Page 99 of On His Terms

Determinedly, she dressed, cranked up some music, tossed a load of laundry in the washing machine, and tidied the already-neat surroundings.

All that done, she settled behind her computer. There was always some business-related task to handle. Today she thanked goodness for that fact.

She checked her emails and she was delighted to find one from Master Evan C. Finally. He said he was interested in talking to her more about her proposal, and said he’d be at the Den this evening, and maybe they could connect there.

She pumped her fist in the air and swiveled her chair in circles.

But when silence echoed back mockingly, she frowned. The small victory rang hollow with no one to share it with.

There was another message from her admin. Jennifer suggested that, since Monahan Capital hadn’t responded to their proposal, perhaps they should consider contacting his brother.

Chelsea tapped her fingers on the desktop.

No doubt Master Alexander wouldn’t approve of that tactic.

Master Alexander?

She stopped herself.

He was no longer her trainer, so the honorific no longer applied.

And that also meant she could pursue Monahan Capital’s business like she did with any other company.

Still, going behind his back—and no doubt he’d see it that way—was risky. She might not take a chance, except for the fact You’re The Star could generate his firm some amazing publicity. Even if he didn’t want it, he deserved it.

What the hell.

She had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

After telling Jennifer to go for it, Chelsea changed into her swimsuit. Luckily there were no teenage boys at the pool, and she had the area all to herself.

Despite the fact she wanted to think about business, random images of Master Alexander flashed through her mind in a rapid-fire slideshow. She pictured him in jeans. Wearing slacks. Naked. Setting his jaw and dragging her over his lap. Showing her a flogger. Affixing her to the cross. Doubling over his belt.

She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. And the truth smacked her. The reason she’d hesitated before letting Jennifer run with her idea was that she didn’t want the relationship with Master Alexander to completely end.

Where does that leave me?

Anxiety churning in her anew, she opened her eyes and sat up. She needed action so that she could drown out the clamor in her head.

Once she was back in her apartment, she showered, then put some gel in her hair and squeezed the locks with her fingers. But now that it was time to get ready, courage deserted her.

The idea of stripping to play with Master Evan C—having her dreams come true—should have made her giddy with anticipation, but it didn’t.

Instead, she felt hollow inside.

Still, her course was set, and she was due at Master Alexander’s house soon.

She dressed in a lacy black bra with a matching thong. She added a skirt, a tight-fitting top, and a pair of ridiculously high heels.

She swiped on some mascara and applied a layer of foundation before grabbing her purse and heading for her car.

At his house, she knocked as was her custom, but he shocked her by opening the door rather than waiting for her to let herself in. The sight of him made her mouth water.

As she’d suggested—hoped for—he wore leather pants and a tight T-shirt that he’d tucked into his waistband. His hair was raked back from his square forehead, emphasizing his piercing green eyes. He hadn’t shaved, and that left an intentional scruffy look that made him look even more masculine. Her knees weakened.

“Shall we?” he asked.

The earth shifted beneath her stilettos. She was slightly early, but he hadn’t invited her in.