Hate Love

by Katie Ford

  Parking my car in the lot, I mused over all that I’d seen from the short drive through Picto Town: restaurants, a beauty salon, a café, and a movie theater. Pictogram employees rode around on pink and red striped bicycles. It was a small community, incredibly insular.

  And frankly, I was excited to be a part of it. The hairs on my arm rose, breath coming fast. This was paradise for engineers, filled with eggheads who knew how to code speak.

  And I was one of them.

  With quick steps, I reported to the main building walking uneasily to the front desk. The entrance had a high ceiling with a skylight open to the bright blue sky above. To the left, a receptionist sat across from a large screen flipping through the recent trending Pictogram images. As I walked to the expansive counter, I felt like cringing as my Picto-famous photo scrolled past. Apparently, I was still trending.

  Oh god. So embarrassing.

  But different rules applied here in Picto-land. The woman looked up, greeting me with a radiant smile. “Mia Smith?” she chirped.

  I nodded, trying for a smile. “Yes, that’s me.”

  The bubbly receptionist couldn’t get enough. She jumped up and walked around the desk with her arm extended. “Oh wow! The Mia! My name is Amanda. I’m a big fan!”

  She jerked her head to the large screen with the trending photos. “I’m not a programmer yet, but you’re my hero,” she confided. Her voice dropped an octave. “I’m learning on my own, but totally love your message. Fuck brogrammers, fuck ‘em right and left.”

  I smiled carefully, looking around. We were in Picto-land with thousands brogrammers walking around campus. It paid to be careful, even if Amanda and I were alone at the moment.

  “Um, thanks,” I said halfheartedly. “It was more of a game than anything else.”

  But the young woman was unstoppable, nodding happily.

  “Well, your photo was inspirational. So thank you! And I almost forgot.” She glided back to her desk and reached over for something, presenting it to me with exuberant flair, “Tada!”

  It was my Pictogram ID attached to a pink and red lanyard. For my photo, they’d chosen my infamous middle-finger image. Really? Instead of a traditional headshot, we were going with this?

  Amanda nodded happily again.

  “I took the liberty of using your trademark photo for your ID.” She beamed at me as she pulled the string down over my head. “Do you like it?”

  Cringing inside, I held my ID in my hands. “Um, I love it. Thank you!” I lied with a forced smile. Amanda was so sweet. I didn’t want to explain to her that this very photo had caused me more problems than humanly possible, but who was I to burst the young girl’s bubble? Life would happen, sooner or later, and there was no need to pour rain on her sunshine.

  “Okay Ms. Smith,” she burbled. “I’m going to take you to your desk. Follow me, please,” she said, almost doing a pirouette on one pink high-top sneaker.

  And quickly, we made our way down the polished hallway. Everything was a glossy, opaque white, like we were in a giant starship. It was cool but intimidating too with a lot of reflective surfaces.

  But Amanda kept up her friendly chatter, turning at intervals to smile at me.

  “This building only has one restaurant, Mexican,” she prattled. “It’s fish taco day, by the way. Do you like tacos?”

  “I love tacos,” were my words.

  Her eyes lit up. “Me too! We should have lunch sometime.”

  I paused. This was starting to get a little crazy, but I didn’t want to be rude. So instead, a smile crossed my face.

  “Sure,” I agreed. “Just not today, it’s my first day and I don’t know what they have planned.”

  “Your group will probably take you out to lunch,” the blonde said again, nodding her head knowingly. “You have a couple choices because there are a total of six restaurants on campus. Plus two cafes, laundry and dry cleaning facilities, a beauty salon, a music studio, a video arcade, a woodworking shop, and don’t forget, a full-size movie theater too.” She paused, catching her breath. “I’ll email all this stuff to you of course, with a map of facilities. It’s a lot to remember but Pictogram just wants the best for its employees.”

  Hmm, that was definitely true, as well as convenient.

  “How much are the laundry services?” I asked thinking about all the quarters I had to scrounge up before I ever did a load.

  Amanda laughed, her blonde bun bobbling. “It’s all free, silly!”

  That got me.

  “Free?” I asked in astonishment, eyes wide. “Really?”

  She nodded. “Yes. Everything’s free: food, the video arcade, getting your nails done, absolutely everything.”

  “Wow,” I said, impressed. “That’s a lot of benefits.”

  At that moment, we passed by a large abstract painting. Lines of code swirled around a mix of bright vibrant colors and dark bold lines. I stopped to admire it, the rush of reds and oranges bold and beautiful.

  Amanda said in a hushed tone, “Mr. Wainwright did this one.”

  Turning to her, I asked, amazed, “Theo?”

  She nodded confidentially. “Oh yes. There are several of his pieces around campus. It’s one of the CEO’s hobbies.”

  I was impressed and a little intrigued. None of the articles featuring Theo shirtless said anything about his artistic talents. More like they were focused on his pecs, abs, and of course, the billionaire’s playboy ways.

  But finally, we were at the destination. Amanda stopped before a gray metal workstation, part of a long table in an open room. Engineers sat all together in one open space. The cement floors and exposed fluorescent lighting gave off an industrial feel, but I liked it. The open space made me instantly feel like I was part of Pictogram.

  And after putting my backpack down on the floor, Amanda chirped, “You have a meeting with Mr. Wainwright now.”

  “Really? The CEO?”

  Amanda nodded importantly.

  “He asked. It’s not standard company procedure, but you are the Pictogram girl,” she said importantly. “Come on, I’ll show you the way. He’s right up there.”

  And with that I turned to crane my head upwards, peering at the third floor only to see Theo standing near the windows on the phone. The billionaire was magnetic, even from afar, that masculine physique athletic even in a light gray suit. His smile flashed, bright white and charming. It’d been weeks since I’d seen him since the night he took my virginity, and yet from one look, my body temp rose. Oh god, it was him again, and my insides went loose, desperate to see the man.

  “I can walk you up there,” Amanda said with a knowing smile. “He’s hot, right? Most tech billionaires are tiny midgets with hunchbacks, but Mr. Wainwright’s something else.”

  I nodded, cheeks flushing bright red. Oh god, she didn’t know, did she? Hopefully, Theo didn’t tell anyone. But I swallowed and put another smile on.

  “Sure, let’s go,” I said. “Off to meet the emperor.”

  And with that, Amanda and I took a high speed lift to the third floor, although it was hardly necessary. A beautiful redhead sat primly at a desk, typing at something or other.

  “Penny, this is Mia Smith,” chirped Amanda, beaming as always. “Here to see Mr. Wainwright.”

  Penny looked up from her laptop, squinting jade green eyes at me.

  “This is Mia Smith?” her voice drawled, coated in poisonous honey.

  Amanda maintained her smile. “Yup. Mia the Great.”

  I cringed internally. Obviously, the redhead hated me on sight and Amanda’s fawning adoration wasn’t doing me any favors. But there was nothing to be done, so I greeted the woman with a friendly smile.

  “Hello,” was my polite voice. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  Penny didn’t even respond, at least not directly.

  “I’m Theo’s personal assistant – slash – secretary – slash – best employee – slash – right hand woman,” she said, directing her words at Amanda, although t
he information was meant for me. “Everything having to do with Mr. Wainwright goes through me.”

  At that, those emerald green eyes swung my way, pinning me in place.

  I swallowed.

  “Um, yes, I understand,” I said. “Yes, of course.”

  “Good,” she said perfunctorily. “Mr. Wainwright has been waiting for you. Please go right in.”

  But before I could move, Amanda held out her hand again.

  “It was nice meeting you,” she said sincerely. “Lunch soon, right?”

  And grasping the younger woman’s hand, I gave her a genuine smile.

  “For sure,” I said. “Anytime.”

  And with that, the blonde skipped off, my promise making her day. It felt nice to do good, even though her adoration was misplaced. Again, the photo of me had caused major turmoil, at least from my point of view.

  But other folks didn’t know that. To them, I was the sassy, curvy female out to make a point about women in tech. And with the #meToo movement underway, my timing had been just perfect.

  “If you’re ready,” Penny drawled from behind, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Mr. Wainwright is waiting.”

  And fixing a smile on my face, I walked straight ahead through the white double doors. They swooshed shut silently behind my form, but I was unable to move forward because the billionaire’s blue gaze had me pinned from the get go.

  Oh god, he was breathtaking. Absolutely magnificent, his muscular form shown off perfectly in a gray suit. Long, long legs complemented broad shoulders and powerful arms, arms that had held me tight, protecting and soothing me after the scare.

  Those blue eyes gleamed knowingly.

  “How are you Mia?” he growled. “I see you made it here in one piece.”

  I swallowed, breasts heaving with excitement. Why wouldn’t my body behave? This was so inappropriate given that we were in a work environment. So I made myself smile professionally.

  “I’m good,” I said. “It’s amazing here. The campus is incredible.”

  “Thank you,” he said. “I hired two consultants from Disney to make it feel whimsical, but not childish. A mix of work and play. What do you think?” The billionaire seemed to genuinely care about my opinion.

  “You definitely achieved what you were going for. A mix of work and play.”

  Theo smiled, lounging back in his chair like a powerful lion at ease. “Thank you,” he said. “I spent a lot of time trying to get the right atmosphere for this company. I want my employees to love working here.” He turned around to look down at the working space below. “I want it to be more of a community not just a job.”

  It dawned on me that Theo built his company with pride, which was at odds with the image of him as an evil mastermind.

  “I think you’ve done a wonderful job,” I said honestly. “Clearly, a lot of thought went into the design and execution of the campus.”

  And at that, Theo was at my side in a moment. My head spun. How had he moved so fast? One second, he’d been behind his desk, and the next, that massive form loomed next to me, radiating blessed heat.

  “I’m glad you like it,” he growled. “Compliments mean a lot coming from the second best hacker on the planet.”

  I laughed. How did this man make me feel comfortable yet aroused at once? It was pure magic.

  “Second best?” I teased. “And who’s the first? Let me guess.”

  Theo kissed me on the neck. “Okay. Maybe we can share first place.” The man’s fingers were deft, unzipping my hoodie in one quick movement.

  “What?” I gasped. “I just got here. I haven’t seen you in weeks.”

  But those blue eyes gleamed again.

  “Exactly sweetheart. WE haven’t seen each other in weeks, and I want to see you now.”

  And in a flash, I was completely nude, my nipples hard and a slick of wetness visible between my legs.

  “Shit, baby, you’re so gorgeous,” the billionaire rumbled, undoing his zipper.

  I’d been so bewitched by him, I’d let him do what he wanted, but now noticing the window again, I shrieked, cowering while trying to cover myself.

  “They can see down below,” I gasped. “We can’t do this, not here, not now.”

  Theo grinned again, that lazy smile making me pant.

  “Naw, honey. This window is a technological marvel. I can tint it in a number of ways, and right now, we can see them, but they can’t see us. So come here baby. I want to taste you all over again.”

  And with that, it was on. Oh god, oh god. We were having sex on my first day at work, right in the CEO’s office. I was laid bare on his desk, moaning and panting, spreading my legs as the boss sampled me, drinking the cream from my sweetest spot.

  “Oh shit, baby,” he rumbled, lifting his face for a moment to show a chin covered in slick juices. “I’ve missed this.”

  And I gave into my feelings then, craving him so bad.

  “Me too,” I panted, desperate fingers reaching for him. “Now give it to me. I need you.”

  And with that, Theo rose over me, my vision narrowing to nothing but him.

  “Are you ready, sweetheart?” he rasped, eyes intently glued to my form as that big body shuddered. “Are you ready for this?” he asked again, stroking that thick, pulsing dick through my folds.

  I almost cried then, desperate to get him inside, and spreading my thighs wider, the shameful words left my lips. I begged him, praying for his hard thrusts, craving that hot stick inside of me.

  “Yes,” I gasped. “Please now!”

  And with that, it was done. Theo buried himself in my wet insides, so deep that I screamed and convulsed, impaled on that thick hotness.

  “Yes!” I cried. “Oh god yes!”

  My head tilted backwards, profile lifting to the sky as Theo panted.

  “Fuck, you’re so small, honey,” he growled. “So fucking small, and now we’re stuck.”

  Because it was true. My insides clamped around the man, gripping that thick rod like a vise, but it felt so good and I closed my eyes, whimpering.

  “It’s okay,” I gasped. “Just give me a second, you feel so good.”

  Theo’s eyes went bright before darkening to a deep, midnight blue.

  “Here,” he grunted. “This should help.”

  And reaching a big hand between our bodies, he began stroking my nub, making me shiver and cry out again. His mouth latched onto a rigid nipple and I screamed again, arching my back while giving him my all.

  “Yes,” I moaned. “Yes, yes, yes.”

  And that’s how my first day at Pictogram started. Things took such twists and turns that it was almost impossible to describe. I pissed off a billionaire, causing the man to kidnap me. And in a twist of events, we ended up making love only to end up here now, in his office, going at it like wild animals.

  “Shit,” he roared, face tight as he pummeled my frame, the desk banging with the deep, powerful thrusts. “Aw SHIT!”

  And with that Theo exploded, hot sperm spraying me from within. I cried out, my pussy spasming and milking his pole, dissolving in shudders at the magnificent sight and feel.

  “Yes,” I cried. “Oh Mr. Wainwright, yes.”

  And with me still impaled on his pole, both of us panting like we’d just run a marathon, suddenly a noise interrupted our session. A soft knock, knock sounded on the door, and I sat up with a jolt. Was it locked? Oh god, probably not. We were about to be caught en flagrante in the CEO’s office, me totally nude with my boobies heaving, snatch dripping with Theo’s sticky semen.

  But he wasn’t even bothered. Pulling out with a sweet squelch, he smiled at me knowingly, something deep and impossible to read in his eyes.

  “Come,” he said. “It’s open.”

  And I gaped at him, still completely nude while sprawled on his desk.

  “No!” I exclaimed. “I’m not ready!”

  But it was too late as the door swung open…revealing all of me.

  Chapter 6

&
nbsp; Theo

  I grinned at the gorgeous brunette. She was so beautiful, skin flushed and eyes wide as the knock sounded again.

  “Here,” I said magnanimously, handing her the hoodie and jeans. “Put these on.”

  And a rush of adrenaline surged through my veins because I’d never had sex before in my office at work. None of the women I’d previously dated had any reason to be on the Pictogram campus since most of them barely knew how to read, much less turn on a computer.

  But Mia was different. This girl was sex and brains rolled into one, her curvy body like a Playmate model with the talent of a Nobel prize winner.

  How did I get so lucky?

  And now she was going to work for me. It was like winning the lottery ten times over and then getting dipped in gold.

  Giggling, Mia scrambled to put on her tank top and jeans while I pushed my desk back into place. Kissing me on the lips, she grabbed my cock and tucked it back into my pants. “See you later,” she murmured.

  I stiffened in her hand, my reaction unstoppable.

  “Who are you talking to, me or him?” I joked. A smile made my lips turn up.

  She shot back a devious smile. “Who do you think?” She pulled her hoodie on and flipped a couple curls off her neck. She looked so gorgeous casual and sunny, a brunette bombshell in every way. Because natural beauty is increasingly difficult to find these days. Women are always done up with caked on makeup and salon worthy hair. But trust me, men aren’t blind. I see the ladies in the morning upon waking, and some of them are so different the hair on your arms would raise.

  But not with Mia. She didn’t need makeup. She was naturally stunning, like the dew on a new rose.

  I kissed her on those luscious lips, pulling her close to my frame. Bad move. Feeling her body up against me got me excited again, and Mia pushed me away with a giggle. “The door!” she hissed.

  I shook my head, “Right. The door. Come,” I called loudly again. “It’s unlocked.”