When I get to work on Monday morning, I’m beyond flustered.I have no reason to be.I’ve done nothing wrong.I have every right to be a member of Edge and practice whatever kink I want when I’m not at work.I had no idea that Hendrix would be there Saturday night.He wasn’t due back until later in the week.
Yes, he got me this job.I’m smart enough to know he called HR and told them to hire me.It doesn’t take rocket science.But I’ve never let it bother me.I’m qualified to work here.I have a business degree.I’m a hard worker.If anyone happens to know one of the partners got me hired, they haven’t let on.Besides, I’ve worked my ass off to prove myself for the last two months.
The chances of seeing Hendrix—I really need to think of him as Mr.Kennedy—are slim.I probably won’t ever see him.He has a fancy office on the top floor.Not that I’ve seen it.I’m just assuming it’s fancy.Both he and his partner, Beckett Hollenbeck, have offices upstairs.In two months, I’ve only seen Beckett a handful of times, usually from a distance.And as far as I know, he’s been here every day.
I’ve been on the thirteenth floor working with a pool of assistants who provide support to the associates.There are ten of us and twenty of them, but we aren’t assigned to anyone specific.We’re given a number of projects to work on, which might mean backing up two or three different people.
It’s an unusual business model that took me off guard when I first started, but it seems to be effective, and it keeps any one employee from having to work full-time for someone they may not get along with.Ingenious really.
So far, there hasn’t been anyone I truly detest, but there are a few people who are more challenging than others.
It’s noisy in the center of this space where all the cubicles are located.It always is a bit chaotic as everyone arrives, chats about their weekends, and prepares to start the new workweek.
I’m about to stow my purse in my drawer when Rhonda from HR appears.She barely stops long enough to make eye contact with me, lean in, tap the cubicle wall, and say, “You’ve been reassigned.Head upstairs.”And then she’s gone, hurrying down the row, already speaking to someone else by the time I register what she said.
I’m left staring at her back.Upstairs?As in the top floor?Duh.There are only two floors.The building is large.Hollenbeck, Kennedy, and Associates occupies floors thirteen and fourteen.
I tip my head back and look at the ceiling as if it might have answers.A few people around me are whispering, which makes my face heat.What’s going on?I swear… If Mr.Kennedy has summoned me… Apparently, he has.There’s no other explanation.
Reassigned?
No.No, no, no.
Why would he do this?He surely doesn’t want me to work directly for him.That’s madness.I haven’t earned it.I’ve spent two months hoping none of my peers ever find out that he got me this job.I really don’t want anyone to know that we’ve met before.
And I might die a slow death if they discover he’s seen me naked.
Shit.
I don’t make eye contact with anyone as I tuck my purse under my arm and hurry toward the elevator.The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.They’re watching me.Talking about me.Probably deciding whether to stab me or have me tarred and feathered.
I don’t breathe until I’m in the elevator, and still, I might hyperventilate.But I don’t want Mr.Kennedy to think I’m weak.I’m far from weak.I will exit this elevator with my head held high and give him a piece of my mind, if necessary.
When I step out, I draw in a deep breath.A woman who appears to be about sixty is behind the desk outside the elevator.She’s on the phone, but she smiles at me and points toward an office door to one side of her.
There are two doors, one on either side of the reception area.I assume they lead to the two owners’ offices.
The door is open a few inches, so I knock on the frame before stepping inside and closing the door absently at my back.
I find Mr.Kennedy standing at his enormous desk across the room.Behind him is a wall of windows.
The space is huge, making all the furniture seem small in comparison.It’s bright and open.Black furniture.Glass-topped desk.Gray tile floor.Everything is spotless.I clear my throat as I approach.“Good morning, Sir.”It’s hard not to wince as I utter that word.Did it sound like sir or Sir?I don’t want him to get the wrong impression.The man is a Dominant.Undeniable from both his demeanor and the fact that I know he’s a member of Edge.It’s difficult to refer to him as anything other than Sir, but it’s also impossible to school my tone to avoid the obvious capital S.
Mr.Kennedy lifts his head.“Ah, Kelsey.Good.You got the message.”
“Uh, yes.What did you want to see me about, Sir?”
He waves an open palm toward one of the chairs across from his desk.“HR didn’t tell you?”
I do everything in my power not to tremble as I approach him.I’m aware of what’s happening, but I’m in denial.I’m entitled to live in a make-believe world for a few more moments.It’s preserving what’s left of my sanity.
I ignore the offered chair and remain standing.I’m five-seven, but he towers over me at about six-three.If I were to sit, his presence would seem even larger.We’re not at Edge.He’s notmyDom.I’m not here to submit to him.I’m an employee of his company.That’s it.
Except I’m lying to myself.The man features in all my fantasies.He doesn’t need to know that, but there’s no ignoring he saw me naked two nights ago.
Fuck.
What was I thinking joining the club I knew he belonged to?It was a horrible idea.I should have chosen some other club, like Surrender or The Playground.
