Taming the Boss Lady [Masters of Submission 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) by Jan Bowles Read Free Book Online Page B

Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin?”
    Matthew gestured benignly, spreading his arms wide. “Old Ben was one of the Founding Fathers and the first man to truly live the American Dream. I don’t know if you’re aware, but he actually lived right here in Boston. Ethan and I had a real bad start in life, but I can tell you this, Kelly, without reading his inspirational story, we wouldn’t be the men we are today.”
    “It’s a beautiful book, Matthew, but very battered.”
    “Yeah, I’ve read it so many times, it’s falling apart. As an-out-of control, smart-ass kid, it was exactly what I needed to straighten me out.” He sighed resignedly. “I’d gotten myself into trouble again, and this time I figured I was going to be expelled from school. However, instead of punishing me, my teacher, Mr. Gregory, gave me this book. He encouraged me to read a chapter every night after lessons had finished. To begin with I thought, why the fuck has this old guy given me such a boring book to read. I was fourteen years old and didn’t give a shit about Benjamin Franklin, or anyone else for that matter. But then I started to read it, and I was shocked with what I found. It was like flicking on a light switch to my imagination. Before then, I’d never thought there was anything out there for me, other than a life of crime or a shitty minimum-wage job. Once I started reading, I found I actually enjoyed it. It made me realize that the American Dream was there for anyone who reached out and grabbed it. I learned that if you work hard and focus, then just about anything is possible. Soon after that, Ethan and I took up sports. You know the sort of thing. Mainly track and field athletics. It gave us a purpose in life, and stopped us getting into serious trouble.”
    “Did you get into trouble with the cops?”
    Matthew playfully wagged a finger in her direction. “I’ve already said far too much, lady, but let’s put it this way. With my father serving fifteen years in the state penitentiary for armed robbery, Ethan and me were just one step away from following in his footsteps. Mr. Gregory saw I was a bright kid, and feared the worst. The guy was a lifesaver.” A grin spread on his lips, but Kelly could tell his early life was more traumatic than he made out. “So, Kelly, it’s your turn now.”
    It had been her intention to keep her real identity private, but that didn’t seem very fair or practical with Matthew insisting that she open up to him. He’d welcomed her to his home. She knew where he lived. They’d made love for Christ’s sake. Surely she owed him something? But a part of her resolutely refused to divulge her true identity. It was imperative she keep some emotional distance between them. She was wise enough to know that she needed to separate fantasy from reality. Being the CEO of the largest oil company on the East Coast meant she had a public position to maintain. With Matthew oblivious to her true identity, she was free to live out her sexual fantasies.
    She decided to play down her own importance, and that of McCloud Energy. “My father is a self-made entrepreneur. He built his mapping business entirely from scratch. Now he’s become unwell, the reins have been handed to me.”
    “Mapping you say?”
    “Yes.” She shrugged. “That’s all really.” Mapping was just one facet of McCloud Energy. She wasn’t exactly lying, just being economical with the truth.
    A grin slowly spread across his face. “Kelly, I sense that you’re not quite giving me the full picture of your life, but”—he spread his palms wide in acceptance—“what can I do? At Club Submission we understand the meaning of privacy. So if you don’t want to say anymore, that’s just fine by me. All I ask is you don’t lie to me.”
    Kelly felt guilt chase through her body. His tone of voice, so low and controlled, emphasized how important trust and truthfulness were to him. She wanted to shout at the top of her voice, “Hey,