Sweet Backlash

by Violet Heart

  New Dawning International Bookfair

  presents

  An Erotic BDSM Novel

  By

  Violet Heart

  Copyright © 2010 Violet Heart

  ~ Sweet Backlash ~

  Chapter 1

  "We're reassigning you."

  Melony blinked. "You're what?"

  Debra, the personnel manager, nodded with a frown. "You don't seem happy in the litigation department anymore." Reaching around, she shut her office door. "To be perfectly frank, I think it bothers them you're young and pretty, but smart. You defy the rule of blonds." She laughed, a forced, contrived sound.

  Melony shook her head. "That's silly. Hair color has nothing to do with ability Besides, I've worked in litigation for six years. It's what I know best."

  Debra gave her a sympathetic look. "I know. And the partners are in an uproar over this decision because you're the one they go to when they need a quick answer about a client's case. But I just can't keep you where your presence creates turmoil and hostility."

  A lump formed in Melony's throat and she swallowed past it. She took a deep breath then said, "I don't understand. I haven't done anything to deserve this."

  "I know. Your supervisor says the others see you as a know-it-all. And they think you're stuck up. Of course, it's hogwash. If an attorney or another paralegal asks you a question, it's your job to give them the information they seek. The problem is you seem to know just about everything off the top of your head, while the other ladies have to look up the answers. You make them feel less competent, even though they're not. As for the stuck up part, I think it's because you don't stand around gossiping or talking about your weekends."

  Melony shifted in her seat. She didn't talk about her weekends for a reason. "Is my job in jeopardy?"

  "No!" Debra held up a hand. "Not at all." She shuffled through papers in a file. "All of your year-end evaluations are outstanding. The attorneys value you. We don't want to lose you. So we're only moving you to a position where we hope you'll be more comfortable."

  "I'm comfortable where I am." Please don't transfer me to collections or the foreclosure department. If that happened, she would seriously consider quitting.

  Debra huffed and planted a hand on her desk, but she didn't lose control of her concerned expression. "But the rest of the department isn't. We've got to do what's best for everyone."

  Though it hurt, Melony understood the manager's difficult position. Crossing her fingers behind her back, she showed mercy and asked, "So what do you have in mind?"

  Debra's shoulders relaxed and she smiled. "We've hired a new associate attorney for litigation. He needs a secretary."

  Aghast, Melony grimaced as her stomach lurched. "A secretary? You want me to be a secretary?"

  Debra raised her hand again. "I know, I know. You deal with the partners' secretaries, who handle a lot of personal stuff for their bosses. But what if I promise you wouldn't have to deal with any of his personal business? You would strictly be a legal secretary with consulting responsibilities for the litigation department. That way, the partners can still come to you with their questions, you'd be removed from the ladies and their personal problems, and you get a raise right away with another after your yearly evaluation."

  How could she argue with that? It made her nervous, though. To have an attorney asking her to take a letter? She didn't remember any of the shorthand she'd learned in high school. Making flight and hotel reservations for deposition trips? She fisted her hands at the very thought of him asking her to fetch coffee. "I don't know about this."

  "Just try it. If it doesn't work, we'll figure out something else."

  "What's his name?"

  Debra gave her a blank look. "I'm sorry?"

  "The attorney. What's his name?"

  "Oh. Um… I have it here somewhere." The manager rifled through a stack of e-mails. "I can't seem to find it. Would you agree to take the position and I'll get it to you by the end of the day?"

  Resigned, though glad she still had a job, Melony gave a single nod.

  Debra issued a delighted clap and beamed a triumphant smile. "Excellent! Let me show you your new desk. Your attorney isn't due to start until Monday, so take these next two days to move your things and settle in, then enjoy your weekend."

  Melony lacked the manager's enthusiasm. "Thanks."'

  * * * *

  Friday morning, Melony arrived at her new desk and stood, hands planted on her hips. What in the world would she do all day? She had moved her things yesterday, and the computer geeks had moved and hooked up her computer system before she arrived that morning.

  Coffee. She needed coffee. Holding the handset of her phone, she punched Kathy's extension. The double beep let her know her friend was in the office and had turned off her voicemail. "Kathy. Pick up."

  "Hey, woman! Likin' your new digs?" her friend's too-cheerful voice boomed.

  "Not so loud," Melony said with a wince, wishing worry over her lack of job security hadn't kept her tossing and turning the night before.

  "Got a hangover?" Kathy giggled.

  "Yeah, right. You know I never have more than one glass of wine."

  "Control freak." Her friend chuckled.

  "Look who's talking. You're the one with a whip in the trunk of your car. Just in case."

  "Shhh! What d'ya want, anyway?"

  Melony smiled, enjoying her friend's discomfort. "Coffee. Come down to Pop's Kitchen with me."

  "Ugh! You know I hate that restaurant. Those waitresses don't wash their hands."

  "The coffee's self-serve. Besides, you know the deputies hang out there in the mornings. Maybe you'll meet a tall, muscular gun-toter to use your whip on." She grinned. Her friend couldn't refuse now.

  "Those brown uniforms do turn me on."

  "Meet you at the elevator."

  She laughed when she found Kathy already waiting, holding open the elevator door. "I love you," she said. "That's the first laugh I've had since this whole thing started yesterday."

  The door closed. Kathy leaned against the back wall and flicked a black curl over her shoulder. "Those stupid bitches. I ought to take my whip to them."

  "It's not that bad." Melony thoroughly enjoyed the image of Kathy cracking the braided leather length over Loretta's cowering, quivering body. She sighed.

  "Like hell! You're a stinkin' secretary thanks to them." Kathy's green eyes sparkled with anger despite the dim overhead light.

  "You make it sound like I've been demoted. They're giving me a raise. I'll give you two lashes if you breathe a word about it. It's a much easier job, I think. And I don't have to work with those mushrooms anymore." She snapped her fingers.

  Kathy screwed up her features. "Mushrooms?"

  The doors opened and Melony led the way. "Yeah. Kept in the dark and fed a ration of shit every day."

  Her friend barked a laugh and followed her into the first-floor restaurant. The place teemed with brown jackets. Sheriff's Dept. lettered their backs in yellow. Through the window, across the street, the federal court building and jail stood still and quiet. Kathy had plenty of time to fraternize.

  Turning, Melony glimpsed her friend's look of pure joy. "Go to it, girl." She headed to the coffee counter.

  Keeping an ear out to Kathy's flirts and wild invitations, she tamped down her giggles. Her friend would get in trouble if she propositioned the wrong deputy. Luckily, her overtures met with banter and chuckles. When it seemed Kathy wouldn't find a new playmate, Melony snapped a lid on her cup and gave a low whistle. She inclined her head toward the dispenser. "We've got to get back. Are you getting some?"

  "I am so not getting some from these guys," She snatched a cup from a stack and filled it. She picked up a lid and joined Melony at t
he register. "This is on you, right?"

  "Already paid for yours." Melony grinned, accepting coins from the cashier. On the way back, she said, "I wish my desk were next to yours. I'm going to be bored today."

  "Too bad surfing the web's a firing offense. There's always the bathroom. Though your white blouse and linen skirt look like they'd wrinkle really bad." Kathy waggled her eyebrows and smirked.

  "Aren't you funny." Melony rolled her eyes. "Is that new?" She admired her friend's purple, silk suit. It looked very expensive.

  "Gift." Kathy waved a hand. "I earned it, if you ask me."

  Melony chuckled. "Stanley?"

  "Hell, yes. I swear, I think he likes the pain. I've had to get rough lately."

  "He's not giving you any?"

  "I have to make him bleed just to stir some life into his cock." Kathy shook her head. "I'm thinking about turning him loose. It's time for a change, anyway."

  Melony studied her friend. "You've been with Stanley for two years. Do you ever think about getting married? Having kids?"

  "No way!" Kathy spat, one corner of her mouth lifting in a sneer.

  "You could give them a better life than you had. I know your dad—"

  "No way. I wouldn't know what to do with kids. I've decided I'm one of those women who isn't meant to be a mother. Besides, I'm having too much fun."

  Melony nodded. "Yeah, I'm happy, too. Thank for mentoring me into the society." Except she wasn't convinced. She couldn't shake a sense of loneliness.

  She waved goodbye, made her way to her desk, and sank into her seat. She considered not turning on her computer, but if an attorney requested information, she would need the database at her fingertips. While her system booted, she took a sip of coffee and eyed the empty adjacent office.

  Smiling, she wondered if the new attorney knew he would have no privacy behind the glass wall. Every attorney office in the building sported the see-through feature. She shook her head. Yeah, he was in for a treat.

  Chapter 2

  Chip shrugged into his suit jacket on the elevator ride from the parking garage. He tried to flex his shoulders, hating the constricting confines of the tailored cut. Wiggling the tie at his throat, he closed his eyes and tried to imagine himself at the beach, where he had originally planned to spend the day. Unfortunately, Bob had called and invited him to Monday's court hearing to meet one of the judges. Now he had to prepare.

  The elevator dinged and he opened his eyes. He gripped his soft-sided briefcase as the door slid open. The personnel director, What's Her Name, had told him his office was on the left at the back. With the confidence his father had instilled in him, he headed in that direction like he owned the place.

  The number of cubicles and staring eyes astounded him. This firm was the fifth largest in the state, but he hadn't expected so much staff out in the open. Between legal assistants on telephones and paralegals discussing points of litigation, his ears rang. The noise would take getting used to.

  He ducked into his office and shut the door. The quiet was a relief, and he let out the breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.

  His office, though pristine, depressed him. Stark, with tan carpet, tan wallpaper on two walls, and plain furniture, the space left a lot to desire. On one side, windows overlooked Main Street and the federal court building across the way. On the other, two floor-to-ceiling glass plates formed a wall between his office and the staff pool. He couldn't deal with the stress of so many people watching his every move, so he kept his back turned.

  He plopped his briefcase on the desktop and sat in the surprisingly comfortable leather chair. He checked every drawer and compartment of his wide desk and tall, matching credenza. With his favorite pen and a notepad he kept in his briefcase, he prepared a list of supplies he would require.

  With that done, he took a moment to stare out the window. A new city, a new job, and he needed to find a new apartment. The hotel would do for about a week, but after that, it would feel seedy. He needed his own place. He sighed. It was a new start.

  He glanced at his watch then hit the phone button labeled Secretary. With only two hours left in the workday, he needed to get busy. He hoped she could stay late.

  Beep-beep. "Yes, sir?"

  She sounded young. Not the grandmotherly type he had in Boston. "Please come see me."

  The door opened and he swiveled the chair. Before he could speak, however, his throat closed and his crotch tightened. Shit! Danger just walked in.

  She had pale blond hair swept up in some fancy knot, held in place with what looked like chopsticks. It appeared too easy to quickly let down. Chocolate brown eyes caressed his face, or did he imagine it? God, did his pants bulge? He crossed a leg over his knee as a precaution.

  Her skin was amazing. Flawless. Alabaster tinged in the right places with a hint of pink. Had to be make-up. Especially on her mouth. Geez, he couldn't help picturing those plump, glistening lips wrapping around the tip of his dick. He started to throb, and swallowed. Hard.

  He wanted to look away, but couldn't take his eyes from her. Her long, ballerina neck arched for his kiss. Stop it! Firm, high, not-too-large breasts filled out her translucent blouse. Underneath, a lace camisole stretched, hinting at a shadow of pretty cleavage. Were her tits getting bigger by the second? Damn it, he was staring.

  Dropping his gaze lower, he admired the form-fitting, cream-colored pencil skirt that hugged her tiny waist and emphasized the gentle flare of her hips. Young, but not too young. Definitely a woman. Damn, she was sweet.

  Long runner's legs tapered to shapely ankles. Highlighted by cream colored, strappy high-heeled shoes, her narrow feet ended with French manicured toes he wanted more than anything to suck.

  She cleared her throat, and he gave a guilty start. "Yes," he said and mentally slapped himself when his voice cracked. "I have a list of supplies. Can you see to it or is there someone else I should talk to?"

  Her dark gaze raked him and he froze, terrified she would see his tenting trousers. Then he realized the edge of his desk blocked her view.

  She held out a hand. "I'll take care of it for you."

  Her voice sounded different in person. Less childlike. More husky, sexy. It swirled around him, and he leaned forward slightly. His eyes found her outstretched hand, his mind sending it straight to his dick. He stared, picturing the slender fingers taking hold of his hard length. His mouth went dry. Get control, man!

  "The list?" she reminded

  "Yes, of course. The list." He sounded like an idiot. He ripped the page off the pad and handed it to her. She turned and headed for the door, her hips swaying seductively and her shoes making a sexy, slappy rhythm with her walk.

  "Excuse me." He hadn't even asked her name. He was such a jerk. "What should I call you?"

  "How about Hey you," she suggested with a straight face.

  It took him a moment to realize she joked. Maybe he hadn't made a complete ass of himself. He chuckled.

  "Call me Melony."

  "Thank you, Melony." He tried to relax but she had him in tangles. "I'm Chip Albemarle. Could you get me a copy of Monday's hearing schedule, and the corresponding trial prep summary? I'd like to go over it this weekend."

  "Yes, sir."

  "Chip," he called as she closed the door.

  That glass wall was going to cause him no end of problems with her sitting on the other side.

  * * * *

  Who did he think he was? Melony sent her fingers over the keyboard to place his supply order. Coming in here early, unannounced, and looking at her like that. Typical man. What a pig.

  She sent a second e-mail, asking Bob's secretary for the trial prep material. Her fingers trembled when she lifted them from the keys. Damn her for letting him get to her. She went online and checked the court docket for Judge Edmonds to see what time and to which courtroom he and Bob needed to report Monday morning. He would probably do it himself, but she preferred to have the information handy if he asked.

  Then again
, for a lawyer, he seemed kind of stupid. She knew attorneys who lacked common sense, and some who had no tact, but none who seemed stupid. The way he had talked, and kept losing his train of thought… Maybe he suffered first-day-on-the-job jitters. Wait a minute. Why did she give him the benefit of the doubt? After the way he had treated her? If his eyes had the power of his hands, she'd be naked right now.

  And what kind of name was Chip, anyway? It didn't seem like a real name, more a nickname, really. Chip. She refused to call him that.

  She had to calm down before she worked into a rage. She couldn't afford to do something she'd regret. Kathy's recommendation she use a trip to the bathroom suddenly seemed appealing. It would release the tension, if nothing else. Chip talked on the phone, gesturing at the glass wall. Everyone else appeared engrossed in work. Sighing, she slipped away from her desk.

  She found the ladies' room blessedly empty. She relaxed and took a deep, cleansing breath. After securing the large, handicapped stall at the far end, she draped a hand towel over the toilet seat and hiked her skirt. Her fingers trembled now for a different reason. Lowering her panties to her ankles, she settled on the towel and closed her eyes.

  She sent her tongue across her lips, again and again, the taste buds grazing her sensitive lips and making them tingle. Mmm, nice. She unfastened the first three buttons at the top of her blouse and slid a hand under her camisole and inside her bra. She captured the already budding nipple between her thumb and forefinger and gently rolled it back and forth. Instant pleasure shot from her breast, straight through her abdomen into her womb.

  Warm wetness washed the walls of her passage. She raised her knees to hook the heels of her shoes on the edge of the toilet rim. Letting her knees fall wide, the folds of her slit peeled apart and began to swell. She loved the sensation of prickly excitement as blood filled those tissues, making them beg for her touch. Moisture wept, and she dipped her finger into the juices. Spreading them up and down in a rhythm along her aching slit, she bit her lip to keep from groaning.