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Mason busily worked at his desk, scratching away on stacks of paper and typing into his computer. Just when he was nearly finished, Addison burst through the door with a smiling Thea in tow. “Mason, this is Thea.” Then she turned to her long-time friend, gesturing towards Mason standing over mountains of paperwork, “Thea, this is the disastrous project that awaits you.” Mason’s eyes widened when he saw Thea, her luscious brown hair cascading down her back like a river of silk. Her curves seemed to invite him in, and the shape of her eyes was like two dark pools of mystery. His heart raced, and he felt almost dizzy with anticipation as his gaze met hers. She smiled, her teeth a row of white pearls, and Mason was sure he could smell the sweet scent of strawberries emanating from her. She gracefully extended her hand to him and said, “A pleasure to meet you.” He mirrored her gesture and extended his hand, “You as well,” he said, meeting her gaze and shaking her hand. His eyes wandered from the top of her head, where wisps had escaped, to her black long-sleeved shirt that peeked out from under a red sweater, to the black slacks and the red flats that brought his attention to her feet. Her slender figure radiated an air of innocence, and he found himself wondering what secrets lay hidden beneath the layers. Did she have tattoos? Did she drink? Clearly, she wasn’t the type of girl he was used to. She was too good, too pure. He imagined her as a prim bookworm and told himself he wasn’t the kind of guy for a girl like her. Addison took a slow scan of Mason, her brown eyes raking over his form as she took in his frame and disheveled hair. Her lips pressed together into a thin line as the memory of psychologist after psychologist that had come and gone flashed in her mind. “Let’s try to keep this civil,” Addison warned, her voice stern yet gentle. “This time, I brought my friend to really get to the root of your disturbed issues.” Mason’s eyes twinkled mischievously as the corner of his lips pulled up into a sly smirk. “Disturbed? I’m hurt,” he said, his voice oozing with mockery. Addison’s eyes flashed with anger as Thea stepped forward and smiled. “Thanks, Addison, I got it from here,” she smiled knowingly, and her calm confidence broke the tension in the room. “You sure?” After Thea nodded yes, she eased up, “Okay.” She pulled Thea close in a tight embrace and then fixed Mason with a hard stare, her gaze unwavering as she pointed her index finger first at her own eyes and then at him, making it clear that she would be watching him closely. Once Addison left the room, Mason shifted his weight and leaned against his desk, folding his arms across his chest. His eyes were focused on the floor as he spoke. “Look, I don’t know what Addison told you, but this isn’t something I want to do.” Thea sank into the deep, velvet cushion of the armchair, her legs barely reaching the floor. She paused, her eyes fixed on his stiff expression as she let out a thick exhale. “She might have mentioned it,” she said. His jaw muscles twitched, and he sighed heavily. “I’m fine,” he said firmly. He met her stare, his own looking deeply weary. “I keep telling her I don’t need this. No matter how many therapists I drive away.” “Well. Addison told me she was just about to give up until she walked in on you and your...ahem.” Thea’s face flushed bright red, and she twisted the corner of her shirt between her fingers. She bit her lip and cleared her throat, looking away as though she wished she didn’t have to continue. Mason’s eyes glinted with a mix of amusement and satisfaction as he watched Thea shift uncomfortably. He leaned forward and pushed away from his desk, taking a few steps in her direction. His voice was low and commanding as he finished her sentence, “…my submissive.” Thea felt her face flush as she nervously continued, “Yes. Your submissive kneeling on the ground in front of you. With your whip resting on her….” “Breasts.” The word hung in the air like a lead balloon as he looked at her, waiting for her reaction to his cavalier comment. He stood tall with his hands in his pockets and a smile of arrogance contorting his face. “Yes. Breasts.” She rose to her feet, and the two of them locked eyes. Mason could see that she was carefully considering her next words, searching for a way to convince him. “Just try it. I’m not like the others.” The confidence in her tone was palpable, as if she was challenging him. Mason’s smirk widened as he looked down his long nose at her. His eyes sparkled with mischievousness as he said, “No, you’re not. But I’m sure you’d like to hear my proposition.” Thea drew her purse closer to her body, brows furrowed in surprise. “A proposition?” her voice wavered slightly, betraying her confusion. “What do you mean exactly?” “I’ll do whatever you ask,” he said, a slow grin spreading across his face. He stared into her eyes, unblinking. “If...” He paused, letting the anticipation linger. “If you also agree to be my submissive.” Thea’s eyes widened in disbelief and, despite herself, a snort of laughter escaped her lips. “You can’t be serious,” she said. Mason’s eyes sparkled as he spoke, and his lips curved into a sly smile. He arched a brow and bit down on his bottom lip, yearning written all over his face. “Oh, but I am. Nothing s****l, of course, unless you beg me.” Thea lifted her chin in defiance and crossed her arms over her chest. “Beg? I don’t beg,” she said, slightly offended. “You will when I’m done with you, Thea,” Mason spoke with confidence and a glint in his eye, “You’ll submit yourself to me, and I’ll participate in your little counseling sessions,” he said in a low, commanding voice. “First of all, I don’t limit myself to traditional counseling sessions,” Thea’s cheeks flushed as she spoke. She gestured passionately with her hands as if emphasizing each word. “What I do is different. I insert myself into my clients’ lives and accompany them on their journey of growth, helping them identify and understand the root of their issues so they can learn to cope in healthy ways. Second…” Mason’s eyes lit up with glee, and his smile grew wider. He leaned in closer and said in a low, excited voice, “You’re intrigued, aren’t you?” Thea’s intense gaze lingered on the contours of his statuesque face and the glistening blue eyes that seemed to pierce into her very soul. His broad jawline and chiseled physique made even more stunning by the soft glow of the office’s overhead lamps, took her breath away. Her cheeks warmed as she felt him staring back at her, stripping each other of the last hints of breath. She opened her mouth to speak, her words finally breaking the spell between them, “No, I am not. You’re just trying to get out of this. And let me be clear; I will not be your submissive. Addison was right. You are a disastrous project.” “Is that so?” he said softly, mockingly. Mason’s nostrils flared, and his lips curled into a sardonic smile. He stepped closer to her until she could feel his breath on her face. His gaze bore into her own, and she suddenly felt pinned in place, unable to look away. “I think you’re intrigued. I can see it in your eyes. You want to know what it would be like to let me take control. To succumb to the sweet pain of my whip across your skin as you scream for mercy.” Thea felt her breath catch as Mason’s words rolled off his tongue, sending a chill down her spine. In a fit of defiance, she straightened her back and took a step back. “I’m leaving now,” she declared, her voice wavering. He stepped to the side, making room for her to leave, but Thea moved slowly and deliberately; each step was like a carefully placed chess piece. She stopped just three paces from his office door. “I thought you were leaving,” he said with a smirk. Thea slowly raised her gaze to meet his, her eyes refusing to blink as she replied, “I am.” Her chest rose and fell with each nervous breath, but her feet stayed firmly planted on the ground. “You’re not moving,” Mason took a step closer and leaned in, his voice full of reassurance, “I’ll never make you do anything you don’t want to do. It’s all about consent.” Thea could feel the warmth of his breath on her face as she looked up into his eyes. Mason strode over to the polished mahogany desk, his tailored suit draped around him like a royal robe. He confidently picked up the receiver, jabbing the buttons with a finger decorated with a gold signet ring. A smooth voice came through the speaker, and he said, “Kim,” in a tone that sent a tingle through her body like a lion on the prowl for its next meal. His words were strong and commanding as he requested her to make a reservation at one of the most exquisite restaurants in town for later that evening. His cologne filled the air as he walked toward her, and its sweet scent lingered around her. “I’ll pick you up at 8 pm,” he said. His eyes twinkled mischievously as he crossed his arms and added, “If you’re not there, then we don’t have to seal this deal after all. And you can just tell my poor baby sister that you couldn’t fix me,” he made an amusing quote with his fingers as he flashed a wide smile, then spun on his heels and walked away. Thea slowly let out a loud sigh as her body dropped an inch in resignation. She paused briefly as she turned away, not looking at Mason, and slowly reached for the door handle. The silence in the room was deafening as she slowly opened it and stepped out, feeling Mason’s gaze follow her every move. She closed the door behind her and stood in the hallway, lost in the deep thought of Mason’s proposal.