If he knew his employee, he knew Rosalie would hit him with a barrage of questions about his meeting. As soon as he pulled up to his rented home, he took a deep breath before exiting his vehicle and going into the place that should have been his sanctuary.
As soon as he opened his door, Rosalie, with her usual colorful, large bow-adorned headband, square, black-framed glasses, and her Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers bounded up to him. She pushed her glasses up her thin nose, then crossed her feet and wrapped her arms around her body, standing like she needed to keep herself contained.
“Well?” Rosalie smiled, showing off her straight, white teeth.
Tank imagined that as a youth, Rosalie probably had to wear braces. He also assumed that her penchant for oversized glasses had more to do with necessity than fashion. The rest of her colorful ensemble, he’d allowed her express herself because she knew her damn job.
She released one of her hands in order for her to twirl her black, curly hair around her finger. He couldn’t keep her in suspense for long. If he did, Rosalie might tug chunks of her hair out in anticipation.
“I got the standard ‘Don’t call us. We’ll call you’ sendoff.” Tank threw his tie on top of a stack of packed boxes. Then he shed his jacket.
Rosalie groaned and spun around, allowing her skirt to whirl up. She marched toward his dining room area before turning back to him. “Why didn’t they want to do business with us?” Her tanned cheeks flushed with a rosy shade.
Tank feared nothing. In high school, when his coach told him to take out the opposing team’s biggest player, he’d done it. When he decided to start his own business, he’d accomplished that. Admitting to Rosalie that he should have had her in the meeting with him gave him a tiny twinge of apprehension. The way he felt right now, he didn’t want to hear an “I told you so.”
“They wanted to know about all aspects of our business.” Tank unfastened the top two buttons of his shirt as he headed to the kitchen. He needed to drink something to soothe his throat.
“What do you mean? You couldn’t answer them?” Rosalie followed him and leaned on the counter by the doorway as she watched him. “You do sound bad. You taking anything for that cold?”
“I’m not sick.” Tank filled a mug with water and threw it into the microwave.
“Sure. You just sound like Batman’s grittier older brother because you think it’s a cool sound.” Rosalie nodded.
As usual, Rosalie had him pegged. His stubbornness kept him from admitting that he’d caught something as soon as they’d gotten to town a couple of months ago. Now the cold affected his throat.
Damn Virginia. Just being in the state made him sick in every way. He couldn’t wait to leave after Jordie’s launch in a week. He’d only come back home to help Jordie and to secure more businesses.
As soon as his mug of water finished boiling, he dunked in a tea bag. He heard Rosalie snickering behind him. Tank ignored her as he poured in honey, lemon, and threw in a shot of whiskey for good measure. His grandmother would have been proud of him recreating her home remedy. He took a sip. The hot liquid soothed his throat thanks to the honey, then burned it courtesy of the whiskey.
Rosalie leaned on the counter but kept her stare on Tank. “Anyway, so what gave the clients cause to pause?”
Tank took a sip of his tea before he answered. “They wanted to know about the other services we offer.”
“What do you mean? Why are you being so vague?” Rosalie stared at him before her eyebrows went up. “You needed me there.”
Tank moved past Rosalie to go upstairs to his bedroom. He thought he heard the pint-sized woman growling. “I went there in a suit so I didn’t look like a thug.”
“Yeah, my suggestion.”
“I gave them printed information on what we offer. I explained as much as I could. They should have just taken my word that we’re the best company for them.” Tank stomped up the stairs.
“You should have brought me. I could have explained our cyber suite of products. We could have had this customer.”
Tank continued toward his room when his employee’s words stopped him in his tracks.
“Damn it, Tank! Look at me!”
Tank turned around. He took one step back down toward her, which caused her to back up. “Let’s get some things straight. Don’t you ever curse at me again.”
Rosalie’s face transformed into a deep red hue all over. She took another step back as he glared at her.
“You’re my employee. Don’t you ever forget that.” In between his speech, he gritted his teeth, afraid he’ll spout something venomous to his most loyal employee.
“Yes, Sir.” Rosalie dropped her gaze.
Had Tank been at a dungeon, he would have been excited to see a reaction like this. Seeing it from his employee fanned the fires of anger in his gut. “I know what’s best for my company. I dressed in a suit. I’ve calmed my demeanor.”
Rosalie peered up at him. His expression must have been in conflict with his statement. She dropped her gaze again until he finished speaking.
“I think I represent my business well. There are more companies out there who could use what I offer. They’re not the only one out there.” He took another sip of his hot tea after making his impassioned speech.
The heat and soothing, sweet yet bitter taste eased some of the pain in his throat. After a day like today, he really could have used a good play session. Too bad he added the whiskey to his hot toddy. He never played while under the influence.
As soon as he started to head back to his bedroom to change, Rosalie broke the silence with her words. “I didn’t mean to step on your toes, Boss.”
Tank turned back to her. He allowed her to speak before he changed out of his constricting clothes.
She scanned his home. “You decided that you wanted to move your company back to D.C. I’m giving up my apartment, my family, and friends because I believe in you. I believe in this company. I don’t want my decision to be the biggest regret I’ve ever made. Let me help you.”
Tank listened to Rosalie, his employee. He had to stare into his mug of tea to keep from looking at the only trustworthy person who’d been in his life over the past year. He shouldn’t have snapped at her, but challenging him, his position, and his decisions didn’t rest well with him.
Count to ten, buddy. She’s not your enemy.
He shook his head. “We’ll be fine. I’ll protect us.” When she lowered her head, he concluded with, “I promise.”
Rosalie lifted her face and offered a slight smile. “I’ll get back to work.”
“I’ll be down in a minute after I change. I have some cold calls I need to make.”
Tank took another sip of his tea before placing the mug on the nightstand in his nearly empty room. With each clothing item he removed from his body, the more he thought about everything, his life, his dreams, his career.
He had no problem venturing out into his own business. Now that he involved other people in his dream, he had to think about more than just himself.
Tank loved his role as a Dom. He could read a bottom’s body language as he played with her to know how to continue. He couldn’t power through every situation outside of a dungeon. He certainly hadn’t in his love life. Since Eminence, he hadn’t truly dated anyone else.
When Tank finished his job there in Virginia Beach and moved to Washington, D.C., he planned on fully immersing himself into the BDSM community there. As a Dominant, he knew what he could offer, and he knew how to extract pain and pleasure from a woman. The cries of ecstasy and hearing them calling out his name, even as Master Tank, would have to do for now.
Now changed into track pants, a t-shirt, and sneakers, Tank trotted back downstairs. He navigated around the stacks of full boxes to get to Rosalie. She sat at his makeshift office set up in the dining room. When he entered, she brought her gaze up over her laptop screen before resuming her work. She had been an exceptional employee. He couldn’t find a better person to help
build his business.
Tank sat down across from her. As soon as he did, Rosalie stood and walked away. Damn. Had she been that angry with him?
Before he could say anything to her, he heard her coming up behind him. She placed a grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup in front of him.
“You can let someone help you.” She patted his shoulder before she resumed her spot again.
Tank struggled not to smile at the small act. He couldn’t weaken. He had to be the one to take care of people.
“Thanks.” He lifted a cut triangle half of the sandwich and took a bite, crunching through the crispy, toasted shell. The melted cheese and creamy taste of butter brought him back to his childhood when his mother used to give him the same meal whenever he didn’t feel well. He stared at Rosalie. “You’re going to make some woman in D.C. very happy.”
She smirked. “Thanks, Boss. No offense, but I’ve made women here just as happy.” Her impish grin belied her salacious admission. “What about you? Tasted any local talent while you’ve been here?”
Tank glared at her. Rosalie meant well, but the topic of his love life had to be off the table. It had nothing to do with their boss-employee relationship. It pained him too much to think about Eminence and what could have been.
“I know your appetite tends to lean on the spicier side.” Rosalie screwed up her lips.
“I should have never shared that with you.” Tank took a sip of his thick, creamy red soup.
“Kind of hard to hide it from me when you leave your toys out.”
Tank remembered Rosalie finding his flogger and nipple clamps when he asked her to go through his suitcase to find a client’s paperwork. That happened the second day of her employment. She stuck with him.
“I’m all about work.” Tank brushed his hands together to get rid of the excess crumbs. “That should make you happy.”
She sighed. “I’d be happier if you truly were happy.” She shook her head. “Now eat your lunch.” Rosalie must have noticed his scowl again. “Please.”
Once he got his business truly going, he would have to give Rosalie a substantial raise. Until then, he would work his ass off to save them both. If he had been honest with Rosalie, he barely broke even in his business. Hiring a cyber team helped him gain some more businesses that he wouldn’t have ordinarily gotten, but it also hurt him due to the added expense. He couldn’t get distracted from his goals, not when so many people relied on him.
Chapter Two
“Guess what day it is?”
Eminence heard the query from behind her and she couldn’t help but cringe. The comical commercial that the line came from now had been overused by her annoying coworker. To be a good sport, she smiled as she did every Wednesday when Lionel uttered the line.
Eminence spun around in her chair to face her cubicle mate. “Every Wednesday. You don’t get tired of the line?”
Lionel shook his head. “That commercial with that camel is hilarious. Don’t you think so?”
The genial, thin young man scratched his head before peering over his shoulder. He rolled his chair closer to her. “Hey, are the rumors true?”
She wanted to confirm that the rumor of him eating onion sandwiches for lunch and smelling like the contents of a trashcan at an Italian restaurant had been dead-on true. The smell from the white man’s mouth reached her, assaulted her senses, and triggered her gag reflex.
As subtly as she could, Eminence put her finger under her nose. “What rumor?”
“I heard you’re moving up in the company.” Lionel nudged her arm. “You’re putting in that supervisor job in Maryland?”
Heat licked at Eminence’s face. She hadn’t even discussed this decision with her family. She knew what they would say. They would encourage her to take the job. They believed she could do anything.
Eminence found leaping into the unknown jarring. Had the supervisor job been there in Virginia Beach, or anywhere in the immediate area, she might have thought about applying for it. With everything going so well for her, she didn’t see the need to upset the apple cart.
“Don’t believe everything you hear.” Eminence turned back around hoping that would end the conversation.
“Uh oh. The big boss is on his way over.” Lionel eased back to his desk.
After a deep breath, Eminence turned to see where Mr. McCluskey aimed his attention. As soon as she connected her gaze to his and he smiled, she knew she had been his target.
Damn.
“Eminence, may I see you in the conference room?” Without stopping, the tall man strolled to the conference room at the end of the hall.
With her boss out of earshot, Lionel said, “Oooh, sounds serious. Good luck.”
Eminence rose from her chair and straightened out her outfit. “It’s probably about the Aronson account. I’ve been working on that for a while.”
If that story held any merit, the boulders rumbling in her gut would have stopped rolling. She used the unsettling feeling to propel her feet to move. Eminence swallowed hard as she kept her stare on the room. The opened blinds allowed the late afternoon sun to call her to the room like a beacon of light from a lighthouse guiding sea vessels. Eminence didn’t even remember taking steps. She felt like she had been floating.
Once she stepped into the room, McCluskey wasted no time in getting down to business. He directed her to take a seat at the table. As soon as he closed the conference room door, the rocks in Eminence’s stomach crashed against each other again.
“Yes, sir. How can I help you?” Eminence sat up tall and tried appearing pulled together.
Strangely, Keys Tanksley filled her thoughts at that moment. The times she’d felt unsure of herself, doubted situations, he had been the one to be her glue, her rock. Eminence borrowed his strength, and Keys willingly shared it with her. Then he had broken her heart. She took a deep breath and clasped her hands together. She would have to be her own cheerleader.
“Why haven’t you put in for the supervisor job?” McCluskey sat next to her. His steely gray eyes sent a laser shot through her head.
“How do you know I haven’t already?” Eminence hoped her query would buy her time before she answered.
McCluskey cocked his head.
“Sir, I’m very happy with the work I do here.” That had been the truth. “Besides, I have read the job posting. I’m not sure if I qualify.” Eminence had read the job posting so much that she had it memorized, word for word.
She knew she could do the job. The fear of losing a part of her security gripped her senses. If she failed, what would happen?
“I can tell you that I’ve talked to the hiring manager.” Mr. McCluskey’s eyes finally brightened. “I spoke about you very highly.”
“Thank you, sir.” Eminence meant that. She could always use the support no matter who offered it.
“Are you concerned about moving?” He tapped his fingers on the table as though her apprehension started to frustrate him.
“I do have a signed lease on an apartment. I would have to find a home in Maryland if I got the job.” Eminence let her face remain stoic to show that these items not only bothered her, but they should concern her manager as well.
“You know here at Pyle, we’ll give you time to find a home and get settled. Better yet, you can have a moving package.”
Eminence blinked. “I didn’t think Pyle still offered that because of budget.”
“Like I said, I’ve talked to the hiring manager.” McCluskey leaned forward. “I hate to ask about your personal life. Is there someone here that you’re concerned about if you accept the job?”
Eminence thought about Les. She hadn’t even told him about the possibility that she could get this job. There had to be libraries in Maryland. He could get a job in that area.
“Yes, I am seeing someone.” Eminence shrugged and suddenly wished she hadn’t.
McCluskey nodded. “Please do Pyle a favor and share your talents in other areas of the company.” He smiled
. “At your age, you could be really setting yourself up for the rest of your life. I hope you’ll think about that.”
Eminence kept her stare on her manager’s eyes until she broke the tension by laughing. “Almost sounds like this job is mine to lose.”
He leaned back in his chair. “Let’s just say you would have a very strong chance of getting the job, that’s if you apply for it.” He covered her hands with his. “Please say you’ll consider it.”
Eminence nodded. “Of course.”
It would cost her nothing to daydream about a new job in a new place and getting to start over fresh. Eminence always came back to the idea of having a secured future. She couldn’t have that by risking on the unknown.
“If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me, okay?”
Eminence stood. “I certainly will.” She shook McCluskey’s hand. “Thank you so much for talking to me. I appreciate your time and your support.”
“This is a no-brainer. I hope you feel the same way.” He patted her shoulder before opening the door.
With it being the end of the day, Eminence powered down her laptop and gathered her belongings. Although she’d never been a big drinker, not even in her one-time sneaking-in-a-club phase of her teenage life, she needed something now.
The pressures for her to do the right thing weighed on her mind. Although she hadn’t talked to her father in years, she knew her parents would love her no matter what decision she made. Could she look at herself in the mirror if she let this opportunity slip away from her?
Eminence pulled into a store’s parking lot, the first place she encountered on her way home. She made her way to the market area of the store until she came across the wine section.
“Mmm, liquid courage.” Eminence scanned the selection trying to find the one – or two – that would work for her.
With it being midweek, she couldn’t get drunk. Then again, she could have an opportunity to do that this Friday at Jordyna’s club opening. She still hadn’t decided if she would be attending that function either. Les hadn’t given her an answer, either.
“Can’t make up your mind either, huh?”
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