Page 44 of On His Terms

Master Alexander consumed her.

And the fact she had to wait a week to see him again made her restless. Being with him, feeling the brush of his fingers on her skin was the stuff of dreams.

Somehow, she had to get through the next week. No matter what, she would endure, even when it was challenging.

Each morning, after getting out of bed, she went through the motions for half of the time he required. Then she did the same when she arrived home from work, no matter how long or tiring her day had been. And because her muscles ached, she headed for the hot tub before bed.

The first few times she followed his instructions, she had difficulty reining in her thoughts. Then it had become somewhat easier.

By Sunday, things were less challenging, mentally anyway.

When she called him late that afternoon, she reached his voicemail. Sighing from disappointment, she nonetheless forced a chipper note into her voice—act enthusiastic, and you’ll be enthusiastic as she’d learned at one of her first sales training events—and left a pleasant message.

As she watched a television show, she checked the phone screen several times, even though it had been silent.

Finally, he returned her call just as she was heading to the pool deck.

She exhaled a few times to steady herself before answering. “Good evening, Sir.” It amazed her how using the honorific instantly calmed her.

“I informed you previously that you needed to be prepared to video chat.”

Her heart stopped. “Yes, Sir. However—”

“Are you at home? Alone?”

She exhaled. For a moment she considered fibbing, but she couldn’t bring herself to utter the lie. No doubt he’d simply ask her to do so later, and perhaps at a less convenient time. “I am.”

“Alone?”

“Also yes.”

“In that case, was there anything about our agreement that was unclear to you?”

“No, Sir,” she agreed miserably. But before he could speak again, she rushed on. “I just wanted you to know that I already practiced today.”

“That’s relevant how?”

From his point of view, perhaps it wasn’t.

“I’m not aware of any reason a few more minutes would be detrimental. Are you?”

Glad that he couldn’t see her responses, she tipped her head back in frustration. Her body was sore, and she was looking forward to soothing her muscles in hot water beneath an inky, starlit sky.

“I’m waiting for your answer.”

“No, Sir. You’re correct.”

“In that case, I’d like to see you. Now.”

She touched a button on her screen to turn on her camera.

Because she’d been in his home, she recognized that he was in his study, lazing back in his chair. He wore a crisp white shirt, with the top couple of buttons open.

At the sight of him, her mouth watered.

Even though it had only been a few days since she’d seen him, she’d forgotten how incredibly sexy he was.

“It’s nice to see your face, Chelsea.”