Chapter 49 - 49

"It's alright, I understand how the mistake was made. Sometimes it's hard to distinguish between taste in clothes and a whore, but that's just fine. You know, maybe when you're done, we can give you a few tips. I know my friend Lizzie would love to get her hands on you."

Jordan's hand quickly come up to smother a cough that I knew would have come out as a laugh and I noticed Reed was having a hard time keeping the smile on his face. Nina's back straightened even further and the look on her face said if she could reach out and slap me right now, she would have.

"No, thank you, I'll wait for you in your office," she replied haughtily.

Nina stormed off down the hallway towards Reed's office and Lizzie could no longer contain her laughter as she grabbed me and hugged me tightly.

"Oh my god! I taught you so well!" she said giggling.

I couldn't help it her laughter was so infectious I started laughing as well. It felt so good to be laughing after all the other emotions that had been threatening to overwhelm me this morning.

I looked over to see what Reed thought and saw him and Jordan in a deep conversation. Jordan looked upset and Reed looked like he was trying to convince him of something. Jordan ran his hands through his hair and sighed.

"Fine, but you have to tell her," Jordan relented and indicated in our direction.

I sighed and squeezed Lizzie's hand ignoring her protest as I walked out.

"Mia, stop," Reed commanded.

My feet heard his tone and stopped of their own accord. I sighed reminding myself that I needed to have a talk with my feet later. I turned back towards him.

"Yes, Mr. Callaghan?" I said trying to act pleasant.

He glared at me. "Don't tell me we are back to that."

I made a noise of disgust and started walking towards our office area. He caught up and walked briskly beside me. This was nowhere near a long enough walk to finish this conversation, I thought for a second.

"I've been thinking that maybe we never left it," I said.

I reached my desk and set my briefcase beside my desk before throwing my coat over the back of my chair.

"What does that mean?" he asked as he looked at me with a confused look in his eyes as well as a bit of fear.

"Look, I appreciate you showing me the ropes, but I'm kidding myself by thinking that you would really be interested in me as something other than a little piece on the side. I understand you've got the perfect corporate wife and she's willing to be all that you need," I said patiently pretending to be more understanding than I really was.

I'd put the desk between us so the distance could help me keep my composure and I wouldn't fall into his trap again. I didn't dare look into his eyes fearing I'd lose my courage and do whatever he wanted me to do.

I finished pulling my stuff out before I finally raised my eyes up to him and tried to gauge what he was feeling, but his face was a stone mask leaving me feeling hurt and numb.

"I see," he said slowly, folding his arms over his chest looking breathtakingly like the Dom I craved him to be.

"Yes, good. Then we can continue like nothing ever happened and both keep it professional from now on," I said with a polite smile before sitting down.

I knew from his vantage point he had a remarkable view of the cleavage that was peeking out of my top still I pretended not to notice as I turned to the computer. When he didn't move like I thought he would as I logged on, I began to feel antsy.

"Will there be anything else, Mr. Callaghan?" I asked

I silently begged him to go away before my emotions got the best of me and I started screaming or yelling or worse yet, crying.

"Yes, Mia.”

He stalked toward me with anger radiating from him. I shrunk back as he spun my chair around to face him. He leaned in close, and I could see his eyes flashing as he struggled to control himself.

"Girl, I want you to know that, once again, we are not done. If you think this is the end you are sadly mistaken. I'm not sure what the hell gave you the impression that I got my fill of you or that I would let you walk away without a fight, but you are dead wrong. You are just lucky I do not have the time to properly punish you right now. So, let me explain it to you this way and I hope the message sinks in this time," he said very quietly as he leaned even further in so his whole face filled my entire vision.

"YOU...ARE... MINE," he growled out and I felt each word hitting me like a blow to the gut.

My heart peeped up and sighed 'I know' like some silly adolescent schoolgirl. My head, however, scrambled and scrapped to block out those words. He straightened up again and pulled on his jacket to smooth the wrinkles out as he turned and walked to his door. Unfortunately, my mouth and my anger were the first ones to recover.

"The fuck I am," I said softly.

He spun around and was back in front of me in an instant.

"Excuse me?"

His tone attempted to remind me he was the Master but, my anger wasn't allowing me to listen. I stood up and looked him straight in the face letting him see just how deadly serious I was.

"You heard me, Reed. The... Fuck... I… Am. I may be submissive, but I am no one's lap dog. I will not be someone's floozy. I'm better than that, Reed, and shame on you for not seeing that. I believed every word that came out of your lying mouth, but not anymore. Shame on me for listening," I said into his disbelieving face.

"I explained everything to you. You said you understood and agreed," he replied back at me accusingly as if I was the one at fault for all of this.

"Yes, and I listened. Shame on me again, but you, you took every fear I told you about and shoved it back in my face. For what, Reed? For something a little newer? Fresher? Well, look somewhere else, Mr. Callaghan, because this one's seen through you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to my work." I said and sat down again turning to my computer again, effectively dismissing him.

I watched him out of the corner of my eye as he paced to his office and back trying to decide which way to go. I just kept my eyes seemingly on the computer and tried not to flinch when he stalked towards his office door and slammed it shut.. I let out the breath I was holding and slumped into my chair, this was going to be a rough day and I hadn't even had a cup of coffee yet, I realized morosely.