Page 13 of Boss Level

Judith’s fingers dug into my thigh, but she looked pleasant. Sweet. “I amsolucky I haven’t run out of time to give my Dom all the babies he wants.”

I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. I didn’t have any issues with people who chose family over career, but assuming the rest of the world felt the same as the person who’d made that choice…

Fortunately, the conversation didn’t really go downhill from there. It was more of a sideways shift into no-intermission awkwardness.

I was doing this for Roger, who had been like a father to me since I lost my own. Who had mentored me. Who made sure I came up in this industry. I was doing this for the people who worked for us, so we could keep giving them good jobs and opportunities.

It was only for a few weeks.

Despite telling myself those simple things over and over, when we reached dessert, I insisted I had an early meeting, and bowed out as forcefully as I could while being polite and resisting the urge to bolt for the door.

I pulled out Judith’s chair for her, helped her into her coat, and offered my arm, so we could stroll sedately from the building.

Neither of us spoke in the car. I got a few blocks before I pulled into an empty park, picked a spot away from the road, and shut off the engine. I flopped against my seat with a loud sigh. “One night down.”

“And we survived.” Judith’s tone was impossible to read.

“This was a mistake.”

She gasped loudly and her hand flew to her chest. “But I thought we meant something to each other.” Apparently she was still in bullshit mode. “I thought we had a future together. I thought you wanted me to have a dozen of your babies, until my womb was too withered and old to be useful to you, and then I could… I don’t know… make you dinner a lot?”

I didn’t know if I should laugh or… “I donotwant you making me dinner.” Might as well try to float some humor.

“You really don’t.” She snorted, and her mask finally slipped. “But you act like you expected tonight to be something else.”

“I didn’t expect his wife to be less than half his age.”

Judith slid her hand under mine, where it rested on the gear shift. “Tonight was nothing. You know that, don’t you?” She spoke with the resignation of someone who had seen things.

“Do you want to break it off now?” I wouldn’t blame her.

“No.” She turned her hand upside-down and squeezed mine. “I was her once. Granted, I was about halfherage, but I know how deep the indoctrination runs, and if this is the life the two of them want…” Her tone faltered, and when I glanced at her, it was in time to see a shadow pass over her face. “I said I’d do this, I owe you, and I’ll see it through.”

I really did adore her friendship. The thought hit me hard. Despite the way her relationship had changed with Xander, despite her drifting away, she was such an integral part of our lives.

“This’ll help you feel better,” Judith said. “Do you know what would’ve horrified every other person at that table?”

I was about to askwhat’s that, but the answer came to me. “Hearing the actual story of how we met?”

“That was a dinner I’ll never forget.” The wistfulness in her voice floated on heat.

And now the vivid images were flashing into my mind, and I was eager to let them replace less pleasant thoughts. “Why have we never done that again?”

“Because you hooked up with my best friend. Don’t you remember your own origin story?

And now I was picturing her in a bodysuit. How much fun would it be to strip that off her? “Like we’re a couple of superheroes?”

“Just mutants.”

“Come home with me tonight.” The offer tumbled out easily. The three of us, Judith, Xander and I, had played around and fucked for a while after I met them. When Xander and I started dating, the rest tapered off, but tonight that part of my past was clamoring for attention.

Judith fluttered her hand to her chest once again, her exaggerated gasp filling the car again. “Why, future husband, are you suggesting what I think you are?”

I turned in my seat, rested a finger under her chin, and tilted her head up to meet her gaze. “I believe I am, future wife.”

“Should we warn Xander we’re coming?” She licked her lips.

“Not until you actually are, but maybe let him know I’m bringing home a treat.”

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