“I’ll accompany you home.” What a fucking scumbag. I’ll punish a woman with pain if she wants it. I would never lay a hand on a woman in anger. Guys like that deserve to try it on someone their own size.
“No, thank you.” Women don’t saynoto me.
“It wasn’t a question.”
“I’ve had one man try to exert power over me today. I don’t need another one.” It hits me like a ton of bricks, square in thechest. Is that how women outside of the lifestyle see me? Some demanding asshole misogynist. Maybe they’re right.
“I didn’t mean it like that. I would never… I’m…” Fuck. I’m floundering right now. Ineverstumble over my words.
“I appreciate the sentiment, but I can handle myself. I’m a big girl. He knows to walk the other direction if he sees me again.”
“I’m sorry.”
“For what? You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“For the male species.”For wanting to step in on your behalf. For being turned on by how fierce you are.The list goes on.
She chuckles at that, a soft smile kissing her lips. “That’s a hefty apology. I’ll settle for taking you up on your offer to come and work with you on Monday.” She’s shutting down the conversation.
“Deal. I hope you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and get dirty.” God, my traitorous cock is ruling my brain function right now.
“I’m always ready to get dirty.” Jesus Christ.
“I’ll see you at seven sharp.”
“I’ll be here on time. Thank you so much, sir. I can’t tell you how excited I am to work with you.”
“Ryder.”
“Thank you so much… Ryder.”
As she’s about to take her leave, I can’t help myself. “If I ever see bruises on you again, I won’t ask permission to root out the shit stain that did it to you. I’ll hunt them down.”
Her breath hitches, the rise and fall of her chest betraying her silence.
I think on my feet, realizing a woman like her isn’t used to having a Dominant reaction to such things. Although most men feel it, they keep it leashed.
“I look after my staff, Aspen. If you have a problem, work-related or not, you come to me.”
“That’s nice of you to offer, but I can deal with my private life. I’m here to work, and I will give you my all.” This woman has some fire in her belly, and I both admire and am exasperated by it.
“How are you getting home?”
“Subway, as always.”
“Will you at least let me drive you home? The subway isn’t exactly safe at this time of night for a beautiful young woman. I know you can handle your private life, but at least let me keep up the ruse of being a gentleman.”
Her soft smile lulls me into a false sense of security before she opens her mouth. “Are you telling me you’re not a gentleman, Mr. Stevens?” Mischief dances in her eyes like a water nymph in the moonlight.
“Not even one little bit.”
“I don’t believe you. Everything I’ve seen or heard about you would suggest otherwise.”
“Maybe I only show what I want people to believe about me. Either way, can I drive you home?”
“I guess. It would be nice not to deal with late-night pervs for once.” I have to fight my nature to insist that she be driven home every night, but I barely know the woman.
“Follow me.” I lock up, and we make small talk as we walk to my car, chatting about food. When we reach it, she whistles.
