Merger & Submission

by April Cross

Business and pleasure have never merged so deliciously
I was barely keeping my head above water—working two jobs while struggling through night school—when I met him on an empty subway car.

Gabriel Reed. Powerful attorney. Commanding presence. A man who takes what he wants.

He offered me a job I couldn't triple my salary, career advancement, and the chance to finally breathe. The catch? After hours, he wants my complete submission.

I should say no. I should walk away. But every time he looks at me, my body betrays me, craving the control only he can provide.

One touch and I'm already addicted. One command and I'm desperate to obey.

He says this arrangement is just business with benefits. What he doesn't tell me is that he's claiming every part of me—mind, body, and future.

I want him too. And I'm helpless to resist.

"Merger & Submission" is a scorching-hot romance novella featuring a dominant boss, power exchange, office tension, baby-making dirty talk, and a woman discovering desires she never knew existed. This smutty romance delivers all the filthy satisfaction you crave with a guaranteed HEA.

Genres: Workplace, BDSM

197 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 22, 2025

About the author

Writer of spicy stories... okay, I'll be honest, most of my stuff is ghost pepper spicy. I started writing short alien erotic romances and moved into contemporary sharing stories, before branching out with April Cross to give a home for my longer contemporary erotic romances. I prefer to write erotic romances that have an element of power play with guys who like to be in control.

Reviews

[QuinnReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remaining Focused 👀

4.5 stars - I found myself picking this up to sneak in pages when I should've been otherwise focused. Oopsie. 🙃😄

Maya Williams and Gabriel Reed have crazy chemistry that zaps and zings from the opening pages and had me addicted. I'd like to think my common sense would've kicked in during that initial meeting, but I suspect that at that stage of my life, I would've done the same or similar.

The way he looks at me—it’s not polite. It’s not casual. It’s like I’m already naked and he’s deciding what to do with me. Like he knows things. Sinful, toe-curling things.
-- Maya Williams

It seemed like the birth control and breeding aspects should've been upfront topics between them instead of being inserted the way they were, but this is fiction, and I was definitely on board with the naughtiness. Every last drop of it.

Things got a little... awkward in the workplace a few times. Mostly for fun reasons, but a couple were laced with *ick* from a colleague. The conclusion of that storyline felt a little rushed, but I liked the overall arc.

H = late 30s, early 40s; h = 26

[A79senlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two weeks from graduating with a double major, struggling student Maya Williams meets Gabriel Reed on an empty subway car. Gabriel is a lawyer and offers Maya a job as his personal assistant — and also as his sub. She takes him up on both offers, and as they work and play together, Maya’s feelings for Gabriel deepen, but she’s unsure whether he feels the same. When a bitter colleague exposes their relationship, it threatens to end not just Maya’s and Gabriel’s careers but their relationship too.

There were some parts of the book I liked — Maya’s internal thoughts were hilarious — and some I wasn’t a fan of. I’m a huge fan of the wife-sharing stories written under the Lacey Cross pen name, and while there was plenty of heat here, I found it didn’t feel as explicit as Lacey’s stories. Gabriel’s version of dominance was less commanding than I was expecting, and I didn’t like that aftercare wasn’t part of every scene, especially with Maya being inexperienced with the Dom/sub dynamic. I did like him reminding her that she held the real control in their activities and that he went over her safe words each time they played.

There were a few continuity errors such as the same door being closed twice in the same chapter and Gabriel referring to Maya as his executive assistant when they were meeting clients (also, the timeline of their all-nighter that involved said clients was off).

Overall, though, it was a very enjoyable read. I liked both characters and I was glad they got their HEA.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Teri Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun. And, by fun I mean so spicy good. Oh, it was touch and go there towards the end and I was nervous. The two main characters are easy to like and I found myself hoping they would succeed. This story was well-laid out. It was easy to read and it read at an easy pace. There was some drama and intrigue and even a little suspense. There are some touchy subjects, though. So make sure you read your trigger warnings. I loved this book and would definitely recommend it.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book, hot and steamy from beginning to end. What started as a dom/sub office role turns into an exciting partnership of love and happy ever after. Brilliant book for bedtime reading, alone or with company 😉.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle Frater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Setting aside the fact that I refuse to believe any sane woman in New York would willingly step into an empty subway car. I don’t care how crowded the rest of the train is. There’s safety in numbers and it only makes you wonder why that car was empty in the first place. But I guess suspension of disbelief is part of the fun, and it’s worth it because that’s how Maya first collides with Gabriel and gets a full dose of his commanding, dominant presence. From the start, Gabriel is the kind of man who doesn’t just walk into a room, he owns it. Maya’s hesitation about meeting up with him again felt completely natural (after all, who wouldn’t second-guess diving headfirst into the unknown with someone as intense as Gabriel?), but his polished reputation as a hotshot attorney gave her just enough reassurance. Surely someone from such a prestigious law firm couldn’t be too dangerous… right? Right? Gabriel may not ooze warmth, but you have to respect the fact that he doesn’t play games. He’s upfront about what he wants, what he offers, and most importantly, he gives Maya a choice—always. That thread of consent running through every interaction was one of my favorite aspects, making the dynamic feel not only authentic but also empowering. As an experienced Dom, Gabriel introduces Maya to the world of dominance and submission with confidence, care, and skill. Maya, for her part, is refreshingly open-minded and eager to push her boundaries. Their chemistry sizzles, and Gabriel proves himself the perfect teacher for her journey. But it’s not all silk ropes and sizzling dungeon scenes. Their professional relationship adds another layer, one where Maya’s intelligence and grit shine just as brightly as her sensual curiosity. As she teams up with Gabriel against corporate intrigue and power plays, she evolves from a slightly tentative assistant into a strong, self-assured woman unafraid to stand her ground and fight for what’s right. It was just as satisfying as the bedroom scenes—well, almost. For me, this book nailed the balance: steamy enough to keep me fanning myself, but with enough plot to keep me invested. It’s not just about the dirty bits (though let’s be real, those were worth the price of admission). It’s smart, sexy, and just a little bit wicked, exactly how I like my romance.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Valerie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Booksprout and the author for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
Billed as a BDSM novella this book feels longer due to the clear plotline which encompasses the erotica. At first meeting Maya is instantly attracted to Gabriel (who wouldn't be?) and the chemistry is undeniable as she is introduced to his world and the explicit scenes practically set fire to the pages! I
I enjoyed the interesting storyline as Maya's job carries more responsibility as well as the building relationship between Maya and Gabriel. The final few pages hold some twists as the stories draw to their conclusion, making this a good book as well as hot erotica.

[Louise J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A late-night encounter with Gabriel on the subway leaves Maya with a dream job offer she can’t refuse but it has some very kinky strings attached. By day she expertly uses her business and legal skills as Gabriel’s personal assistant, but at night (and any time he chooses), Maya is his sub and she finds herself willing to develop and explore all the skills needed to please Gabriel. Their relationship is intoxicating and they become reckless as they chase their need for pleasure and intimacy, risking discovery in the office, but they’re too far gone to stop now. Strap yourself in for this delicious BDSM read where domination and submission evolve into much more, and anything goes as long as you say “green”.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is female lead (Maya) POV, well written, and a fast-paced, BDSM focused, contemporary, boss/employee, romantic erotica. I enjoyed Maya’s willingness to take a calculated risk that would allow her to move forward with her life. I enjoyed Gabriel’s clear consent focus and explicit focus on success for them both. I enjoyed the erotic intimate scenes and the way the characters used them to build their relationship. I chuckled at the simplistic resolution to difficult problems, acknowledging that I’m not reading this story for its technical plot, though I wish life was this easy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ms. Le · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maya meets Gabriel in an empty subway carriage. A conversation leads to an invitation to talk more and then to a job offer beyond her wildest dreams. The only catch is after hours she needs to submit to him in all ways. Not a fan of edging orgasm play, especially whilst in public and in a work situation at that. Gabriel leads by example though and shows Maya exactly how to maintain composure during a meeting even while she is doing a great job on him underneath the desk. I did zone out during all the legal chat and meetings, so I guess that makes me a bad girl in need of some discipline.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful Dynamics
Maya just barely making ends meet, working two jobs while finishing her double major in law and business administration. A chance meeting with a handsome and powerful man (Gabriel) offers a chance to better her future, with an added condition/bonus: exploring her submission to him. Red hot and steamy, with enough plot to keep me engaged and characters I wanted to cheer for (or boo) - this story was a great read.

[J H Beard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maya is about to graduate and hopes to find a job making enough to quit her two part time jobs. When she meets Gabriel on the train, is her luck about to change? Is he for real with a job offer? But he wants an answer in 30 minutes. Oh no, what should she do?.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vievie2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read with a fun mix of heat and heart. I liked the dynamic between Maya and Gabriel and thought their chemistry carried the story well. While it wasn’t perfect, it kept me turning the pages and I was happy to see the characters get their happily ever after.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Theresa Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intelligent, erotic and strong characters and plot. This short book packs a punch in a few chapters. A touch of suspense leading to a great HEA. I absolutely loved this very spicy book.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Francheska · Rating 4 out of 5]

They meet on a late night train

Maya is instantly attrached to the other , hotter man Gabriel .. their chemistry is explosive as he introduces her to the world of BSDM ...
they have a great attraction to each other and sparks fly for one another

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

She’s barely getting by with the two jobs she already has. When a man approaches her with an offer. She didn’t realize at the time how much she would enjoy accepting that offer.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was good. Maya works for Gabriel as his assistant AND his submissive. I enjoyed their interactions in and out of the office!