Read Online FightingforControl by Ari Thatcher - Free Book Online Page A

ready for
invitations like that.
    Well, just make sure you eat.
    That sounded more like mother than master, but it made her
crave macaroni and cheese and apple pie. With more cheese. Could a relationship
with someone like that fill her to the point she didn’t need starchy comfort
food? What a dietary concept!
    Unable to stop herself, she rummaged through the cupboards
and found her standby boxed mac-and-cheese, and when the pasta was tender,
added a handful of shredded cheddar, a can of tuna and some frozen peas to the
sauce.
    Heaven.
    She did refrain from eating out of the saucepan, dishing up
a bowl and saving the rest for another meal or two.
    A chime from her phone signaled another text. This time
Marc’s name was displayed. Feeling any better?
    The processed cheese sauce high had just begun to hit, so
she answered honestly. Yes.
    That’s good. We might do a conference call this afternoon
to bounce some ideas around.
    Okay. I’ll email you guys what I’ve come up with , she
replied.
    Good idea.
    There was a pause long enough to make Lori think he’d gone
back to whatever he’d been doing. The words that came through a minute or two
later sent a flutter through her insides. Put on your work clothes just
before two o’clock, so you’ll be dressed appropriately.
    What the fuck? Dressed appropriately for what? Her work
clothes—suddenly his meaning dawned. She heard his voice describing how the
outfit she wore to Unfettered reminded her who she was inside the club. By
putting on her work clothes, she was putting on a mindset of graphic designer.
Everything else would be pushed from her thoughts.
    In doing so, she’d force herself to focus. In doing so,
she’d acknowledge she was continuing the relationship with Marc, at least, as
her master.
    Her hand trembled as she reached for the phone. She glanced
over her shoulder as if being caught writing personal email on company time,
but of course she was alone in her dining room. Her fingers flew over the
virtual keyboard on her phone. Yes Master.
    A moment’s hesitation, then she hit send.
    Lori sucked in an audible breath, implications and
complications flooding her brain at what she’d done. At the same time, warmth
pooled between her thighs and giddiness sent ripples of laughter through the
rest of her being.
    She glanced at the clock, calculating how long she had to
get ready. What would she wear? How much makeup?
    The realization of how ridiculous she sounded made her slow
down to actually look at the jackets she pulled from the closet. A conference
call wasn’t a date. This one in particular was an important stepping-stone.
Proving she could separate her thoughts, shut down the sexy dreams taking over
her waking moments.
    With that in mind, she quickly chose a gray pinstriped skirt
and pale-pink blouse and pulled them on over her boring cotton bra and panties,
just like any workday. She ran the brush through her hair and pulled it into a
clip. A little mascara and blush kept her from looking too washed out without
appearing desperate for attention.
    Freshening her coffee, she sat down at her laptop in plenty
of time and opened the files she needed. A text message came through a few
minutes before the expected call. From Marc, of course. Are you
appropriately dressed?
    Lori sighed. Just once she’d love to get a “what are you
wearing?” call from a hot young guy like Brad or Marc. His wording made his
meaning clear. She typed her reply. Yes. She didn’t add Sir or Master
since her mindset was that of businesswoman.
    Her phone rang and she answered it on speakerphone. “Hi,
gang. Are we all here?”
    “Hi, Lori, this is Joanne. Everyone is ready on this side.
We’re discussing the Wilford account. Are you logged into the network?”
    “I am,” Lori replied. She clicked her way through to the
Wilford folder and listened to the discussion, opening the image files as
needed. The voices of her coworkers filled the air around her as if she were in
the room