by Dinah McLeod
I should have been bursting with satisfaction, but all I felt was worried. What if it didn't work? What if exploded in my face?
So what if it does.
I smiled, remembering what Brandon had said that morning.
"If things go south, what have you lost? You still have a great job, a doting boyfriend—"
"You just wore my butt out last night!" I protested. "How is that doting?"
"Don't bring home a speeding ticket and you'll be able to eat your breakfast sitting down."
I'd scowled at him and plopped down in the chair, just to prove that I could. I even managed to hide my wince of pain.
"Like I was saying, you have a doting boyfriend and a body that's sexy as hell. What else does a woman need?"
He always knew how to make me laugh and remembering it helped me relax. He was right; at the end of the day, I had everything that was important to me.
"We're ready for this," Mr. Fern muttered to me out of the corner of his mouth as we stood in front of the imposing doors of the boardroom.
I took in a deep breath. The last time I'd been in there, I'd been handed a card that I'd thought would destroy me. But it hadn't and nothing could, not while I had Brandon behind me. Giving him another smile, I pushed the doors open and stepped inside, head held high. "Good morning, gentlemen," I called out, my voice the embodiment of confidence.
"What the hell is the meaning of this?" I wasn't surprised to see Mark's scowling face greeting me. He was standing at the head of the table and if looks could kill, well, let's just say I'd leave a pretty corpse.
"Good morning, Mark."
His scowl deepened at my light tone and he began to stomp toward me.
Mr. Fern moved in front of me protectively, but I shook my head. I could handle Mark—I was sure this time.
"I thought we had a deal," he snapped. "Which you're in violation of right now. You can leave this instant, or—"
"Yeah, about that. I no longer give a damn."
His eyes widened, from anger or surprise, I wasn't sure. Probably both. "What are you talking about? You'll be ruined, you'll be—"
"Fine." I surprised us both with the sincerity in my voice. "Brandon already knows, and we're fine. I have a job, one that I actually enjoy going to every morning. There's nothing for you to take away from me, Mark."
"Your reputation, your—"
"But there's plenty I can take from you," I interrupted as though I hadn't heard him. "You have so much to lose. Now, because I'm feeling generous, I'm willing to strike a new deal."
"Like I'd agree to that!" he hissed, glaring angrily. "I obviously can't trust you!"
"No, Mark, you're the one who can't be trusted. Did you honestly think I wouldn't find out about your little sabotage? I'm sure the board members are going to be very interested to hear about it."
"What—" His head shot around and he looked directly at Jack.
I followed his gaze and saw that Jack met his gaze with a calm I'd never credited him for. I felt a surge of pride for my new friend.
"You bitch," he hissed, stepping toward me menacingly.
"Mr. Patterson, I'm going to have to insist you step away," Mr. Fern's voice boomed throughout the room.
"You low-down, evil, conniving bitch!"
"You can leave now, of your own accord," I replied calmly, "or I can tell the members of the board everything. You'll be fired, but not only that, you'll be brought up on charges of fraud and sued by Dusty Records."
He glared daggers at me, but I met his gaze with aplomb, waiting to see how it would play out. "You can't do this to me."
"No, Mark. You did it to yourself. You've lied and cheated and backstabbed your way to the top—you had to know it would catch up with you eventually."
"I'm the best thing that ever happened to this company!" he railed, no longer worrying who heard us.
"No, I am. And what's more, everyone in this room knows it."
Mark stepped back and looked wildly around the room as though searching for a friend. No one came to his defense, no one spoke up for him. The look on his face when he realized how utterly defeated he was was something I wouldn't forget anytime soon. I should have been elated, but strangely, I only felt sorry for him.
"I'll get you back for this," he growled.
"No." I shook my head definitively. "You won't."
He opened his mouth, but at the last second, he shut it. He took one more look around the room and shoved past Mr. Fern to make a hasty exit. Only when the door slammed behind him, did I let out the breath I'd been holding.
"Do you think he'll be back?"
"No, I don't," I told Mr. Fern, giving him the first real smile I could manage. "Gentleman, again, good morning," I said as I made my way to the head of the conference table. "I have a lot to fill you in on, but first things first, Jack, if you don't mind, please call security and notify them to change all the locks in the building."
"Right away, Ms. Donahue."
"Jack."
He turned to face me, looking puzzled by the firmness in my voice.
"It's Karen, or did you forget so soon?"
He gave me a quick grin before he strode off to carry out my request.
"Gentleman, there are a lot of things I need to bring you up to speed on, but the first is this: SunFilm will be merging with Dusty Records, a merger that will make him an equal partner in our company."
This news was greeted with nothing but silence for a few moments, then all hell broke loose. I ignored it and signaled to Mr. Fern to step forward.
Once he was at my side, he signaled for quiet. "I'm very happy to be a part of this. It will be a giant step forward for both of our companies and I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you." He gave me a wink, and after a moment, I returned it.
***
The day had gone well. Better than I'd ever hoped, actually. I'd hired a private detective to keep an eye on Mark, just in case, and had all the locks changed, but I didn't think he'd be bothering me again. After I'd filled Mr. Fern in on everything I could think of concerning the company, I'd revealed my intention of leaving within a year. Though it had been my baby for years, DustyRecords just didn't feel right for me anymore.
He was the second person to get the news and he looked just as stunned as Jack had. I'd told Jack that I intended to start a new company—doing what, I wasn't quite sure yet—and asked him to come with me.
"I'll need someone, you know. For making coffee and answering phones, you know. Oh, and also, for not taking any shit from me. I thought you might be interested."
"I might be," he said with a grin.
"Great. And you know, I was thinking if you wanted to, maybe we'd hire an assistant to do all that stuff and you could be my CFO."
His eyes widened in surprise. "Are you serious?"
"Your degree's in finance, right?"
"Yes, but—"
"No buts. Say you'll do it. It's a better title, you won't make more money, but I hear your boss won't be as much a bitch as you're used to dealing with."
He shook his head at me, laughing. "Well, in that case, how can I say no?"
"So you'll do it?"
"Sure. After we negotiate my salary."
I grinned. He had me there. "Deal."
I couldn't wait to tell Brandon. I knew he'd be proud of me. Knowing that I had him behind me was what had given me the final push I'd needed to move out of my apartment. I didn't have one drawer, I had taken over Brandon's entire dresser and half his closet.
But my news would have to wait—right now, I knew he was waiting for me and I was in trouble.
"Ms. Donahue," he greeted me with an arched eyebrow when I walked into the room. "Close the door, please."
I closed it behind me and locked it. "Isn't this a bit cliché?" I asked, gesturing to my plaid mini-skirt and knee socks. "I mean, since you're a teacher and all?"
"Ahem. I believe you're here to serve detention, not to sass me, young lady."
&nbs
p; I lowered my eyelashes demurely. "Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir."
"We'll see. Your teacher told me that you've been cheating off Mary again. What do you have to say for yourself, young lady?"
"It won't happen again, Sir."
"We'll just have to make sure it doesn't. I guess writing lines last time didn't do the trick so we're going to have to try something a bit different. I want you to bend over the desk."
I began to walk past him, but he stopped me with a tug to one of my braids. "I don't think you're supposed to look at me like that, Sir."
"Like what, young lady?"
"Like you're wondering what color panties I'm wearing."
"I suppose I'll find out soon enough. Now move." He delivered a loud smack to my bottom to send me on my way.
I was smiling for all I was worth, my body humming with excitement as I bent over the desk and waited.
Dinah McLeod
My name is Dinah. I enjoy a CDD relationship with my husband Jim and freely admit to love all things spanking--reading about it, writing about it, daydreaming about it...you get the idea! As long as I am not in trouble, that is! I hope you will enjoy my books, and feel free to let me know what you think!
Visit her blog here:
http://980875189741781282.weebly.com
Don’t miss these exciting titles by Dinah McLeod and Blushing Books!
The Errant Bride
Mona’s Second Chance
A Husband’s Duty
Answering to Him, Old-Fashioned Husbands Book One
Swept Off Her Feet, Swift Justice Book One
Love Hurts
Sir, Yes Sir, Old-Fashioned Husbands Book Two
How I Spank My Wife
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Epilogue
Dinah McLeod
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