Some, though, like herself—and she hoped, Eric—enjoyed changing roles, being what was appropriately called a "switch". It kept things fresh, or she thought it would. Donna had only just researched and outfitted the red room when she and Eric met. After their first time there, the night she talked Eric through being the dominant, he'd wanted to be the sub. It was okay, but did they want to settle for okay? Do I? Sometimes she lay awake, thinking about planning for a wedding in a few months, followed by a lifetime together. Did she want to be the Domme… forever?
"Speak of the devil," Paul said, bringing Donna back to the present. A man approached, someone Donna had never seen before. He was dressed casually, with one of those multi-pocketed fishing vests some photographers favor. "This is the new photographer I was telling you about. Donna Radford, meet Lance Glover. Donna, Lance. Lance, Donna."
Lance Glover was not as handsome as Eric, she thought loyally, but he was easy enough on the eyes. There was something about him that was oddly familiar. Dark-haired and swarthy, Lance swept his eyes up and down, assessing Donna in such a frank way that she was a bit offended and also, she had to admit, flattered. As busy as she was, though, she only managed a limp squeeze when he held out his hand.
Lance chuckled good-naturedly. "Surely, you can do better than that for a first handshake." To get her to squeeze harder, he increased his own pressure, to the point that it hurt.
Macho man. This wasn't the morning for such things, but there was no way this stranger would realize it. Donna's eyes narrowed as she withdrew her hand abruptly. Something flickered in his eyes as she did, and his smile faded just as abruptly.
Donna finished her work and gathered her copies. She really did need that cup of coffee. She'd snapped at Paul and now she'd offended the new guy. Great start to the day. "I'm sorry. I hope you'll be happy here at the magazine. Mr. Vincent—Worth—was focused on finishing up things before the wedding and honeymoon. Otherwise, I'm sure he would have told everyone you were coming today."
"I'd love to be… coming today," Lance said, lowering his voice so suggestively that Paul snickered. "But it could still happen. The day is young."
In answer to the obvious come-on, Donna simply walked away, hoping she was accomplishing something between storming and strutting. The nerve of the guy. Jerk. She was sure that Lance hadn't displayed that particular side of himself at his interview; Worth was one of the last true gentlemen on the planet. He wouldn't want that kind of thing at the magazine if he could help it. Lord knows, he'd kept Jessica on a roller coaster ride for much of their relationship, wanting to keep things proper and above-board at the office.
Maybe it's just first day jitters. I've got money jitters and wedding jitters. I suppose he's allowed.
By mid-afternoon, Donna's mood had improved greatly. Although she'd missed Jessica's company at lunch—Worth was usually otherwise engaged at noon, so the friends enjoyed that time together—Donna had gotten a great deal accomplished. She was ahead of deadlines and had several ideas to pitch when Worth returned. She could afford to slow her pace and chat with co-workers, their conversations mostly centered on the wedding. The reception, the food, everything had been first-rate.
Eric called her cell phone just as she was packing up to leave for the day, at five. "Babe, I've got news!" he said breathlessly.
Donna set her purse and backpack on her office chair. "Well, what?" She grinned in anticipation.
"I'll tell you tonight." His voice dropped in volume. "Maybe you should tie me up first and make me."
Donna sighed. So much for suggesting a role reversal. "Just tell me."
Eric recognized the edge in her voice, although it wasn't heard often. Usually positive and perky, she clearly had had a less than stellar day. He might pay for that later. Not necessarily a bad thing, he thought. His voice lightened. "I will; I promise. But I called to see if you'd like me to bring take-out or if you planned for us to cook?"
"Take-out, please. Anything you want is fine," Donna said. "Love you." She slipped her phone into the pocket of her purse and headed for the door. She was ready for a hot shower and maybe a nap.
In the hall, she was irritated to see Lance waiting for the elevator. She glanced around, hoping someone else would join them. "Did you have a good first day?" she said cheerfully, hiding her displeasure at the thought of being alone with him. I should give him the benefit of the doubt.
Lance smiled without even the hint of a leer. "I did; thanks for asking." He held up his bag. "Headed for the gym. Not the best way to work off calories, but it'll do in a pinch."
Judging from his earlier comment, Donna felt she could guess which calorie-burner he preferred, but there was nothing suggestive in his tone. Maybe I'm just reading something into it. In a pinch, he says. Just let him try.
The elevator doors opened and the two stepped in. Donna stayed as far to one side as she could without appearing rude. Lance pulled out his phone and scrolled through several screens. Neither spoke until the elevator came to a stop.
So, nothing to worry about after all, Donna thought with relief. Still, she headed straight for the water fountain in the building's lobby and waited until Lance had walked outside the front doors, headed—she assumed—to the gym next door before she turned and walked to the parking garage for her car.
3
News and New Things
Donna licked an errant drop of duck sauce from her lip, moaning with delight. "Chinese hit the spot, Eric." She'd had time for a
