Taking Courage (11 page)

While
everyone looked at Keller, she watched Colin in an attempt to read the
situation. She knew this could be the beginning of a landslide. Her toes tapped
out a rhythm.

“We
already agreed not to rush this phase,” Keller said in an unbreakable tone.

“That
was before the markets changed. I warned you about this, Keller. We need to
push harder and ensure our bottom line. Our stockholders won't wait much
longer. What's that knocking?”

Janna
pushed down on her knees. There was a lot going on here, and she only wanted in
on a smidgen of the conversation. She released a slow breath and the death grip
she had on the table.

“Thank
you, Colin.” She threw her words in between the dueling men. “This is exactly
why we are having this meeting. All of you are filled with bits of information
vital to the success of this project.”

In
her gallop through the last few days, she'd forgotten to ask Keller how this
project fit inside the company's bigger picture. The mistake was hers. Usually
program managers handed her that kind of high level information when she was
assigned the project.

Her
pulse beat in her throat, making her aware she needed to keep the meeting
moving forward. She made a quick note on her pad to remind her to think it
through while she closed out the project. She’d ensure she didn’t miss it on
the next project.

Not
one of these guys was going to run her from the room or this job. She could
handle this change. After a couple quick questions, she pulled up the project
task list, added the milestone date for the release of the prototype and after
a glance at her buffer zone notes, she made the adjustment needed to make it
all fit. It was tight. She was worried what the staff would think of the
change.

“Well,
would you look at that?” said Colin.

“Nicely done, Janna.
I'm impressed.”
Keller relaxed back into his chair.

“This
may require some overtime.” She pulled up the budget. “I'd like to make some
changes here.” With the necessary stakeholders at the table, she got the
information she needed and finished the updates.

The
meeting continued without any additional red light issues, and they finished
the scope review with just enough time left in the meeting for a vote. While
Keller took the team through the voting process, Janna sat back and rubbed her
palms against her skirt, making sure her shoes made no more noise. She gripped
her thighs and lifted just her gaze to find Simon.

His
sights were set on her, reminding her of the ways he'd played her body. Even in
this moment, the plug in her ass reminded her of his control. Heat blossomed
across her pussy, and her heart beat as if it needed her attention.

“Well
done, Janna.” Keller stopped next to her with his hand held out.

“Thank
you.” She stood and shook his hand.

“I
think that was the quickest scope approval yet. I see big things in your
future.”

“Thank
you, Sir.”

The
room emptied quickly, leaving just Janna and Simon. She collapsed into her own
seat, both physically and emotionally exhausted. She'd always wondered if she
could handle a project her father had no part in, wanted to see if she could
handle a tough situation. If she had the energy, she would have gotten up and
twirled around the room.

“Well
done, pet. Thanks for getting my project scope approved.”

“You're
welcome.” She reached forward and stretched her fingers across the big empty
table. She conquered this room and was hungry for more. Of course her triumph
wasn't spotless, but she'd analyze it tomorrow.

“The
meeting went great. You were great.” He walked over and stood beside her. “You
should get a good night’s sleep tonight, because tomorrow the real work
begins.”

“You're
right.” She gathered her things.

“Are
you alert enough to get yourself home safely?”

“Sure.”
She stood and took in his conflicted features.

“Good.
I have somewhere I need to be.” He picked up her notes and handed them to her.
“I'll see you in the morning.” With a quick pinch to her chin, he walked out of
the room and took a piece of her heart with him.

The
board room door closed behind him, leaving her alone.

She
pushed off the table and made her way back to her office. Instead of going
through her notes and starting the dozens of emails she'd need to send, she
dropped everything on her desk, pulled out her purse, and took her coat from
the hook.

“How
did it go?” She looked up and found Marcus at her door.

“Well
enough that they approved it.” She dropped her purse on her guest chair.

“Congratulations.”
He took a step into her office.

“I
should warn you, the scheduled was tightened, and you’ll have some overtime
coming.” She pushed her arms into her jacket.

“I
figured. So I stayed late and got my current project finished. I'll be ready to
dive in tomorrow.”

“Thank
you, Marcus.” Team players like Marcus were priceless. “Can I ask you a
question?”

“Sure.”

“Do
you know Colin?”

“I
do.” He picked up her purse and put it over her shoulder.

“Do
you think I need to be worried about him?”

“As far as your project goes, no.
I don't think
so. Did he give you some trouble tonight?”

“No,
he just brought up things no one else did, which is the purpose of those
meetings.” She shook off her concern. “Walk me out?”

“Sure.”

“There
was something about him that made me nervous.”

Once
outside, Marcus stopped. “Can I talk openly?”

“Okay.”

“Tell
me if I'm out of line?”

“Sure,
what is it?”

“I'm
a Master at Club Voyage.”

“Oh.”
She looked down and examined her shoes.

“Charlie
sent out the new trainee roster today, and I didn't want you to be surprised
when you saw me on Friday or Colin.”

She
stopped walking.
“Really?”
She looked at him again,
but he didn't look any different. “Are you both
Doms
?”

“Yes,
Colin's a Master also. I've been running a new club out of the basement. Have
you heard about it?”

“Are
you talking about Club Blind?”

“I
am. Did the club give you our brochure?”

“They
did. I'm not sure I'm ready for something like that.”

“I
understand. Talk it over with your trainer. Everyone needs new experiences.”

“You're
both
Doms
.” She shook her head. “Somehow, I'm not
surprised.”

“The
longer you're in the scene, the easier it will be to spot us.”

“I'm
sure that's true.”

“Can
I give you some advice?”

“Absolutely,
please do.”

“Don't
rush the process. It takes time to know what works for you. Not every sub is
the same.”

“That
makes sense.”

“Just
like your first boyfriend isn't always perfect for you, neither is your first
Dom.”

****

Late
Thursday morning, Janna considered working through lunch. She hadn't spoken to
Simon since last night. He wasn't in his office when she arrived, and the few
times she’d gotten up for coffee, he'd been meeting with members of his staff.
He hadn't called, but they weren't scheduled to meet again until tomorrow.

A
cold emptiness had been seeping into her thoughts all day. How had she gotten
so attached so quickly? She should have guarded her feelings better. Maybe she
should think about Marcus's warning. Simon might not be the right Dom for her.

Falling
fast was a talent Janna had perfected. Without her father here to point it out,
Janna hadn't seen it coming. She needed practice spotting roadblocks.

She
didn't need to run home. The thought of going home and leaving this new oasis
left her stomach achy and empty. She needed to calm down and let the week play
out. She'd have Simon's full attention tomorrow tonight and each Friday night
while he was her trainer. With more time, he might start to care about her and
consider keeping her around well past her training.

A
flutter of possibilities churned with the anxiety settling in her gut. It was probably
a good thing he was keeping his distance today. As long as he wasn't around,
she didn't have to explain her father or her ex.

Keller's
and Marcus's warnings swam through her thoughts. Maybe she needed to consider
the opposite of Marcus's warning. Maybe she wasn't the right sub for Simon. An
ache swirled around her and pounded in the center of her chest.

She
took a deep calming breath. It had only been a few days. They both would need
more time before making a decision like that, but her gut wanted him to be the
one. She shifted in her seat, seeking the angle that would let her get
comfortable. The damn plug kept her thoughts on Simon.

She
tapped her fists on her desk and then pulled back up her project files. Diving
back into work was her only option. She'd keep herself busy, and eventually
tomorrow night would come.

****

Simon
called an end to his last meeting of the day. He hadn't said more than a few
words to Janna all day. Readying his department to start the new project on
Monday was demanding his full attention, but each glimpse he got of her drove
his need to touch her again. They both needed a bit of space to do their jobs.

Friday
couldn't come soon enough.

He
figured that by now Marcus must have spoken to her about Club Blind. He'd been
keeping an eye on the Club Blind roster, and although her name wasn't there
yet, it didn't mean she'd decided against it or worse, hadn't already planned
her return trip home. He couldn't blame her for considering either. Home could
be a safe place, and Marcus was a great spokesman for the new club. He was
probably a better match for Janna, too.

Simon
flexed his jaw as a strong pinch took hold, and he pushed back from his desk.
He hadn't had enough time with her yet to convince her to stay, but the last
thing he wanted was for her to stay out of some sense of obligation.

A
knock on his door broke his concentration. He looked up and found Gina leaning
against his doorway.

“Gina,
come in. What can I do for you?”

“I
was actually wondering what I can do for you.” She flipped her long hair over
her shoulder. “I've finished my latest project, and I know you just got a new
one approved last night.” She sauntered over and rested her hip on the corner
of his desk.

Chapter Eight

Janna
decided since she wanted to talk to Simon today, she'd stop by his office on
her way out. She gathered her things and made her way to his office. The door
was open. She walked in and found him talking to Gina, who was comfortably
perched on his desk.

She
stood frozen, watching and waiting for the whole image in front of her to
disappear. The girls had told her Gina had a knack for causing trouble, and here
she was.

“Gina.”
From behind her came the rumble of Marcus's reprimand.

Both
Simon and Gina turned. Gina's stunning blue eyes narrowed in on Marcus, but
instead of responding, she got up and left. Marcus left in the opposite
direction. The air thickened when Simon said nothing.

Janna
took a step to follow Marcus.

“Don't
go.”

She
turned back. Simon hadn't moved, except now he was looking out the window. She
made her way across his office to see what had claimed his attention. It also
gave her something to do other than saying something she'd regret.

“This
view is fabulous. I should spend time looking at it every day.”

“You've
been working your ass off.” His voice came from farther away than expected. The
door lock slipping into place filled the silence in the room.

“I
have been working hard. I didn't realize until just now how worn out I am. I
need to relax and clear my head.”

“I
know exactly what you need.”

Her
emotions felt like a six lane roundabout holding her captive. No simple
answers, only dangers bombarded her from all sides. Her father held the keys to
one kind of known comfort, but she refused to live under his thumb any longer.
Besides, nothing he could offer could compete with the passion coursing through
her veins or her need for the man approaching her.

When
she found out he worked for Keller on Monday morning she never would have
guessed she'd be able to
haggle
a second chance from
him.

As
the sounds of a desk drawer sliding open came to her ears, she turned and
watched him pull a bottle of lube and a couple of condoms from his desk. His
gaze fell on her, and he slid the drawer closed.