Page 35 of Boss of Her

“And that’s what Ashton wants?” Jade asked. “Her family’s legacy to continue? How did you know that?”

“It was a calculated guess. You see, Ashton has been making some major changes to her company recently. Although she’s only in her forties, there’s speculation that she’s planning to retire soon. She’s been training Evan to be her successor, but rumor has it that she’s concerned about his performance. She’s worried about the future of her family’s company, its reputation, the legacy she’ll leave behind. Appealing to that was the smart play.”

“That makes sense. Still, it seems like a big risk to take.”

“It was a gamble, yes. But sometimes, you need to take those risks. Sometimes, you need to trust your instincts and take that leap.”

Jade nodded. “I understand, I think.”

“Good. Now, go to lunch.”

Jade left the room, shutting the door behind her. Simone returned to her desk, taking a seat behind it and stretching out in her chair. What the two of them were doing? Letting the lines blur? That was a risk.

But Jade was worth the risk. Simone had never wanted anyone so intensely. No one else had lit a fire within her the way Jade did.

And what harm was there in embracing that? After all, it was only a game. A deliciously twisted game of power and control.

And it had only just begun.

CHAPTER 15

Simone unlocked her front door and ushered Jade inside. “Finally. I couldn’t spend another minute in that office.”

Jade readjusted the box of files and folders in her arms. It was late on Friday afternoon, and she and Simone had left the office for a change of scenery. But they still had plenty to do.

Jade gazed around the mansion. It was just as breathtaking as it had been the first time Simone brought her here. “This is definitely better than working in the office. If I lived here, I’d never leave.”

Simone walked over to the cherry wood dining table and set the box she was carrying down on it, gesturing for Jade to do the same. “It has its perks. It almost makes that god-awful traffic worth it.”

“You’ve never thought about living downtown instead? Somewhere closer to the office?”

“I’ve considered it. Actually, I was days away from closing on a condo downtown when I found this place. The moment I stepped through the door, I knew I had to make it my own.”

“I can see why.” Jade wandered over to the glass doors leading out onto the deck. It was evening and the sun wassetting, the sky above the city painted purple and orange. “It’s beautiful.”

Simone slipped behind her, drawing her hand up the back of Jade’s arm. “Yes,” she said. “It is.”

A shiver rolled through Jade’s body. While they weren’t in the office any longer, they were still on the clock. Did that mean keeping things strictly professional between them?

Simone swept her hand along the back of Jade’s shoulder. “It’s been such a long day. I could use a drink. Would you like one?”

Jade nodded. “Sure.”

“Have a seat. I’ll take care of everything.” Simone sauntered over to a large antique wooden cabinet near the dining table. Inside was a minibar, stocked generously with top-shelf liquors and crystal glasses. “What would you like?”

“Whatever you’re having is fine.”

As Jade sat down at the table, Simone set about making some kind of cocktail. Jade watched, hypnotized by every movement of Simone’s hands, by the delicate way she handled each tool, each ingredient. And as she took a long-handled spoon, stirring gently, Jade saw, in her mind, Simone caressing the handle of the flogger she’d held that night at Club Velvet.

Jade bit the inside of her cheek, trying to stem her growing desire. How was she going to concentrate on work for the rest of the evening when it was just the two of them, all alone in Simone’s mansion?

Simone divided the contents of the cocktail shaker between two long-stemmed glasses, garnishing each with a cherry on a metal toothpick. Then she brought the glasses over to the dining table, handing one to Jade.

“A Manhattan,” Simone said, raising her glass to her lips.

Jade followed suit, taking a generous sip of her drink, relishing the slight burn of the whiskey in her throat. She’d never had a Manhattan before, but she liked it.

“Now, I’m going to go get out of these stifling clothes,” Simone said. “While you wait, sort through these boxes and find the development plans for me.”

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