"The truth. That we got snowed in, we talked, we realized there was something real between us. That we're disclosing it properly and we're committed to keeping work and personal separate."
I nod. "What if someone complains? Another employee?"
"Then HR will investigate. But as long as we're honest and professional, there's nothing to find."
"You've really thought this through."
"I think through everything." He brushes hair from my face. "But Holly, I need you to understand something. This might get uncomfortable. People will talk. Some might assume you're getting special treatment."
"Are they wrong?"
"Yes. You earned your position before we ever got together. And you'll continue to earn it." His voice is firm. "At work, I'm your boss. That doesn't change. I won't give you preferential treatment, and I won't go easy on you."
"I don't want you to."
"Good." He shifts me slightly. "But outside of work, you're mine. And I take care of what's mine. Tonight, you received a reminder of who's in charge and what I expect." He traces the line of my jaw. "Next time, I might make you sit on your sore bottom and eat a proper meal while I watch. Maybe if you aren’t taking care of your health, I’ll put you to bed early for a week.Maybe—" his hand slides to my hip, grips firmly. "I’ll put you over my knee again and remind you that someone cares enough to correct you."
My breath catches. "I don’t think you’ll ever have to do that again.”
He chuckles. “I’ll have to do it again, I’m sure. If you need it and only if you understand it’s coming from a place of care and not anger. You always have your safeword.”
I search his face. "Have you done this before? The spanking part? I know you’ve been in this dynamic but…"
"Yes. But not often. Most of the time, the threat was enough." He cups my face. "You're perfect for me, Holly. You want to please me and you do, just by being yourself. The structure I’m providing helps you, doesn't it?"
"Yes," I admit quietly. "It makes me feel... secure."
"Exactly. That's the point." He kisses my forehead. "But I need you to promise me something."
"What?"
"If it's ever too much, if I'm too controlling, too strict, too anything, that you’ll tell me. You use your safe word if you need to. You don't just... endure it because you think you should or you think it’ll make me happy. I won’t ever be disappointed in you for using your safeword, but I will be very disappointed if you needed to and didn’t."
"I promise."
"Good girl."
We sit like that for a while, his arms around me, my head on his shoulder. The house is quiet except for the soft sound of our breathing.
"Can I ask you something?" I say eventually.
"Always."
"What happened? With the woman before me. Your ex."
He's quiet for so long I think he's not going to answer. Then: "Her name was Catherine. We met at a business conference. She was smart, successful, seemed to have her life together. We started dating. Eventually she told me about her interest in this dynamic."
"And?"
"And for a while, it worked. She liked the structure I provided. She loved feeling spoiled and the attention I gave her. But when things got real, when she actually had to be vulnerable, she couldn't do it. She'd say she wanted one thing but pull away when I gave it to her. She enjoyed the fantasy of the dynamic but didn’t like the reality of it. To her, it was all about sex and I needed more. She liked to roleplay and to switch the power exchange on and off. I can’t do that. I can’t be someone I’m not."
"What did you do?"
"Tried to fix it. I tried to give her space to figure out exactly what she wanted. Tried to gain control of the situation, while also making it comfortable enough for her." He exhales. "But you can't fix something with someone who doesn't want it to work. Eventually, she left. Said I was too intense, too demanding."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It taught me something important."
