Page 55 of The Jaded Notes

Years of practice. I’m a professional in the matter. I releaseher to give us space. She needs it to reach her own conclusion and decide whether she can live with it.

“If we do this…” I let the weight of those words settle between us, cold and irrevocable. “It doesn’t exist outside the bedroom walls. Not in the office. Not in front of the others. And you’re only involved with me. There will be no side partnerships.”

“Okay, I can accept that, and I would keep it to myself. Just like you, I wouldn’t want anyone to know. It’s nobody's business, and I wouldn’t want the interference.”

“Then you agree to keep it between us?”

“Yes.”

“Not even Trent can know.”

“He won’t. I give you my word.”

“If you need to discuss this with someone, talk to a therapist. I’m asking for privacy, not isolation.”

She puffs out a laugh. “I’m not seeing a therapist, and I’m perfectly fine keeping this between us.”

“Good.”

“Anything else?” She raises her eyebrows.

“We aren’t in a relationship unless we’re in private. Not when you’re my mentee and I’m your mentor. When we’re working, you’ll treat me like you always have, like I’m the man whose name you don’t say unless it’s required.”

Her shoulders tense, but she relaxes them as if on purpose. “And when we’re not working?”

I dip my chin. “Then you’ll treat me like I’m the only man who knows how to wreck you properly.”

Her mouth parts, but nothing comes out.

“I’m not offering romance, Livianna. I’m not offering rescue. This is about dominance. And if you say yes, you’re giving me that power when we’re together. No defiance and no games.”

“And if I push back?”

A sharp smile tugs at the corner of my mouth.

“Then there will be consequences.” I let the moment build like a rising tide around her.

“What kind of consequences?”

I press my forehead to hers. “The kind you’ll crave, even when you shouldn’t.”

Her legs tremble under her, but she doesn’t pull away. Her breath turns jagged, and I swear I can feel her pulse jumping through every inch of her skin.

“Okay, Jax. I understand not wanting more than something sexual. That part is clear. Besides, I don’t want anything else, but I need to know what this is for you.”

“This is precision, and I won’t waver.”This is me pulling every thread of control back so I don’t fuck up and fall into you like a man who wants too much.“This is the boundary that keeps me from becoming a goddamn addict to you.”

“Oh.” She nods slowly. “That’s fair.”

“I’ll never lie to you. But don’t confuse this for love.”

She flinches but recovers in an instant. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

And then I let her make the choice. Her spine straightens, and she takes a few steps away. The distance slices me.

Is she about to leave? Did I go too far?

She drops her gaze, lifts her dress ever so slightly, and sinks to her knees on the black marble floor.