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  “I did consider proposing before she mentioned what she said. That changed everything.

  She still has some growth and I want her to get it out of her system. I don’t want to hinder

  her. I don’t want her to look back and wish she did X or she did Y. I want her to experience it all.”

  “Nah, baby, there’s more to you being this goddamn generous,” Jeff knew Scott too well,

  “who do you have in mind?”

  Scott couldn’t hide the smile on his face. “Dove.”

  Jeff rose out of his chair and paced a few times before he sat back down. “Your ex, Dove?”

  “How many Doves do you know?” Scott deadpanned.

  “Banging body with the Caribbean accent, Dove?” Jeff asked.

  “Tattoos all over her out of control body and a vacuum-cleaner mouth, Dove.” Scott nodded as Jeff bit his fist.

  “Wait a minute…” Jeff began to put the pieces together. “…I thought Mariana hated Dove?”

  “That she does,” Scott agreed.

  “And you want your current to fuck your ex whom she hates?” Jeff snickered. “Oh shit, you couldn’t have written a better script! I knew your ass was a Sadist!”

  “I appreciate the congratulations,” Scott tightened his lips, “so I’m stuck in a conundrum now.”

  “No, you’re not,” Jeff brushed off, “you damn well know you ain’t proposing to Mari this week. Maybe by the end of the year but not this week.”

  “That’s not the conundrum,” Scot replied, “the conundrum is getting her on board with sleeping with Dove.”

  “And how do you think that’s going to pan out?” Jeff asked. “Please, tell me. I’m quite curious.”

  “Easy,” Scott calmly sipped his water, “I’ll ask Dove to train Mariana.”

  Jeff loved Scott dearly but even he was beginning to question if Scott had lost his ever-loving mind. “You’re having your ex-girlfriend train your new girlfriend?” Jeff chuckled,

  “if I were Mariana, I would kick your ass.”

  “If Mariana wants to submit again, it would have to be something she’ll need to get over.” Even Scott questioned his words. Mariana made no secret how much she’d

  despised Dove while Dove was rather nonchalant to Mariana. “I don’t know when we’ll go down that path but I suspect it’ll be sooner than later.”

  “And if she doesn’t?” Jeff asked. “Then what?”

  Scott feigned shock. “Are you doubting me?” He mocked with a British accent.

  “Brother, I know you’ll do whatever it is you need to do to get the job done,” Jeff clarified, “and I know you don’t believe in a plan B so I need to know what you’re going to do if Mariana doesn’t want do the Dom/sub relationship anymore?”

  “It won’t negate the fact she wants to be with another woman,” Scott sipped his water,

  “the fact she said she was considering it is just as good as her saying yes at this point. Her maybe won’t relegate back to a no. She’ll do it if she’s convinced enough.” A slow smile appeared on Scott’s face.

  “Of course,” Jeff nodded. He knew Scott had a very charming way of getting what he wanted so he didn’t question his motives. “But the other thing?”

  “I doubt she’ll completely give up BDSM and everything it entails. But for now, she needs to find her way and explore.” Scott spoke with confidence. “And I’m more than happy to show her the many ways I can blow her back out with vanilla sex.”

  Six

  It was Mariana’s final day meeting with Aaron and Ryan in discussing their expansion plans. While their other business partner took care of the logistics, the promotion and publicity landed squarely on Mariana’s shoulders. She was going to spend a lot of time coming up with different campaigns. She was probably going to make many trips going to each location to make sure it checked out.

  Furthermore, she could finally silence everyone at MRS that Scott brought her back not because she was his ex-girlfriend but rather, one of the most qualified people for the job.

  No one ever said anything to her face and Mariana knew the reason behind it – Scott. If they said something to her, they might as well say it to him as they cleaned out their desks and escorted out by security.

  He promised no preferential treatment and made good on it. It didn’t stop him from slyly protecting her and only having her best interest in mind. He gave her space and left her alone. If he was still seeing Bath Soap as she liked to call her, he never brought her around the office. He also never inquired about her love life.

  Mariana smirked. Scott never inquired about her love life because he knew everything before she said a word. She might have not seen him at the nightclub he owned and where her other ex-boyfriend often performed at, but she knew he was there, watching them. Any interference he did was to only benefit her ex; certainly not her.

  They were content being colleagues, with a boss/employee relationship. That is, until the last couple of days.

  Her sex was still sore from the relentless pounding Scott gave her. If it wasn’t his tongue, it was his fingers, or his beautiful and long cock. She felt just a tad flushed thinking about how wonderful he tasted when she took him in her mouth and how desperate she wanted to feel it again.

  It wasn’t just two random people hooking up in a different city and they were both wise enough to realize it. The first time was raw sex, with nothing held back. The last few times, however….they made love.

  She could blame it on the different environment and atmosphere. She almost wanted to blame it on Scott wearing a bow tie and twirling a cane. She thought about saying how she was hypnotized when he shimmied. How carefree and happy he was around his

  Brothers.

  Hell, she could’ve blamed it on seeing him in a different light and for the first time since the tragedy, had an overwhelming need to bear his children and change her last name to his.

  Truth was, she’d never stopped loving him no matter how hard she’d tried. She thought if she went the safe and respectful route with her rebound exes, it would’ve erased Scott.

  She guffawed at the idea; it just made her want him even more.

  They played the friends with occasional benefits game more than they should’ve and to a degree that made her question her sanity. It seemed they both were holding out for something – he wanted her to live life without him and she wanted to prove to him that she could.

  But then…now what?

  She was a grown woman with grown needs and Scott proved on numerous occasions he treated her as such. Now there they were, doing things grown folks only read about in trashy romance novels or watch in porn.

  It was more than that and they both knew it. Their sex may have been raw and unbridled but Mariana hesitated to think of any other lover who brought the freaky and nasty bitch out of her the way Scott did. She couldn’t think of any other man who encouraged her dreams and challenged her to rise to his level. Scott was a perfectionist and Mariana would’ve been lying if she didn’t think it drove her nuts. But she knew, as well as Scott did, he only wanted the very best for her, regardless what role he played in her life.

  She kept telling herself it wouldn’t work, they were too different. The ten-year age gap was too big. She was mostly hip-hop and trap music while he was old-school soul. She loved her junk food while he was a fitness junkie.

  They were too different.

  They were perfect for each other.

  As she finished her iced mocha latte, Mariana decided it was time to stop playing games.

  She loved that man, point blank. She wanted to have his babies. She wanted to be married to him. Sure, she wanted to get a bit more freak out of her before all that happened and maybe, as her special friend with benefits, Scott would let her.

  Tonight, she was going to take another initiative.

  ****

  “So, I’m still going over other campaign ideas,” Mariana pulled out two portfolios and slid them over to Aaron and Ryan, “your
coffee is fresh, different, and gives new life. It might be a bit on the pricey side but you need to convince people they’re paying for the premium. Anyone can go out and get the run of the mill coffee but we need to convince everyone why they should switch to you and choose the other guys if they absolutely have to.

  “Now, I’ll be working closely with Chris, my supervisor and creative director on this so we’re going to send you two a series of campaigns in a few weeks along with pricing.”

  “What about Scott?” Ryan asked. “I’m sure Chris is a great guy but I’m familiar with you and Scott. I would prefer the two of you on this.”

  A shot of adrenaline rushed up Mariana’s spine. Working closely with Scott on a major campaign? It had the potential of being exciting and frustrating. It meant long hours spent together with many late nights.

  Mariana silently wondered how long it would take before she either strangled him or straddled him. “I would have to talk to both Scott and Chris about it. Since I work directly under Chris, he would want to be included in some way. So, it would be the three of us.”

  “That’s fine,” Aaron nodded and Ryan agreed. “As long as Scott is included, that’s all we want. We’ll pay extra to have Scott’s influence.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be happy to hear that.” Mariana smiled. “Is there anything else I can help you gentlemen with?”

  “Nope, we’re good here. You’ve been a pleasure to work with Mari.” Ryan stood up and Aaron followed. “We look forward going to L.A. to meet with you all in a few weeks.”

  “Pleasure is all mine.” Mariana stood up. She gave both men hugs. “We’ll be in touch.”

  “Have a great flight, Mari.” Ryan saw her out to her waiting Uber. “Let us know when you arrived safely in L.A. and we’ll take a look at the campaigns you have here.”

  “Sure thing.” Mariana remembered one last thing. “I keep forgetting to ask. Does Alyssa have any samples she could send? I love her Buttered Soul line.”

  “Sure! She’ll send you a ton!” Ryan smiled. “See you later, Mari.”

  As Mariana rode back to the hotel, she felt like a woman full of confidence and vigor.

  She scored a major campaign and if it things went perfectly, it would catapult her to above and beyond. She would become a force to reckon with. She saw million-dollar homes, expensive cars, and the high life of living she’d always wanted but could never afford.

  She also saw Scott paying for all of it.

  If Mariana was truly honest with herself, as independent she was, she liked the traditional role of being a homemaker. She applauded all of the strong women in the workforce, some who even taken her under their wing in the highly competitive land of advertising.

  She considered herself a feminist of sorts, demanding equal pay and rights for women, and even did a reading of the Vagina Monologues in her early college years.

  That being said, Mariana also had no qualms with Scott bankrolling her lifestyle.

  There were thick, invisible strings attached to such a declaration, and that was fine by her. He gave her the freedom to do whatever she pleased as long as she was responsible with it. He also gave her the freedom to be herself as long as she didn’t embarrass him. It was a silent understanding they both respected and honored.

  Maybe she could start a Mommy blog once she became pregnant again. Maybe she could create a Mommy and Me business, creating a product for the everyday woman in spite of her wealth.

  And maybe, she would do it with the help of Scott, the man she truly wanted to be with.

  Seven

  “So, how’s my baby’s first major business trip?” Linda Harlow asked over the phone.

  “Great! Atlanta is super hot right now so I haven’t spent too much time outside. But the meeting went very well. If I complete this deal with Caffeinated, it’ll catapult me to above and beyond. I’ll definitely get a pay raise and a bonus, with extra perks and benefits.” Mariana explained to her mother.

  “That sounds wonderful, honey!” Linda beamed. “But I suspect you’re not as happy about it.”

  “I don’t know if this is what I want anymore,” Mariana revealed, “I thought I wanted the six-figure job with the six-figure bank account along with the Mercedes in the parking garage. I’ll go on vacation to somewhere exotic every year and brag about my life on Instagram,” Mariana chuckled, “now I feel silly for wanting to become a housewife instead.”

  “Mari, becoming a housewife doesn’t make you any less feminist than it would if you were an executive,” Linda explained, “just like you being in an interracial relationship doesn’t make you any less Black. If anything, it makes you more so because you become acutely aware of the differences between you.”

  “Jerome told you about our conversation, huh?” Mariana chuckled.

  “He thinks it’s funny,” Linda casually mentioned, “he knows no matter what you decide, you’ll end up with Scott.”

  “Everyone keeps saying that,” Mariana replied, “do you know something I don’t?”

  “That you’re still in love with him and you acting like you have no idea how we came to such a conclusion?” Linda chuckled.

  “You got me,” she replied. A knock on her door indicated company and she already know who it was. Scott was the only person besides hotel staff who knew her room number. “I need to go now, Mom. I’ll talk to you later.”

  “Bye, honey! Give Scott my love.”

  “Will do,” Mariana hung up and opened her door. Dressed in a crisp seersucker suit with bowtie, Scott looked gorgeous. Mariana felt her mouth water as his cologne wafted in the air. How was it possible he turned her on and all he did was stand at her door? “H-h-hi, Scott. Did you want to come in?”

  “Sure,” he stepped inside and twirled the hat he carried. “I wanted to see how the meeting

  went from your perspective.”

  He indicated he’d already received word from Aaron and Ryan. “It went very well. The only caveat is that they want to exclusively work with the two of us. I told them that since Chris is my supervisor, they have to go through him as well. They seem to be on board with the idea.”

  “That’s why I wanted to talk to you,” Scott sat down in a chair and placed his hat on the table, “I spoke to Chris just now and he doesn’t mind stepping back so you and I can handle this on our own.”

  Mariana gulped. Nervousness raced through her core and she was more worried than excited. Memories of how Scott grilled her in front of her colleagues during a

  presentation flooded her brain. Fuckityfuckfuckfuck! “Excuse me?”

  “Chris is swamped with the Dodgers campaign and several others he’s juggling. He’s glad to step back so you can handle the Caffeinated account. I told him you’ll directly report to me and we’ll keep him abreast of everything so he’s aware. He’s in the process of sending an e-mail right now to both of us.” Scott studied Mariana’s reaction. She looked like she’d just received the worst news of her life. “Are you okay?”

  “No,” she breathed and sat down on the bed. Her nerves were haywire, her mind was going a mile a minute, and all those mediation exercises she’d practiced flew out the window. Ohshitohshitohshitohshit. “I know how you are as a boss and if we’re going to be working closely together, you’re going to drive me to drink.”

  “That’s a possibility,” Scott didn’t flinch, “or I could drive the very best out of you.” He met her eyes again and she looked like she was about to cry. “Come here.”

  Mariana walked over and sat on his lap. She rested her head on his chest and he caressed her thighs. It was a simple gesture but it made Mariana feel like the only girl in the world.

  Scott was more than her lover; he was also her protector. “I’m going to be an asshole, Mari. But I won’t intentionally hurt your feelings if that’s what you’re worried about.”

  “It’s not that,” Mariana shook her head.

  Scott silently thought about the numerous possibilities. He concluded he was just like eve
ry other man in the world and wasn’t equipped with mind-reading skills. “Can you share with the class what’s going on?”

  “I’m afraid of…” she struggled to find the words. “…I’m afraid of disappointing you.”

  “You haven’t so far,” he reassured.

  “So far,” she repeated, “that means you’re expecting me to.”

  “No, it just means I know whatever mistakes you’ll make, it’s because you’re human.”

  He rubbed her back and she was immediately comforted. He knew how much of a hard-ass he could be, but he didn’t want her to be scared of him. “I only want the very best of you. It’s my duty to bring it out.”

  “You’re going to make me slap you,” she warned.

  “Oh, I don’t want that,” Scott remembered the sting from Mariana’s various slaps over the years. She was a lithe woman but her hand was seemingly full of lead. “You’re so sensitive.”

  “Sensitive?” She had a slight chuckle. “You called me a bitch last time, remember?”

  “I didn’t call you a bitch,” he corrected as he remembered the notorious fight that she referred to.

  “After everything you have done to me…” She muttered. “I bet your favorite song is

  ‘Wake Up Alone.’”

  “Actually it’s 99 Problems,” he retorted, “followed by my new favorite, ‘Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe.’”

  The fight dissipated and Scott focused back on the present. “I implied you were acting like one.”

  “This might be disastrous. You’re going to hate my campaign ideas…”

  “I actually love them.”

  “…and you’re going to be pissed off at something I did…”

  “It’s a possibility.”

  “…and then you’re going to fire me and I’m going to be broke, homeless, and…” she was interrupted when Scott’s lips crushed hers. He savored her mouth like a meal. His tongue played with hers while his hands cupped her face.

  He finally pulled away from her. “Yo, how you sound right now? You. Talk. Too. Damn.

  Much. You’re always putting twenties on tens.”

  Mariana gave a small chuckle. She did have a bad case of diarrhea mouth whenever she was nervous. “Thank you.”