Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 160684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 803(@200wpm)___ 643(@250wpm)___ 536(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 160684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 803(@200wpm)___ 643(@250wpm)___ 536(@300wpm)
“There are going to be some rules.”
Steele groaned.
“Rules? What do you mean? For working here?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“What sort of rules? And does everyone have these rules?”
“No.”
“So, just me?”
“Yes,” he replied.
“Because we work closely together?” There was a strange look on her face that he couldn’t read. And he didn’t like that. What was she thinking? “And you were worried about me. I don’t really understand it. I thought you were upset because you were paying me and I disappeared. That I would understand. My old boss would have yelled. He likely would’ve fired me. But I don’t think you’re going to fire me.”
Even though she sounded like she was speaking to him, it was more like she was talking to herself. She tilted her head to the side. “I don’t like rules.” She pouted.
“You need rules,” Grady told her.
“What are these rules?” she asked.
“If you need to leave work, then you call or text me.”
“All right. I can do that.”
“Really?” he asked.
“Yes. That seems more than reasonable. What else?”
“You’ll wear a tracker.”
“No. Not happening.”
He opened his mouth to argue, but she spoke up first.
“No. I don’t buy your excuse that you have enemies. I’m just an employee.”
He didn’t like this at all. He glanced at Steele, who also didn’t like it. But he also knew if he pushed too hard, she could run.
“Fine. No tracker,” he said.
He was still buying her one. Maybe a couple. He might be able to slip one into that monster bag of hers.
“She already has a rule about undoing her seatbelt while a car is still moving,” Steele added.
“Good. Also, no lying. Understand?”
She sighed, but nodded. “I guess I can agree to that. Anything else?”
Oh, there were plenty more rules he could give her. Plenty that he was dying to lay down. And enforce.
Spanking was generally Steele’s thing. When they’d gone to the club to play, Grady had preferred other forms of punishment. Sensory deprivation while edging a partner. Nipple clamps. Taking away their ability to speak. Tying them down and doing whatever the fuck he wanted to them while they begged him to stop.
But with Effie . . . hmm, he could imagine bending her over his desk, pulling down her pants and panties, and scorching that plump ass of her.
“No more putting yourself down,” Steele told her. “I don’t like it. I don’t want to hear it, and I really don’t want you to think it or say it. So you’ll stop.”
She licked her dry lips. “And what happens if I break these rules? Am I fired?”
“No,” Grady said, realizing he didn’t really have a leg to stand on. What use were rules if there were no consequences for breaking them?
“Yes,” Steele said.
“Steele,” he snapped.
“He just wants to fire me so then he can spank me before he rehires me,” she told him.
“I’m sure that’s not what he’s thinking,” Grady said.
“Of course that’s what I’m thinking,” Steele said.
Good Lord.
He glared over at Steele, who gave him an unrepentant look back. His best friend was a man who was used to getting his own way and unapologetic about it.
“He’s not going to do that.”
She gave him a doubtful look.
Yeah, he shared those doubts. Most of the time, he was able to predict the other man’s actions and thoughts. But right now, that was difficult. Because Steele didn’t seem to have any issues changing things up with Effie.
“Just stick to the rules and we won’t have to worry about consequences, all right?” Grady said.
“Yes, I suppose.” She looked doubtful, though. Reaching up, she tugged at her earring.
Without thought, he grabbed her hand and gently drew it away.
She gave him a surprised look. Yeah, he was shocked himself. He didn’t usually initiate touch like that.
Clearing his throat, he stepped back and adjusted his clothing, making sure they were straight and unwrinkled. He hated looking unkempt.
“We’ll leave you to get on with work.” Turning, he moved to the door and unlocked it.
Opening the door, he realized that Steele wasn’t right behind him. Spinning, he saw him reach into his pocket and pull out a packet of jelly beans.
He held them out to Effie, who stared down at them like they held the secrets of the world.
“For me?”
“For you. However, you’re not to eat them all at once, understand?”
“That doesn’t seem very much fun.” Another pout.
Adorable.
“Effie,” Steele said sternly.
“Oh, fine. I like the blue and white ones best so I’ll just eat them. Thank you.” She took them, staring up at Steele with wonder.
Grady could tell the other man was taken aback. He probably hadn’t expected that reaction over a bag of jelly beans.
But he recovered quickly. “Drink some water too. And no working late.” Then he turned and walked toward Grady. “Let’s go. There’s work to be done.”
Grady followed him out, resisting the urge to look behind him at Effie.