’ve been thinking more and more about my next steps. Yoon Technologies gave me an offer to join their company. It’s a great opportunity. Even Adam agreed, despite Yoon Technologies being our competitor.
“Go ahead. I’ll support you wherever you go,”he said, before rolling me over and trying to distract me from worrying.
It worked for a while, but I’m still restless. Picking a new path is a huge weight on my mind.
The options are endless.
I’ve got tons of offers to work for other companies.
I can even start my own business. Without Adam’s money. I have my own saved up thanks to my uber-cautious take on finances.
I’ve even explored branching into a non-tech field, but it all feels wrong, like putting on a dress two sizes too small.
I’m sitting at home, doing research and feeling that same restless dissatisfaction when I decide to surprise Adam at work. He would always bring lunch for me when I was CEO of Vision Tech. Now that he’s going into the office more, I should return the favor.
I cook Adam’s favorite pasta, package it prettily and meet Steve downstairs.
Yes, Adam insisted on me keeping a driver. At first, I rejected it. But Steve is getting older and has children to put through college. I didn’t want to take his job away so I agreed.
Steve smiles and waves.
I return the gesture as I get into the car.
On the way to Vision Tech, I look through the window at the city speeding past. I don’t know if it’s the familiarity of the route or the anticipation of seeing Adam, but simply moving in this direction is easing my nerves.
Steve stops in front of Vision Tech and the restless feeling goes completely away. It’s like… I’m home.
I step inside. The responses are immediate.