by Raven Scott
The men who looked like they were about to puke, only nodded at me.
“That’s one thing even Carl can’t fuck up.” I only scrunched up my nose at this as I walked out of the train car with Landry beside me. He pressed his palm against the small of my back, and I inhaled the cool, crisp, early morning air. Bugs swarmed around my head, but I ignored them for the moment to glance around through the gloom and haze of late August.
“I don’t want you to regret this. At least stay to watch them light the car up, Ness.”
Nodding, I glanced over my shoulder.
Landry rubbed my back soothingly. “You don’t want them to fuck up again, either,” he added.
“Yeah. Carl’s not a high bar to set.” To be honest, I liked Carl. I thought he was funny and when he got high, he said some really thought-provoking stuff. He never caused any drama, but he always helped out anyone that needed it.
Walking a little ways away from the train car, I leaned against the tree to stare down at myself. “I’m glad I didn’t wear something I wanted to save.” Peeling my blood-stained shirt from my abdomen, a soft sigh escaped me.
Landry left my side to walk towards the dirt road that wound through the property.
Honestly, I’d scheduled this meeting for today because I wanted a reason to stop and take a breath. This— this— this moment was the culmination of ten years of planning and hatred, and no matter what, I needed to take time to breathe. I needed to step back, try to look in from the outside and organize myself.
But watching this disgusting piece of shit completely humiliated, crying, begging me to stop every time I turned on the machine... it was just too good a memory. I didn’t want to spoil that memory by going through the motions, cheapening the joy I’d felt. The amazing, uplifting, intense glee of forcing him to come, of seeing the shame build into a thick crust on his face.
He couldn’t control it, either. He couldn’t hold it back. The bzzzt of an electrical current surging through him, forcing him erect... That same shame I felt when he forced himself inside me, he felt that when I shoved the head of the wand against his prostate. The pain of inconsideration that I felt…he felt when the probe mercilessly stretched.
“Here.” Cutting through my thoughts, Landry set down my clothes and two huge gallon jugs. “I was warned that you like to make a mess.”
Surprise and warmth spread through my chest when he unfurled a towel, and smiled at me before holding it up. “You’re so sweet, Landry.” Pulling off my shoes, I pursed my lips thinly as I started to undress. Thank God, I didn’t get any blood in my hair. “Why are you single? You never told me. You’re such a great guy.”
“After all I’ve seen and experienced, I’m content by myself. I admit I have been considering getting a pet, though.”
Stepping out of my skirt, I just started ripping my shirt at the seam rather than try to take it off my head and risk my hair. Blood wasn’t easy to get out of hair‒ especially when dried‒ which it would be by the time I got back to New York City.
Landry sighed. “Seeing the worst of humanity isn’t conducive to dating. It’s like being a defense lawyer negates the fact that I’m bisexual.” He chuckled at himself.
A small smile crested my lips as I dropped my ruined shirt. Carefully examining myself, I grabbed the soapy water in one jug and stepped away from my fresh clothes to douse myself. The blood wasn’t dry enough to flake yet, so it washed off my hands and forearms easily. The smell of lavender soap wafted into my nose, and I shivered as goosebumps swept up my clean, damp skin.
“... Sometimes, looking at you is painful, Ness.”
My head snapped up.
Landry scanned my body over the top of the towel. He sounded sad, a disturbed glint in his eye as a frown tugged at his lips. “I don’t think it’s a bad thing you grew up fast from that little, aimless, illiterate church girl... but I do wish it hadn’t happened the way it did. You’re not the same girl that Carlyle picked up.”
Landry wasn’t judging me negatively, but I couldn’t help the ugly, black blotch that engulfed my chest. Glancing down, I held my breath as I covered my breasts with my palms to frown at my feet. My thong was all that kept me from being completely naked. I inhaled deeply through my nose. The faint smell of kerosene flooded the dense, early morning atmosphere, tickling the crevices of my brain.
Bending to grab the jug of plain water, I rinsed off my skin and turned around until Landry let out a small hum. Satisfied that there wasn’t any blood on my back, I climbed into my fresh clothes to the gushing sound of kerosene being sloshed. When I turned, the two men were shuffling backwards out of two exits, dousing the car entirely.
Carl probably would’ve drenched the place, then forget to light the match. I shuffled around out of the wet spot I’d created to slip into my fresh, breathable stretch pants and a light sports bra. Pulling a loose, thin tank top that was nearly see-through over my head.
Landry wrapped the towel around me in a strong bear hug. He kissed my cheek, stroking my head. “You’re a wonderful person, Vanessa. You deserve all the wonderful things that life has to offer.”
I closed my eyes briefly to rest my cheek on his chest, I hummed softly as a peaceful sensation buzzed behind my eyes. My purpose in life was going up in flames, but I didn’t feel bad. All I felt was... determination. Determined to find something great! Determined to fill my life with everything I ever wanted to do but was too engrossed in my revenge.
But first... I intended to get really, really, really drunk. In the safety of my apartment. With a guard at the door.
After the work day was over, of course.
8
David
The entire floor was dark when I stepped off the elevator, but the pulsing beat of music told me someone was here. Checking my watch, again, to make sure I wasn’t too early, I pursed my lips thinly under furrowed brows. Excitement buzzed under my skin and stiffened my steps, and when I blinked, I could see Vanessa Everette’s beautiful smile flash brilliantly.
I desperately needed this job though, so the immediate attraction I felt towards my would-be boss was not something I could afford to entertain.
Walking past the receptionist’s area, I bopped my head to the music as it got louder, but not ridiculously so. The beat was good, there weren’t any lyrics, and I faintly recognized it from somewhere I couldn’t quite place. I poked my head into Vanessa’s office rather than knock, knowing she probably wouldn’t hear me.
Instantly, I realized it was a mistake.
Vanessa was swishing her hips, her arms above her head, her hair glimmering tantalizingly in the gloom. Only the light from her computer screen illuminated the office.
I leaned on the door frame to cover my mouth with my palm. She was so fucking beautiful, and I knew it was wrong, but I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
The pads of her bare feet were silent on the carpet as Vanessa danced by herself, her sensuous curves outlined in the silver from the bright screen. When she twirled around, rolling her head to flip her long, blonde curls, she paused when she saw me. Her blue eyes went wide.
I cleared my throat lowly.
She snatched the remote to turn off the speakers. The sudden absence once sound felt eerie, almost, but she was quick to smile at me welcomingly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you, David. Come in.” She crooked her finger at me.
It honestly felt like she’d tugged on a string that controlled my body. Wandering sluggishly into her office, I prayed hard Vanessa didn’t notice the bulge in my slacks.
“I should’ve rescheduled, but I didn’t have enough time.”
“Why? If you don’t mind my asking?”
A brilliant, wide grin stretched her lips.
I sucked in a sharp breath through my teeth. My cock ached, my abdomen tightening.
Vanessa reached a thin hand to swipe back a few stray strands from her temple. “I found out the man that raped me died over the weekend.”
My brows rose, and that verbal punc
h to the gut shriveled my hard on like a grape in the sun.
Vanessa’s eyes burned into me with a vicious pleasure, her smile never dimming even as I hesitated.
“Congratulations...” The word rolled off my tongue thickly, my mouth drying when her smile widened. God, help me. “I don’t know what to say to that. To be honest, I probably should’ve cancelled too. I was mugged last night, so I haven’t gotten much sleep.”
“Oh, that’s awful. What happened? Are you okay?”
Did I really want to tell my potential boss the details and risk making myself look bad? No. Definitely not. “I’m fine, physically. Someone took my phone and a few cards from my wallet and all the cash I had on me. Not a huge deal, but I had to use my mom’s phone to call and get everything replaced and put the cards on hold. They also took my shoes, which... I don’t understand why. They weren’t expensive or anything, just Footlocker.”
Nodding solemnly, Vanessa’s eyes flooded with sympathy. “I don’t mind rescheduling. I know I’m already here, but obviously, we both have some things to deal with.”
I could not get over how drop-dead gorgeous she was. A cold sweat broke out on my back when Vanessa shuffled a little closer to me— so close I could see the blue in her eyes. I don’t know if it was just because I was seriously attracted to her.
The way she looked at me was almost appraisingly. “Are you hungry?”
Something flowery curled the hairs in my nostrils as her scent came upon me like a freight train and I blinked hard. “I could eat y- yeah.” Fuck— oh, fuck. This was not good, but if Vanessa noticed my sputtering near-mistake, it didn’t show anywhere on her delicate features. “I can’t pay, since all my stuff got stolen, but it’ll be my treat next time. U- uh purely professionally, of course.”
“I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t offering. You like waffles?”
I only nodded dumbly.
Vanessa’s eyes brightened with an almost childish glee. “Great! I haven’t had waffles in a long time.”
“You seem a lot less wound up than in the interview.” In that moment, a wave of disgust slammed into me. Of course, Vanessa was in a great mood. She’d just found out her rapist was dead. Yet, here I was struggling to keep my cock from bursting through my pants. Clearing my throat roughly, I took a step back and firmly wrangled my desire.
She shot me a curious look.
“I think it would be best to just reschedule. I need to replace my phone and I didn’t sleep last night. I don’t want to compromise this job by being inattentive.” Spewing out my very valid excuse to leave, I wasn’t sure if Vanessa truly didn’t realize how adorable she was when she scrunched up her little nose and drew her brows. I was sweating bullets at this point, a war waging in my chest between how physically beautiful she was and the fact that she just so flippantly declared her rapist was dead.
Once again, she closed the distance between us. “Are you okay? You look like you’re going to pass out, David. Do you need to sit?”
Now, my stomach hurt from how tight my gut knotted. “I think you’re extraordinarily attractive, Vanessa,” blurting out exactly what I didn’t want to say, I clenched my hands into fists by my sides.
Her eyes widened in bewilderment.
I inhaled a deep, steadying breath through my nose. “I’m so sorry. I’ll leave. I completely understand if you don’t give me the job to avoid a—” I snapped my mouth shut before I said something else I’d regret.
Vanessa just stared at me, her plump lips parting in surprise.
Self-disgust roared in my ears and sloshed through my veins and I tore my gaze off her to stare at the floor. This overwhelming sense of being a kid caught doing something I knew was bad, swept through me, and clogged my throat.
For the past two weeks, since first seeing her smile, hearing her laugh, I couldn’t get Vanessa out of my head. It was fucked up because she would be my boss, but also, even worse... she’d assaulted and she was the only woman I’d ever met that openly admitted to it. And yeah— her rapist was dead, and that guy deserved to burn in hell, but this situation was even less okay than before being availed that tiny tidbit.
“Why are you apologizing?” she asked.
I was far too tired and nervous to be dealing with this right now, but I couldn’t just fuck up this job right off the bat. My brain hurt from the effort it took to think of a response. I glanced up to catch Vanessa’s clear, baby blues and I ground my teeth hard.
She wore a perfect mask of innocent confusion. “Thank you for being straightforward, David, but... why wouldn’t I still give you the job? You’re the candidate I chose because I thought it’d be best for my company.”
“I don’t want to cause tension...”
Her slender brows twitched up at my mumble.
“I should go.”
“Oh.”
Hers was the smallest, most confused, little oh I’d ever heard, and I bit back a groan.
“Okay. We can reschedule. Most of my employees coupled their company retreat with vacation time, so they won’t be back until Monday. We have all week.”
“Great. Okay. I just think that you obviously shouldn’t be working today and I clearly need some sleep after what happened last night.”
Vanessa did that thing where she propped an arm under her bust to balance her elbow and rub her cheek with her fingers.
She’d done the same thing during the interview, and I couldn’t stop side-eying her then, too.
Eventually, she nodded before turning to walk over to her desk and scribble something on a piece of paper.
My hands itched to grab her tight ass when she leaned over, and my nails dug into my palms. I had never wanted to get down and dirty with a woman as badly as I wanted Vanessa in this moment and she didn’t even seem to realize how sexy she was.
She straightened, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear before sauntering over to me. “This is my number for when you get a new phone. Let me know what times work for you to do orientation.”
Nodding, I took the card and turned to leave, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Vanessa’s gaze was laser focused on me, and I had to consciously force my knees to bend. Even outside her office and walking past the secretary’s desk, I could feel her watching me. Managing a strangled breath, I reached to rub my neck and face roughly.
Of all the obvious revelations of the past 5 minutes, I would need to find a new fucking job, and my search was abysmally failing already. I jabbed the elevator button before another came up on me. I applied for this high-end management job just because, not expecting to get an interview, let alone get hired.
By some stroke of luck, Jane had fucked up so badly that I, with my meager experience, didn’t even have competition for this job. How could I fuck it up all by myself by wanting to screw my boss upon first glance? “Shit...”
9
Vanessa
“Another, please.”
The bartender flashed me a charming smile, refilling my glass nearly to the brim.
I nodded in thanks. Twisting on my bar stool to gaze out over the packed dance floor, I lifted my drink to my lips. The fruity vodka mix burned my throat and tiny tears pricked my eyes, but I pushed past it to drain the glass.
Strobe lights flashed brilliantly, and music blasted so loudly that the concrete floor shook. But this sense of disorientation coupled with the alcohol in my system felt good. I felt light, happy and carefree, and nothing could stop me or hold me back. Flopping back my head, I smiled to myself as I recounted everything that’d happened the past day and a half.
Not only did I finally kill the man that hurt me, but I also got complimented! It wasn’t often I got complimented. David seemed very genuine and very embarrassed.
“Hey!”
Cracking open my eyes, I almost frowned before noticing David leaning against the bar.
He had a beer in one hand and more swimming in his eyes.
My heart fluttered.
“Are you still celebrating?
”
“I’m celebrating, yeah...” Holding my glass up, I smirked broadly. “What are you here for?”
David’s brows rose in surprise. “I’m not drunk enough to risk my job, but I really want to dance with you.” His expression blanked out, then he took a deep swig of his beer before grabbing my hand. “Now I am.”
“What about your job?” The question seemed to take us both aback. I licked my lips heavily in expectation. My heart raced and heat swept up my neck when he leaned closer to me. “I’m your boss, and this morning—”
Softly, David thumbed my lip.
My eyes widened as shocks skittered across my face.
His pale blue eyes glimmered from a mix of genuine emotion and alcohol as he replied, “I’m about five beers in right now, we’re not in your office, and you’re killing it in your dress.” David was definitely showing five beers as he leaned in to whisper in my ear with a silky smirk ‒and by whisper‒ he sort of just shouted less loudly, “I can’t get over how beautiful you are, Vanessa.”
“O-oh... I—t-thank you.” I blushed furiously.
David grinned broadly, as he reached to brush my hair behind my ear.
“To be honest, no one’s ever come on to me so strong,” I admitted.
“Because they’re pussies and intimidated, and if it wasn’t a job interview, I would’ve asked you out. I felt more accomplished when I made you laugh than fumbling my way through that interview.”
