by Haley Monroe
I pick up my phone for the billionth time, checking for a message from him. There are none, making me toss my phone across the table top in front of me with an annoyed sigh. I received a “Good morning, kitten. Sorry I’ve been so busy. Three more days,” message when I rolled out of bed but nothing since. I snapped a selfie of me tangled up in my comforter, messy hair and all as a reply, but he didn’t respond.
I dressed for work in plain black slacks and a pretty white blouse then snapped another selfie to send to him. Again, I got nothing in return. Once I got to work I wandered around the store aimlessly. There was inventory to be done, but I didn’t want to do it. There were customers to help, but I didn’t care to help them match a skirt from home to a top inside the store for some drivel event they were going to. None of their events mattered to me.
I only wanted to be with Jacob. I wanted to hear his voice and feel his touch, to listen to him nag me over what I ate for breakfast or the lack of food I ingested this morning. My boss noticed the lost look in my face and asked if I was sick. It was easy to lie, easy to tell her yes and easy to punch my time card again after only two hours since I punched in this morning.
I came to the coffee shop to feel close to him even though he was so far away. My ice coffee tastes the same and the seat under my ass feels the same but it’s not. This place will never be the same again. My phone pings and I scramble to unlock the home screen. My fumbling fingers let the phone slip from my grip and it crashes to the floor, cracking the screen. A pretty spider web of fissures now cover the phone I’ve yet to pay off. I ignore the new décor and pray, not so silently that the screen cracking ping is from Jacob.
A groan falls out of my mouth when I see the new message is from Miranda. She was there at the club the last time I saw Jacob, throwing a fit and getting punished as always. After our scene, Jacob had walked me downstairs to say goodbye to her and Tom before he drove me home. We hadn’t spoken since then and I missed her almost as much as I was missing Jacob.
Hey Bitch, my calendar at work just let me know that Jacob’s birthday is on Saturday. I think I remember Tom saying he was out of town till then, I thought I’d let you know just in case you wanna come up with some kind of birthday surprise for him. I miss you, girl’s night soon?
My scowl turns to a grin as I read her message. His birthday, hmm? The gears in my head begin to turn so quickly I fear steam will soon be pouring out of my ears. What could I gift him that he doesn’t already have? Nothing. Where could I take him that he hasn’t already been? Nowhere.
I miss you too! Girl’s night = Yes! But help me!! I’d love to make his birthday special but he has everything. What do I do?!
My fingers fly over the tiny keyboard, catching on the new scratches etched in the screen. Ideas are popping in my head, but I disregard them as fast as my brain can come up with new ones. A fancy dinner? Not if I have to pay to have my phone fixed. A new sex toy for us to use together? Kind of selfish, Hannah. Oh, maybe a pinup style travel calendar with all kinds of dirty pictures of me? Ugh, again, kind of expensive.
A threesome!
I blink a few times to make sure I’ve read Miranda’s message correctly. I’ve played with her and Tom, her Dom, plenty of times before and it’s never been weird. It’s always a lot of fun for me because I can walk away at the end without any weird feelings for either of them. Miranda is my bestie and Tom is so head over heels for her that I wouldn’t ever imagine him feeling anything other than friendly affection for me. I’m also not in love with either of them, I don’t know if I could do this. My eyes squint closed and I try to imagine how I’d feel with another woman’s hands on Jacob’s perfect body. How would I feel when watching his mouth whispering his perfectly, dirty words into someone else’s ear? My tummy twists in a weird way but there’s also a heat growing between my legs. I push my fears aside and try to gear myself up for being excited about this idea. I don’t have any better plans and this would be free. A threesome wouldn’t cost me anything except a little bit of unease.
“ou sure? Do you think he would like that?
It only takes a few seconds for Miranda to reply.
Duh, what guy wouldn’t like two chicks on his dick? Especially as a birthday surprise from his girl! Just go for it.
The sound of someone clearing their throat from across the table makes me look up. A pretty blonde wearing a green sundress, is looking down at me. “Hannah?” Her smile is so wide, showing off prefect teeth and thin lips.
“Hi?” I press the button on the back of my phone to blacken out my conversation and slip to the side of the booth.
“I’m so sorry. This is awful forward of me, I just saw you sitting here, alone, and thought I’d say hi.” I wrack my brain trying to pull a name out of my memory that matches this pretty face, but nothing is coming to me. “I’m Steph, Mr. Hoff’s housekeeper.” She offers, clearly seeing my struggle. I give myself a mental forehead slap and shake my head.
“Oh, yes. Of course, Steph! How are you?” I stand to give her an awkward side hug that she returns with a small giggle. “I’m so sorry I didn’t recognize you.”
“No worries.” She waves her hand to shake the awkwardness between us off. “We’ve only met properly that one time.”
“My first night at the castle.” I smirk. What a magical night that was.
“The castle?” She chuckles and points to the chair opposite me. “Do you mind if I sit? I was supply shopping for the castle,” she giggles at my nickname for Jacob’s home again. “And now I’m so pooped. Thought I’d treat myself to a latte.”
“Well deserved, I’d say.” I lift my cup in cheers. “Take a load off. I’d actually like to talk to you about something, if it wouldn’t be weird.” I wait for her to get settled. She hooks her purse on the back of her chair and leans her elbows on the table with a giddiness that makes me laugh.
“If it’s about the boss, I’m in. Whatever it is.” Whatever, hmm? I bite my lip and wonder if maybe she could be my third person to Jacob’s birthday surprise. She’s cute and comfortable in his presence. Would it make doing her job afterwards weird, though?
“I hear its Jacob’s birthday on Saturday and I’d like to do something special for him.” She ohh’s a little and holds her face in her hands. “I just don’t know what that something special is. He has everything and has probably been everywhere.” My shoulders shrug. “Got any ideas?”
She looks from side to side as if to see if anyone is listening to us and then leans even closer. “How kinky of a birthday are you looking at throwing Mr. Hoff?” I love how her mind is already on the same track as mine and I purse my lips, could I just ask her?
“How’d you know I was thinking something kinky?” I try to imitate Jacob by letting one of my eyebrows lift.
“Hannah, please.” She sounds super sarcastic and her eyes roll so hard I wonder if they’ll get lost in the back of her head. “I know we don’t know each other, but I am his housekeeper. Every sneaky little mess he leaves behind,” She pauses and gives me a wink, “Y’all leave behind, is there for me to silently clean up.”
I give her a pointed stare, wondering if I should be embarrassed or not. “Every mess?” She bursts out in laughter and nods quickly.
“Yes, my dear. I’ve cleaned all of his little fun rooms as well as his bedroom. I may not have much experience in what goes on behind his closed doors, but I’m not an idiot. I get it.” My cheeks feel hot and I wince a little.
“Sorry?” Her laughter is so contagious. It’s one of those laughs that’s loud and bold. The kind that makes strangers look around to find where the sound is coming from. She clearly doesn’t care about what others think or who’s looking at her and I really like that about her. It makes me laugh with her as I cover my face.
“Pfft,” Steph blows a raspberry and waves her hand again. “Don’t be. I’m actually rather jealous, I wish I was having as much fun as y’all.” She stirs her straw in her latte. “But no, it’s not so bad. He pays me really
well and I really love my job. It’s no big deal at all, don’t give it another thought.”
“Do you have,” I know I shouldn’t, but something about sitting here with her feels too right, like she was sent to me, a sign to go forward with Miranda’s crazy birthday idea. “A boyfriend or a husband?” I try to play it cool and act like the question has no weight to it.
“Hell no.” She blurts, then covers her lips with one hand. “I mean, no. I um, I’m not into guys.” She admits softly and I think, this might be too good to be true.
“A girlfriend then?” I sip my ice coffee as my foot taps away under the table.
“I’m in between.” Her eyes are locked right on mine like she already knows what I’m going to ask next.
“I have this silly idea.” I lick my lower lip and she leans in even closer. “A friend suggested I should gift Jacob with a threesome for his birthday, do you think he’d like that?” Steph bites into her own lip and squints.
“I don’t know. He isn’t like other guys who just want to stick their dick in anything with a hole. You’re the only woman who’s ever been to the castle, as far as I know. Other than business friends and the likes, but their parties are much more g-rated than y’all’s.” I love how she’s still using my nickname for his house and the knowledge that no other woman has spent the night in his personal bed makes me really happy. It makes me feel special. “Have you guys discussed sharing?” I shake my head.
“No, not really. It was mentioned briefly but we never got into a deep discussion about it.”
“Hm, I don’t know.” She seems more unsure than I was at first, but it’s the only idea that I think will really surprise him.
“Would you be interested in being a part of something like that?” I feel sick after I’ve said it. She’s gonna think I’m bananas and throw her latte in my face. “I mean like, you know, it wouldn’t have to be awkward. You’re the only one I know through Jacob and you understand how things work with him. You two have a good relationship and stuff.” Her mouth has dropped open, but I can’t stop talking. “Like it wouldn’t even have to be a threesome just maybe you and I, if you really aren’t into guys? Just to warm him up and surprise him or something. I don’t know, maybe it’s a bad idea.”
“Slow down, girl.” Steph laughs. I inhale deeply and close my eyes.
“Sorry. Forget I said anything. I told you it was silly.” I open one eye to find her still smiling at me.
“No, I’m in.” I cock my head like I’ve heard her wrong and wait for her to say something else. “I don’t think Jacob would be happy with a full on threesome, he’s much too possessive for that to be a thing. Whichever friend gave you that idea, must really live on the wild side. I think you could get away with a little girl on girl to shock him.”
“You think?” I perk up in my seat and feel like I’m floating. “I was kind of worried he wouldn’t like it either, but he’s so adventurous and I couldn’t come up with anything else.” I take another big breath and try to calm myself. “You’d really be willing to help me surprise him?” I look across the table at this beautiful woman who works for my Dom and likes girls. This woman I’ve only spoken to once before, yet cleans up the sheets I dirty in Jacob’s bed. Now I’ve asked her to join me in a birthday threesome, she must be worried about my sanity, but she looks okay.
“Yeah, I’d love to.” Her nose wrinkles the way mine does when I’m not sure what to say. “Since I started working for Mr. Hoff, my interest in the kinky side of things has spiked. I’ve never been able to try things out, so to speak.” She lifts her latte and we both just wait in the silence that falls between us. “You help me, I’ll help you. It’s a win/win.”
“For real?” I feel my eyes widen and my body is bouncing up and down. “Like for real, for real?”
“Yes!” She laughs loudly again and the people around us turn our way. My cheeks flush again as I look down at her hands and imagine them on my body. “I’ll do it.”
2
Steph and I discussed a few details about how Saturday would go down. Then she said she had to get back to the castle or she’d be there all night catching up on things. To say I’m nervous about what we’re getting into is an understatement.
I’m taking Steph’s warnings very seriously. I would hate to put myself out there, trying to surprise him only for it to turn sour and ruin the night. He’s supposed to leave Arizona, Saturday morning around eight and land here just after five. We agreed I should come to the castle early and we could figure out which room we’d want to “host” our party in when I get there.
I sit in the coffee shop a little bit longer, not ready to give up the feelings that this place brings to me. I still have no messages from Jacob and the need to hear his voice is too much for me to bear. I dial his number and that twitch in my foot starts up again.
“Kitten,” he answers after the fourth ring. A shiver races down my spine.
“Hi, Daddy.” I whisper, trying to play it cool. “I miss you.”
“You know I miss you as well. What are you up to?” I feel guilty, like he knows I’m plotting something a little too naughty. I exhale loudly and lean back in the booth.
“Oh, just enjoying a coffee at the shop.”
“Mmm,” he hums. “I can picture you there. What’s covering your delicious body?”
“Just a work blouse and slacks. Nothing fancy.” I lower my voice even more as I tell him the next bit. “I’m sitting right where I sat the first time we met, in the back booth.”
“Does that spot make your panties wet, kitten? Are you remembering how hard it was to keep your orgasm silent so no one would notice what a naughty little girl you are?”
“Yes,” I pant. His words working my libido into a frenzy. “I wish you were here with me.”
Jacob huffs and I hear the rustle of papers from his end of the line. “I do too, kitten.” He doesn’t often sound frustrated and the ache between my thighs dulls as I become worried about him.
“Are you okay, Daddy?”
“It’s been a rough trip, baby, that’s all. I’m fine.” My finger trace shapes in the condensation running down my cup, pulling the drops of water to the table and smearing it around. “The closing isn’t going as smoothly as I had assumed it would and the seller is acting like a child.” He vents quickly. I hate that he sounds so stressed. “I only signed up for taking care of one adult child and this twit isn’t you.”
His last comment makes me smile. “How can I help?”
“I’m afraid there isn’t much for either of us to do at this point, kitten. Just knowing you’re home, waiting on me to get back, is help enough.”
“Are we still on for Kitten Saturday or would you rather rest when you get home? Maybe I could just come over Sunday instead?” My teeth nibble at my lower lip. I don’t really want to wait till Sunday, but if he needs time to recoup from the trip, it’s only fair that I let him do that without being a whiny brat.
“No, no, no, kitten. That isn’t going to work for me. I need to put my arms around you as soon as possible. Just let me go home first and shower, then I can come pick you up and take you to dinner?” My feet kick happily under the table. Now that I know he’s going home right from the airport, my plan may just work.
“That sounds perfect, Daddy.”
“Good. I’m glad that’s settled. I need to go over these terms again before I meet with the seller in an hour. I want you to think about where you’d like to go to dinner, okay?”
“Yes, Sir. I miss you.” I hate letting him go, I want to keep him on the phone until I can kiss him again.
“I miss you more, sweet girl. Daddy loves you, behave.” My heart skips a beat and I hold my hand to my chest.
“I love you too, Jacob.” I try to push as much sincerity into my words as possible. “I’ll be good.” The words feel like a lie, but I tell myself my plans are made with good intentions and everything will be just fine. He’ll come home, find Steph and I together and we’ll give him a
birthday like he’s never had before.
“Bye now.” After he ends the call, I push my phone into my purse and carry what’s left of my coffee to my car parked outside. The sun is high in the sky and it seems like winter has retreated for now. Fall is in full effect as Halloween draws near. Maine weather is always like this, one day you think winter will come early and freeze the whole world. Then a week passes and everything smells of pumpkin spice and the early snow that fell has melted into the dead leaves that litter the ground.
I drive around town for a little while, having nowhere I need to be and nowhere I need to go. I think about my life, my relationship with Jacob and even the friendship I have with Miranda. There aren’t a lot of people in my life, not because they don’t want to be, but because I’ve built up walls that keep people out. My anxiety used to make it hard to keep friendships. I was always worried if they were being truthful or even if they liked me. After high school, I shut everyone but Miranda out.
My relationship with my parents isn’t bad, but it’s not great either. I actually can’t remember the last time I spoke with my mom and that makes me feel like maybe our relationship is worse than I thought. We all live in the same small town, working the same jobs we’ve always worked and yet I never see her or my dad. There’s a pang in my heart over the realization that maybe I’ve been a bad daughter.
I pull the car off to the side of the country road I’ve been traveling on and pick up my phone to call my mom. She doesn’t answer and I don’t leave a message, I wouldn’t really know what to say anyhow. I look past my windshield, over the ancient, crumbling stonewall at the cows scattered across the meadow lined by the colorful trees. It looks picturesque.
Almost all of Maine can be summed up by this hillside and I feel lucky to live here. Maybe it’s because I haven’t been anywhere else or maybe it’s just because this is my home, but I love it here. I love the bi-polar weather and the gossiping town’s folk.
