Only to be jolted awake by the ring of the doorbell.
Drying off and scrambling for my robe, I made my way to the front door. It was Bailey and I gestured for her to come in quickly before someone caught a glimpse of my damp robe, which clung to my limbs, leaving nothing to the imagination.
She stepped in. “Do you have a minute?”
“Of course,” I said.
“You were taking a shower? Sorry.”
“A bath.”
“You never take baths.”
“I know—”
“Tara’s seeing someone else.” Her face crinkled and tears flowed. “We just had the most terrible argument.”
I guided her toward the armchair where she plopped down into it, defeated.
I lowered myself to the floor to sit before Bailey and gave her knee a reassuring squeeze. “What happened?”
She wiped her nose. “Tara had her heart set on Australia. It was all she talked about. I’d come to terms with losing her. I know she’s not going now but she’s spending more and more time in Venice.”
“Are you guys still having sex?” I don’t know why I asked that. It kind of came out.
“Yes,” said Bailey. “She’s been a lot more experimental too.”
I wondered if I’d started a line of questioning I wasn’t prepared for.
“Why?” she said.
“Well it means there’s still something special between you. Have you asked Tara if she really is seeing someone else?”
“Yes.” Bailey sniffed. “She denies it.”
“Well then.”
“I feel terrible. I’ve been scouring her facebook page for evidence. And her phone. Breeching her trust and acting like an obsessive girlfriend.”
“Love can be hard,” I said, with no experience to back that up.
“Women have a feel for these things.”
“Tara adores you,” I said. “She’s independent and that’s what you love about her.”
“I don’t know if I can cope with losing her again.”
“You didn’t lose her.”
“No, but I kind of came to terms with the whole Australia thing.”
I gave a nod, acknowledging she had a point.
She wiped her nose with a tissue she’d pulled from her sleeve. “How are things with you?”
“Good.”
“Did you really do that thing? Flash your boss?”
I blushed wildly, holding back on telling her about the Cameron and Mia double act in Richard’s office. I hid my face in my hands.
Bailey looked astonished. “You really showed your boss your pussy? Whoa, Mia.”
I peeked through my fingers.
“Mia Lauren, you go girl.”
“You’re not disgusted with me?”
“I know why you did it. How did Richard react? Go on, spill?”
“He left the room.”
“Oh.”
“And then he gave me my job back.”
“Did he talk to you about it?”
“Yes, he was very nice about it.”
“What did he say?”
“That it was brave.”
“I’ll say. He’s probably biding his time until he can get his pervy claws into you.” Bailey watched my reaction. “Has he made a pass already?”
“No.”
“Mia, what happened?”
“He spanked me.”
“What! Seriously?”
“It was kind of hot actually.”
“Are you kidding me?” She sat up. “You could sue him for that.”
“I kind of liked it.”
“Why did he spank you?”
“I did something wrong. Well he thought I did, anyway.”
“You know that’s not right?” She glared. “I mean, what kind of work environment is it for goodness sake?”
If she knew about the dungeon escapade with Cameron, Bailey would probably stomp down to Enthrall and confront them both.
“It’s all very professional,” I said. “The spanking thing was a one off.”
“You’ve lost your marbles.”
I burst out laughing. “I really do love it there, Bailey.”
She looked conflicted. “Well, as long as you’re happy.”
“Oh Bailey.” I hugged my knees into my chest. “I can’t remember ever being this happy.”
“Don’t let him spank you again, okay?”
Just the thought of it sent me reeling. I was more worried he may never spank me again. Wouldn’t tell her that though.
A tap at the door snapped our attention toward it.
Bailey leaped out of the chair and took a peek out of the window. “It’s Tara.”
I pushed myself to my feet.
Tara stepped inside and waited for Bailey to close the door behind her.
“I thought I’d find you here,” said Tara.
“We’re so glad you’re here,” I wanted her to know.
Tara folded her arms. “So it’s all right for you to have a friend,” she pointed to me, “but the minute I go surfing you freak out?”
My shoulders slumped and I felt sorry for Bailey.
“We’ve been friends for years,” said Bailey. “Mia and I go way back. We’re only friends.”
Tara’s accusatory stare held my surprised one.
“I told her how much you love her, Tara,” I said.
“Mia, I can see your nipples through that thing,” she said.
Wrapping my arms around myself I said. “I was taking a bath.”
“Alone?” seethed Tara.
“Yes, alone,” I snapped. “Just didn’t dry off probably.”
She looked deflated and her focus fell back on Bailey. “I’m freaking out that we’re over. We’re not, are we?”
“I hope not,” said Bailey. “I’m sorry for being so possessive. I never got over this Australia thing. I put on a brave face because you were so excited about it and I didn’t want to cramp your sense of adventure. It’s what I love about you.” Her tears fell.
“Oh, babe,” said Tara. “I’m not going anywhere.”
I slumped into the armchair, feeling the day’s adventures finally catching up.
Tara and Bailey canoodled, looking so cute together, making up in record time.
“Yay,” I said, cheering them on.
They finally broke apart.
Tara came over to me. “So you got your job back?”
I brought my legs up onto the chair and tucked them under me. “I did. Thank you for that sound advice.” I rolled my eyes.
“To be honest I didn’t think you’d go through with it,” said Tara. “I mean really, it’s very sluts gone wild.”
“Hey.” My legs dropped from beneath me and I sat up defensively. “You’re the one who suggested it.”
“Don’t get me wrong.” Tara held up her hand. “I’m happy you got your job back.”
I cupped my face in my hands.
“Didn’t you do something similar to get the job?” said Bailey, coming to my defense.
“During my interview with the dominatrix’s,” she said. “Not in front of the guys.”
“Like that’s any better,” said Bailey.
“I kind of feel it’s all forgotten now,” I said, hoping it was true.
Tara looked mischievous. “Just wish I could have been there when you got your job back.”
Bailey thumped her arm.
Tara laughed and jumped back to avoid another punch. “I know I’m not the only one fantasizing about what went on in that room.” She arched a brow.
“Hey,” said Bailey. “She’s my best friend, remember.”
“Mia, you’re my new hero,” said Tara. “Hey, this must be a first for a BDSM club.”
“How do you mean?” said Bailey.
“A virgin in their midst,” said Tara.
“Leave her alone,” snapped Bailey, giving her the stink-eye so that I wouldn’t have to.
Slumping back in the seat, there came a feeling t
hat Tara knew what had really unfolded in Richard’s office on that day I’d asked for my job back.
Something told me Tara still had friends at Enthrall.
“WELL? WHAT DO YOU THINK?” asked Lotte.
This was really happening.
We were standing in the living room of 3777 Bailbard Road, Malibu. This was my new beach condo.
We were surrounded by unpacked boxes and the suitcases Bailey and Tara had leant me for the move. I’d taken a leap of faith and given notice on my studio apartment and packed up my life and moved without ever seeing this place.
“Trust me,” Lotte had told me, “you’ll love it.”
And she was right. I’d fallen in love with the bright, spacious living room as soon as I’d stepped inside. Directly in front of us stretched out a glass fronted doorway leading out onto a balcony, and beyond that an ocean vista. It wasn’t just the view that took my breath away. This place had dark stained hardwood floors with Persian rugs strewn here and there, adding a sophisticated accent as well as tying all the other pieces together. There was a plush cream colored couch and next to that an armchair easy to sink into. An enormous Samsung flat screen TV hung on the wall. I felt giddy with excitement.
Against the left wall rested a fish tank. Six tropical fish swam the full length of their blue lit world only to turn again to begin their journey to the other end. Thankfully there were no Asian Arowana’s amongst them.
I’d given up my low rented studio and would be hard pushed to find anything as cheap with the way rent prices were going. “Who is this person?” I said. “What if they realize how much they miss it here and want to come back?”
“You’re fine. They won’t.”
“I’m not doing anything illegal am I?” I feared this run of good luck might be too good to be true.
“No.” Lotte continued the tour and guided me into the generously sized bedroom with its king sized bed. This room also overlooked the ocean. I stared out at the view, trying to come to terms with this really happening and questioning whether I was worth this kind of luxury.
A tug on my arm pulled my attention.
Lotte, who was as equally thrilled it seemed, had the bathroom to show me. In the middle sat an enormous porcelain tub with clawed feet. It reminded me of a photo from a high-end magazine like Vogue. The kind I flipped through at the supermarket but never bought.
“Of course you can always shower,” said Lotte.
There was an oversized showerhead inside the glass fronted, granite tiled cubicle. The toilet and sink looked costly too. Plush new towels hung on a designer rack.
“It’s heated,” said Lotte, pointing to it.
“The towel rack is heated?” I shot her a look.
“It gets pretty chilly in winter. You’ll be glad of it.”
Disconcerted with all this luxury and terrified I’d somehow mess it up, I followed after Lotte. Next came the airy kitchen with its cream colored cabinets and central marble isle. This place had been newly furnished, I was sure of it. Everything looked flawless. I couldn’t understand how the owner wouldn’t want to live here.
This was a first for me in so many ways, and until now I’d never felt the urge to hug an appliance. The grand stainless steel fridge loomed large, fitting snugly between two glass fronted cupboards.
“This is your welcome home gift.” Lotte pointed to the deluxe fridge. “It has smart cooling technology. It’s from all of us.”
That was all it took. Unable to fight back tears that had been building for the last half hour, all I could do was swipe at them, losing a fighting battle.
Lotte wrapped her arm around me. “There, there, sweetheart. You’ll get used to it. Change is never easy.”
“It’s the most beautiful fridge I’ve ever seen.” I turned to her. “I can’t believe it.”
“Believe it. Now do you have a paper bag?”
I looked around for one. “Why?”
She peered across the room. “Behind that door over there is a cupboard. In there is a washer and dryer. I’m terrified you’re going to hyperventilate and you’ll have to breathe into a bag so you don’t faint.”
Having had to drag my washing over to my old apartment’s Laundromat, Lotte had been wise to break that little nugget of info slowly. For goodness sake I probably made her think I lived in a cave.
She took my hand and guided me back to the living room and over to the fish tank. “Remember, you’re doing the owner a favor.” Her gaze widened. “Keep those little suckers alive and everything will be fine.”
On the coffee table rested the instructions Lotte had gone over with me about how to maintain the tank. It all seemed easy enough, especially since the fish received a visit once a week from the pet store owner who apparently would change out the water. All I had to do was feed them several times a day.
Within half an hour Penny and Scarlet had arrived. They, like Lotte, were dressed in jeans and t-shirts. Still, they couldn’t pull off ordinary. They were far too pretty for that. Scarlet even wore Ugg boots, a far cry from her usual leather and lace. As promised they’d brought wine and pizza as well as delivering on their offer to help me unpack.
We split up, each taking a box to a room, and began what would have otherwise been an arduous task. Time slipped by as I hung my clothes up in the walk-in closet, musing how it reminded me of my entire studio.
I owed Lotte so much for making this happen for me.
Bailey and Tara arrived an hour later. I introduced Bailey to the girls, though Tara had needed no introduction and chatted away with them, catching up on all she’d been doing lately and everyone shared with her what she’d missed at Enthrall.
Watching them all interact, their shared respect for each other, the way they fondly listened to each other’s stories, there came a feeling this might be the closest I’d ever come to having a family.
Lotte, Penny, and Scarlet all bubbled with happiness for me and shared with Bailey how much they loved having me around. Apparently many of the clients were fond of me too. Even Monsieur Trourville had developed a soft spot, sans Venus balls.
For the first time in my life I’d found a purpose. I belonged somewhere.
The unpacking resumed and we made great headway with getting the place straight. Bailey took me aside to speak with me privately. She couldn’t believe my good luck either. I reassured her I was merely doing a friend of Lotte’s a favor. We strolled over to examine the tank, eyeing the fish as they eyed us back, unfazed with all the activity.
“You’re not becoming a dominatrix are you?” she said.
“Hardly.”
Her gaze swept the room. “How much is your rent?”
“Four hundred a month.” I pointed to the tank. “This guy needs someone to watch those.”
Bailey folded her arms. “Why have a fish tank if you don’t intend to enjoy it?”
“He had to go out of town on business.”
“For a year?”
I stared at the small blue one with its pale white stripes. “I might give them names.”
“Be careful.”
“I’ve got a couple of books to read on them.”
“I’m not talking about the fish,” she whispered. “If any part of your brain is saying this is too good to be true it’s probably right.”
“Be happy for me.”
She pointed a finger. “Never, ever do anything you don’t want to. Promise me.”
“Of course.”
“One minute you’re flashing your boss your cooch, the next...”
“This has nothing to do with that.”
I wanted to enjoy today. Richard would be here any minute and so would Cameron. I was so excited to show them the place and share this amazing streak of luck. For the first time in my life I felt the desire to invite friends over, maybe even Richard. Maybe I’d even learn to cook.
Bailey tapped my arm. “I’m sorry. I’m pissing on your parade and you don’t deserve it. I love you so much and don’t want anything
bad to happen to you.”
I wrapped my arms around her and gave her the biggest hug.
“Hey,” it was Tara’s voice. “How about we make this a group hug?”
They both wrapped their arms around me.
“You guys are going to make me cry,” I said.
“This place oozes with positive energy,” said Tara, stepping back. “The feng shui rocks.”
“You’re going to love it here,” said Bailey.
Looking around at all this luxury and realizing it was mine, my stomach did a flip again.
The ocean breeze felt cleansing. A wonderful change from the valley’s stuffiness.
With the boxes unpacked and most of the pizza gone we all huddled in the kitchen, our conversation flowing with the wine. Several bottles of Chardonnay lay empty on the counter top.
An hour or so later, Cameron and Richard arrived, bringing with them dessert in a large white box from the Cheesecake Factory. They too wore jeans and t-shirts and as predicted still looked stylish in their casual clothes. From Richard’s sticking up hair they’d driven here in one of their open top cars.
“I love open top cars,” I told them, bringing a smile to Richard’s face.
He ran his fingers through his golden locks to flatten them, beaming at me.
Cameron placed the dessert box on the counter. After washing his hands, Richard opened the dessert box and dipped a finger into the creamy white topping. Lotte smacked his hand, hard, causing Richard to burst into laughter, playfully sucking off the icing. Lotte served the cheesecake to each of us. There came a silent pause as we tucked into the delicious sweet dish, the sound of forks hitting the plates. The sighs of happiness coming from everyone.
Richard stole a spoonful of cheesecake off my plate, eating it with a mischievous grin. My heart threatened to leap out of my chest and splash right into my glass of wine.
“Look at my fridge,” I burst out, trying to save myself from this embarrassing blush.
Richard looked horrified. “Oh no. Whatever happened to the other one from your old apartment? Let’s go get it back.”
“No,” I said, throwing a glance at Bailey to make sure her feelings weren’t hurt.
“Don’t look at me,” she said. “I’m as happy to see that thing go as you are.”
“Look.” I grabbed a cup and held it beneath the ice dispenser. “Watch this.”
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