Red Hourglass

by Scarlet Risqué

  “But I don’t want to do this anymore. I just want to quit.”

  “Do you really want to abandon your sisters and let the White Queen down?”

  Realizing my delusion, I stopped in my tracks. The White Queen’s business is under threat, she could send agents after me and lock me up if I blow this. Anyway, I need to find my mother. That’s why I’m here.

  “Of course not,” I said. “I owe her everything … and I love my sisters. I guess I have no choice but to finish the mission.”

  “Good call.”

  “But what should I do? How do I handle this?” I turned to Mimi.

  “It’s simple. Just focus on the mission. You can quit Wilmar when we get hold of Yuan and his people. Get the intel we need and the rest of us will make sure that the merger doesn’t go through.”

  “You’re right Mimi. Thanks.” She always gave sound advice, like a sage.

  “What’s so special about Conan anyway? You’re so different since you started working for him. You’re no longer yourself.”

  “That’s not true! … I don’t know. He’s good-looking, rich, powerful. What’s not to like? But I don’t think I’ve been any different. I am myself! How can you say that Mimi?”

  “Okay, okay, relax. You’re the one who said you’re losing it. So my advice is to take control. Let’s meditate.” Mimi sat on the floor and got into the lotus position. “Om … just let your mind be still. Let your thoughts flow naturally, don’t resist.”

  “If I’m going to finish the mission, I need the White Queen to promise me something.”

  “What?”

  “That I won’t have to kill him.”

  “Janet, the sooner you learn that romantic love is temporary, the better off you’ll be,” said Mimi. “Anyway, there’s no such thing as love in that sense. It’s all in your head … it’s just your imagination.”

  “Love is temporary?”

  “Of course it’s temporary. It doesn’t last. Your love is transferred from one person to the next. You think you love Conan, but that will change.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Remember your first boyfriend? Do you still love him?”

  “No way.”

  “See? Right now you think you love Conan, but it’s all in your head. Your love will find another object in time. Anyway, he’s only using you as a stand in girlfriend. He’ll move on to his next secretary once he’s done with you … just like he did with his last secretary.” Mimi smirked and folded her arms.

  “So you think he’s just using me, lying to me?”

  “Yes! Men lie to women all the time!” Mimi threw her arms in the air. “You can’t trust them! He’s just like any other man … your stepfather, your first boyfriend, remember them?”

  “Yes … they were assholes.”

  “Good. Now that you’re seeing sense, just remind yourself that you’re on a mission. Acting like his girlfriend is part of the job, it’s your undercover identity, nothing more. You’re just pretending to be in love with him until the mission’s over. You’re Janet, NOT Scarlet. Don’t forget that.”

  “I’ll do my best.”

  “Janet, I know you can do it. I have faith in you.” Mimi stood up and gave me a big hug with her tiny body.

  “Thanks Mimi.”

  “You’re welcome. I have to go, but call me if you need to.”

  I walked Mimi down to the front door and returned to my apartment. I’m on a mission and he’s only using me. He’s a jerk. I have to take control of myself and this situation.

  I sat next to Milky on the sofa and she nudged my hand. I tickled her chin and she climbed onto my lap, as if she knew that I needed to be comforted. Her little purring furry body eased my anxiety.

  Milky jumped off my lap with a meow and led me to the kitchen. She wanted her dinner and I made myself a sandwich.

  As we were eating, Conan sent me a text message: “Are you okay? Do you need to talk?” I turned off the phone.

  I’d compromised the mission and put myself in a very bad position. Instead of seducing Conan, he was seducing me. One way or the other, one of us was bound to betray the other. Nothing good can come of this.

  I felt like I was under some awful spell that was filling my mind with thoughts of the impossible—a happy future. I knew there would be no sweet endings, no happy tomorrows like in fairy tales. Yet I was lusting after something I couldn’t have, obsessing over a desire that could never be fulfilled. Lust arrives as an angel disguised as love, but it’s still lust, not love.

  If, by some miracle, it turned out to be love, I was still doomed. Like every other emotion, love comes and goes. It’s never still. Life had shown me that love always betrays you. Just like Mimi said, it doesn’t last. Men use love to fool women, and women in love are weak—it’s when they make bad decisions. And if you love the other more than the other loves you, there’s no hope at all of winning the game.

  If my heart was removed and dissected, would love be found inside? Would it prove that love is real, that it exists? I grabbed a tissue and scribbled down a few lines:

  “Killing me swiftly

  In your white coat

  A scalpel in hand

  Cutting my heart out

  A thesis of evidence”

  I went to the bathroom and threw the tissue in the toilet. The black ink seeped into the clear water before I flushed it away in a swirl of liquid remorse.

  My emotions were overwhelming me and I had to shut them down. I got on the ground and started doing push-ups, trying to exhaust myself before my mind worked itself into a frenzy.

  * * *

  My phone rang as I was having a late breakfast on Wednesday. I checked the caller ID before I answered.

  “Hi Christophe. What’s up?”

  “Hi Scarlet. I just noticed that you haven’t been in the office since Monday afternoon. Is everything okay?”

  “Everything’s fine, thanks. I’m just down with the flu.”

  “Are you sure? Do you need anything? I could pick up whatever you need and drop it by after work. It’s no problem.”

  “That’s okay. I’ll be back in when I’m better.”

  “Did that jackass Conan hit you or something?”

  “No, no one’s hit me.” I laughed. “I’m just sick, that’s all.”

  “Well that’s a relief … I mean I’m sorry you’re sick, but I’m relieved that you’re not thinking of quitting.”

  “No, I’m not quitting. I should be in next week.”

  “Okay, don’t quit on us. We need you. You know you can count on me anytime if that jackass ever touches you … or for anything.”

  “You’re very sweet, thanks. I’ll see you next week.”

  “Okay Scarlet, look after yourself.”

  Christophe’s call cheered me up. It was time to deal with the situation at hand.

  I used the NLP swish technique to get control over my emotions. I started by picturing myself as a human-sized red hourglass without any feelings for Conan. I gave the image all the positive attributes of an agent—strong, smart, and in control. I held on to the good feelings attached to that version of myself and shrunk the image in my mind. Next, I pictured myself as I’d been the last few days—a weak emotional wreck in love with Conan—but I was still feeling the positive things associated with the first image. I kept the negative image in my mind until the bad emotions began to return. Then I shrunk it and swished back to the positive image to restore my positive feelings. I repeated the exercise seven times and the positive feelings replaced the negative feelings. I was finally able to picture myself without any feelings for Conan and control my emotions.

  He’d caught me off guard with his kinky ties, and he had no idea that I had a kinky side of my own. If he wanted to play games, I’d play games. If he wanted to enslave my body, I’d ensnare his heart and make him fall in love with me.

  I almost felt sorry for him. The poor boy didn’t realize that he was playing games with a deadly spider. Onc
e a victim was trapped in my scarlet spider web, there was no escape. Conan would be trapped like a tiny insect in a silky cocoon. I would digest him slowly, and his agony would be my amusement.

  I knew I had to be fit and limber to win this game. I spent the next few days working out and doing complex yoga postures.

  Turn the Tables

  Conan picked me up at my apartment on Friday. He put his arm securely around my waist as he walked me to the limo, but he was unusually quiet as we drove to a diner in Queens.

  We walked into the diner with his two bodyguards, but they sat at a table on the other side of the restaurant.

  “How was your week?” Conan asked, his eyes darting from side to side as we waited for our food.

  “I had a good rest.”

  “I was worried when you didn’t reply to my messages.”

  “I needed a break.”

  “Have you thought about being exclusive with me?”

  “Yes. I’ve thought about it long and hard.” I was stronger than anything this man could throw at me, and I was determined to complete my mission. “I agree.”

  “Good. I was worried that you were having second thoughts.”

  “I was, initially, but I don’t see why we shouldn’t try it.”

  “I’m glad.” He took a sip of water. “I was thinking about you all week. It took a lot of self-control not to visit.”

  “Are you into sadomasochistic games?”

  “That’s a rather direct question.” He hesitated. “But yes, it’s one side of my personality. Does it bother you?”

  “Ha.” I laughed. “You don’t know me very well.”

  “You surprise me Scarlet.” He put his muscular arms on the table. “Are you surprised by my kinks? Are you sure you’re comfortable with them?”

  “Nothing surprises me anymore.” That was the truth. “I’m okay with your kinks. In fact, I enjoy them.” I was ready to up the stakes of this game.

  “Really?”

  “Yes. I had fun the last time we were together. It was better than vanilla sex. But the thing is, I think we need to take turns.”

  “What do you mean?” He looked alarmed.

  “You can be dominant sometimes,” I said, staring him in the eye. “But you also have to submit to me.”

  “Hold on, I don’t know about that.” He looked down at the table. “It’s not in my nature to submit to anyone.”

  “Being in control all the time is tiring. Yes?” I knew every man who sought control held a deep longing for someone else to free his body and mind.

  “Um,” he lowered his voice, “sometimes.” He picked up his glass with trembling fingers.

  “That’s why we should take turns,” I said softly, reaching across to steady his hand. “Reversing roles sometimes is good. I’ll free you from having to be in control all the time. I’ll take you places you’ve never been.” If I ever hoped to regain control in this relationship, I had to make him my slave.

  “I’m not agreeing to anything yet.” He shifted his weight. “I’ve never submitted to a woman. I suppose I could try … for you. You’re gorgeous and those beautiful legs drive me wild.”

  “Good.” I smiled and ran my foot up the inside of his leg. “We’ll explore this together.”

  * * *

  The chauffeur drove us to Conan’s apartment after dinner. It was time to turn the tables.

  I went into the powder room off the front hall and changed into a very short black silk chemise with white lace trim. Conan had a weakness for my legs, and I was going to exploit it. I put on sexy red lipstick and black patent leather stilettos with three-inch heels.

  I perched myself on the edge of the sofa with my arms back and my legs crossed. I was ready to go in for the kill.

  “Oh,” he said, walking into the living room. “You’re ready, huh?”

  “Haven’t you been waiting for this all week?” I hissed.

  “I … um … I think I need a drink.” He took off his light-blue tie and unbuttoned the first few buttons of his shirt. He glanced at my bare legs as he walked into the kitchen.

  Conan wasn’t so bold without his whiskey. I knew he was nervous and I smiled to myself.

  He returned with the decanter and two short glasses full of ice. He sat down on a chair across from me and poured the whiskey.

  “There you are,” he said, placing the drink in my cupped hands and running his fingers through his dark-brown hair.

  “Thank you.” Conan looked simply delicious with his mussed hair. It was hard not to touch him. I wanted to unbutton the rest of his buttons and feel his warm flesh against mine. I shook my head slightly to get rid of my lustful thoughts.

  “How do you feel?” he asked, taking a sip of his liquor.

  “I don’t have a particular fondness for whiskey, but I like drinking it with you, Mr. Casey.” I tasted the whiskey with the tip of my tongue as I uncrossed and crossed my legs the other way.

  “Your legs Scarlet, they’re very … distracting … arousing,” he mumbled.

  I know. I taunted him by running my fingers up and down the sides of my legs. His eyes followed my hand, mesmerized. I ran my fingers up between my breasts, over my neck, and to my mouth. Conan was leering at me with the stare I saw that first day in his office. He was a ravenous wolf staring at a bone, barely able to control himself as he contemplated his coming meal.

  “Be patient, Mr. Casey.” I sipped my whiskey and licked my lips. “We have plenty of time. The night is young.”

  He lunged forward and grabbed my neck, pulling me toward him and sucking my lips. I stood up and shoved him back into his chair.

  “Behave yourself, sir!” I scolded him as I fixed my hair and sat back down, crossing my legs. “You’re a very naughty boy.” I was pleased with myself for making him lose control.

  “I’m sorry.” Conan closed his eyes and breathed in slowly. “Scarlet, I don’t know how long I can control myself. I’m hard. You’re torturing me … and getting off on it.”

  “Aw, can’t control yourself? You poor little boy. You’ll just have to try harder.” I dipped my finger in my whiskey and slid it over his lips before I took a sip. “Tell me about your day. How was work?” I wanted to drive him crazy with desire.

  “It was fine. You know what my days are like.” He gulped down the rest of his drink and licked his lips with his thick tongue. “I’ve missed you. Stop teasing me.” He turned away, breathing heavily.

  “Are you ready to serve me?” I had to show him who was in control. I needed him to know that I wasn’t the subservient secretary I’d been making out to be.

  “Serve you?” He looked like a wounded wolf pup.

  “Yes. I submitted to you last week … served your desires. Now it’s your turn to serve me.”

  “How can I serve you?”

  “You can start by calling me Mistress Scarlet.”

  “Okay.”

  “Okay what?”

  “Mistress Scarlet.”

  “Good boy.” I stood up and stroked his cheek. “Now kiss my hand.”

  He kissed the back of my hand as he looked up at me with forlorn eyes.

  “Please Scarlet … stop teasing me. You …”

  “Shush! If you want to have me, you’ll worship me.” I lifted my foot onto his lap and pressing down with my heel. “Kiss my foot.”

  “Oh boy.” Conan tugged at the back of his hair. “Why are you …”

  “Why am I WHAT?” I dug my stiletto into his thigh. I wanted to tie him up and torture him as payback for gagging and humiliating me, but I didn’t want to scare him too much … yet. “I told you to kiss my foot.”

  He bent over and kissed the top of my foot.

  “That was easy, wasn’t it?” I took my foot off his leg and laughed hysterically as I ran my fingers over the dent I’d left in his pants. I’ll bring this wolf to heel yet.

  “I love your evil laugh.”

  “Are you forgetting something? What do you call me?”

  “Mi
stress Scarlet.”

  “I’m only evil to you, Mr. Casey,” I said as I sat down, “because you were cruel to me at work. You know that, don’t you?”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be cruel. I want to impress you. You’re my princess.”

  “No, I’m your Scarlet Queen. You’ve been very ignoble to your queen, and you must make it up to her.”

  “How may I serve you my Scarlet Queen?”

  “Kneel before me.” I stamped my foot.

  Like an obedient knight, Conan got down on one knee and reached for my hands. “Your hands are so smooth,” he said as he softly kissed my fingers.

  “I like that.” I purred like a contented cat. “Are you are a slave to my love.”

  “Yes my Scarlet Queen. May I kiss your foot?”

  “Yes, you may.”

  He lifted my dainty heel to his lips and gently started kissing my foot. He worked his way up to my ankle before I snatched away my leg.

  “Don’t you like that my Scarlet Queen?” he asked, looking upset.

  “I said you could kiss my foot, not my ankle. You have to listen and obey. Do you understand?”

  “Yes … I’m sorry. I want to please you, but you’re driving me insane.”

  “I can see that.” I laughed wickedly as I nodded at the bulge in his pants. “I suppose you’re doing well. Perhaps it’s time for me to reward you.”

  I leaned forward and undid the rest of the buttons on his shirt, making sure that my cleavage was in his face. His eyes were wild with desire and his chest was heaving.

  “Give me your arms.”

  Conan obediently held out his arms. I removed his cuff links and placed them on the glass coffee table.

  “Let me see that beautiful torso of yours. Take off your shirt.” Dominating Conan like this gave me a high I’d never felt before. I understood why he wanted me to submit to him. It was different than dominating my targets. I knew doing this with Conan would end in spasms of pleasure, not a bloody mess. There was nothing deceitful in this. I was going to deliver the promised pleasure.