by Marie Skye
Chace burst into my office. “Nice fucking office, man. I knew they were remodeling it, but this looks fucking amazing.”
“Thanks for showing up today, Chace.”
“Oh, well, yes. You know me. I like to make a grand fucking entrance. So tell me, what happened after you left? You kind of ran out of there. Was the pussy on fire or what?”
I ran my hands through my hair. “It wasn’t like that, man. I said I was taking her home, and I did exactly that.”
“Wow, man.”
“What?”
Chace leaned back and propped his feet up on my desk. Every day I told myself I couldn’t kill him, mostly because he was good at his job.
“Nothing. I was a little blinded by your vagina showing.”
“Fuck you, Chace.” There was a knock on the door. “Come in!”
“Mr. Mandrake, I’m Helen… from human resources. Glenda informed me you requested a file for an assistant?”
“Yes, just place it on my desk.”
“I’m not sure if you’re aware, but the particular person you requested is not employed through Mandrake Enterprises. She’s only hired on for temporary work on an as-needed basis as a freelance accountant. I’ve taken the liberty of bringing you some other files for other employees who would be better suited for the position.” She smiled and then placed the files on my desk. Her, now, I could fire.
“I’m sorry, what was your name?”
She turned. “It’s Helen Peterson. From human resources.”
I spoke in the calmest, most nonchalant voice I could muster. “Thank you, Helen. I very much appreciate you not doing what I asked you to do. There’s nothing that irritates me more than someone not doing something I precisely asked for. Maybe you didn’t notice the name on the outside of the building before you walked in. I believe that’s my name on it. My company. You work for me. When I ask for something, I expect to receive exactly that and nothing else. Will this be a problem for you? Or perhaps you should be drawing up your own dismissal paperwork instead?”
She stared at me with fear in her eyes before looking from me to Chace. She opened her mouth, as if she was about to speak, closed it, and then opened it again. “My apologies, Mr. Mandrake. I didn’t… I didn’t…”
Oh, for fuck’s sake. Let me put her out of her misery. I smiled my infamous panty-dropping smile. “It’s okay, Helen. I know you won’t let it happen again. However, I really would appreciate that file.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll retrieve it right away.” She turned and practically ran into the door on her way out.
I glanced over at Chace as he gestured toward the door. “What the fuck was that, man? I know you’ve been on edge, but shit, ease up a little. Maybe call Ashley or something to get some of that relieved. In fact, I’ll call her for you. It’ll do us all a favor.”
“Maybe I was a little curt. I hate repeating myself.”
Chace glared at me and smirked. “Right, a ‘little curt.’” He got up and headed for the door. “I have a meeting in ten. Catch up with me later?”
“Yeah, that’s fine.” He turned, but not before running into Helen at the door.
“Your file as requested, Mr. Mandrake.” She sat the file on my desk. “Will there be anything else sir?”
“No, that’s it. Thank you, Helen.”
Helen left the room. On my desk was a file, labeled Ross, E.
Just another hour, and I could be out the door. That damn last hour always seemed to drag. Since I was only needed a few times a week at Walters and Reed, I also worked as a waitress at Tea Lites a couple of blocks from my apartment. Its proximity to home was its best feature.
“Hey, Emms, any plans for the rest of the day?” Caleb drew my attention.
“Nothing exciting, unless you count a long, hot bath.”
He laughed. “Well, I was thinking maybe you and I could do something one of these days?”
“Oh. Um, well, maybe. I’ll let you know, okay?”
He nodded and smiled before heading to the back.
Ugh, what is wrong with me? Caleb is nice. He’s cute, and I bet I would have a good time. What is my problem?
I peered down at my cup of black coffee, expecting an answer. Nothing.
“Hey, Emmalin, if you want to head out early, you can,” Louie, my boss, said. “It’s slowed down a lot, so we got ya covered.”
“Okay. You don’t have to tell me twice. Thanks! Bye, Louie. Bye, Caleb!” I shouted before running out the door in case Louie had a change of heart. As I was walking the six blocks home, my cell rang.
“Isabella?”
“Don’t play coy with me. Rumor has it, you didn’t leave the party alone last night.”
Oh shit, here we go. I did not need to be the talk of the day. “Well, actually I did leave alone. I was offered a ride a short time later.”
“Mm hmm… and how was it?”
“The ride?”
“Yes, how was the ride on his dick?”
I laughed. “Oh, Isabella, how you never cease to amaze me. He took me home. End of story.”
“So that was really it?”
“That was really it. Sorry to disappoint you.” I heard a long sigh.
“Well, moving on from that, how about getting into some trouble tonight?”
“I have a feeling your idea of trouble is a lot different than mine.”
“Ha! Mostly. I’m going to a little get-together someone from the party Friday night told me about, and you, my dear, are going to be my plus one.”
“You know, that sounds like a lot of fun, but I really don’t have anything to wear for going out. Maybe another time.”
“I knew you would say that. That’s why you’re coming over to raid my closet. Be at my house in an hour. I’ll text you the address, bitch.” Before I could say anything else, she hung up.
Fuck me. Isabella had always been a little out there. She came from a family of money and was always looking for ways to spend it. We met when a customer at the restaurant got a little grabby, and she practically wrestled him to the floor. We’d been friends ever since then. She’d been trying forever to get me to go out with her, and I always declined. Until now I guess.
I went home and took a quick shower before heading out. I’d never actually been to Isabella’s apartment. I just knew she lived uptown. Anything uptown was clearly out of my price range.
“So this is where you live? It’s nice.” I scanned her apartment. Her kitchen by itself was the size of my apartment. And people always wondered why I never invited them over. Not if they all lived like this.
“So tell me more about this party.”
“Well, some guy I met there named Chace said he was having a get-together. A welcome home party for a friend of his, or something or another. He said I should come and bring anyone I wanted. I figured, why not? We deserve to have some fun, right?”
Parties scared the shit out of me, but I told myself I would try, so this was me trying.
“Wait till you see what I have picked out for you.”
“Holy shit. So this is a bandage dress?”
“Not just any bandage dress. This is a Hervé Léger bandage dress.”
I looked at myself in the mirror. Holy fucking shit. I stood back. She’d chosen a red dress, with a square neck that pushed my breasts up nicely, showing just the right amount of cleavage. I had curves I didn’t even know I had in this dress. After Isabella had worked her magic—doing my hair, leaving it in waves and letting it fall to the side, and minimal makeup, yet dramatic eyes—all I could do was stand in front of the mirror and stare. I didn’t look like myself at all. It scared me. Maybe that was because I liked it. I never would’ve worn something like this, or had my makeup done this way or anything. I took a deep breath and reminded myself I was trying. I looked… well, I looked hot. I couldn’t hide my smile.
“I knew you would like it,” she said. “You just have to get out of your comfort zone.”
I glanced at Isabella through the mi
rror and instantly spotted the five-inch heels in her hands. My eyes flew back up to her.
“Jimmy Choo is the way, babe,” she said.
I laughed. Maybe this would be a fun night. If nothing else, I at least got to wear an outfit that was ridiculously expensive.
“To the man, for finally coming home!” Chace raised his beer.
I looked around the room. Ashley and Sarah were on my lap. Jaxson, Matt, and blonde chicks number one, two, and three were in the hot tub. Some brunette was making her way to Chace. The lights were dimmed, the music was loud, and the drinks were never half empty.
“To the man!” Everyone cheered.
“Yeah, yeah,” I said. “Just remember, those who work for me, better not be calling in sick come Monday morning.”
Several groaned while the rest laughed.
“None of them work for you, asshole,” Chace said.
I smiled. There was a reason for that.
The party was officially underway. Sarah bent down and drew Ashley’s nipple into her mouth. My dick twitched.
I watched as Chace artistically drew a line of coke across some blonde’s pelvis before snorting it and then nuzzling his face in her pussy. Yes, this was how they partied. I ran my hand through my hair before removing Ashley and Sarah off me and heading to the kitchen.
“Here we are,” Isabella said as our cab pulled up outside the condo.
My mind had started in on freak-out mode. What the hell was I doing? This wasn’t me. This wasn’t what I wore. To get out of your comfort zone, there should be baby steps. You shouldn’t have to jump right in. “You know, I think I’m not feeling too well.” I nervously looked at Isabella, who was reapplying her lipstick.
Without missing a beat, she paid the driver, grabbed my arm, and led me out of the cab. “You’re doing this. We didn’t come all the way here for you to back out now. At least give it an hour. If you don’t like it, we can go, okay?” She squeezed my hand in reassurance, which didn’t help, since I knew my odds of owning a penguin were greater than the odds of her not ditching me as soon as we walked into that room.
I glanced at her and then my eyes darted back up at the building before shifting to watch our cab drive away. “Okay. I’ll give it an hour.”
“Atta girl.”
A doorman greeted us. “Name and destination please.”
“Isabella Rhodes plus one for Chace. Number 20.”
“Ah, yes. Here you are. The elevator is to your left, have a great night.”
As soon as the elevator doors closed, I felt like I couldn’t breathe. What was I doing? But what’s one night of partying? Well, it’s one night where I probably could’ve worked an extra shift. I reminded myself of the words I lived by: never take anything for granted. I also told myself it was okay to have a little fun.
We finally reached the twentieth floor. Goodness. The twentieth floor! Yeah, no big deal. Is that a bouncer? Is this a club or an apartment?
We approached the overly muscular, tall man. He had a mic in his ear and a tablet. If his goal was to look intimidating, well, he nailed it.
I looked over at Isabella, who kept her stride up as if this was just another day for her. For her, maybe it was.
“Name?” The big guy spoke. Goodness, that was a deep voice.
“Isabella Rhodes plus one.” The big guy checked his tablet, placed his hand over his mouth, and said something into the mic.
I glanced around nervously. Isabella was checking out her nails. She really was calm as hell.
“Your name, ma’am?” I stared up at the guy and swallowed.
“Ross. It’s Emmalin Ross.” He typed my name on the keypad. I shifted nervously. Isabella was starting to look bored.
“Thank you, ladies. It appears to be a masquerade theme tonight. Here are your masks, you may enter.” He reached into a black chest, grabbing two masks and handing them to us.
Taking the mask, I muttered “Thanks” and peeked over at Isabella, who was already putting on her mask and adjusting it, so I followed suit.
I was stunned as we entered. Holy hell. Was this someone’s apartment? This was basically a nightclub with a fog machine, strobe lights, and servers with an endless tray of drinks. It just went on and on.
I was pouring myself another bourbon when Chace walked in. “You’re still with this crowd, Chace?” I asked him. “Still doing this same shit? I thought we talked about this?”
He glared at me. “Don’t fuck with me, Grayson. Not tonight. Tonight you said you wouldn’t. We can discuss my well-being another night. Just one. Two lines tops. Scouts honor.”
I wanted to punch the shit out of him. He went back to pouring himself another drink, ignoring the issues like always. His phone chirped signaling new arrivals.
“We got some fresh meat man, an Isabella. I met her at your party. That girl has legs for days.” I nodded. “Well, look here, she also brought a friend.”
I downed my bourbon and reached for another.
“Her name is Emmalin Ross, or something.”
Chace was still looking at his phone, so he didn’t notice me pause midpour. I cleared my throat. “Did you say Emmalin Ross?”
“That I did.” Chace stared at me and cocked his head. “You know them or something?”
“Or something,” I muttered while downing my drink. Why the hell was she here? She didn’t need to be in a place like this.
I followed Chace out into the main area. Whose fucking idea was it to have everyone wear masks? I searched around for Chace. He seemed to be talking to some girl. Isabella, I assumed. Okay then, where was Emmalin?
I searched around the room and spotted her in the corner looking out the window. Even with the mask on, I knew it was her. I stopped as all my blood went straight to my cock from seeing her in that red dress.
“There you are, sexy.” Intercepted. Fucking Ashley. She reached her hand around my neck and pulled me down toward her and proceeded to put her tongue in my mouth. “There are so many things I want to do to you right now,” she whispered against my mouth.
“Ashley, always nice to see you. Perhaps I can catch up with you later?” I peered over her shoulder and saw that Emmalin was still in the corner, but not by herself. She was talking to… Jaxson. Fucking Jaxson.
“How about catching up with me now?” She pressed closer. I really didn’t have time for this. “Ashley. Later, okay?” I moved her to the side and headed for Emmalin.
Approaching her from behind, I grabbed her arm, pulling her toward me while Jaxson was still in mid conversation, and hoisted her over my shoulder, taking her out onto the balcony. I heard her shriek in shock at the same time as Jaxson yelled out, “Come on, man, I saw her first!” The fuck he did. She’s mine.
“What are you doing? Put me down! Who the hell do you think you are?”
“What are you doing here?” That voice. I knew that voice. I froze. All I could do was stare.
Then he took his mask off. “I asked you a question.”
“How did you__”
“Emmalin, what are you doing here?” He stepped closer. Too close. Reaching up, he pulled my mask off.
I could smell him. The scent of rosewood. God, how I loved that smell. He took my breath away. “I was invited,” I answered in a whisper, looking anywhere but his eyes. His cerulean eyes.
“You shouldn’t be here.” He grabbed my chin, so I had to look at him. Why was I so nervous around him?
“Why don’t you let me decide that for myself?” I said, barely above a whisper. He stepped closer. I swore I could feel his heartbeat. My pulse raced in response. He was overwhelming. Intoxicating. I liked it.
“You’re too… neat for a place like this, love. You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into.” He reached up and tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear. “I’ll take you home.” He began to turn. Wait. What?
“If you don’t want me here, just say so.”
He stopped and faced me. “I don’t want you here.”
Well, shit. Can’t get mad when he did exactly what you told him to do.
“Wait here,” he said. “I just have to grab something.”
I watched as he made his way inside, and I finally noticed what was around me. The guy in the corner was getting a blow job. Two women straddled some other guy. A girl was doing a line of blow off another guy’s dick. What the fuck?
Scanning the room, I found Isabella straddling some guy, giggling while she put her hand down his pants. I waited a few seconds before going back into the condo and headed straight to the front door. Passing the overly big bouncer-type guy, I jumped in the elevator and rode the twenty floors down. I’d have to make sure to give Isabella a call later.
Stopping at the entrance, I tried to get my bearings. Was there even a subway near here? Then I remembered how I was dressed. In this bandage dress, people would either think I looked expensive or like a cheap whore. But there was no choice. I headed the direction I thought the subway was.
“Ms. Ross, do you ever do what you’re told?”
“Oh, we’re back to being formal again?” I neither stopped walking, nor did I slow my pace.
“Definitely bratty.”
I spun around, no longer able to hold onto my anger.
“What is your problem? Who do you think you are to tell me that I don’t belong somewhere? What is it? Is it because I don’t walk around wearing the clothes that you all do or have the money that you all have? Well, please forgive me. I apologize for not having the same status, asshole! And who the hell do you think you are, telling me what to do? Fuck you!” I whirled back around and started walking again.
Next thing I knew, I was grabbed and thrust up against a brick wall. He was in my face. His lips smashed against mine, erection digging into my stomach. I didn’t fight him. I didn’t want to fight him, and I sure as hell didn’t care who saw us.
A groan escaped me. His lips traveled to my neck and back to my mouth. Running my hands through his hair, I drew him closer to me. I wanted him. I wanted all of him. When he pulled back, I wanted to protest at the separation. We were both breathing hard.
