Read The Rules for Free Online Page B

too much. Not that I was drunk. I was perfectly fine after a full meal and what amounted to two glasses of wine. But my cheeks were warm, and I was still supposed to be angry with this asshole for sending me all over Atlanta doing his dirty work. A job he should have done for his own woman, not sent the girl from the first floor scurrying around to accomplish.
    I sat up straighter and tried to school my face. I need to get out of here , I thought for the millionth time. What the hell was I still doing in my boss’s house?
    “You’re still pissed.” He grinned that half grin again.
    I started to speak and decided against it. Honesty was usually my best policy, but it seemed prudent to leave that one alone, especially in the face of the fact that I was both pissed and horny at the same time.
    My boss leaned forward and turned to face me better. “What do you know about me, Amelia?”
    My eyes widened. “Uh. What do you mean?”
    “I’m sure you’ve heard rumors. Tell me about them.”
    I shook my head. I wasn’t one to stand around listening to gossip in general. Specific gossip about the owner of the company never. Besides, I had been living in my own dream world for the past two weeks, preferring to continue to think Mr. Alexander was the sexiest, kindest, most wonderful man alive rather than listen to the giggles of the other women in the office.
    His looks and quiet efficiency, which was all I really knew about him until Friday night, had fueled two weeks’ worth of fantastic dreams. Didn’t matter a bit if everything I’d daydreamed about was untrue. That was the beauty of dreams.
    He lifted a brow. “Nothing?”
    “I’m not into gossip, sir.” I wiped my mouth on my napkin to ensure I didn’t have any lingering food on my face and set it on the table next to my plate.
    He stared at me. “For some reason, I believe you.” And then he tipped his head back and looked at the ceiling.
    I waited patiently for him to ponder the paint job.
    His head dipped back down just as fast. “Do you know what a Dom is, Amelia?”
    “A Dom?”
    “Yes.”
    I gripped my thighs with both hands in my lap, seriously contemplating picking up the bottle of wine and guzzling the rest of it. I held his gaze. Or rather, he held mine.
    I swallowed.
    He waited.
    “You mean like BDSM, sir?” I wished I could have sucked that question back into my mouth before it was all out there.
    “Yes.”
    Shit .
    He stood then, pulled my chair out, and took my arm to help me stand also. It was nearly impossible, seeing as my head swam with questions.
    My boss led me to the giant leather couch several yards from the table. The room was an open plan, although I hadn’t taken any time to peruse the furnishings of the living space. Moments later, I sat on the sofa with my back rigid, my legs together, and my feet planted on the ground. I wished I had the rest of that glass of wine.
    Mr. Alexander sat next to me. He sat sideways, however, one leg bent at the knee so he faced me. He took my hand and held it in both of his. He stared at it for a long time with his head dipped down to examine every aspect of the back of my hand as though it were fascinating.
    His touch was like an electric shock. After what he’d said to me, which made not one bit of sense in my dense mind yet, he still managed to make me crave things I’d never had the urge to pursue before.
    I wished I hadn’t chosen that particular white blouse that morning. And the full peach skirt seemed far too short. In fact, the way I’d plopped down on the couch had left half my ass touching the cool leather. And there was no way in hell I was going to fix it now.
    Finally he squeezed my hand and lifted his gaze. “You don’t know the first thing about D/s do you, Amelia?”
    I shook my head. That was the truth. I’d heard of it. Who hadn’t? I’d read novels occasionally in my spare time. Again, who hadn’t? They were titillating. But real life? Was the man who was my boss and