To Rub, Honor and Obey

by Melinda Barron

“I hate to tell you this, but that’s not possible.”

  Moreen slapped his thigh. “You can read my mind! You lied to me.”

  “No, I never said I couldn’t read your mind. I said I could read people, and that’s the truth.” He stroked her shoulders, then gently moved her arm back onto the table.

  She pulled against the invisible bonds that took hold.

  “Relax. Close your eyes.”

  She did as he asked, not wanting to fight him any longer. She hadn’t been this relaxed in ages, and it felt wonderful to let go. Maybe she could stay here for the rest of her life. No more rent, bills, jobs, or probation officers checking out her every move.

  That would be my first wish, to have all my legal troubles disappear, to have my record wiped clean.

  “I’m sorry, I can’t do that.”

  “We need to have a rule about reading my mind.” She turned her gaze on him. “I don’t like it.”

  “Did you ever go to a psychiatrist?”

  She laughed derisively. “I had plenty of sessions while I was in rehab.” Thinking of rehab made her think of her parents, of them paying for the whole thing, even though it was court ordered. Of course, if the court had paid for it, they probably would have tacked the amount onto her fine.

  He trailed his fingers up and down her arm, the sensation soft and calming. “I want you to remember one good thing from your childhood, something you enjoyed very much.”

  “Well, Dr. Paran, there’s nothing, so let’s not go there.”

  “Absolutely nothing? I don’t believe you.”

  Images of cleaning the lamp pushed into her mind, when she’d thought of her mother’s storytelling. “My mother used to tell me anything was possible. She lied.”

  “No, you’ve just lost faith in yourself. Anything is possible. You can overcome past hurts and mistakes. It may take a while, but it’s possible.”

  “Bull. Once you’ve screwed things up as much as I have, you can’t go back. Society won’t allow it. And my mother just told me those things to keep me happy when I was a kid. When I needed her, she wasn’t there.”

  “Tell me one good thing.”

  “Let me go.”

  “Tell me.”

  “No. I won’t play your game.”

  His eyes narrowed and he moved between her legs, trailing his fingers up and down her inner thighs.

  Her body zinged in response. “Well, I guess there is an upside to having a genie, huh? Good sex? At least I’ll get something out of this besides your stupid head games.”

  “I am not a genie. I’m going to find some way to drill that into your brain. I’m a pleasure Djinni.” He lowered his head, opened her lips and licked her clit, the ball from his tongue piercing sliding over her, leaving exquisite pleasure in its wake.

  Moreen’s hips shot off the table. She wanted to touch him, to grasp his hair and hold him in place, grind him into her until she came. His tongue circled her, flicking over the hard bud, and more pleasure spread through her body. She remembered the orgasm he’d given her that afternoon, the way it made her feel. She was going to have it again. She was almost there.

  Suddenly, his tongue disappeared.

  “What are you doing?” She wiggled the lower half of her body at him. “Get back there. Don’t leave me like this.”

  He floated up above her, sitting cross-legged. He looked anything but pleased. “Punishments come in many forms, and I’m very tired of hearing negative things come out of your mouth.”

  His cock was still hard. When he grasped it tightly and started pumping, she jerked in an effort to get free.

  “Stop it! Damn you!”

  His gaze captured on hers. “You had a chance to play my game. All I asked for was one memory, something that made you smile. And you turned it into something nasty. Now I’m going to show you what happens when you don’t do as I say. I’m going to climax, and you’re not.”

  She tried to look down, to watch him as he stroked himself, but she couldn’t break the lock he had on her. His eyes bore into hers, burning a path into her soul.

  “You will learn to obey. You can’t even do the simplest of things.”

  “Screw you! Let me go.”

  He glanced down and her gaze followed his. She saw his swollen shaft wrapped tightly in his hand as it pumped hard and fast, his fingers stopping at times to toy with the ring that hung from the end, pulling it none too gently.

  When his groans grew louder, she knew he was about to come.

  She watched as his cum flowed out, listened as his cries of pleasure filled the air. He tugged on the ring several times as the last of the creamy liquid left his slit. Then he massaged the liquid into her breasts, the movements arousing her more. He tweaked her nipples and traced her areoles until she groaned.

  “Please, please. Don’t leave me like this.”

  “That’s what I wanted to hear. Now, I’m going to transport you home. Don’t even think of playing with your clit, because you won’t be able to. When you decide to do as I say and give me one memory, then I’ll allow you to orgasm. But not before. Remember what I told you. I can be your greatest fantasy, or your worst nightmare. The choice is yours.”

  The air shifted and they were standing in her living room, the dingy walls and ratty furniture made even more so after seeing the opulence of the Cave of Pleasure.

  “You’re to report to work at four tomorrow afternoon,” Paran said. “If you decide to be a good girl and behave, all you have to do is think my name and I’ll be back.”

  She picked up a pillow from the couch and threw it toward him, but he disappeared before it could make contact. She screamed in frustration, then did it once more just because it felt good.

  Seconds later, there was a loud knocking on the door.

  “Moreen? Are you all right?”

  Mrs. Weinstein’s voice held more than a hint of fear. Moreen looked down, saw she was clothed, then quickly rushed to the door and opened it.

  “I heard screaming.” Mrs. Weinstein looked over her shoulder, her concern evident on her face.

  Moreen frantically searched for an excuse. “No, I just saw a mouse, that’s all.”

  “A mouse? Oh my, how horrible. Should I send Chester over to find it for you?”

  Moreen laughed even as she held back tears. It was just like her neighbor to try and make things better, even offering her cat to find the fake mouse. “No, that’s all right. You keep him there in case the mouse comes to visit you.”

  “All right, well you let me know if I can do anything for you, promise?”

  “Of course. Thanks for checking on me.”

  “No problem dear, you know how much I like you.” Mrs. Weinstein patted Moreen’s cheek, then turned back to her own apartment.

  Moreen slowly closed the door, then let the tears fall. Her body ached for release. She put her hands between her legs, only to have her fingers feel as if they had been lit on fire. She pulled them back, swallowing her cry so that she didn’t disturb Mrs. Weinstein again.

  Another try produced the same results.

  “Bastard!” She wrapped her arms around her chest, determined not to follow his directions. Surely the need would pass. Besides, what good did it do to remember happy things when nothing would come of it? It could only remind her of everything she’d lost, and of the fact that she was destined to live the rest of her life alone.

  She buried her face in her hands and sobbed.

  Paran was indeed her worst nightmare come to life. And once again, she could trace the problem right back to Aliya. She should have kept the damn wallet, spent all the cash and sold the credit cards. It would have served the bitch right, and kept Paran out of her life.

  Chapter Five

  “Where’s my new employee?” Matuse eased down on a chair beside Paran, who sat stretched out, his hands clasped together on his stomach.

  “I told her four. She has to do her community service work first.”

  “Sounds good.” He cocked hi
s head. “How are things going?”

  “She’s a foul-mouthed little hellion who thinks the world is out to get her. How do you think it’s going?”

  Matuse laughed, then stretched out his legs in front of him. “Too much for you to handle?”

  “Nothing’s too much for me to handle. I just have to find the right approach. Last night was a disaster.”

  “Couldn’t get it up?” Matuse laughed in the face of Paran’s glare. “Figuratively, of course. The whole operation was like a wet noodle? Shot down in a rain of bullets? Burst into a ball of flames?”

  “You’re not helping.” Paran sighed in disgust. “I had to arouse her, then lock her clit away from her. She’s probably mad as a spitting cat by now.”

  “More than likely. What brought on such a punishment?”

  “I asked her to give me one happy memory. I thought if I showed her things could be good, she’d soften just a little. I was wrong.”

  “Well, I’m sure being sexually frustrated all day long will make her a peach to deal with once she gets here.”

  Paran pursed his lips together. “Sorry about that, but I couldn’t reward her with an orgasm when she refuses to follow the simplest instructions.”

  “Oh, I agree. I have to say, you’re being very nice to her.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means you’re not being yourself. You’re not sure how to do nice. And, she’s not used to nice. It throws her off balance and puts her on the defensive.”

  “Everything puts her on the defensive.”

  “True, but she might respond when her sarcasm is thrown right back. Give her a dose of her own medicine.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t think of that.”

  Matuse laughed. “Well, we can’t all be perfect.”

  Paran threw a jolt of power toward him, but Matuse disappeared before it could connect. The blast hit the back of the chair and it burst into flames.

  Damn, I’m off all the way around today. That should have sizzled the little pup, not the chair.

  But, Paran had to admit Matuse had a good idea. He’d been too nice to Moreen. It was time to turn the tables, and see if that didn’t throw her for a loop.

  * * * *

  Moreen slammed through the door of the Cave of Pleasure, stopping just inside to get her bearings. It was just before four o’clock and she was not in a good mood. Her body was still on fire, still in need of an orgasm. Her clit had throbbed all day thanks to that asshole, Paran. She planned on giving him a piece of her mind when she saw him.

  A pert blond came up to her. “Hi Moreen. I’m Cassandra.”

  “Goody for you.”

  “Well, aren’t we the happy one?” And then she laughed, actually laughed. Moreen wanted to slap her. “Matuse is upstairs. He’ll give you instructions for your new job. We’re happy you’re here.”

  “And I’m just thrilled to death,” Moreen muttered as she stomped toward the staircase She mentally calculated how much longer she had to put up with this garbage. Paran had said thirty days, and two had passed now.

  She wheeled around and look toward Cassandra, who was still laughing. She glared at the woman, who in turn smiled and waved back.

  “Idiot,” she said under her breath as she climbed the stairs.

  She found herself in a large room that overlooked the main floor. She crossed it to the only doorway she could see and knocked. The door opened and she swallowed hard. Some things were hard to get used to, like people who could sit at desks and open doors at the same time.

  The blond man sitting behind the desk had his head down, working on papers. He motioned her inside. When she stepped into the room, the door closed after her. When he lifted his head and smiled, Moreen’s stomach dropped.

  “Great. You’re Aliya’s friend.”

  “Yes, I am.” He stood and held out his hand. “Matuse.”

  “Well this just gets better and better. Is the witch here?”

  She backed up as a dark expression clouded his face. “I’d appreciate it if you’d watch your mouth. No, she’s not here. She’s at work, as you will be in a few short minutes. I have paperwork that needs to be filed, and a few forms you have to fill out.”

  “So I’m a secretary?”

  “Office worker, yes. You know how to keep books?”

  Moreen nodded. Numbers and math were the only things she’d been good at in high school before things went to pot. “I’ve done a little work of that ilk at previous jobs, until the managers remembered I was a thief.”

  “You won’t have that problem with me. The books are in terrible shape and need a great deal of work. I’m going to give you an office, and let you come in daily at four, unless five is better for you. Then you can work through the evening.”

  “Fine. How much?”

  “Fourteen dollars an hour, to start.”

  Her eyes widened at the same time her stomach lurched. “What?” The word barely escaped her throat.

  “Not enough?” He gave her an indulgent smile. “It’s what I start all my workers at. Once you’ve proven yourself, we’ll discuss raises and bonuses.”

  “Um, no, it’s fine.” She did a mental calculation. Before taxes that was more than twenty-two hundred dollars a month. She’d never made that much in one month in her life. She could buy some new clothes, and never be late on the ConEd bill again.

  Unless she screwed it up and lost the job.

  “Do you know how to use a computer?”

  “A little bit.” She’d taken courses in high school, but that was years ago. Every once in a while she’d found time to use the computers at the center, to troll the Internet, mostly looking at news sites, or gossip rags to see what celebrities were up to.

  “Well, reacquaint yourself with one, because I want everything kept electronically so I can just call it up from my own computer. They’ll be linked together, with yours in an office downstairs. There will be a manual for you to look at.”

  An office? She was going to have an office of her own? She tried to keep her voice steady.

  “Fine.”

  “And, you’ll need to wear something besides jeans and a T-shirt to work.”

  She ran her hands down her jeans. “I have some slacks, but most of the other places I worked supplied uniforms. I’m afraid I don’t have any money to buy new clothes until I get my first paycheck.”

  The two paychecks she’d received earlier that week had gone to utilities. She had a hundred dollars left, but she was afraid to use it, keeping it put back to go toward her seven hundred and fifty dollar a month rent.

  “Then I’ll advance you some money, say three hundred? You’ll be able to buy some suitable clothing with that.” When she opened her mouth to object, he held up his hand. “It’s not a freebie. It will come out of your paycheck over the course of a few months.”

  She nodded. “Thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me, thank Paran. This was his idea.”

  At the mention of the demon’s name, her body shivered in need. She nodded, hoping Matuse hadn’t noticed. If he had, he didn’t say anything. Of course, what would he say?

  Gee, do you need some time off so you and Paran can fuck?

  Yes, please.

  “Let me show you your office.”

  She followed him down the stairs. The wait staff stood in groups, laughing and joking. Moreen had never formed close relationships with her co-workers, likely because she was short with all of them almost to the point of being rude. She shook her head. Who was she kidding? Not almost to the point, exactly to the point of being rude.

  Moreen recognized the hallway as being the one she and Paran had traveled yesterday evening, with her floating on her back. Matuse stopped at the first door to the right and opened it.

  “No windows, I’m afraid, but you’ll be doing most of your work at night, anyway. And don’t feel like you have to stay cooped up in here. You can come out and mingle with the others anytime you want.”

  Like tha
t’s going to happen. “Thank you.”

  “I’ll leave you to get started. Take a look around, read the manual for the computer and the programs. Then, when you’re more settled in, I’ll have you start on the actual books. I’ll also make sure you get a check before you leave tonight so you can shop for new clothes tomorrow.”

  He left without waiting for an answer, closing the door behind him.

  Moreen took in her surroundings. The walls were painted a soft peach color, and prints of beach scenes hung on the walls. She had always wanted to go to the beach, but so far she’d never been. She imagined wiggling her toes in the sand and standing knee-deep in the surf as the water rolled around her legs.

  She shook off the fantasy before it could take root in her mind. She’d never have enough money to take a vacation, not even at fourteen dollars an hour. The only thing the extra money did for her was make sure she’d have enough to pay her bills and eat.

  Moreen sat down at the desk and studied the computer. It looked state-of-the-art, not like the older models they had at the center. The keys felt slick under her fingertips. She backed away, thinking it best to read the manual first and make sure she knew how it worked before she screwed anything up.

  She picked up the booklet and opened it to the first page.

  Time seemed to fly as she became engrossed in her reading, determined to learn everything she could about the machine. When she realized Paran was reading over her shoulder she jumped back.

  “What do you want?” Her clit, which had calmed down a little, tingled when her back hit his chest. She leaned forward and hugged the manual close to her.

  “Riveting,” he said with a smirk. “Do you think it would win a Pulitzer?”

  “I repeat, what do you want?”

  “I brought your advance, unless you don’t want it.” He held out an envelope, then snatched it back before she could take it. “Say please.”

  “To you? I’ve been miserable all day because of you.”

  “You’ve been miserable because of yourself. If you’d just behaved last night, you would have felt as if you touched the stars.”

  She snorted out a laugh. “Think a lot of yourself, do you?”