Still determined to make up for his ideocracy, he leans in, his voice low and measured. “I felt terrible this morning, not because of last night, but because I took advantage of you. I’m your boss, and that power dynamic—” He says, so sincere, so full of remorse.

But I snap. “Boy, I am a grown-ass, 35-year-old woman. You did not take advantage of me. I enjoyed every damn bit of what you made me feel. And the fact that you think I was too weak to make my own decision to finally experience a long-overdue orgasm is just plain insulting!”

Gary wheezes from the front seat, and I swear I feel the car slightly swerve.

Vic groans, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Kerry, that’s not—”

“No, I’m talking right now. Let me be clear, I didn’t wake up this morning crying into my pillow like some damsel in distress. You wanna know what I did do?” I pause for dramatic effect. “I stretched.”

Vic blinks again. “You…stretched?”

“Yup. Because I run after two precious girls all day long, and by the end of the day, my back is in pain, but this morning, it felt incredible for the first time all summer. Hell, I might even send you a thank you card.”

Gary snorts.

Vic exhales sharply, shaking his head before running a hand over his low fade, and when he looks back at me, his expression changes. Less guarded, more raw.

“You’re right,” he admits softly. “I don’t think you’re weak at all.” His gaze dips, and his fingers flex. “In fact, it’s your power that scares me.”

Catching me off guard, I tilt my head and study him. “My power?”

His jaw clenches before he finally admits, “The power you have over me scares the shit out of me.”

My anger still simmers, but underneath it, something else crackles – a desire so thick and undeniable. I narrow my eyes at him.

Then I turn back toward the window, tossing over my shoulder, “Good, you should be scared. Now sit there and marinate in your fear.”

With that, Gary laughs, and we sit in silence until we arrive to put on a show for the whole town to see.

Chapter 17

Selling the Dream, Living the Lie – Kerry

Welp, here we are, sitting in a restaurant, putting on the performance of a lifetime. All eyes are on us, but we’re avoiding looking at one another at all.

I’m still mad. I’m still shutting him out. But I’m also a woman of my word, and I agreed to help Mr. Flip-Flop Feelings over here look good in front of the man who holds the keys to his restaurant’s success. Across from us are Kendra and Jeff Jones, the City Manager and his wife. They’re all smiles and enjoying the warm, easy flow of conversation.