Page 22 of The Boss

Including her sex life. With me.

“We need to talk about the terms of this relationship.”

I nod. Yes, it’s a good idea, isn’t it? This isn’t a conventional relationship. We literally hooked up Friday night, and she decided I was her new girlfriend. I’m playing along because… well, do you see this woman? She’s like sex walked into a tailor’s and said,“Put me in a dress. I’ve got women to fuck, and I need to look good doing it!”The fact I might get spoiled in the process has crossed my mind. I mean, I get to keep this outfit. Even if we broke up tomorrow, I could still shove this in the back of my closet until I need it for a wedding, interview, whatever.

Julianna slides her Moleskine across the table, careful to avoid our empty wine glasses and my bowl. “I’ve jotted down some rules as they’ve occurred to me over the past few hours. Let me know if you have any questions.”

Rules, huh?

I keep my reaction neutral as I hold the notebook and study Julianna’s handwriting in the candlelight.

1.Exclusivity is key. No other people. I expect to be the only one involved. Finding out about another lover would be grounds for dismissal.

What a business-y way of putting that. “Don’t worry, Ms. Marcon,” I say. “I can’t say I’m seeing anyone else right now, nor do I want to.” Before her smugness can choke me, however, I continue, “I hope that this is a two-way street, though. I wouldn’t feel fantastic knowing you’re still ordering up other interns to do the deed with them on your desk.”

I worry about offending her, but I can’t let it go unsaid. If Julianna wants to be exclusive with me, that’s fine. Like I said, I’m not seeing anyone else anyway. But I’ll be damned if she getsto still fuck other women while I’m expected to be Miss Pretty & Chaste outside of her.

“That is ideal, yes.” Is that all I’m getting from her? “I think you’ll be more than satisfactory for me, Alessa.” Her eyes linger on my breasts, perfectly outlined in sapphire blue in this dress. I may not show off any cleavage right now, but she knows what it looks like, fabric be damned. “I would worry more about you.”

“Me?” She’s kidding, right?

“Of course. You’re a beautiful young woman who is only beginning her sexual journey through life. People can sense that.” She shrugs as if I should be happy with that answer.

“All right, then.”

“Keep reading, please.”

I glance at the Moleskine.“2. There will be no fraternizing or flirting with anyone else.”Oh, was this about what happened earlier today?

There I was, standing in the lobby of my boss’s building when a young man in a nice suit approached me and asked for directions to a specific office. Since I knew exactly where it was, I was more than happy to help him get to his job interview. Except Julianna chose that moment to approach and turn into Ms. Jealousy, because howdareI talk to anyone else!

I had almost forgotten about it, thanks to the other nice things that have happened today. But now that she’s dragging it up, all I can think is that I’m involved with a possessive woman.

“This is one of those things that requires trust, Julianna.” I clear my throat. I may only be twenty-one, and my boss is in her thirties, but I’ll be damned if she makes me feel small right now. I know about trust. Granted, not in a relationship like this, but does it take rocket science? “You have my word that I will not ‘fraternize’ or outwardly flirt with anyone while you and I keep this arrangement. That’s common decency. Now, that’s not going to stop me from talking to people, you know? I don’t care ifyou’re convinced that they’re flirting with me. If I’m not flirting back with them, you have no grounds to get angry with me.”

Her face is set in half-scorn, half-amusement. Does she think I’m cute? Or is she obsessing over sex? It’s both, isn’t it?

“Fine. I’ll trust you.” She squeezes her pen in her hand. “There’s more. Go on.”

“3. You are to accompany me to both formal and informal functions as your schedule permits.”Seems fair. Except for one thing.

“You do know I’m still in school, right?” There’s a reason I only work at her office during the afternoons… because I’ve got classes in the morning.

“I vaguely remember something about that. Only a couple here and there, correct? Forward Vern your usual schedule and he’ll work it into mine.”

“A couple? Here and there? Julianna, I’m going to school full time.” I spent my hours this weekend thinking about her and doing my homework. There’s a paper due soon! “I have no intentions of taking a sabbatical because I’m dating someone.”

“No,” she grumbles through gritted teeth. “Of course not. Like I said, forward your class schedule to Vern and he’ll make sure it works out with mine.”

Not sure how I feel about her executive assistant scheduling our banging, but okay.

“When does your term end?”

“June.”

“Ju… you’re serious?”

“Absolutely.”

---