Page 7 of Boss with Benefits

“Not with that woman,” I said rougher than I meant to. “Shortly after that date, she broke it off and started seeing someone else. They’re still together.”

I didn’t mention that it was Peyton Holland, a junior producer at Dreamary who helped with social media. We had gone out a couple of times, but it was clear I was the one chasing her, while she was chasing after another man—who she was still happily dating.

“And have you been with anyone after this woman?” Lexi continued, pressing gently.

I shook my head, bitterness coating my tongue.

“How come?” she asked, her voice softening.

Anger simmered beneath the surface. “Because I wasn’t about to have that happen again. It was humiliating enough the first time. I know it’s more common than society lets on, but when it happens to you?—”

“It doesn’t matter if you’re the only one or if there are thousands of others like you—it’s horrible. But there’s hope. I can work with you if you’d like. Or I can suggest a colleague. There’s also the little blue pill. It works wonders.”

I raked my hands through my hair, tugging at the roots in frustration. “Look, it’s obviously mental. It works fine solo. Although, a couple of days ago, I had a moment with someone and it sprang to life. I have no idea what that means.”

“It means you’re probably right. It’s in your mind. If it was because of that medicine, it’s the fear holding you back now,” Lexi said, her voice upbeat. “You may not have the issue at all anymore, and there’s only one way to find out. Why don’t you ask the woman who made it stir to life out?”

“I don’t even like her like that. So that was also weird,” I admitted, shaking my head.

Lexi chewed her lip, thinking. “You must have felt safe around her.”

“I was helping her through a scary situation,” I said, recalling the way Rachel’s eyes had widened in fear that night in the locker room.

“Do you want to pursue her? If so, be upfront with her about your fears. If you are dismantling toxic masculinity, then show that vulnerable side. It may be difficult, but she could be the key.”

I shook my head firmly. “I don’t see her that way, despite what my dick wanted in that moment. It’s been in hibernation too long. That’s all.”

Lexi bent forward. “I have another idea—and this is not me as a therapist talking right now. Go out and get some. Now. Prove to yourself that it works. Once you’re confident your body will respond, the problem should go away.”

“So your recommendation is to get laid?” I asked, my tone dripping with sarcasm.

“Yep.” She stood, stretching out the kinks in her back.

As she walked away, her footsteps fading down the hallway to the podcast studios, I was left sitting there, staring at the darkened windows.

Who the hell was I going to task for the job? A stranger in a bar? Someone on Tinder? It wasn’t my style.

I stole a glance at my crotch.

There had to be someone out there who I could have casual sex with, no strings attached. But who?

5

RACHEL

Isat cross-legged on the floor of Derrick’s chaotic office, papers and files strewn around me like the aftermath of a paper hurricane. Grabbing a thick folder from the mess, I held it up, raising an eyebrow.

“Keep or shred?” I asked, tilting my head.

Derrick leaned forward in his chair behind the imposing oak desk that dominated the room. His eyes scanned the folder as if weighing its worth before he responded. “Shred.”

With a dramatic flourish, I pulled the pages out and fed them into the shredder’s voracious maw. The machine whirred to life, eagerly devouring the paper. It was oddly comforting watching the past disappear in shreds.

“Tell me again why you want to work here part-time?” Derrick asked, his tone more commanding than curious.

“My mom’s been busting her ass as a neonatal ICU doctor for over two decades,” I started, trying to keep the mood light. He was always so serious. “And I want to surprise her with an Alaskan cruise. It’s been on her bucket list forever, but she never has time. She works constantly, and I need a way to motivate her.”

Derrick glanced at me, his expression softening for a fraction of a second before his professional mask slipped back into place. “And that’s why you bullied me into hiring you?”

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