Over the Wall

by Theolyn Boese

  Cass blinked at the woman’s snotty tone, but quickly recovered. “I was waiting to ask if you knew what caused that crash?” She smiled winningly.

  The Mouth was immediately distracted by the prospect of being the first to impart a choice bit of gossip. She plopped her ass down on the corner of Cass’s desk. “Well…” She flipped her long, patently false red hair over her shoulder and smirked. She paused to look around, giving the impression that she didn’t want anyone to hear.

  Cass was fairly sure it was actually to see if she had an audience. She eyed her desk warily and hoped it would hold up under the ample buttock perched so comfortably on it.

  The Mouth leaned in. Her lips parted. “I heard that Shannon was nailing the manager of the new accounts department. And he’s married!” She drew in a scandalized breath and paused to look around again. A gasp sounded over the wall at Mabel-Ann’s desk. She beamed with smarmy satisfaction. “Shannon didn’t know about the missus, ’cuz he doesn’t wear a wedding ring. I just saw the missus arrive to meet him for lunch and Shannon came flying out of his office a minute later and threw a box of printer paper at his door!” She tittered. “Her blouse was buttoned all wrong.” She tsked and shook her head with feigned disgust.

  Cass gasped at what seemed to be the appropriate moment and contrived a look of shocked horror.

  The blonde nodded sagely. “It’s not the first time. He’s always after the young ones when they start here.”

  Cass shook her head sadly.

  The Mouth waved her hand airily. “So, anyway, back to Stan.” She turned back to her friend. “How can he not know what arugula is? I mean everyone eats it. And he always has to disappear after one of them conversations.”

  The blonde made tsking noises.

  Cass cleared her throat. “Men don’t like feeling stupid. Just tell him it’s curly lettuce; bet he’ll eat it then. And he goes to the guys and they drink a beer, commiserate about women and fancy food, then he can come home and feel really smooth because he didn’t piss you off. He thinks.”

  Both women stared at her like she had lobsters crawling out of her ears. They both made non-committal noises and quickly took their leave.

  Cass sighed. It never failed; women always thought she was a freak when she said something about men. It’s not like men were that complicated. Why women had to make them that way, she had no idea.

  * * * * *

  Two days later…

  Cass glared at the coffeepot. The bottom of the pot was coated with viscous, oily, black ooze. Her lip twitched and she glared around the room wondering why no one ever seemed to be able to start a fresh pot. Ohhh no, gotta leave a teaspoon, so they can say it wasn’t empty. Weasels. Ass goblins. She snatched the pot and ran some hot water in it and swirled it around while she thought of the best torture for the inconsiderate creeps who did stuff like that. Make them drink the rinse water. I bet a good dose of watered down, scorched coffee-tar would cure that little idiosyncrasy. She dumped the water out and checked the bottom of the pot. Close enough.

  She quickly filled a fresh filter with coffee and hit the on button. Cass turned and slumped against the counter while she listened to the hisses and pops that signaled the brewing of her elixir. She stared down at the shoes and absently listened to the everyday whining of her fellow drudges.

  A pair of black tennis shoes stopped in front of her. “Excuse me,” a deep voice requested.

  She looked up.

  Black eyes smiled down at her. It was the hot guy.

  Cass felt her face flush. “C-c-coffee’s not done,” she muttered and scooted to the side. She looked back down at her shoes. Suddenly, the laces were absolutely fascinating.

  Mr. Sexy leaned against the counter next to her. “I can wait.”

  Cass nodded.

  She inspected her nails.

  The Mouth came in and waved. “Hey, Cassy.”

  Cass glowered. “Just Cass.”

  The other woman waved her hand. “Yeah, sure, whatever. Anyway, Stan doesn’t mind curly lettuce.” She snagged a cup and filled it with hot water, plunked a tea bag in it and about six packets of sugar and then left.

  “Lettuce?” Mr. Sexy inquired.

  Cass looked up. “Uh, yeah. Her boyfriend wouldn’t eat arugula, so I told her to just tell him it was curly lettuce. Most guys don’t like fancy names for food.”

  He blinked. “We don’t?”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Which would you be more likely to eat? Something that sounds like a sneeze or curly lettuce?”

  He pondered. “Okay, when you put it that way…lettuce.”

  She looked over to find a couple of women staring at them. “Um, hi.”

  They both smiled nervously and left.

  Cass sighed and checked the coffee. Half done.

  “Although, I do like arugula,” he continued meditatively, not noticing the women.

  Cass eyed him with a considering expression. He wore black jeans and a lovely cabernet-colored cable-knit sweater. A black-based red, not a blue-based red, if you please. Spotless black suede tennis shoes. Artfully tousled hair with discreet hints of red that matched his sweater. And he not only knew what arugula was, he ate it with a smile. He’s gay. Bet he has a hot little boyfriend who’s into gourmet cooking and coordinates the flavors of his toothpaste, floss, and mouthwash, because it makes for a better kiss. Come to think of it… I want a gay boyfriend who can cook! Then I won’t have to wonder if they are making cat chow in the same building as my dinner!

  Cass pondered never fearing cat food TV dinner again. It was a heady thought.

  She was jolted out of her introspection by an elbow in the side. She looked up again and found him watching her.

  “You’re new here, aren’t you?”

  She nodded. “I just started a couple of weeks ago.” She checked the coffee again, hoping it was finished so she could escape. Cass hated talking to attractive men. They always seemed to bring out the retard in her. She stuttered, blushed, and tripped for no apparent reason when they were around her. It drove her nuts.

  “I’m Dar. Nice to meet you.” A hand appeared under her nose. She shook it firmly.

  “I’m Cass. Have you worked here long?” Brilliant, Cass. There’s some stimulating conversation. Maybe you should ask his sign next.

  “Oh, a few years. You’re kinda shy, aren’t you?” His face appeared under hers as he leaned down to look at her.

  She blushed. “Yeah.” She looked up at him as he straightened.

  He grinned; even white teeth flashed in the fluorescent light. He seemed pleased to have gotten her full attention. “I saw you the other day; how do you like it here so far?”

  She shrugged. “I like it. The job is interesting and the people are insane.”

  He laughed. Looking back, he snagged the coffeepot, which had finally finished, and filled his cup. “Well, I have to get back to the grind. Nice to meet you, Cass. Have a good one.” He strolled lazily from the break room.

  “You too,” she mumbled. A good one what? Day? Masturbation night, with you in a starring role? Now there was a thought. She pondered him tied up as she poured her own cup of coffee and added some sweetener and cream. Cream? Ohhh, with strawberries… Licked off that nice hard chest…maybe a few feathers later… Her body warmed at the thought and she smirked to herself as she wove her way through the maze of desks to hers.

  She hummed as she started sorting the papers on her desk. Suddenly, the back of her neck began to tingle. She froze for a moment and slowly looked to the side.

  Mabel-Ann’s eyes peered at her from over the wall. Her nose rested on the edge. Gonna have to clean that later, ew.

  “Yes, Mabel-Ann?”

  The rest of the other woman’s head appeared. “I saw you talking to Dar.” She sounded like she had a great secret to impart.

  “Yes, he introduced himself in the break room,” Cass replied, eyeing her diminutive co-worker warily.

  Mabel-Ann looked around. “He’s nice,
” she whispered, then nodded to reinforce her words. Suddenly, she disappeared back behind her wall.

  “That’s good to know, Mabel-Ann, thank you.” Cass rolled her eyes and went back to work. She made another mental note to bring in her MP3 player so she could pretend she couldn’t hear Mabel-Ann.

  Dar smiled happily to himself. Cass seemed interesting. He wouldn’t mind getting to know her better. And, as an added bonus, she was hot in a subdued, earthy sort of way. He liked her long hair and the sparks of intelligence in her shy brown eyes. She seemed to have an odd sense of humor, which suited him. Maybe it was time to try a new flavor.

  Yes, he decided, he was going to get to know her a bit better.

  Chapter Four

  Cass gasped as black hair tickled her breasts. A hot mouth latched onto her taut nipple and sucked the sensitive nub inside.

  Her legs curled around lean brown hips and cradled her lover’s throbbing hardness against her wet slit. She dug her heels into his buttocks and rocked against him eagerly. Her fingers speared into the silky strands caressing her chest and she knotted her fists. She pulled slowly, drawing his mouth loose with a wet pop. Her lover growled in response and scraped his sharp nails down her side. He shook his head free and nipped her breast all over with sharp little bites.

  She chuckled throatily, shivering under the sensations. She grabbed his wrists and bucked, neatly flipping them over so he was sprawled under her.

  Eyes black as midnight smiled up at her with good-natured desire. He freed his hands from her loose grip and reached down to cup her ass. He lifted her and his cock sprang up. He adjusted his grip and slowly pulled her down, spearing into her hot, wet sex.

  Cass groaned as her ass came to rest on his thighs. She ground herself down, trying to get every last bit in. She chittered softly when his hands cupped her breasts. His strong, callused fingers rolled her hard nipples.

  She reached back and placed her hands on his thighs and undulated her hips lazily. “Oh, God, that feels wonderful,” she sighed.

  He murmured softly in agreement, rolling her beaded nipples firmly in his fingers. His palms curved around her breasts as he cupped the heavy weights and squeezed. “You have the sexiest tits, Cass,” he groaned. His fingers scissored closed around her tender nubs and he pulled his hands away slowly, leaving her heavy breasts suspended by his grip on her nipples.

  Cass trembled and stilled; savoring the pleasure as it bordered on pain. He thrust his hips under her and her breasts bounced against his fingers, making her aching nipples burn and sting. She felt more blood flowing into them and becoming trapped by his tight grip.

  The man under her bent his knees for leverage and thrust brutally into her wet sheath. “Is this what you want, little girl?” he gritted out from behind clenched teeth. “A hard, hot fuck from your personal stud?” He lunged up and grabbed her shoulders then rolled her under him in one smooth motion.

  Cass moaned as he drove himself into her over and over again. “Yes,” she panted. “Just like that. More, harder!”

  He pinned her hands over her head with one of his and braced himself as he pounded into her. Sweat rolled down his face and dripped onto hers. There was no tenderness in their coupling, only the urgent slap of flesh on flesh in their race toward orgasm.

  Cass dug her heels into the bed and bucked up powerfully to meet his swollen cock. She raised her head to lap feverishly at his mouth. His lips crashed down on hers and his tongue probe aggressively in to twine with hers.

  She growled deep in her throat and savored his spicy cinnamon flavor. Her arms trembled and strained against his bruising grip. Tight muscles in her aching pussy squeezed him mercilessly and began to tick with telltale contractions.

  He tore his mouth from hers and chuckled grimly. “Sing for me, baby,” he ground out, and thrust himself in hard and stopped to rock against her swollen clit. His eyes squeezed shut and he panted. His engorged penis gave another urgent throb and then began to twitch and jerk in her wet, grasping sex.

  Cass’s head pushed back into the bed as electric waves poured through her. She screamed her lover’s name. “Dar!”

  “Anna! Yes!”

  They both froze.

  Black eyes stared into brown. “What did you call me?” they both asked in unison.

  Silence filled the room as their labored breathing eased. Neither looked away.

  “Oops,” Cass said, feeling mortified.

  “Jesus, Cass,” Jonathon muttered. He rolled off her, ignoring the tremors that racked her sweat-slick body. Relaxing into the pillows, he flung an arm over his head and glowered.

  Cass rolled onto an elbow and gazed at her best friend. “Well, this is awkward.”

  Jonathon cut her a disbelieving look. “Ya think?”

  Cass sighed and cuddled next to him. She folded her arms on his chest and rested her chin on them.

  He glared at her, but his hand was gentle as it stroked her back. “Fuck,” he muttered under his breath.

  “They are in the drawer next to you,” Cass said softly.

  Without moving much, he rummaged in the drawer and pulled out a small red and white packet. He took a cinnamon flavored toothpick out of it and dropped the packet onto the table. He stared up at the ceiling while he chewed on it, still absently caressing her back. Jonathon was trying to quit smoking and had started carrying the toothpicks around with him. Since Cass hated the smoke and smell, she kept packets of them all over her house to help.

  There was a small bloody bite on his shoulder that she didn’t remember giving him. She touched it gently. “Crap, I’m sorry, babe.”

  Jonathon glanced at it dismissively. “Don’t worry about it. With all the times you bit and scratched me as a kid, I’m bound to shift eventually and one more bite isn’t gonna change that.”

  Unlike popular legends would have people believe, it took more than a single bite or scratch to make someone a shifter. It took years of repeated exposure. To which Jonathon had been subjected.

  He didn’t seem to care, but Cass worried about it. She let it go this time, though.

  “So, who’s Anna?” she asked casually, pressing a kiss onto his sweaty chest.

  He sighed, still chewing on the toothpick. “Someone I met at the bar.” Jonathon worked as a bouncer at one of the local dance clubs. He was taking day classes at the local college on business management and planned on opening a pub or bar after he graduated.

  Cass was still surprised about his choice of vocation, since he didn’t drink alcohol. Ever. Even more, he hated being around drunken people.

  He speared her with a look. “Who’s Dar?”

  Cass drew circles on his chest. “A guy at work. I think he’s gay,” she added glumly.

  Jonathon chuckled, well aware of her gay magnet powers.

  She turned her head and rested her cheek on her hand as she watched him quietly. He wasn’t gorgeous in the traditional sense. His features were all sharp angles and shadows, but there was something about him that drew people to him. His copper skin and black hair were a neon sign that pointed out his Native American heritage ‑‑ Hopi, to be exact. She could care less if he was a three-legged alien from Jupiter; he was beautiful to her.

  They had been best friends since grade school, when she had pounded a couple of bullies into the ground for picking on the new kid. From the moment their eyes met that day, there had been an unspoken understanding between them. Best friends forever. Without the girly jewelry, of course. When puberty slapped them both in the back of the head, they stuck together without killing each other. Mood swings, tits, cracking voices, the whole ten yards. And, last but not least, spontaneous shape-shifting. Luckily for her, he took it all in stride and covered her ass when it happened.

  She grinned, remembering a few times when he had been forced to hide her under his shirt.

  “Why didn’t we ever fall in love?” she asked him whimsically. It had seemed like a logical progression for them to become lovers in high school, but they had d
rifted away from that long ago. Now, they had sex when they weren’t seeing anyone else and had an itch. It was more comforting than exciting. Like hot cocoa on a snowy night.

  Jonathon looked surprised by the question. “We did,” he replied, tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear. “But, we aren’t mates, and there is more than one kind of love.” He tweaked her nose. “What had you so hot and bothered tonight? I felt a bit like a whore the way you called me up.”

  Cass blushed. Now she understood why he had been so aggressive. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel that way.” She met his direct gaze. “I think I’m going into heat,” she whispered.

  Understanding filled his eyes. “Well, shit.” He pulled the condom off his spent penis and dropped it into the trashcan beside the bed. “Fuck-me-raw heat, or give-me-sperm-or-give-me-death heat?”

  Cass grinned. “Fuck me raw, I think.”

  He leered playfully at her. “Well, let’s get to it!”

  She laughed as he rolled her under him again. “What about Anna?” she asked, stopping him.

  “What about Dar?” he countered. They stared at each other. “Well, shit,” they said in unison.

  * * * * *

  Dar glowered at the full tables in the cafeteria. Spying Cass sitting by herself, with a French fry hanging forgotten from her lips like an unlit cigarette, he moved in her direction. She was scribbling furiously in a spiral-bound notebook. He wondered what she was writing that was so fascinating she had obviously forgotten to chew.

  He thumped his tray onto the table, making her jump and stare at him with huge eyes. Damn, she’s cute. “Mind if I sit with you?” he asked when she continued to look at him like he was an alien species that had a surplus of tentacles.

  She shook her head; the motion made her realize the fry was hanging. She shoved it into her mouth and chewed furiously. It reminded him of a startled rabbit.