Page 5 of Hooked

“He isn’t mine, but yes, he might, and anyone else who’s around. I’d rather not have my social calendar become fodder for the firm’s gossip mill, if you don’t mind.”

“What social calendar? The last time you went out, other than with David and me, was six months ago.”

“That’s no one’s business, either,” she hissed, speaking low and hoping her friend would follow suit.

“Chill, hon. No one’s going to hear. It’s ten after five. Anyone still around at closing time hauled ass out of here nine minutes and fifty-nine seconds ago.”

“Oh no. Is it that late?” Livia pulled out her phone to check. Sure enough. 5:11. The batteries in the wall clock must need changing. Either that or her daydreams about Joseph had sucked up more time than she thought. “I have to get a move on, or the club will be closed by the time I make it to San Antonio.”

“Decadence is a sex club, babe. I’m pretty sure they stay open past nine.”

She frantically surveyed the area for who may have heard before giving her best friend an irritated glance. “Will you please stop!”

“Sorry,” she replied, her grin saying she wasn’t sorry in the least. Emma looped her arm through hers. “Come on. I’ll walk out with you.”

Emma was her best friend since high school. Now a paralegal at the firm, she’d told her about the opening and put in a good word for her with the hiring manager in HR. She had three interviews, the final one with Joseph, who had the final say, of course.

Needing to tell someone she was in lust with her boss, Emma was the only one she could trust. They were close, like sisters, and like an older sister, she didn’t let an opportunity to tease her about it pass by.

“Maybe it wouldn’t hurt for Joe to know you’re in the market for a dom. It might open his eyes to the smoking-hot submissive parked outside his door who has been going unnoticed, un-spanked, and un-fucked for too damn long. Then, if he still doesn’t get his head out of his ass and stake his claim, you can finally move on.”

“Emma Jean Briscoe, if you dare utter a single word to him, you’ll have to find a new best friend because I will be on my way to Vancouver, having packed my belongings and skulked out of town in the wee hours, never to be seen at this firm again. Is that what you want?”

“You don’t mean that. And may I point out, you’re making more noise than I did.”

“I’m dead serious. Besides, you said the S-word. That tends to get folk’s attention pretty darn quick.”

“Submissive?”

“Shh!” Grabbing her arm, she pulled her down the hall, through the lobby, past the empty reception desk, and out the front door. On the sidewalk out front, with the traffic noise giving the relative privacy, Livia set her straight. “Not S as in sub. S as in spanked.”

“Ah.” Emma’s pretty blue eyes sparkled with humor. “You’ve got a point there. A good old-fashioned hiding, especially in Texas, makes people stand up and take notice. Or should I say bend over?”

“I don’t have time for your nonsense today,” she muttered as she took off down the sidewalk to the employee parking lot.

Still laughing at her own joke, Emma hurried after her. When her much shorter legs caught up, she was out of breath. “Why not let David and me take you to the Pit tomorrow night? We can be your wingmen and help you scope out a nice local dom.”

She shot a frowning glance at her friend. “Sorry, but a club called the Pleasure Pit doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. Besides, you said that place was a meat market full of posers and wannabes.”

She blinked as if she didn’t recall. “I did?”

“Yes, you called it that several times, as a matter of fact.”

“Mm,” Em grunted. “I guess I did. We haven’t been in a while.”

Tilting her head, Livia’s brows arched as she challenged, “And why is that?”

A blush crept into her friend’s cheeks as she sheepishly admitted, “Because it’s a meat market full of posers and wannabes.”

“I rest my case.” Having arrived at her car, she plunked her purse down on the hood and went fishing for her car keys.

“It might be different now,” Emma said then went on, her voice filled with concern, “I worry about you going to a club you’ve never been to before, by yourself, two hours from home.”

Livia stopped digging and glanced her way. “I know you have reservations, but I’m a big girl. I promise if don’t feel comfortable, I’ll leave.” She reached for Em’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “You both said this is the best club in the Southwest and I don’t think David would have gone to the trouble of getting me this invitation if he didn’t think I’d be safe.”

“He arranged for an escort,” she reminded her.

“Even better. I’ll have a friend of a friend looking out for me.”

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