For His Taking (For His Pleasure, Book 2) (The Submission of Miss Masters, Domination, BDSM) by Kelly Favor Page A

expression turned serious.
    “He didn’t?”
    “No. I’m sure he’d be fine either way.”
    Now she was more confused than ever. She’d assumed that Red had specifically requested her presence, that this little presentation about the file structure changes was just a ruse for him to see her.
    She took a deep breath and let it out. “Of course I’ll go. I’m the one working on the changes, so it would be silly not to.”
    “Okay, then. See you in a few. I’ll swing by.”
    Edward left and went back to his office, and Nicole went to the bathroom, where she freshened up. She was dressed in tight white slacks, dark red heels, and a blue blouse with a plunging neckline. Last week she hadn’t been herself, and some of her outfits had suffered. Luckily, today she’d worn one of her best and was feeling more confident as a result.
    Nicole found she was getting butterflies. Incredibly, she wanted to see Red again.
    Despite everything that had happened last week, the time apart had given her time to really think about things. Red hadn’t contacted her, hadn’t sent a text or email, nothing.
    Red had done none of those things, and for all she knew, was glad to be rid of her.
    She was sweating as Edward swung by her desk and told her it was time to go up for the presentation. On the elevator ride, he studied her closely. “Don’t be nervous,” he said. “Red’s going to grill me at least as much as he does you.”
    “I’m not worried about that.” She smiled briefly and it was enough to tell Edward that it was everything else she was worried about.
    The elevator came to a halt and they made their way to the office. The door was ajar and she could see Red behind his desk—instantly her heart ached for him. He was wearing a dark blue suit and vest with a purple tie. He looked perfect, magnificent, as always—like a movie superhero ready to jump from his office and climb buildings, fight evil villains.
    It occurred to her that Red would fight and kill and even die for her, and she’d discarded him as easily as a child leaves its toys when they’re no longer new and exciting.
    When they entered, Red looked up and his eyes momentarily locked on hers with that same burst of intensity she remembered. Her breath stopped in her chest.
    It felt like minutes but in reality she knew it had only been a second or two at most.
    “Morning, Red,” Edward said, crossing to the seats near his desk.
    “Good morning, both of you,” Red replied as if nothing was wrong, standing up to greet them.
    Nicole smiled and muttered a good morning, but it barely escaped her lips. As usual, she was a child in front of him—nervous, without armor.
    This was the first time she’d been in his office with someone else here, though.
    It felt different. And Red had prepared for the two of them. He’d pulled up two chairs next to one another.
    Once they’d all sat down, Red put his hand under his chin and looked at both of them. “So…reorganization of the creative group’s network folders. How is it coming?”
    Edward turned to Nicole. “Nicole?”
    She looked down at her hands, which were shaking but in her lap so nobody would notice but her. “They’re going well. It’s going well, sir.”
    Sir. Uh-oh. That was their private language, and she’d fallen back to it without thinking. Red didn’t appear to care at all. “Details?” he said, leaning forward.
    She launched into a very elaborate and dull description of how she was changing the way every project and account was set up on the network, and although at first it would be confusing for those who were used to the old ways, it was going to be much more efficient in the long run.
    “Sounds wonderful,” Red said, after thinking for a bit. “Great. That will be all.”
    Edward smiled and stood up. He made some small talk about a client who had only just recently agreed to give Jameson International a big chunk of business for the upcoming year. Red said that it was a great win