by Nikki Wild
The thing was I’d not shown my stuff to anyone here yet. Not even Bear. He’d just assumed I knew what I was doing and that I was good at it. He was much more interested in taking clothes off of me than paying any attention to anything I was wearing. But besides Bear, I’d not really spent time or connected with anyone else.
Other than Bruce and Marie and Matilda, that is. I’d barely seen my Mother, actually. She was still wrapped up in her job and new boyfriend that I’d been let off the hook completely to any expectations of spending time with her.
Marie had left not long after our risqué New Year’s Eve with a newfound love for the city and a healthy appreciation for Bruce’s cock and wild sex clubs. She’d promised to come back right away and I believed her. Not only was I here, but she and Bruce had taken quite a liking to each other.
Bear’s warning to me that Bruce was a perpetual bachelor had been faithfully passed on to her and she had assured me that she was an adult and could handle any repercussions from her newly developed crush.
If there was anyone I knew who could handle it, it was her.
Unfortunately, now she was gone. And with her absence, I was left devoid of friends.
“You’ve got to venture out, go talk to people, just show them your portfolio and see what they say, no big deal,” I said to myself in the empty room, just as the doorbell rang.
I signed for the package and tore into it.
I rolled my eyes when I saw it was another butt plug. I opened it up and shrugged. It wasn’t anything special. Just a plain, black rubber plug. I opened up the letter inside and smiled when I saw Bear’s handwriting.
Hello, Beauty,
It’s time to spice things up a little, don’t you think? Insert this into your perfect little ass. Download the app from the attached instructions onto your phone. Make sure you enable your GPS feature. Text me and let me know you’ve done all these things. It’s going to be a very exciting day!
Love,
Bear
“Download an app?” I wondered out loud. “Why?”
I shrugged and set about following his instructions. I grabbed the lube from my bedside table, grabbed my phone and laid on the bed. The plug went in with a smooth pop and I smiled, amazed at how far I’d come. It wasn’t long ago that the idea of wearing a butt plug made me blush.
Now, it was just another day in my life.
My weird, crazy, sexy life.
After the wild night I’d had at the sex club, I was up for anything now. I’d broken through all kinds of barriers that night and I was ready to experience anything and everything.
I downloaded the app on my phone and texted Bear to let him know.
“All set.”
“Good girl.”
“What does this thing do?”
“You’ll see. Very soon.”
I laid back on the bed and felt a tiny zap.
“Oh my god!” I screamed, jumping about ten feet off the bed.
Zap! Zap! Zaaaaaaaaaaaaap!
I shuddered, an orgasm ripping right through me at the unexpected jolt. This thing was coming alive on its own!
‘How was that?’ Bear’s text pinged my phone.
‘Did you do that?!?’ My fingers flew across the buttons furiously.
‘I did! From all the way across town! Pretty nifty, huh?’
Laughter bubbled up from inside of me.
‘Who uses the word nifty these days?’ I teased.
Zap! Zap! Zapppp! Zapppppppp!
‘Don’t be so sassy!’
I fell back onto my bed in a heap of giggles and joyful spasms, the vibrator keeping me right on the edge of coming.
‘This is insane. How long do I have to wear it?’ I texted back.
‘All day. Don’t take it out until I tell you to, Beauty. Or else.’
‘But I was going out to run errands in a little while!’ I protested.
‘Even better! I have to go I’m in a meeting. Enjoy your day, Beauty!’
“Evil bastard!” I cried, still laughing as I threw the phone to the side.
Within seconds, he started up again.
Zap! Zapppppp! Zaaaaaaaaaapppppppppppp!! ZAPPPP!!!
“Ahhhhh!” I screamed, my body writhing around as the vibrations ripped through me like lightening, another orgasm shaking my body.
I laid back on my bed with a smile on my face until the sensations subsided and then got up to go back to work.
It was weird being my own boss.
I had a plan, sure. But there were no deadlines, nobody to answer to but myself. Nobody to hold me accountable. Even Bear, who was so demanding and domineering, had taken such a hands-off attitude with anything to do with my business.
My store.
My business.
I still didn’t even know what to call it. I spent years dreaming about all of this and I felt woefully unprepared.
Decisions. I needed to make decisions!
I also needed connections, and opinions, and well…courage.
A butt load of courage. But then I remembered what my butt was really loaded with right at this very moment, and I decided that, in itself, was a symbol of my strength.
If I could do all these things I’d done with Bear, if I could have sex with dozens of people watching, I could do this, too.
I grabbed my computer, spent a half hour doing some research, wrote down a few addresses and headed to my bedroom.
I changed clothes, slipping into one of my own creations. Made of wispy maroon silk, the dress had a scalloped sweetheart neck, a tapered waist and a full knee-length skirt with deep pockets on the side. It was simple and classic. I paired it with a pair of low black pumps, a long black wool coat and matching cranberry scarf and gloves.
I grabbed my bag and my portfolio and one other dress that was tucked away in a garment bag, and headed out. An hour had passed since I’d last heard from Bear and I’d almost forgotten the butt plug was even there.
Until I was in the elevator with three other residents and it went off.
Zap!!!
I jumped as the jolt shot through me, a faint sharp buzz breaking the silence in the tiny elevator. The others turned to look over at me, their eyes following the sound all the way down to my ass.
I cringed, twisting away from them.
“Sorry, it’s my phone…,” I said, shrugging and helplessly trying to control the blush spreading across my face, as I held up my portfolio and garment bag. “My hands are full.”
I’d never been more grateful for the ding of the elevator.
I rushed out first, leaving their suspicious glances in the dust.
Cold bursts of air blasted my face as soon as I stepped onto the sidewalk. The usual river of bodies flowed around me as I pulled out my phone. I hadn’t told Max I was going anywhere, so he wasn’t waiting for me. I was on my own in the big city and it was up to me to figure out where I was going.
I’d planned well, though.
I took a taxi to the first place I was going. I’d selected three different stores to go to. I figured I’d just walk in and ask to speak to their buyer for a few minutes. I certainly didn’t expect anyone to buy anything, I just wanted to see their reaction and hear their opinions. I’d tell them I was interested in opening a store soon and ask for any advice they might have. It all seemed so easy and simple and straight-forward.
The first store was called Cacique, and I selected it because it fit the style I was going for. Simple and classic designs, nothing too elaborate or flashy or fancy. My eyes glittered with envy when I walked in. It was all cool mauve walls and gold finishes with dusty pink accents. Everything hanging up seemed to be made of either expensive silk or the finest lace. There were two women working in the store and they look like they just walked out of Vogue. Blonde, statuesque, perfectly manicured.
They ignored me completely, even though there was only one other customer in the store. Instead, they fawned over the other customer. I could see why. The lady must of been at least sixty and
she was completely covered in diamonds and fur. She flicked through the racks with disgust, her ruby tipped fingers flying through the air, as she dismissed every item.
“Who’s the buyer for this store?” she complained, her voice a high squeal. “This is dreadful. I was here last year, and your inventory was so much superior.”
“I’m the buyer, ma’am,” one of the blondes replied cooly.
“Well, you’re doing a terrible job!”
“Ma’am, we have some other inventory in the back that isn’t out yet. Perhaps you’d be interested in taking a look at that?” she replied, smoothly kissing the old lady’s ass.
“Well, why didn’t you say so!” she huffed.
“Right this way, ma’am,” the blonde smiled the fakest smile I’d ever seen. The woman bristled, but she followed her into the back anyway, leaving me alone in the front of the store with the other perfect blonde. She took one look at me and turned away, walking back behind the counter.
Here’s my chance, I thought, squaring my shoulders as I walked over to her.
“Hi,” I said. She was on her phone, her face staring down at it.
“Hello,” she muttered, not looking up.
“I’m Chloe,” I said, “Chloe McDonnell.”
She raised her head slightly, looking up at me through long, black fringed lashes.
“And?” she asked, arching a condescending eyebrow.
“I’m a designer,” I began, realizing way too late that I should have prepared some sort of script for myself. “I just moved to the city and I’m going to open my own store soon, but I was hoping to show my designs to you, just to see if you’d be interested.”
She raised her head fully, her grass green eyes trailing over me with disdain.
“No.”
“No? You won’t even look? I have a dress with me, and my portfolio and I’m even wearing one of my own dresses.” I sat my portfolio and the garment bag on the counter and began to unbutton my coat.
“No!” she said, going back to her phone. “I’m too busy. Get out!”
I stared at her perfectly groomed exterior and pondered just how black her heart really was. Was it just a dark shade of grey? Or maybe a faded black denim shade of black? Or, was it as I suspected? A pure, darkest of nights, black hole type of black?
It didn’t matter. She was obviously a bitch that wasn’t going to give me the time of day, so I grabbed my things and turned to walk out, feeling like a modern day Pretty Woman.
I turned back to her, determined to get the last word, just to make myself feel better. I mean, damn, she didn’t have to be so cold, did she?
“You know what?” I yelled once I was near the front door. She looked up at me, the expression on her face filled with complete and utter disgust for me. “You didn’t have to be so rude. You’re going to regret not looking at my designs someday! Mark my words! I’m Chloe Mc—aaharghhghhh!”
ZAPPPPPP!!!!! Zap! Zap! Zap!
The vibration interrupted any words from successfully passing my lips and my knees buckled, sending me lurching for the door handle to keep from falling at the same time that an ungodly sound escaped from me; it was half pleasurable moan and half nervous laugh and another half a death gurgle, the result of being totally mortified.
I scampered out of the store like a quivering cat, pretending I didn’t hear the laughter of the ice queen in my ears. Walking away on shaky legs, I couldn’t help but laugh.
Bear sure had interesting timing.
Okay, so the first place was a disaster, but I wasn’t about to give up.
The second place was called Mix and was only a few blocks away. I found it easily with the GPS feature on my phone. It was a little less fru-fru and a lot more minimalistic. I walked inside and immediately felt colder than I had outside.
There were a grand total of three racks in the store. And on each rack was a total of three dresses. I looked around for more inventory or even an employee but I was all alone in the store. I walked around, gingerly looking at the few dresses on the racks.
They were all exactly the same.
They were even all the same size.
I’d seen the minimalistic look on their website, but I didn’t realize it was this extreme. I turned to walk out of the store when a man walked out from the back.
“May I help you?”
I turned back to him and smiled.
“Hi!” I said, walking over to him with an outstretched hand. “I’m Chloe. Chloe McDonnell.”
“Hello,” he nodded, stoically. “I’m Stuart Harding.” Silver hair framed his bronzed, chiseled face. His suit was perfectly tailored Italian silk and I couldn’t help but notice the flashy Rolex on his wrist. There was no way he was just an employee of this store.
“Is this your shop, Mr. Harding?”
“It is,” he nodded, his lips pressed together firmly.
“Wonderful,” I said, happy to be talk to an owner. “I’m a fashion designer. I’m going to be opening my own store soon and I was hoping I could talk to you for a few moments and show you my designs.”
“Whatever for?” he asked, wrinkling his brow.
“Oh, well,” I said, stumbling over my words, “I was hoping to get some opinions on my designs and ideas.”
“Seriously?” he asked. “What makes you think I have time to help someone else?”
“I see,” I said, grabbing my things and turning to walk away. “I’m sorry to have bothered you.”
“Come back, young lady!” he said. When I turned back, he was smiling. His smile transformed his face and he suddenly a jolly old silver haired man. “I was only kidding. I’d love to look at your designs, dear, I’m bored to death here!”
“Oh!” I said, a big grin spreading across my face. “Thank you!”
“Of course! Of course!” he said, gesturing me to come back. “Show me what you’ve got.”
“I’d love to!” I said, opening my portfolio and handing him my sketch book. He took it from me, placing it on the glass counter and hunching over the book.
“Hmm,” he said, studying each drawing carefully, slowly turning the page to gaze at the next one. Nervousness quivered in my stomach as I waited, watching him purse his lips and nod here and there. Suddenly, he slammed it shut and turned back to me.
“What have you got there?” he asked, pointing at my bag. Hurriedly, I unzipped it and pulled out the dress. It was a long lilac chiffon cocktail dress, with a simple bodice that flared out into a fluted skirt.
“Hmmm,” he said, taking it from me and inspecting it. He lifted up the edge, studying the seam and then turned it over, looking at the tiny pearl buttons that ran up the back.
“I also have this,” I said, unbuttoning my coat and pulling it open to show him the dress I was wearing.
“Take off your coat, let me see the back,” he said. I took off my coat and laid it on the counter, swirling in a circle for him.
“That’s lovely,” he nodded, putting his hand on my book. “And these are nice, too.”
“Thank you!” I gushed. “Thank you so much for looking.”
“My pleasure,” he said.
“Can you give me any advice on opening up my own store? Once I have the inventory, I’ll begin looking for space and everything.”
“Dear, you can’t be serious.”
“Excuse me?” I asked.
“About opening a store. Of course, these are nice dresses, but they’re certainly not on a professional level.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“You need to learn more. You still have a few years ahead of you before you’ll be good enough to sell anything.”
My bubble of happiness burst. At first, I felt sad. Then defiant. Then, defensiveness wormed its way ahead of everything else and I lifted my chin.
“Thank you for looking,” I said, pursing my lips together before I said anything I might regret.
He was nice enough to look, I thought. That’s all I wanted.
“Don’
t be upset, little one,” he said. I cringed when he called me that, realizing he only saw me through his misogynistic lens. To him, I was an inexperienced little girl. A man like him would never take me seriously.
I looked around his store and remembered that he only had one dress and felt a little better. At least I had some variety to my designs.
Walking out, I chuckled when I saw the name of his store again - Mix. How ironic, I thought, considering there was nothing in there to mix with anything else.
I walked around for a little while, trying to collect my thoughts and not give his words too much weight in my mind. My designs weren’t for everyone, but I was pretty sure they were for someone. I just needed a few more thousand someones to get on board and I’d be good.
My stomach growled and I realized it was time for lunch. I spotted a tiny cafe and walked inside, the sounds of Chopin twinkling through the air. After sitting at a tiny table in the corner, I ordered a glass of red wine and a plate of pasta and sat back sipping my wine, watching the people stream by outside, everyone focused on their individual lives.
I fingered the ring on my left hand, dreaming of what my life was going to be like. I was sure I’d look back on this day and laugh someday. All of this worry and nervousness and uncertainty would be behind me. I’d look back and laugh at the girl I was now.
I thought of Bear and how amazing it was going to be to be his wife. I’d grown quite accustomed to our little arrangement, and even though lately he’d been so busy with work, we’d not seen each other as much as I’d hoped, I knew that would change too. Peaks and valleys.
This must be what it’s like, I thought. Two people, going through life together yet separate, each of them pursuing their own goals and dreams, supporting each other. And yet, there were so many adventures that we’d get to enjoy together.
My pasta arrived and I had a forkful halfway to my mouth when I felt the sharp zap again. I dropped the fork and tried not to cry out.
ZAP!
That was it—just one hard, fast zap. I jumped, then braced myself for more. My stomach growled and I eyed the fork-full of pasta on my plate. I’d skipped breakfast and I was starving now. The fact that I’d had a few sips of wine before eating anything at all for the day didn’t help.
