“Are the NDAs in place for the staff?” Dalton’s wife has been collating everything I’ll need for hiring here at Venom.
“I’ll be starting interviews next month. Aspen’s contracts are already signed, and she starts today.”
“You’re sure she’s trustworthy?”
“Yes. She’s amazing and so talented.”
“Are you dating?”
“She’s not a sub, Dal.”
“Not what I asked.” Dalton has a way of cutting through the bullshit. I’d say it’s something I admire about him, but at this moment, I don’t want him probing a situationIdon’t understand.
“No, we’re not dating.”
“But you like her.”
“Don’t worry, I don’t date employees. Not like someone else I know,” I jibe. It worked out pretty great for him.
“Fair point. It’s not the employee part I’m concerned about. She’s not in the lifestyle, Ry. You and I both know we can’t deny who we are and what we want. It’s a recipe for disaster.”
“I know.” My heart sinks as I attempt to seem aloof.
I glance at my phone, seeing a text from Aspen.
Aspen:Just arrived. Are you here?
Me:Yeah. Come on up.
“That goofy smile on your face right now says it all, bro,” Flex declares. Apparently, I have no poker face when it comes to this girl.
“Fuck off. You allhaveyour person. Quit sticking your nose in my business.”
“It’s what we do.” Carter laughs. “If you need any pointers on a ‘vanilla’ relationship, come find me.” He may not be a Dom, but I doubt he’s vanilla. I’ve seen him with his wife. Even after years together, they can’t keep their hands off each other.
“Well, Aspen is here, so I have work to do. Kindly all fuck off now and enjoy your wives.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice,” Dalton says with a shit-eating grin. “Naddie’s naked in our private room right now, waiting in the position.”
“Lucky bastard,” I say it with a chuckle, but I’m serious as a heart attack. They have it all figured out. I don’t know that I’ll ever want that. How do I trust again? I’m scared I may have found someone who would be a compatible partner outside of the lifestyle. Just my fucking luck.
As they head for the elevator, it pings open, and Aspen walks out looking mouthwateringly sexy in jeans and a Yungblud T-shirt. God, I think I’d come like a horny teenager if I ever had her in the position I ask of my submissives.
“Hi,” the guys say in unison.
“Hey, everyone.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Aspen. I’m Dalton.” He offers her a handshake.
“And I’m Carter, the only normal one around here,” he says by way of introduction.
I shuffle them into the elevator.Nothing to see here.I don’t want them around her. It’s dumb because they are my closest friends in this world, but I want to protect her fromthisside of me.
“As beautiful as ever, Aspen,” Flex throws out as the doors close.
“Sorry about them. I thought they’d be gone by the time you got here.”
She looks to me with uncertainty in her eyes. “It’s fine. They seem nice.”
