Page 38 of Under His Command

“I don’t want my presence at the club to alter your plans. You came in search of a dom, so I offer you two choices. Option one, come back next week, and I’ll introduce you to some single doms who I think you might like.”

There it was, the rejection she feared, but it didn’t hurt as she expected. It was worse, so much worse, like a knife in the gut. Biting the inside of her lip as she fought the tears that threatened, she jerked away from his hand still holding her face.

“There’s another option.”

She barely heard, her emotional misery so acute it became a physical pain.

“Imp, look at me.”

Shaking her head, she couldn’t. He’d see how shatteredshewas. Why had she let Jules talk her into going to the club? It had ruined everything. She’d have to get a new job, start over, swear off men, yet again. And more devastating than anything else, never see Flynn again. Biting the inside of her cheek to contain a sob, it escaped anyway.

Strong fingers recaptured her chin, angling her face upward.

“Look at me, Cassie.”

She blinked, trying to keep the tears under control. But when she looked at him, so close, and still so handsome, despite the watery image he’d become, she lost her battle, and several rolled down her cheeks.

“Don’t cry, baby. You haven’t heard the other choice yet.”

“I’m not.” Her ludicrous denial came out in a croaky whisper.

He smiled, flashing his dimple, but he didn’t call her on the out-and-out fib. Instead, his other hand rose to cup her face, and both thumbs slid across her damp cheeks, removing the proof.

“Option two is you become my submissive.”

She shook her head, more hot tears escaping. “You’ve never shown the least bit of interest. I don’t want a pity offer.”

“I’m not so self-sacrificing I’d be with someone out of pity,” he grumbled. “I never mentioned my inclination because I didn’t want to shock the pants off you, Cassie.” His lips twitched into a fleeting grin. “I wanted them off because that tempting ass of yours has been haunting my dreams, but I thought you were vanilla and innocent, and you gave me no signs, either. Therefore, I kept my distance. Besides, relationships between co-workers can be difficult.”

“Then why are you doing this?”

“I said difficult, not impossible. And I’ve found that the sweetest berries are often the most challenging to reach, though well worth the extra effort.”

Her heart fluttered at how endearing that was, but it couldn’t be so easy, could it? “What about the Navy? Isn’t fraternization frowned upon?”

“You’re a contractor and don’t report to me. I have input into the project, nothing else.”

“My company values your contribution. They listen to you and the captain, so it’s important for me to do what I can to keep their biggest customer happy.”

“Having you as my sub would certainly make me happy.”

“Flynn, I mean, sir...” She let her lashes drop, concealing the yearning she felt sure was reflected in her gaze. “What happens when it’s over? It would be more awkward than it has been these last few days.”

“You’re calling it quits before it begins?”

“I’m trying to be realistic.”

“You’re a skeptic. I see things differently, and in my scenario, we work.” His hand slid along her cheek, brushing back the strands of hair sticking to her tear-dampened skin. Tenderly, he tucked them behind her ear. “I don’t need your answer now. I want you to have time to think. Whatever your decision is, we’ll go on as we always have at work. You run the lab, train the men on the simulations, encourage them when they get frustrated, while I chew them out when they fuck up.”

His description of their roles was accurate, so much so, her lips trembled on the verge of a smile.

“And we’ll have our Friday lunches. You owe me one, by the way. I’ll need to claim my rain check later though. One of the other instructors had a family emergency. I had to cover his rotation. That’s why I waited until the end of the day to come find you.”

“Iwondered where you were. Iassumed you were mad at me.”

“I am. Which brings us to the matter of your recklessness on Saturday.”

“What?”

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