Page 77 of Spin Control

She nods. “And I liked it. A lot.”

I smile as a deep pleasure blooms in my chest at those words—at knowing that I pleased her. “And you liked when I went down on you.”

She nods. “I shouldn’t have let you do it. But you were very convincing.”

“Plus I’m fine as hell and completely irresistible.”

Elizabeth grins. “There is that.” It’s as satisfying as a podium finish. “But it’s not the only reason. I like you, Wes. A lot.”

My heart stutters in my chest.

Because Elizabeth Jacobs likes me.

“I don’t usually think about romance or feelings,” Elizabeth says. “I haven’t been interested in dating or relationships since figuring out my desires and how to harness them. I thought that was enough for me. But then you came along and surprised me at nearly every turn. I sized you up as a cocky, selfish asshole that first day at Martine, but I was so, so wrong. You’re loyal and hard-working. Thoughtful and big-hearted and open-minded. And though you have annoyed me at times and have definitely crossed some lines, you’ve also listened to me. You’ve been willing to admit when you’re wrong. You’ve been there for me, even when I did my best to push you away. You’re so impressive, Wes. And admirable. And so much more than I think even you know.”

She pauses, and it turns out I’m speechless. Because Elizabeth Jacobs admires me.

“In addition to all of that,” she says, because apparently she’s not done. I wonder if this is the part where she roasts me. “You’ve not only taken my sexual needs in stride, but seamlessly translated the dynamic to other aspects of life. That’s been new for me, and I appreciate it more than I can say. But, I can tell that being submissive isn’t what you naturally prefer. And if we’re—” she cuts herself off suddenly and I’m stunned to see self-consciousness in her eyes.

“If we’re what?” I ask, desperate for her to finish that thought.

She takes a big drink of wine, followed by a deep breath. “If we’re going to have a relationship, then I have to consider that you want other things.”

Holy. Shit.

Holy shit.

Elizabeth Jacbos wants a relationship. With me. And she’s open to trying new things. With me.

I must look as shocked as I feel, because Elizabeth says, “But if that’s totally off-base, then—”

“No,” I say quickly. “I am extremely into you. I just never thought that we…I mean, you’ve said multiple times that we can’t.”

Elizabeth nods. “Yeah. It’s not a great look for me to be fucking a client. But this isn’t just sex, Wes. Not for me. I don’t think it ever was. So if we were to speak with our respective HR departments to keep things above-board, then…”

“Jacobs,” I say slowly. ”Are we defining the relationship right now?”

She looks taken aback for a full second before she blinks it away. “Yes.”

“Fantastic. Whatever you want, I’ll do it. But I want you to know that I don’t expect you to change anything. I like everything about you, exactly as you are.”

The smile Elizabeth gives me is so beautiful I want to hire sometime to paint it and hang it in a museum so it can be preserved and admired for all time. “As much as I appreciate that, I also think that I need to be open to new things. We’re both extremely aware that sexuality is a spectrum, and considering I feel comfortable with you, wildly attracted to you, and intrigued by you, I think that’s probably worth exploring.”

Fireworks go off in my brain as I grasp how much she’s thought about this—how serious she is. So of course what I say is, “You’re wildly attracted to me?”

Elizabeth laughs, the sound music to my ears. “That can’t be a surprise.”

“A little bit,” I say. “You play things very close to the vest, Jacobs. When did you decide all of this?”

“It’s been in the works for a while. A long while, if I’m being honest. But it came into very sharp focus today.”

“Today?”

“You crashed,” she says slowly. “You crashed, and the only thing I could focus on was whether you were okay.”

I lean over and bump my arm against hers. “I’m okay.”

“I know,” she says, smiling softly. “But I don’t know what I would’ve done if you weren’t.”