Office Intrigue

by Nicole Edwards

  With my body wrung out completely, I collapsed onto Langston, my eyes closing as his hands curled around my head, holding me gently, sweetly.

  It was then that I knew these two men were going to own me.

  And not just my body but also my heart and soul.

  Twenty-Eight

  I SPENT ALL OF SATURDAY resting after the intense fucking Landon and Langston had given me. I even skipped yoga, because my body was sore in ways I’d never experienced before. Admittedly, I loved it. Knowing that they had wanted me like that did something strange to my insides. In fact, knowing that all four of those men were centrally focused on me was a boost to my ego that I would’ve never expected.

  However, I knew I couldn’t spend all my time waiting for them to make their next move. Although I’d been working for them for two months now, I knew the weekends were my own. For the most part, they only made their demands during the workday; therefore, as long as I remained within the parameters of the agreement—no sex with anyone other than them—I could do as I pleased.

  As much as I wanted to hang out with Kristen, to tell her everything that was going on, I decided to wait a little while longer. When she called to invite me to lunch on Sunday, I lied and said I had other plans. She said she understood, but then I felt guilty for not being truthful.

  Which was how I found myself having breakfast with my mother and stepfather on Sunday morning. It alleviated the guilt and made my initial lie the truth. Although I would’ve preferred to have lunch with Kristen, I actually missed my mother. We had been avoiding each other for too long as it was. Although our relationship was strained and I often felt as though I owed her nothing, I had diligently paid her back for the clothing with my second paycheck. She had seemed somewhat surprised, but she didn’t question me.

  In fact, she never questioned me. Nor did she call to check up on me. The only time I received calls or texts from her was when she wanted to let me know she was leaving town on the rare occasions that she did.

  If it were up to her, my mother and I would only see each other on birthdays. Well, on her birthday, since she didn’t make much of an effort for mine. Like I said, she wasn’t the most nurturing woman in the world and the way she belittled me wasn’t something I looked forward to. When I was younger, she called it tough love. Now, it felt more like disdain.

  But she was still my mother and I loved her, no matter how much she pushed me away. I tried to pretend otherwise most of the time, but the truth was, I did miss her. So, I had to give in sometime and it was usually easier to deal with her when my stepfather was there. Since today was one of his rare days off, I jumped at the opportunity.

  “You look good, Luci,” my stepfather said when I joined them at the kitchen table. “You look happy.”

  “I am,” I admitted, taking my seat and placing the mimosa in front of me. I couldn’t spend much time with my mother without a little alcohol to dull my senses.

  My mother passed me an empty plate.

  “I take it the new job’s going well?” My stepfather moved a plate of pancakes toward me.

  Jim Wagner had been married to my mother since I was five years old, and since my father had died, he adopted me when I was six because he wanted to ensure that I was legally taken care of in the event it was necessary. I don’t remember my life without him, and for all intents and purposes, he was my father. I didn’t refer to him that way although I shared his last name, but I think he knew deep down that I loved him as though he was my biological parent.

  However, he had always made it well known that he supported my mother in every way. Since she chose not to be close to me, he respected her wishes. It bothered me more than it should, but I’d acclimated to their lack of family values as I got older. It was one of the reasons I kept most people at arm’s length, choosing not to get too close for fear they would simply push me away.

  “It is,” I answered. “Really well. I’m getting ramped up and they’re having me do more things.”

  “Have you made any friends at the office?” my mother probed, looking at me from beneath her lashes.

  I nodded. “Jordan and I usually go to lunch together every day. There’s a small sandwich shop downstairs.”

  “Jordan?” My mother continued to cut her pancakes, only her eyes lifting to look my way. “Is this a man or a woman?”

  Leave it to my mother to care about that specific detail. “Man.”

  Her eyes narrowed, but she didn’t say anything. I hadn’t expected her to. My mother did not believe that men and women could merely be friends. I didn’t bother to tell her that Jordan was gay and that he was happily in a relationship. She wouldn’t believe me.

  “So, what is it that you’re doing there?” my stepfather inquired, taking a sip of his orange juice. “It’s a public relations firm, correct?”

  “It is,” I said with a nod. “They have me answering phones, filing, scheduling appointments, hosting meetings. That sort of thing. I get to interact with their team members, who are all remote and work all over the world.”

  I could feel my face heat as I thought about all the other things I was doing, but I wasn’t about to share that information with anyone, let alone my parents.

  “Well, as long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters,” Jim added, his eyes darting over to my mother briefly before he turned his attention back to his plate.

  “She could be making significantly more money,” my mother said, her gaze lifting to me. “After all, that degree didn’t come cheap.”

  I put all of my attention into eating, pretending not to hear the contempt in her tone. This was the breakfast segment I was familiar with, the one that I dreaded.

  And the very reason I tended to keep as much distance between us as I could. I needed to remember these moments when I started missing her. No matter how much I wished otherwise, I seriously doubted there was any salvaging things with her.

  •

  By the time I got back to my apartment, it was four o’clock. I had spent the remainder of the morning listening to my mother’s numerous concerns with my inability to keep a job. She insisted that it was because I should’ve followed the accounting route. According to her, if I had, I would’ve been better off.

  Financially, maybe. However, I certainly couldn’t complain. Since my car was paid for, the only thing I had to pay was rent and utilities, as well as the few other things that came with being a single woman. Cell phone, groceries, yoga, the occasional girls’ night out. And of course, my routine trips to the spa. I was happy to say that I was finally back on my feet, no longer worried about how I’d pay my bills. Sure, I was still living paycheck to paycheck, but I had some money left over. It was freeing to say the least.

  My mother believed that being able to live comfortably meant having a hefty savings account.

  Sure, she had a lot more life experience than I did, and I was sure I’d eventually agree, but at this point in my life, I did not. Not that that ever stopped her from telling me exactly how she felt.

  So, after listening to that, I managed to extricate myself from her grasp and opted to stop for a mani-pedi, needing something to relax me. It worked, and with a coat of Raspberry Red Bourbon on my fingernails and toenails, I headed back to my apartment.

  After stepping off the elevator, I was digging in my purse to find my key when I heard someone clear their throat. I jumped, startled. My gaze shot up and that was when I noticed the sexy man standing in the hallway, just outside my door.

  “Langston.” His name came out in a breathless whisper.

  “Little one,” he greeted with a smile.

  He pushed off the wall, tucked his phone into his pocket, then took a step closer.

  I wasn’t used to seeing him in anything but a suit. So to see him wearing a white long-sleeved Henley with Wranglers and boots had me doing a double take. Although I absolutely loved seeing him in a suit, this was a very good look for him.

  As I ogled him, I seemed to be rooted to the
spot, unable to move. Even when his warm hand cupped my cheek and he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine.

  I sighed.

  “This is…a surprise,” I whispered when he pulled back.

  “Good surprise or bad?”

  “Definitely good.” I still hadn’t moved. “Why’re you here?”

  I could see the confusion on his face before he offered a small smile. “I couldn’t stay away.”

  Swoon!

  “Invite me in, little one.”

  I jerked, as though kicked into motion. “Right. Let’s go inside.”

  I had no clue what we were going to do once we got in there, but hey, I definitely wasn’t interested in doing anything in the hallway. As it was, Mrs. Idlemann had attempted to engage me in conversation on multiple occasions, wanting to know more about the handsome twins I was keeping company with. Her words. I definitely didn’t need to add any more fuel to that fire.

  After putting my purse down, I offered Langston a drink. He accepted and I managed to scrounge up a bottle of scotch that I’d hidden in the top cabinet. I used to have friends who would raid my liquor cabinet on the rare occasions they came over, and I had learned early on only to keep the cheap stuff within their grasp and it was something I’d never changed. I didn’t drink it, but I tried to keep a few varieties on hand.

  I poured his drink, grabbed a bottle of water for myself, then joined him in the living room.

  Before I sat down, Langston grabbed my hand, then tugged me closer. I stopped directly in front of him. His free hand slid over my ass, then the back of my thigh. His hazel eyes remained on my face while his hand squeezed and teased me through my yoga pants. I could tell he was battling something in his head, so I didn’t move.

  “Remove your clothes, Luci.”

  I swallowed hard, my body already trembling with the tremendous need to please him. When I started to move, he tugged on my wrist.

  “Right here. So I can watch.”

  The rich, deep baritone of his voice was so sexy it made my insides quiver. And the way he watched me—as though he liked what he saw—gave me the courage to continue.

  Once I was naked, he patted the spot beside him.

  “You’re stunning no matter how you look at it, but I prefer you naked,” he informed me, his finger trailing over the top of my thigh.

  Again, his words warmed me.

  I still had no clue why he was there. Well, unless it was for sex. That seemed like a logical conclusion, but it proved to be incorrect when he said, “What do you normally do on a Sunday afternoon?”

  I shrugged. “Most of the time I go to a yoga class, then grab an early dinner. That or I veg on the couch and watch movies.”

  “And your plans for this evening?”

  “Movies,” I said with a grin.

  “Sounds like a great time to me.”

  Langston settled back into the couch while I got up and found the remote. I could feel his eyes on me as I moved around the room.

  I clicked on the TV and returned to the couch.

  Langston pulled me against him as I flipped through the channels. We ended up watching The Transporter followed by The Fast and the Furious. My guest didn’t say anything throughout either movie, just remained on the couch with me curled up against him. He seemed quite content just to sit there, his arm around me, my hand resting on his chiseled chest.

  It was quite possibly the best Sunday I’d had in a long time.

  Unfortunately, day turned to night and I was greatly disappointed when Langston got up to go. I thought for sure he would want sex, but again, I was foolish in my thinking. He kissed me—a long, deep kiss that made my body buzz with arousal—then told me he looked forward to seeing me in the morning before he slipped out of my apartment.

  The whole interaction left me reeling. He’d insisted that I was naked, but not once had he touched me sexually. His actions made my head spin as I tried to rationalize why he wouldn’t want me after all that.

  Needless to say, I was in desperate need of my vibrator.

  I went right to my bedroom and yanked open the nightstand drawer only to find it empty. I remembered then that Langston had stolen my vibrator that first night he and Landon had come over. He’d said I wasn’t allowed to masturbate.

  “Shit.”

  I was in the process of considering taking a bath and taking advantage of the water sprayer when my phone buzzed. It was a text message.

  Langston: If you even think about masturbating, I will put you over my knee in front of the entire office.

  Damn it.

  This so wasn’t fair.

  Twenty-Nine

  ON MONDAY MORNING, I ARRIVED at the office at seven thirty-five. Jordan was already there, which didn’t surprise me. I was running a few minutes late. The smile he greeted me with was nice, so I assumed he didn’t hold it against me. Usually I was the first person there these days and walking in was fairly lonely.

  “Good morning, gorgeous!” he said cheerfully.

  “Hi.”

  “You look…stressed,” he noted with a frown.

  I was stressed. Well, more like sexually frustrated, but whatever. It was weird to think that Langston’s visit could’ve worked me up that much considering he hadn’t really touched me, but still. That was where my head was.

  “You wanna grab lunch today? My treat.”

  I instantly shook my head. “Probably not. I’ve got so much to do. But tomorrow? My treat.”

  “You’re on, sista.”

  Feeling slightly better, I headed for my desk. I didn’t like having to turn Jordan down, but since I had no idea how the Monday meeting would go, it wasn’t like I could really make plans. I mean, if any or all of my bosses had their wicked way with me, I wouldn’t be in any shape to sit down for lunch.

  When I got to my desk, I put down my purse and started the coffee. This had become second nature to me. I logged on to my computer, then skimmed my email to see if anyone had sent me anything over the weekend.

  I immediately noticed an email from Landon. It was short and sweet, telling me I needed to look in the top drawer of my desk.

  Hesitantly, I opened the drawer and found an envelope with my name scrolled across the front. I opened it and pulled out a note.

  Good morning, sweet girl.

  We’re looking forward to this morning’s meeting. Although we won’t be in the office until shortly before it starts, there are a few things we would like for you to do to get ready for the meeting.

  Go to the back conference room promptly at 9:45.

  Leave the blinds closed.

  Remove all of your clothing and lay it neatly on the counter.

  Put on all of the items that you will find in the top drawer of the coffee station.

  Once you’ve properly adorned yourself, lie on the table and secure yourself to the cuffs you will find there. Both legs and both wrists.

  Wait patiently for our arrival.

  By the time I had finished reading the instructions, my heart was beating erratically.

  One thing became crystal clear though. Obviously, they’d had a reason in mind when they chose that particular table for that room. It was low to the ground, which meant, should I be laid out on it, I would be at the perfect height for them to…watch me? Touch me? Who knew.

  There was a smile on my face that I couldn’t hide, but there was also a tremor that raced just under my skin. I could easily get behind just about anything they instructed me to do, but the idea of securing myself to the table…

  I wasn’t sure that was something I could follow through with. It meant that I would be completely alone and unable to free myself. What if they didn’t show up? How was I going to get out of there? Would I have to wait until Jordan found me? Or maybe the cleaning staff?

  Holy shit. I could imagine the horror of having someone find me naked and restrained to the table.

  Thinking about it didn’t help, so I decided to focus on my email. Luckily there were several that
needed to be addressed. I got to work.

  •

  At 9:44, I got to my feet and took a deep breath. I focused on my task, carrying the note from Landon with me so that I didn’t forget anything they’d asked me to do.

  Once I was in the conference room, I followed the instructions to the letter. I left the blinds closed, removed all of my clothing, and set it in a pile on the counter. Then I moved over to the coffee station. For a brief second, I wondered if I was supposed to start the coffee as I normally did. Figuring it couldn’t hurt, I hopped to the task, then opened the top drawer and pulled out a gold box. It was slightly larger than the ones Landon had previously given me.

  Swallowing hard, I removed the lid and smiled when I saw the first item inside.

  The nipple clamps Ben had used on me were included. Attached to them was a small note. Put these on yourself, and make sure they aren’t too tight, but not too loose either. I will be checking your work.

  Great.

  I pulled them out and set them on the counter before glancing down again. There was a pink vibrator contraption. The note attached read: This is known as a Venus Butterfly. The vibrator should be positioned directly over your clit. Put this on.

  I didn’t know who was responsible for that one, and I didn’t have time to figure it out. I set that down beside the nipple clamps.

  There was no mistaking the next item that I located. It was clearly the silicone butt plug that Landon had ordered me to wear the night of our date, and my heart skipped a beat at the idea of inserting that inside myself again. I glanced at the note: I can’t tell you how much I enjoy seeing you wear this.

  The last item was…

  My heart slammed against my sternum when I noticed the ball gag. Admittedly, of all four of the items, that was the one I was dreading the most. More so than even the butt plug. If you’d ever had your mouth stuffed full of something—for example, at the dentist—then you knew that it caused unusual amounts of drooling. I was not looking forward to that.