Page 54 of Cowboy Daddies

No one was more surprised than she was, to find herself handing her phone to Edward later that morning. Her determination to handle it herself had quickly withered under Edward’s harsh accusations and recriminations.

“I can’t believe I was going to suggest you for a promotion! This is absolutely the most unprofessional behavior I’ve ever seen. We have three projects due and you’re jaunting off on some fucking vacation? Are you stupid or something?”

Her hands clenched into fists, but she kept her voice calm. “I know it’s short notice, but I haven’t used any of my vacation time and it’s going to expire soon. Besides I’ll-I’ll work better after a break.”

“If you were serious about your career, you wouldn’t even ask. Do you see me dropping everything to go take a ‘break’ whenever I feel like it?” He’d actually gone to Cabo just a few months ago, but he didn’t give her a chance to say anything. “Unbelievable. In this company we work hard, and we put the team first. You’re⁠—”

It went on for a good five minutes, and she knew that even with his office door closed, the rest of their department could hear him belittling her. Finally, she just couldn’t take it anymore. She pulled out her phone and called home. “Carter? Edward doesn’t seem like he’s interested in approving the time off.” The anger had to be obvious in each snapped word.

“Hand him the phone,” Carter ordered.

She held it out to her boss silently. Edward gave her a disgusted look and snatched it from her hand. “Who is this?” he snarled.

Whatever Carter said had an immediate effect. Edward paled. His eyes widened, and when he finally did reply it was simply to say, “I’ll approve it.” It almost looked like his hand was shaking as he passed the phone back to her.

“Take your vacation. We’ll work it out… somehow,” Edward muttered as he walked around his desk and dropped into his seat. He pointedly didn’t look in her direction or say another word.

She couldn’t believe it had worked. Feeling awkward and uncertain about what exactly had occurred, she glanced down at the phone, but the call had ended. With one more nervous look at her boss, she turned and left his office. She could feel her coworkers watching her, knew the rumor mill would be churning overtime, but she kept her head down and tried to work.

Since she was about to take three weeks off, and they really were behind on multiple projects, she skipped lunch to remain at her desk. It was hard to focus but she managed to get a decent amount done. Edward ignored her for the entire day, and when he left, he didn’t make his usual stop to drop his unfinished work on her desk.

She watched him leave with her mouth hanging open, dying to know exactly what Carter had said to him. As guilty as she felt for calling her husband… she couldn’t deny the results. If that was all it took to put Edward in his place, she’d learn to ask for help.

Chapter Four

“What did I say to him?” Carter laughed as he stirred the thick stew in the pot. It was a cold laugh and lacked any real humor. “Don’t worry about it, sweetheart.”

She frowned. “What does that mean?”

“It means that it doesn’t matter what I said, as long as it worked.” He shrugged. “But I’ve got an ace in the hole if he gives you anymore grief. You know what he’s doing is illegal, right?”

She leaned against the counter and shrugged. “I hadn’t really thought about it. I know telling on your boss doesn’t tend to help your career much.” After a second, she added, “Don’t think having my husband talk to him is going to help much either. He won’t respect me after this.”

Carter stopped and stared at her, and then he shook his head. “Ally… the man who called you a stupid bitch because you weren’t answering his texts after midnight didn’t respect you. The man who has been dumping half his workload on you for months didn’t respect you. What do you think is going to change after this?”

She opened her mouth and then closed it.

“Exactly. Nothing.” He put down the stirring spoon and pulled her into his arms. “You, love, have a problem saying no to people. It’s unhealthy.”

She squirmed, looking away as her cheeks heated. “I’m a sub, remember? It’s part of the gig.”

He snorted. “Even subs need to learn to say no.”

“Even to you?” She snuck a quick glance at him.

A low growl rumbled in his chest and his arms tightened around her. “Especially to me. You are allowed to have limits and boundaries, sweetheart. You know that, but you don’t have trouble saying no to me—just everyone else for some reason.”

He wasn’t wrong, and she didn’t really understand it either. It was just that, “You’re safe.” And then when he didn’t reply, she added, “I know you won’t freak out if I say no. I know you won’t get angry and … you know.”

Carter sighed and lowered his head until his forehead touched hers. “I know. I’m your safe place and that’s all I ever want to be. But you do need to learn to stand up for yourself against other people. Fuck Edward if he gets pissed. He’s a terrible boss anyway.”

“Can’t argue that.” She let herself relax against him. The tension slowly drained out of her body as he held her. “I was thinking… about what you said this morning?”

“Oh? About trying a new kind of dynamic?”

“That, and about how I need to learn to accept help.” She swallowed hard. It was difficult to get the words out, and finally she blurted them before she lost the courage. “I think you’re right.”

He smiled. “Glad to hear it. I like being right now and then. So, how would you feel about me trying out the Daddy role?”