Licorice Whips

by Bridget Midway

  The older white woman, who he estimated to be in her seventies, reminded Sweet of one of his free-spirited aunts on his father’s side of the family. Graying blonde dreadlocks adorned Mrs. Zuberi’s head. She kept them contained under a brown-and-tan paisley scarf. The scarf matched the flowing caftan she wore. Her tan sandals sat on the floor in front of her. She kept her feet curled up on the couch. Very limber for a woman of her age.

  Sweet decided to take charge of this meeting. “Mrs. Zuberi, I want to thank you for taking time to meet with me.” He started to open his folder.

  “And with me.” Nikla pulled out her paperwork from her purse.

  “I understand your time is valuable, which is why you must have scheduled our meetings at the same time.” Sweet nodded his head toward Nikla.

  “No. I realized that lots of people would like those two storefronts I’m leasing downtown.” She shook her head. “That’s the one thing my dear departed husband did right while he was alive. He recognized an opportunity and took it. He also loved what he loved, like this building.” She raised her hands in the air like a retired showgirl. “He could have torn this place down when he had the two office buildings beside this place built, but he couldn’t give up the first office building he ever owned.”

  Sweet nodded. To anyone else, Mrs. Zuberi sounded like a woman who respected her husband’s dying wishes. To him, she sounded like a well-trained submissive who complied with her husband’s instructions.

  “To be honest, the day-to-day business dealings bore me. I have ignored all requests, and trust me, I’ve gotten plenty.” She picked up her coffee mug and took a healthy swig.

  Sweet didn’t even know if she had coffee or tea in the mug. From her demeanor, he guessed that she probably had some sort of liquor in it.

  “If you had no interest in leasing the spaces, why advertise?” Sweet started to feel like the woman had wasted his time.

  “That was my son’s idea. He wants to take over the business one day. I told him I wanted to take over the leasing of the spaces as my last deal.”

  “Good. Let me make it easy for you. We want both spaces. If you allow us to have both spots, you will only have to deal with one customer.” Sweet placed his business plan on the coffee table in front of her. “If you want to look over my numbers–”

  “We? Us?” The woman pointed to Sweet and Nikla. “Are you two going into business together?”

  Sweet didn’t even look at Nikla. “No. When I said we, I’m talking about me and my brother, Masaun. He’s my business partner.”

  “How nice. I wish my boys would get along like that.”

  Her statement confirmed what Sweet already knew. He had an incredible relationship with his brother. He just hoped that once he got this deal that Masaun wouldn’t be too upset with him for going behind his back.

  “Mrs. Zuberi, I just want one space. The smaller one.” Nikla glared at Sweet. She started to place her plan on the table on top of Sweet’s.

  The elderly woman waved her hand. “I don’t want to see your business plans. You two tell me what you want for both spots. And please, call me Bobbi. At my age, I want to feel young in any way possible.”

  “Bobbi, I would like to run my own yoga and Pilates studio. I’ve been teaching classes for ten years.” Nikla sat up taller and even smiled as she shared her plan.

  “Really? I didn’t know that.” Her admission made Sweet regard her differently. So that explained her workout gear the first time he’d met her and her exercise room in her apartment.

  “And you thought I was someone else.” Nikla finally acknowledged him.

  Her diplomacy and tact prevented her from saying that Sweet had damn near called her a trophy wife or mistress. She could have buried him in Bobbi’s eyes by casting him in a bad light. He would have deserved it for his assumption.

  “I thought you had come from working out. I should have known that–”

  “What?” Nikla cut him off and glared at him, preparing for a fight.

  “I should have guessed with a body like yours that you took working out seriously.” Sweet stared at her for a long beat, long enough to notice a shade of pink flooding Nikla’s face.

  Nikla dropped her gaze. That expression revved up his engine more than her scent and her touch. He shouldn’t have wanted this woman so much. He had to keep his head into business.

  When he turned his attention back to Bobbi, she looked impressed by Nikla’s plan. He should have known this former hippie would have liked this touchy-feely business.

  “I’m old enough to remember when yoga became big in the states. People thought that only hippies did this exercise.” Bobbi glanced at Sweet as though reading his mind. “I don’t think there are any other exercise studios in that shopping area.”

  “There aren’t. I checked.” Nikla beamed as she showed how much she researched this venture.

  Even though she seemed to be ahead with Bobbi, Sweet still had a chance.

  Sweet glanced at Nikla before returning his attention to the woman who probably wanted amusement more than business. “My brother Masaun and I run a candy shop called Decadent Treats. I’d like to expand our current business.”

  “So you want to get both units so that you can knock down a wall to make some sort of mega store?” Bobbi asked.

  “No. I would make one unit our Decadent Treats store, and I’d make the other unit one where I would sell merchandise.”

  “What kind of merchandise? Baking supplies? Party items?”

  “Fetish toys and apparel.” Sweet made the declaration with confidence and kept his stare on her hazel eyes.

  Bobbi blinked. “Oh. I know there’s not a store like that there now.”

  “No, there isn’t.” He turned to Nikla.

  This time she stared at him. She couldn’t break away as though fascinated by the idea of what he had to offer.

  “Tell me more,” Bobbi said.

  Sweet broke his stare from Nikla to address Bobbi. “I’m involved in an alternative lifestyle. I’ve noticed that there aren’t any places around here that sell quality equipment and toys to use within that lifestyle.”

  “What kind of equipment, Mr. Hawkes?” Bobbi held onto her mug as she regarded him.

  Sweet peered to the side and noticed Nikla hanging on his every word as well.

  “Whips, floggers, dragon’s tails, crosses, hobblers, chastity devices.”

  He noticed Bobbi’s eyes widening at that admission.

  While he had her on the hook, he might as well keep going. “Cock-and-ball torture devices, dildos, vibrators, anal play training kits, nipple clamps. I haven’t even gotten to the clothing like corsets and collars.”

  Nikla dropped her purse to the floor.

  “Yes, shocking indeed.” Bobbi fanned her face. “I can honestly say that there’s not another store like that in that shopping center.”

  “Or anywhere else.” Sweet leaned back.

  “And no concern about selling items like that next to a family-friendly store?” Nikla asked.

  Sweet sat up. Now Nikla sounded like his brother. “Any concern about having a candy store next to your yoga studio?” He turned to Bobbi. “There’s a real possibility that Bobbi could lease one place to you and the other to me, am I right?”

  Bobbi placed her mug on the coffee table. “Don’t put words in my mouth. You two have definitely given me a lot to chew on. I’m glad the ‘For lease’ signs have been removed from the windows now. I think I’ve found my final candidates.”

  Nikla beamed. Sweet couldn’t share in her joy.

  “I want both units.” Sweet stared at Bobbi so that she could catch the intent in his eyes.

  “And people in Hell want ice water. You can’t have it all, Mr. Hawkes.” Nikla crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Yes, I can.” He stared pointedly at her.

  Nikla never crumbled. Never looked away. He found her strength attractive.

  “Since it looks like you two can’t compromise,
I’d like to try something. Since you both do what you’re intending to sell, I’d like to try out what you do.”

  “Really?” Sweet tried imagining himself disciplining a woman old enough to be his grandmother.

  Masaun would never let him live that down. Of course he would have to admit to Masaun that he’d gone behind his back to pursue something Masaun had told him to forget.

  “Let me amend that.” Bobbi pointed to Nikla. “I’d like to attend one of your classes if that’s possible.”

  “Of course!” Nikla beamed. “I’ll make sure to make room for you in one of my yoga or Pilates classes.”

  “Yoga. It would be great to get back into that again. Any way possible I can attend a class tomorrow?”

  “Absolutely. I have a class that starts at seven at night. You could sit in. Or if you would like a private lesson, I can do a class with you at eight.” Nikla crossed her legs and kicked it back and forth in front of Sweet’s legs.

  Sweet found the sight almost distracting. He couldn’t break his stare from her bare legs. In her heels, he imagined her long limbs around his body.

  “Eight would be better. I love to watch my ‘Wheel of Fortune’ and ‘Jeopardy’ shows.” She cleared her throat. “Mr. Hawkes?”

  Sweet snapped out of his imagination and brought his attention back to Bobbi.

  “May I come to your candy shop?” Bobbi asked.

  “Absolutely. So as not to take too much of your time, you can come to the shop after your, um, workout.” Sweet tried hiding the smirk but he knew it showed on his face.

  “Have you ever done yoga?” Nikla glared at him. When Sweet didn’t answer immediately, Nikla answered for him. “It’s a lot harder than you think.”

  “So is making candy.”

  “I never said what you did was easy.” Nikla pointed at him.

  “I didn’t say that yoga wasn’t a real exercise.” He leaned closer to her.

  “Sounds like we have a plan. We’ll go to Ms. Dearwood’s class.”

  “We?” Sweet felt his face go tight.

  “Me and you, Mr. Hawkes.” Bobbi laughed. “You should check out your competition. At this point, I’m only going to consider these two proposals.”

  Sweet shook his head. “It’s all or nothing. If you lease one space to her, my plan won’t work and I wouldn’t be interested in acquiring the second unit.”

  “Then I guess you had better impress me when you teach us how to make candy, which will happen promptly after Ms. Dearwood’s class.”

  “Us?” Nikla questioned.

  “Just like with Mr. Hawkes, you should learn what it is that he has to offer.” Bobbi nodded her head toward Sweet.

  “Getting to Decadent Treats after nine would work. The place will be closed so it’ll be all ours. So does that mean you want to check out my second business venture, too?” Sweet asked.

  Bobbi cut her gaze at him. “One step at a time. I’m still pondering over the idea of having a business like that.”

  “I can understand the fear.” He’d seen trepidation in the eyes of people who walked through The Dollhouse doors plenty of times.

  “The only fear I have is whether or not I’ll make money. I could care less if people object to what you do or sell. To the disappointment of my children, I live off controversy and love fighting against the status quo. I might go for your business just to have something to do.”

  Sweet heard Nikla gasp. He couldn’t look at her now. Although he’d like to get both units, he wanted a fair fight.

  “But that’s not how I work.” Bobbi brought her feet down to the floor and stood up faster than he expected.

  Sweet stood up with her with Nikla following suit.

  “Leave your pertinent addresses and contact information with my assistant.” Bobbi held out her hand for Nikla. “I will see you two tomorrow.” After shaking Nikla’s hand, she shook Sweet’s hand.

  As instructed, Sweet and Nikla left their business addresses with the receptionist. Once they got outside, Sweet didn’t want to see Nikla go. Not just yet.

  “I’m not used to doing business like this.” Sweet loosened his tie and undid the top two buttons.

  “I don’t know.” Nikla shrugged. “I think it’s a great way to check out your competition without being sneaky. I don’t like to play games.”

  “Don’t judge. Some games are fun.” Sweet’s gaze dropped down to her ass hidden underneath her sensible suit.

  She snickered. “I suspect that your definition of games may involve a little more than just a Monopoly game board.”

  “I use some of the typical implements for games. Paddle, rope, handcuffs.”

  For the last item on his list, Nikla flashed a confused expression.

  “Cops and robbers. Can’t play that without handcuffs.”

  Nikla laughed. “Good to see a guy like you can have a sense of humor. A woman has to be on her toes to be with you.”

  “You have no idea.” As much as Sweet didn’t want to, he started to like Nikla. Although she still kept her walls up around her, he noticed she started to relax around him. “I’d like to take you to lunch.” Sweet stood in her path. “We both have to eat.”

  Nikla regarded him for a moment. “Why should I have lunch with you?”

  Sweet felt relieved she didn’t immediately say no. “Because you have a lot of questions for me. I can tell.”

  “And you don’t want to know anything about me?” Nikla stepped around him and headed to her vehicle.

  When Sweet didn’t answer her right away, she stopped in her trek and turned to him.

  “I want to figure you out.” He moved toward her, stalking her like a prey. “I want to discover you.”

  Nikla’s breath caught.

  “You, um, can find out more about me.”

  Sweet stood nearly nose to nose with her. The cool air coming from the beach blew between their bodies. He’d already told his brother and the staff that he would be out most of the day. He could definitely see himself taking Nikla to The Dollhouse for an afternoon play session to break himself out of his rut.

  “You can discover all you want about me in my class. Tomorrow night.” She unlocked her car door and opened it. Before she got inside she said, “That’s if you show up.”

  Sweet started to enjoy his interactions with Nikla. He planned on being in her class, but he only wanted to watch her. He couldn’t wait to see her possibly hurt the seventy-something-year-old building owner and have Bobbi happily allow Sweet to get both suites.

  Let the games begin.

  Chapter Nine

  Nikla wanted to string out her class more; that way she didn’t have to think about Bobbi Zuberi showing up and doing downward dog with her. When her students started dropping like flies and leaving, she finally had to end the session.

  When she thought about Sweet possibly being in her class, her heart pounded so hard she had to stop moving and take a couple of deep breaths to collect herself.

  “He’s just a guy. He’s no better than Justin.” Nikla rolled up the extra rec center’s yoga mats and put them back in the storage closet.

  She would have believed what she just told herself if Sweet hadn’t proved himself in leaps and bounds over Justin. For one thing, Sweet didn’t seem content with being safe. He and his brother had a successful business. He could have been happy with that one location. Sweet wanted more.

  He treated her like a gentleman. When he caught her releasing her tension at the empty storefronts, he checked on her. He opened doors for her. He helped her to her feet and held chairs for her. He didn’t seem like what she imagined a Dominant would act like, although he had the confidence down.

  She would never forget how he responded to her when her panic attack dropped her to her knees. His reaction to that incident made him look seriously attractive and sexy.

  If Deana knew Nikla thought about Sweet more than she should have, her friend would have told her to jump on that man. When Nikla turned his date request do
wn, she could hear Deana screaming in her head to tell the man she didn’t mean it.

  Nikla couldn’t lose her head. Justin had already distracted her enough. She had to keep focused. Getting involved with a Dominant sounded like time-consuming work.

  Nikla padded over to the iPod player at the front of the room and made sure to have her music ready for when Bobbi arrived. She’d already planned on taking it easy on her. She didn’t need to hurt Bobbi and ruin her chances at getting this one unit.

  Nikla stood in front of the wall mirror, raised her hands in the air, stretching as high as she could, then bent over and pressed her hands flat on the floor. Although she just led a class, Nikla still needed something to relax herself.

  In her bent over position, she heard the door opening.

  “Welcome to yoga, Bobbi.” Nikla peered up in the mirror.

  The reflection she saw shook her to her core. She never expected to see Sweet. In his t-shirt and loose-fitting pants, he looked so damn good. Damn the devil.

  Nikla also spied him staring at her ass. Ordinarily she would have admonished him for being so sexist. The hunger in his eyes as he watched her had her remaining in the position longer than she should have.

  “Didn’t expect to see you.” She stood up straight and smoothed her hands down the front of her shirt.

  “I never said I wouldn’t show.” He strolled toward her.

  “Did you see Bobbi anywhere out there?” To keep away from the tempting man, Nikla headed to the door as though she expected the woman to walk through it at any moment.

  “No. I thought she would have been here by now. I envision her as an early bird.” Sweet stood in the center of the room while Nikla looked out the door.

  “I’ll give her another five minutes.”

  “Do you have her phone number?” Sweet asked.

  Nikla looked back at him. “I have her office number. Do you have her cell phone number?” When Sweet didn’t respond, she got her answer. “Oh, you have it. You’re just not going to share it.”

  He shook his head. “I told you that games aren’t my thing. I have her office number just like you. I’m just surprised that you would ask me for help.”