Page 80 of The More the Merrier

“Really fucking mature!” he yelled. Grabbing the bottle of pills, he shook a few into his hand, gulping them back with water, and waited for the pain to dull.

Chapter 11

Gregor

Could things have turned out any better? Sure, he had issues with the employer/employee dynamic and had received a warning from Blaze, whose friendship meant more to him than a fling with any woman ever could. But all he’d committed to when Blaze made his case as to why Gregor wasn’t the one for Claire was placing her elsewhere in the company, he didn’t say anything about not having a relationship with her.

Maybe it was time to take a play out of Atticus’ playbook and show Claire exactly what type of man he was. Maybe he wasn’t as doting as Atticus, but he certainly knew how to give a woman his full attention and make her feel like she was the only woman in the world.

Taking a last-minute look in the mirror, he stepped out the door and into the snowy night. Thankfully, the snowfall was light and would most likely not accumulate to the level requiring removal. Even though he had a crew on standby, he preferred to not bother anyone during the six-day celebration regardless of their attendance status at the events.

Maybe it was the pleasure he was now expecting to come from the evening instead of the battle of wills it was going to be, but somehow his spirit felt light. He was excited about being with Claire, especially knowing who she was. He could test her, similarly to what Atticus had been doing earlier, without prejudice.

It was no longer a game of playing with a hired submissive. It was a game of trials that he and Atticus had written the rules for long ago. He’d put her through her paces tonight and if she came through, he’d peel her layers away one by one. Stripping her until she was naked, both body and spirit.

She would beg for his cock, and he would plow those sensitive silky folds but only after he’d teased her all evening long. Getting her wet and ready for him was only part of what he had in mind.

Gregor was in no way a House Master in that he wasn’t interested in being served hand and foot by his submissive. What he did demand were trust and loyalty. If she was worth the life he and Atticus had to offer, then her trust and loyalty would have to be earned. He was concerned about how easily he’d seduced her at the bar while they wore masks and needed to affirm that despite what Blaze had shared about her, she wasn’t just looking for a good time.

What made her come with him so easily? Maybe she had been waiting for someone too? Could she have also mistaken his identity? These questions plagued Gregor while he moved through the snow-laden paths to the heart of the Twin Peaks.

When he entered the doors, he was happy to see all the senior staff, managers, and department heads making merry. He made his way up to her floor and knocked on the door.

“It’s open, Ati!”

Ati?Gregor chuckled. So that’s how he’d gotten to know her better, he never told her his real name. He must have ruined that for him at the cabin earlier, or was it planned that way? One could never tell with Atticus as the man was always scheming. He wondered what happened between them after he and Blaze departed the cabin. Did she ream him out for not being completely forthcoming about his identity or had he flashed her his dimples and all was forgiven?

Gregor opened the door, filling the entrance to her room.

“I’m in the bathroom. I will be out in a moment. Bloody hard to pee with a farthingale on.” Claire came around the corner with a huge smile on her face that quickly dissipated to a frown.

“Sorry, Mr. James, I was expecting Atticus. Please, come in.”

“Ati? It sounds like you two are on very good terms.”

She screwed up her face. Little did Claire know that her face gave away everything.

“I suppose, but he wasn’t exactly honest about who he was, you know when I ran into him.”

How he would have loved to hear the story of exactly how they met but he had other plans. “Do you mean when you ran from me, naughty girl?”

Claire gulped, her pupils dilating. Gregor stepped in close to Claire, gently running his knuckles down her cheek. How he desired to grip her hair and claim her sweet mouth. Not wishing to spoil her hair, Gregor gripped her chin instead, brushing her lips with his, watching the rapid pulse in her neck as he pulled away.

Their time together had left an impact on Claire, she wanted him, but only time would tell if she wanted them and all that came with being with two Doms. “Come, fair lady, our evening awaits.”

Claire blinked her eyes as if she’d been in a dream. “Right. Uh, is Atticus joining us or is he already there?”

“He’s been detained and has sent me in his stead. Now, let’s go show you off.” He needed to get them out of her room before he tossed her over the end of her bed and hefted up that ridiculous skirt to have his way with her. Gregor would have preferred a repeat of the other night to just about anything else and that bothered him. It meant she wasn’t the only one in a state of wanting and Gregor James did not like needing or wanting anything, or anyone.

When the elevator opened, Claire gasped. And looking around, he had to admit that this year’s ball superseded even his expectations and that was saying something.

“I’ve been wondering, who is the genius in charge of the décor for your six-day retreat celebration? They could put even Macy’s to shame.”

Gregor chuckled. “I have to agree. The organizer for all the events is your predecessor, Susan.” Test two, how would she react to the news? That would speak volumes about how to move forward with her.

Claire’s eyes widened, then schooled her features. “Are you saying I have the job, Mr. James?”

“Do you want the job, Miss Bennet?”

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