Fine or Punishment (Twist of Fate Book 1)

by Mira Margrave

  Fine or Punishment

  By Mira Margrave

  © 2017 Mira Margrave. All rights reserved.

  Chapter 1

  The prostitute was tardy.

  Irritated, Violet Weston made a show of arranging the returned books behind the front desk, her hands restless and clammy. Resisting the urge to wipe them on her tight pencil skirt, she shot a glare to the front library door on her right, willing it to open and reveal her company for the evening. The woman would still be late of course, but not egregiously so.

  A few minutes would even be understandable, considering the weather they’ve been having the whole day. Freezing rain spurred on by chilling gusts of wind didn’t make anyone eager to go out on a Friday night and experience it firsthand. Violet wasn’t so heartless that she would ignore such an extenuating circumstance.

  Still, the agency assured her this morning that–storm or no storm–the woman would be arriving five minutes before closing time, willing to fulfill Violet’s very detailed fantasy to the tiniest nuance.

  Now it was five minutes past the closing time and the prostitute was still not there. What’s worse, that wasn’t even the most concerning part.

  “Sweet Jesus, is the storm winding down at all?!” A high pitched voice announced somewhere between the tall wooden bookshelves on Violet’s left side before an elderly woman waddled between them toward the front desk, umbrella in one hand and a stack of already borrowed books pressing into her side by the other.

  She was the worst part.

  Mrs. Burke. Not the town’s oldest occupant but certainly the nosiest.

  Her favorite hobby? Sticking her nose into everyone’s business. That was the only thing she loved as much as reading. She devoured books on a daily basis and was a regular fixture in the library.

  While Violet didn’t usually mind her presence, she certainly wanted her as far away as possible tonight. If anyone could spot an out of town girl coming to the library after hours, it would be this woman. And the whole town would know about it by morning.

  “I think so, Mrs. Burke,” she said, forcing an unaffected tone and ignoring the violent rattle of the front door as another gust of wind slammed into them, showering it with rain. “It won’t be fun to walk to my car, but I’d rather do that than stay after closing and just wait for it to pass.”

  She fixed the old lady with a firm look to drive her point home, but Mrs. Burke ignored her and took a few steps toward the door. “You must be blind, girl. It’s only getting worse out there.” Her fingers squeezed around the umbrella handle but she didn’t budge, peering through the glass before shaking her head. “I shouldn’t have risked coming tonight. So annoying.”

  Violet thought she had impressive self-control but she still had to bite her tongue to avoid agreeing with Mrs. Burke wholeheartedly. She shouldn’t have come. She was annoying.

  Over the last hour, Violet tried to nudge her toward leaving numerous times, with an increasing level of rudeness, but the woman just wouldn’t budge. It was almost as if she could sense something scandalous was going to happen in the library this evening and wasn’t about to leave before witnessing it.

  It was infuriating. Almost as much as the prostitute’s unprofessionalism. The fact that Mrs. Burke overstaying her welcome made it a blessing instead of a curse was immaterial.

  Fingers restlessly playing with the hardcovers in front of her, Violet fumed silently and tried to focus. The important thing was that she needed to get the crone out of the bookstore and do it now.

  “Indeed.” She nodded before moving a hand to her thick rimmed glasses to lift them a bit further up her nose. “It’s quite horrible out there. But unavoidable.” She added firmly, her shoulders straightening, a hit of innocent nonchalance creeping into her tone to hide the devious words incoming. “If you’re afraid to go out and endure it, I can give you a lift. It’s no trouble at all.” She said, her expression placid while her hands clenched behind the front desk.

  Normally, it wouldn’t have been any trouble as Mrs. Burke lived a few minutes away on foot.

  But tonight…If Mrs. Burke accepted the invitation it would mean a disastrous ending to her promising evening–spent with a curmudgeonly old lady instead of fulfilling one of her most insistent fantasies.

  Still, Violet was almost certain there was no chance of that. During Mrs. Burke’s frequent visits, she came to know the woman well and if there was anything Mrs. Burke hated it was the notion that she was too weak or nervous to do anything.

  She had to fight off a smile when Mrs. Burke’s shoulders predictably tightened and her nostrils flared before she threw a narrow-eyed glance in Violet’s direction. “That won’t be necessary. I’m more than capable of walking in a bit of rain, thank you very much.” It didn’t sound like she was very thankful but Violet was beyond caring. She hid a smirk, her chin dropping toward her chest when she saw Mrs. Burke shaking out her umbrella before moving her books under her coat to protect them from the rain.

  Almost there.

  She was almost out and Violet could continue to work up a healthy annoyance at the prostitute in peace and quiet. And most importantly, privacy.

  So of course the prostitute would choose that exact moment of pure bliss to stumble through the door.

  Mrs. Burke jumped a step back, in a surprising show of agility, as the prostitute burst inside, ends of her coat flapping around her knee high boots in the wind. Violet froze, heart jumping to her throat as she watched the woman awkwardly struggle with her umbrella before finally managing to close it, and slamming the door shut against the wind immediately after. She let out a deep, relieved breath before turning around, a smile on her face.

  It flickered in place when she saw her awkwardly quiet audience and her eyes flew from Violet to Mrs. Burke before going back again and settling on her first target. “Um, good evening ladies.” She said. Her cheeks, already red from wind, flushed a bit more. “I-I’m not too late, am I?”

  Violet’s brain finally decided to join in on the party after a moment of frozen surprise, though she was still disturbingly close to hyperventilating. Mrs. Burke was looking at the prostitute like a hawk measuring its prey and proving Violet’s earlier suspicions right.

  Small town, new face. How could Mrs. Burke resist?

  Violet had to do something, and do it fast.

  “Only a few minutes.” She piped in, trying to keep her voice as cool as possible. It was eight minutes in fact, as a quick glance to her monitor confirmed, but she could forgive it, just this once. “Still, I’m afraid we’re closing now.” She shot another look in Mrs. Burke’s direction, but the woman shrugged this one off just as easily.

  “Oh, leave the poor girl alone.” Mrs. Burke said, as if Violet had any intention to send her away. Her plans for the prostitute were much more perverse. But Mrs. Burke seemed to be completely incapable of comprehending she was the one that was unwanted. “Instead of throwing her out in the rain, why not welcome her? No reason we can’t stay here and chat for a few minutes until the weather calms down.”

  That was rich from a woman who just claimed the storm was only getting worse. Not to mention transparent. Violet was sure the woman would love nothing more than to chat with the prostitute until she learned her whole life story. Prodding the town newcomer with questions would cement her as the main gossip hub in Fairview for the next few weeks at least.

  Violet felt her shoulders stiffen and chin lifting without any conscious thought. Usually, she’d force herself to keep her ego in check to avoid being rude, but she’d tried that already tonight and it got her precisely nowhere.

  Mrs. Burke obviously required a firmer hand. How lucky t
hat Violet was eager to test hers tonight.

  “Closing time is not a suggestion Mrs. Burke. It’s a hard rule.” Mrs. Burke twitched as if slapped, obviously not used to being challenged. However, the prostitute’s eyes widened before flying over Violet’s form quickly once, as if surprised. How silly. Violet being firm and uncompromising and taking control was the whole point of this evening. “If you insist, I’ll help this woman, but I’m afraid I’m eager to leave as well. There’s a hot bath with my name on it at home and I’d hate to keep it waiting.” And if she was truly lucky, she will be thoroughly pleased and boneless by the time she sunk in, her fantasy sated at last.

  Mrs. Burke brought herself up to her full height, which still wasn’t very imposing and threw Violet a venomous look before turning to the prostitute. “Good evening, Ms.…” She said waiting until the prostitute twitched and helpfully responded.

  “Uh-Kane, ma’am.”

  “Ms. Kane, I hope we’ll meet again.” She said, grinning now, no doubt happy she at least managed to snag a name before she was thrown out. A fake name almost certainly, but Mrs. Burke didn’t know that. “And get the chance to chat properly before we’re rudely interrupted.” She didn’t even spare another look in Violet’s direction before she turned victoriously and left, slamming the door behind her. No doubt tomorrow she would tell anyone who wanted to listen about how rude Violet was to her but that was still better than gossiping about how depraved she was.

  And when her eyes slid from the door to the prostitute again, watching her as she unbuttoned her coat with deft fingers, her hair falling forward to obscure her features, Violet certainly felt very depraved.

  The coat parted and revealed tight blue jeans tucked into black boots and a soft woolen, dark blue sweater. Violet didn’t know what she expected–perhaps some awful leather miniskirt and a shiny pink top–but the woman looked utterly... normal. It made everything they were about to do even more deliciously dirty.

  “Come closer.” Violet ordered and the woman obeyed immediately, making Violet’s breath catch already. Having a stranger put herself at her mercy like this was already affecting her. She had been craving the control for longer than she liked to admit.

  “I’m sorry I barged in like this and made you stay longer.” The prostitute said as she came closer, but Violet was barely listening, instead opting to give the woman a thorough once over.

  She wasn’t very specific with the agency when they asked about her physical preferences. Most of the ladies on the site looked conventionally attractive anyway and Violet wasn’t one to get hung up on particular build or eye color. She only demanded that the woman be attracted to other women and that was the end of her ultimatums.

  Still, with the limited information they had, the agency did very well to send her an attractive woman anyway. She was on the curvy side, and her modest clothes revealed a lovely generosity to her hips and breasts.

  Long, dark brown hair pooled around her shoulders and framed her face beautifully, bringing out her dark blue eyes. The combination was, Violet felt, very striking. When their eyes connected, however, the woman was blushing. Had she noticed Violet staring?

  “I-I can come back if you want. Some other time. During work hours?” She must have, and she seemed to be more confused than embarrassed. Normally, Violet would be mortified, but now she only leant forward a bit, her hands splayed on the front desk, and fixed the prostitute with a firm stare. There was no need to be shy. They both knew what was about to happen.

  Even if the prostitute did seem prepared to keep with the spirit of their scenario and pretend she was just a regular library patron. Maybe she wasn’t as unprofessional as Violet had thought.

  “Of course not.” She responded finally before sneaking in a quick second glance at the prostitute, prompting another blush. It was odd as it was charming. Perhaps the woman was new to this line of business? She did seem a bit fresh-faced, perhaps a few years younger than Violet. “Now tell me, how may I assist you?”

  To her credit, the other woman jumped at this, committing to her character. She reached for her leather shoulder bag and unbuckled it before reaching inside. “Right, well, I just wanted to return a couple of books? I’m sorry, I thought you were going to be open longer than–,” she said but Violet waved her away, lifting an eyebrow when the woman actually produced three books from her bag before putting them carefully on the front desk between them.

  A professional indeed then. Violet definitely didn’t expect her to bring props, but she appreciated the effort nonetheless.

  Taking that in stride, she continued airily as excitement started to build, her fingers tingling with expectation. The books were only the first part of the equation, but now the prostitute was required to say, as per Violet’s very strict instructions to the agency–

  “They’re a bit overdue, sorry about that.” There it was, delivered perfectly with just the right amount of sheepishness. She even shifted on her feet and dropped her eyes for a moment, to Violet’s delight. Perhaps she was wrong. This woman must be a pro if she is playing her part so beautifully. “I will pay any fine, of course, I’m just mortified–”

  Fighting off a pleased smile, Violet waved her off again, drinking in the way the prostitute’s words fizzled into silence. Keeping her unsteady was as important as the predetermined dialogue.

  “Name?” She said shorty, voice cold and emotionless, though her heart was working up a steady rhythm, thudding firmly in her neck now. She’d been waiting for this for months, even years and had been masturbating to this fantasy since she decided on her career. Now, the fulfillment was within her reach.

  She could barely think today from nervous anticipation, unable to stop herself from running the fantasy over and over in her mind. If it wasn’t for Mrs. Burke she would have greeted this woman already wet and aching, but now she was catching up quickly.

  “Kane,” The prostitute said. “Candace Kane.”

  Violet turned to the keyboard and paused before her eyebrow twitched upward.

  Seriously?

  As in Candy Kane?

  If she ever heard a fake working girl name, it would be this one. Why not go the obvious route and just go with Candy? Was it too on the nose for the agency?

  Dear God, was it already taken?

  But even that, no matter how ridiculous, couldn’t dampen her excitement. She moved her fingers to the keyboard and fixed a disinterested gaze on the monitor before tapping her fingers furiously, pretending to type that ridiculous name in. After a moment of silence, she turned from her blank screen to the prostitute again.

  “Right. It seems that your book are indeed overdue, Ms. Kane.” Violet declared, making sure her voice sounded extra displeased. “Two weeks in fact. How careless of you.”

  The prostitute shot her a confused look, brow furrowing. “Two weeks?” She said, sounding genuinely perplexed. “But I only moved... That’s not possible. Is it?” Her eyes turned to the side, breaking eye contact as she continued muttering to herself for a few seconds.

  Violet was a bit confused herself. She wasn’t supposed to argue at this point, only apologize and offer to pay the fine. Though she could hardly complain when the prostitute bit her full bottom lip as she turned back to her. “I’m already wasting way too much of your time. I’d be happy to pay my dues.” She said and even reached for her bag again, as if searching for a wallet.

  Violet relaxed and flashed her teeth at the woman. “I’m afraid that won’t be enough, Ms. Kane.” She said, words spilling easily over her tongue. She’s delivered these lines a hundred times in her mind, and saying them to this beautiful woman–unhampered by the fear of rejection–was as delicious as she imagined.

  “Not only did you arrive late tonight, you also overstepped your due date horribly. I’m afraid a simple fine won’t do here.”

  “Sorry, what?” Ms. Kane said, conveying puzzlement beautifully, following Violet with a raised eyebrow as she circled around the front desk and moved to dim the
library lights. There was no danger of anyone coming in so late but she wanted to be sure they wouldn’t be interrupted under any circumstances. She supposed she could have locked the front door but she didn’t want to make the woman nervous by locking her in.

  “My dear, how will you learn if you’re not punished for your mistakes?” She said and when Ms. Kane’s mouth opened in surprise but nothing came out of it, Violet strode forward, passing her by on the way to the back office.

  “Come with me and I’ll explain how you can atone, Ms. Kane.” She threw over her shoulder and continued walking, her heels clicking on the wooden floors. She couldn’t help but smile when another pair of footsteps joined them, following her closely.

  Chapter 2

  The librarian was intense.

  Smoking hot, too, of course, with that blonde hair tied back in a loose bun, and the thick rimmed glasses perched over a long nose, mellowing the impact of her light blue eyes. Her backside wasn't hard to look at either, Candace thought as she followed her through a door into the back of the building, narrow tall hallway leading them deeper inside.

  She let her eyes drag over the librarian's form, lingering on the tight pencil skirt stretching and clinging with each step. It was only fair–the librarian checked her out as well: it would have been rude not to return the favour.

  She couldn’t quite explain why she lurched into motion when the librarian demanded it, but now she couldn’t even pretend she wasn’t enjoying the view. Or the unexpected turn her evening took.

  “Here.” The librarian said as she stopped next to an inconspicuous door. Candace noticed the plate on it read ‘Violet Weston – Head Librarian’ before the librarian reached over and opened it, revealing a small office. “Inside, please.”

  Candace followed that directive wordlessly too, slipping past Weston and into the office, their bodies almost brushing in the narrow doorway. She couldn’t help but notice the librarian’s perfume–light and vaguely floral but ultimately subdued. The choice seemed in direct contrast with the woman herself, though Candace found them both intriguing.