by Robin Roseau
* * * *
I received some teasing, but most of it was good-natured. I wasn’t the only one. A few people made references to specifics, but they were vague, and if I didn't remember, I wouldn’t know what they were talking about.
I laughed when the teasing was funny. For a few others, I asked if they’d had a good weekend.
And then I went back to my room, packed my things, and checked out.
Chapter Eight
Monday morning, Tara sent out a company-wide email. “Several of our coworkers will no longer be with us. We wish them all the best in their new pursuits.” She gave a list, but she didn’t explain who she might have fired and who quit on his own.
Ida’s name was on the list. In all, we trimmed staff by fifteen people, just a little over a quarter of our staff. I wasn’t necessarily happy about that, as it wasn’t like there would be less work, but there would be fewer of us doing it.
At the same time, the attitude in the office was different. People looked at each other differently. A few times, I thought it was in embarrassment. A few times it was with knowing smiles.
But I had eight different people go out of her way to say something nice to me, and that was by lunchtime on Monday. It didn’t sound like a pity comment, either.
I found Nan and sat down in her guest chair. She smiled. “I told you that you’d have to kneel to me.”
“Go to lunch with me.”
“Your treat?”
“Hell no.”
She laughed. “Where?”
“Don’t care. You pick. Somewhere close.”
“Sure.”
We went out for tacos. Halfway through the meal, she said, “We’ve never done this.”
“Nope,” I said. “We haven’t.”
She didn’t pursue it until we got back. She followed me to my cube, and then she leaned in my doorway. “Was that your way of saying you won’t be kneeling?”
“No,” I said. “It was my way of saying I want a friendship on top of whatever we may decide to play. How does that sound?”
“That sounds pretty good.”
“I’m doing the same thing with a few other people, although I probably won’t kneel to them. Don’t be jealous.”
“Can we do it together?”
“Starting next week,” I said. “Okay?”
“Sure,” she said. “Sounds good.”
“We’re good?”
“Just to be clear…”
“Count on some kneeling.”
She smiled. “Good.”
“Good. Get out. I have work to do.”
She laughed.
* * * *
Tuesday I invited Gail. Wednesday I invited Nina. Thursday, Diane and Oleta invited me. It was Friday when Keesha found me. I smiled at her. “Lunch?”
“I was hoping you’d ask.”
* * * *
It was late morning the following Monday when I heard noise behind me. I turned. “Tara.”
“Please come to my office.”
“Of course.” I stood up and tried to act casually, but I had butterflies.
I followed her through the cube farm and to her office. She held the door for me then closed it. But the walls were glass. She gestured to the guest chair, and we both sat.
“I received a delegation from Altered Events.”
“Good.”
“They assured me of a number of things they’d told me before, but that I had forgotten.”
“Good,” I said again.
“I understand you remember what we did to you.”
“I don’t know if I remember everything or not, but yes, I do.”
She dropped her gaze. “Half the people who left, I fired.”
“I figured.”
“I’ve seen smiling,” she said.
“I haven’t seen one smile from you,” I replied. “Am I going to?”
She picked at her fingernails for a minute, not answering. I waited, and finally I said, “I’ll have my resignation on your desk within the hour.” I started to get up.
“No!” she said, snapping her gaze to me. “No. Selena, please.”
“I’m not going to work for someone who is embarrassed to look at me. Furthermore, you set the tone for the entire office, and if you don’t like coming to work, how much longer do you think those smiles are going to last?”
“I can’t stop thinking about you!”
I froze then settled back into the chair. “Ah. That’s all right then.”
“I’m your boss!”
“Yeah, yeah,” I said. “Anyone else on your mind?”
“Not the same way.”
“Explain that.”
“I think they Altered me.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I said again. “Explain.”
“I keep thinking about parties.”
I laughed. “How large of parties?”
“Intimate. Four or so.”
“Who else?”
“It varies.”
“Anyone a constant?”
“Only you.”
“I feel special.”
“I can’t tell if that’s sarcasm.”
“It’s not,” I told her. “Any repeat offenders in these fantasies of yours?”
“I’m not answering that.”
“So that’s a yes. Who.”
“I’m not answering that!”
“You just told me you have fantasies about me being your mind-altered sex slave, and that you include sharing me with other people, but you’re freaking out at telling me with whom you’d share me. Is that what you’re saying.”
“You’re not necessarily always a sex slave,” she said.
“Oh?”
“Sometimes I am.”
“I could do that, but I wouldn’t want to share you.”
“Sometimes we share someone else.”
“I could do that, too.”
She stared, saying nothing. “Why aren’t you screaming at me?”
“Why would I do that? I just quit. What more do you want.”
“You can’t quit!”
“I certainly can,” I said.
“But I answered your question.”
“You look at me as if your thoughts horrify you,” I said.
“You’re still Altered,” she said.
“I know. They put a trigger in me. What I don’t know is who knows what the trigger is. I think you do.”
“I do. And they do, of course. I don’t think anyone else does.”
“Try it.”
“I’m not trying it.”
“Here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to use the trigger. Or I’m going to go write my resignation.”
“No!” she wailed. “Why?”
“I’ve already told you, and now you don’t even trust me.”
“Fine,” she said. “And once you’re a fawning slave, I’m going to forbid you from leaving.”
“Perfect,” I said. “Do it.”
“Otters make pink you perfect.”
I cocked my head. “That’s not my trigger.”
“It is.”
“Fine. Give me an order.”
“Touch your nose.”
I folded my arms. “Clearly it’s not my trigger.”
“But.” She frowned. “Then what’s the trigger?”
“I actually have no idea,” I said. “Say it and I’ll tell you if you get it right.”
“Otters make perfect you pink.”
“Nope.” I smiled. “Either they lied, you’re just getting it wrong, or I know something you don’t.”
“What’s that?”
“I have to agree.”
“What?”
“The trigger only works if I agree to accept it,” I said. “You say the trigger, and I offer a duration.” I grinned. “Say it again, and I’m going to say ’24 hours’.”
She got up from her chair and walked to the window. I waited a minute then got up and walked to her, standing beside her, our shoulders touching.
“I don’t think that’s the trigger. Why would you lie to me?”
“Please don’t quit, Selena.”
“Look, if you don’t want a repeat, that’s fine. I told you that.”
“Nan Wu.”
“Who else?”
“Evie and Joy.”
“Anyone else?
She said. “I’m not answering that.”
“Gail Buck?” I prompted.
She paused, then nodded. “In some of them.”
“Others?”
“I’m not answering.”
“Sure,” I said. “I’ll give you some time. You need to resolve this in your head. Give the real trigger to Nan and Gail. Figure this out.”
I turned and headed for the door. She waited until I had my hand on the door and said, “Selena-pet obeys her lady.”
I froze then turned back, smiling. Tara was watching me, biting her lip. It was cute. I walked to her. “That was the real trigger,” I said. I could feel it pressing at me, asking for a response. She nodded. “Did you know I could resist?” She shook her head. “I suppose you didn’t know I get to pick the duration?” She shook her head again. “It’s nearly my normal lunchtime. If I tell you 24 hours, everyone is going to know. I don’t care, but I think you might. Two hours.”
I felt the compulsion settle over me. Tara’s eyes widened, and then she smiled. “Do you know which is my car?”
“Yes.”
She pulled out her phone and pressed some buttons. “It is unlocked. Go climb in.”
“Yes, Tara.”
I turned and walked from the office.
She took me home with her. I did everything she asked. The compulsions wore off while I was busy pleasing her. I froze for a moment, and she groaned.
“Yours,” I whispered to her. “Enjoy this, Tara.”
Soon, she was calling out my name.
About the Author
A writer by avocation, Robin has a renaissance interest in many areas. A bit of a gypsy, Robin has called a few places home and has traveled widely. A love of the outdoors, animals in general and experimenting with world cuisines, Robin and partner share their home with a menagerie of pets and guests, although sometimes it is difficult to discern who is whom.
Robin can be reached via email as [email protected]. Robin's web site is http://www.robin-roseau.com.
Works by Robin Roseau
The Madison Wolves Series
Fox Run
Fox Play
Fox Mate
Fox Afield
Fox Revenge
Fox Dish
Fox Lost
Wolf Watch
Wolf Ways
Wolf Women
Fox Fate
Jaguar
Omega Born
Omega Life
Omega Choice (coming soon)
Fox Short Stories
Hunting Pups
Fox in the Water
Fox Rematch (set after Fox Mate and Fox Afield)
Fox Opponent
A Foxy Valentine
Other Books in the Madison Wolves Universe
Familiar
Kitty Cat
Poor Little Witch Girl
Seer
Seer: Thrall
Seer: Guardian
The Selected Series
Collected
Taken
Volunteer
Candidate
Recruited
Galatea
Beginnings
Lottery
Selected Roommate
The Games People Play Series
Stories that ask a simple question: do you want to play a game?
Do You Want to Play a Game?
My Soul to Play
My Soul to Lose
My Soul to Win
The Five Kingdoms
Privateer
Searching the High Seas
The Pawn Series
Pawn
Bishop
Rook
Queen (Coming Soon)
Ressaline
Encircled (Claary)
Delegation (Allium)
Ambassador
Princess
Heir (Ahlianna)
Other Novels and Novellas
Anonymous Bidder
Blood Slave
A Charming Brew
Emergency Claus
Encircled
Fitting In
Fluid
Free to Love
Galatzi Trade
Galatzi World
Galatzi Joy
Galatzi Life
In Custody
Lace
Lost in the Words
Metabrain
Mind Wipe
Outside The Box
Red Paws Inn
Reluctant Host
Stark's Dell
Submission
Sugar Baby
Surprise
Team Building
More Team Building
The Interrogation
Tresjolie
Trust
White
The Ski Bindings Shorts
Short stories of love and lust amongst the slopes.
Snow Fox
Short Stories
Cooking for Love
Southern Night
Captured by the Raptor (writing as Rosetta Robins)
Team Building
Copyright 2019 by Robin Roseau
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, copied in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise transmitted without written permission from the publisher. You must not circulate this book in any format.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, businesses, characters and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, actual events or locales is purely coincidental.
* * *
License Notes
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Table of Contents
Author’s Note
Team Building
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
About the Author
Works by Robin Roseau
The Madison Wolves Series
Fox Short Stories
Other Books in the Madison Wolves Universe
The Selected Series
The Games People Play Series
The Five Kingdoms
The Pawn Series
Ressaline
Other Novels and Novellas
The Ski Bindings Shorts
Short Stories