by Abby Gordon
"There's more?"
She grinned at the shock and worry in his voice.
"Nothing too out of the ordinary,” she laughed. Leaning forward, she set her glass on the table. With a sigh, she snuggled against him, curling her legs up to rest on the edge of the chair. “Debbie's the biggest one. And I'm really worried about her. I think something else happened, but I don't know what it is."
"Then you definitely need to get her to talk to your boss. Sounds like he's the only one who can take care of it."
She nodded.
"Monday. I promise."
"Good,” he nodded, deciding they'd done enough talking about work. His right arm tightened around her shoulders and his left hand fondled a breast. “Then can we focus on us?"
Serena's breath caught as his voice dropped suggestively. She looked at him, knowing now to wait for him to take the lead.
"Yes, Master,” she whispered.
"Excellent,” he smiled. “I want to play with your body until you're nearly hoarse from begging me to fuck you,” he whispered in her ear.
"Can I start begging now?” she wondered, turning her upper body toward him. “When can I start learning your body, Master?” Her mouth went to the base of his neck near his shoulder and nibbled slightly. One hand found the hard length of his cock under the black leather pants. “Can I touch you?"
Keith inhaled sharply at the feel of her mouth on his skin and her fingers brushing over his cock. He nearly gave in, but held tight to his plan. Instinctively, he knew he still needed to bind her to him sexually.
"Not yet, sweetheart,” he told her, catching her wrist and pulling her hand away from his cock. “But if you're a good girl, I might fuck your mouth with my cock."
Serena closed her eyes and leaned against him.
"I never thought I would want that,” she told him. “But I do with you,” she said shyly. “With you I want to do nearly everything."
He nodded.
"I think before we actually do anything else, I should show you my toys so you can decide what you can handle or need to think about."
Green eyes glowed as she looked up.
"Thank you, Master,” she whispered, stretching her neck to kiss him.
He held her gently, accepting the sweetness she offered. His, he vowed. Nothing would take her from him. He realized how close to the edge he was with her. Overnight she had become an obsession. He wanted to shout to the world that she was his. The need to wait, whether or not he appreciated the necessity, chafed at him. He wondered how the hell he was going to maintain the facade at the office. The temptation to haul her into his office, bend her over his desk, and fuck would be too great. He suddenly wondered if he could make it. She tempted his control in ways he hadn't thought possible.
Soon, he told himself. Soon, this secrecy would be over and she would be his publicly as well as privately. Soon, soon.
Sunday evening, Serena slowly entered her apartment. Automatically, she hung her coat on the hook and slipped off her heels. Dangling them by the straps, she put her purse on the table near the door and bolted it. Fishing the special cell phone out, she carried it to the bedroom. Hitting Speed 1, she pulled the covers back and crawled into bed.
"Serena."
"I'm back and the door's bolted,” she told him.
"Good girl,” he murmured. “Get to sleep, sweetheart. You had a rather eventful weekend. Sleep and dream of me."
"Then I won't get any sleep,” she grumbled.
He chuckled.
"If it's any consolation, I don't think I'll get much sleep either. Remember what I told you?"
"Yes, Master,” she whispered. “I won't touch myself unless you tell me to, or...” She closed her eyes. “Master, I wish you were holding me."
"Soon, Serena,” he promised. “Soon, I'll be holding you and nothing and no one will come between us."
"Yes, Master,” she sighed.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Eight
Monday morning, Serena left her apartment and headed down the hall to the apartment Debbie and Claire shared. She knew Debbie would resist, would be furious she'd discussed her problems with HR with anyone, and would try to refuse to talk to Keith. During the night, though, Serena had thought long and hard about what Master said and realized he was right about many things. First, and most importantly, she had to protect Debbie from anything else Duncan, the VP for Programming, and the other misogynists in that department might do. The only way to do that, since it was obvious Hester in HR wasn't going to do her job, was to go directly to Keith.
At her knock, Claire opened the door. A relieved grin was on her face.
"There you are!” she beamed, hugging her. “Why didn't you tell us where you were going? We were about to call the police."
"I, um, was with...,"
"The man who sent the rose?” Claire guessed. “The one whose name you refuse to tell us? You spent the entire weekend with him?” Light blue eyes rounded. “Wow! That was quick! I've never known you to do anything like this!"
"What can I say?” Serena smiled. “He swept me off my feet."
"Definitely ask him if he has a brother,” Claire told her.
"Well, if it isn't the long-lost sheep,” Debbie commented, coming from her bedroom. “We weren't sure if we should alert the police that you were missing."
With Master's comments fresh in her head, Serena looked at Debbie's outfit with new eyes and winced. He was right. Despite the professional dress code, not to mention the blustery weather, Debbie was barely the right side of legal with her short red leather skirt over black fishnets and see-through black blouse over a red bra.
"Debbie, that doesn't exactly fit the dress code,” she frowned.
"What's the matter with the way I'm dressed?” she demanded.
"Honestly?” Serena hesitated, glancing at Claire. The other young woman was no help as she just gave Serena a puzzled look. “You're dressed like a hooker. It's not professional at all."
Both stared at her with their mouths open. Claire took a step back.
"Serena! How can you say that to Debbie?"
"Because I want you to tell Keith what Duncan, Steve, and the others have been doing and saying to you,” Serena said, her eyes on Debbie's face. “What they're doing isn't right. It's illegal and it's hurting you professionally and personally."
"Keith won't care,” Debbie said petulantly. “Duncan said..."
"If Keith won't do anything, then we'll find a lawyer,” Serena said quickly. She crossed the room and touched Debbie's arm. “But I think he will. Debbie, I know the men in Programming have been bothering you. I'm willing to bet they're doing the same thing to other women and that Duncan has threatened all of you.” The startled expression in Debbie's eyes warned her. “Is this why you've been dressing so provocatively? Is it what they said you had to do?"
Debbie stiffened.
"I like dressing like this,” she said defensively.
"It's not how you dressed eighteen months ago when you started at the company.” Serena gripped Debbie's shoulders. “Debbie, you said some things Friday night that worried me. Please,” she whispered. “Let me help you. Tell Keith and let him help you."
"Hester said that..."
"Hester doesn't get the final say,” Serena said firmly. “Keith won't let them get away with the harassment or with them stealing your ideas. Or anything else."
Despite her provocative clothing, Debbie looked like she was all of six years old as she nibbled her lower lip. Serena stared her down and Debbie dropped her gaze. When Debbie scuffed the toe of her shoe against the floor, Serena struggled to keep from laughing.
"You really think he'll believe me? That he'll make them stop?"
Serena groaned and hugged her.
"Debbie, Keith is going to believe you and he'll do more than make them stop.” Holding the younger woman tight, Serena closed her eyes. “Dammit, why didn't you tell me as soon as it started? Or sooner? Did you think I wouldn
't believe you or something?"
"You're the CEO's executive assistant!” Debbie burst into tears. “Do you have any idea how intimidating you were at first? Can still be? I'm just a girl from West Virginia who got really lucky and stumbled onto this job! I'm alone and..."
"No,” Serena whispered. She was intimidating? Her? “You're not alone, Debbie. Claire and I are with you. I'll be with you when you tell Keith and if we need to we'll redo our movie marathon tonight.” Looking at the tear-stained cheeks, she gave her a wry smile. “You gotta admit the last one didn't work out so well."
"It was kind of a downer,” Debbie nodded. Taking a deep breath, she hiccupped slightly. “Okay, I'll tell him."
"Good girl, Now, go change into something more appropriate for the office. Go on now!” Serena waved her off when Debbie hesitated.
A slight smile now on her face, Debbie turned and disappeared back into her bedroom. Serena turned to look at Claire. Her slacks and sweater would do.
"What?” Claire asked, suddenly wary of Serena's attention.
"I want you to tell me about Paul."
Serena could almost see her hackles rise.
"He wants me to be part of a threesome with him and David. I saw them,” she whispered, voice catching. “I heard them."
"Saw them doing what? What were they talking about?"
"They were talking about sharing me.” Serena could barely hear Claire's soft voice. “About what they would do to me. How they'd finally found the perfect patsy to share."
"They said that?” Serena frowned. “They called you a patsy?"
"No,” Claire answered with obvious reluctance. “But it was pretty clear that's what they meant."
"I thought you liked David."
"That doesn't mean I want to have sex with him!” Claire protested. “Or watch Paul and David have sex or—"
"Did you see them having sex?” pressed Serena. “Debbie told me that you had."
Claire frowned in confusion.
"I didn't tell her that,” she shook her head. “At least, I don't think I did,” she added, trying to recall. “I was pretty upset."
"That's more than understandable,” Serena told her, hugging her. “And you certainly shouldn't let them talk you into anything you don't want to do. Or you think they tried to trick you into doing."
"I don't,” Claire said firmly.
Serena nodded, noting the confusion she saw in Claire's eyes and heard in her voice. She'd learned all too well that views on sex could change. All it took was a persuasive man and trust.
Debbie's door opened. Serena nodded. The black skirt was slightly longer and there was a red camisole under the blouse.
"I really don't have much else,” whispered Debbie.
"It's a little better,” Serena replied. “Come on. It's best to catch Keith first thing before his schedule gets crowded."
"Maybe this isn't such a good idea after all,” Debbie shook her head.
"C'mon,” Claire cajoled, holding her coat out. “Don't you want Duncan and the others to get what's coming to them? The only one who can do that is MacLauren.” She glanced at Serena. “Do you really think he'll do something?"
"I do,” Serena nodded firmly, praying she was right.
Keith wasn't surprised that Serena wasn't at her desk yet. He'd had a feeling that she would go first to Claire and Debbie's to convince Debbie to tell him what had been happening. All he had to do was act surprised when they showed up at his door and listen quietly. Before he unleashed hell on Duncan, after hearing the man's side, of course. And Hester's. And anyone else involved.
It was nearly eight before he heard anything besides the ringing phone in the outer office. Eyes on the file before him, he listened to the hushed whispers. Debbie didn't appear to be eager to talk to the “big man.” It also appeared as if Serena was determined to make sure it was done. They shooed Claire out and he heard the door to the corridor close.
A moment later there was a rap on his half-open door.
"Yes?” he murmured, turning a page over.
"Keith?” Serena called. “I know it's early but I think you need to listen to something."
"Can it wait?” he asked, wondering if she would stick to her guns. “I'm going over the Hancock contract requests."
"No,” she replied. “It needs to be done now. It's important."
He lifted his head and hoped he looked appropriately disgruntled. And that he was hiding his surprise at the firmness in her voice. Maybe it was true, he thought. He'd heard that some submissives, having surrendered their sexual pleasure to a trusted dominant, found a well of confidence and strength in themselves. While she'd been a mentor for many younger employees, Serena was now taking that a step further. She had never countered a request of his. Of course, he admitted, she had never interrupted him the way she just did, either.
"All right,” he nodded. “What is it?"
Serena tugged Debbie into the room and closed the door behind them. Keith bit his inner cheek hard to keep a straight face. It was obvious Serena had tried to get Debbie to dress more conservatively and barely succeeded. It was also clear Debbie was thoroughly pissed at his assistant.
"It's Debbie, isn't it?” he frowned.
"Debbie Shelton,” Serena told him, pulling Debbie to the chairs in front of his desk and making her sit down. “She's in Programming. There have been things going on and no one else will stop it.” Worried eyes looked at him. “You're the only one who can."
"Sounds serious,” he frowned, studying Debbie's face. “You don't want to tell me, though, do you?"
"She's making me,” Debbie mumbled.
"Then perhaps it's not that serious,” he shrugged.
As he'd expected, Serena's protective streak flared up.
"It is!” she insisted, putting an arm around Debbie. “Tell him,” she urged. “Please, Debbie. It's his company. He has to know. If you don't tell him, other women could get hurt and used."
"Wait a second,” Keith raised a hand, playing along. “Are you talking sexual harassment?"
"Yes,” Serena nodded, relieved that he'd caught on so quickly. “I thought it was just a couple men in Programming, including Steve, but on the way over, Claire told me it was nearly a dozen."
"Have you gone to HR?” he asked.
"Twice,” Debbie whispered. “Hester told me I deserved it. That, because I like to party, I was just a tramp."
"She said that?” Keith felt his temper rise. “That's inexcusable!"
Slightly reassured by his reaction, Debbie started talking. Keith listened in stunned silence. Debbie had talked to the five women in Programming and all were scared to say anything because, after Hester told Duncan about Debbie's complaints, Duncan threatened them with losing their jobs. When confronted by Duncan and Hester, the five had refused to support Debbie.
"Serena,” he said quietly. Alert eyes waited. “Get the other women in a room and get them to write everything down. Dates, times, what was said, and who else was around. Don't let them talk to each other while they're doing it. Make sure someone from Legal is there. Someone who isn't chummy with Duncan,” he added.
"I'll call Paul,” she nodded, ignoring Debbie's startled squawk. “Or David."
"Serena!” Debbie protested again.
"Excellent,” he approved. “Debbie, thank you for telling me. I know it wasn't easy, and I appreciate the courage it took.” Her brown eyes rounded in shock at his words. “I have to get Duncan's side of things, but I would say,” raising his hand to silence both women, “that he will have a very difficult time defending anything he's done. In fact,” he looked at Serena, “ask David to sit with the women as they write their statements and have Paul come in here while I'm talking to Duncan. And then we'll get Hester in here,” he said grimly. “I want to know what the hell she was thinking to let this go without taking action. Unless she wanted my company to deal with a sexual harassment lawsuit,” he frowned.
"Why would she want that?” Serena asked, reali
zing he had thought of something.
"I'm not sure,” he said slowly.
But he was getting an idea. Hester had come over from one of his father's companies three years earlier. As had Duncan. Could his father be trying to sabotage him? Or could his brothers? He didn't want to believe it, but Debbie might just have revealed a conspiracy to destroy him.
Not pressing, Serena nodded. Keith liked to think things through, like a chess master before he made a move. He knew it sometimes frustrated her, but obviously she could fully appreciate his caution now.
"I'll call Paul and David and have them come here first,” she said. “You'll want to talk to them before the statements are taken and you talk to the caveman."
Debbie choked back a laugh at Serena's term for the man who'd been slowly making her life hell. Keith smiled slightly.
"An appropriate description, if rather mild,” he commented. “I would prefer a stronger term, but it is not one I'll use in mixed company,” he added grimly. “In fact, Serena, it might be better if neither you nor Debbie were here while all this is going on. I have a feeling that things could get rather hot.” He glanced at Serena with sudden inspiration. “What about that shopping trip you were talking about last week? Or was that the other girl who mentioned it?"
"Claire, and it was with Debbie,” Serena filled in and seized on the idea. “It's perfect,” she smiled. “Debbie was just talking about getting a couple suits for work."
"What?” Debbie protested. “I did?"
"I'll call Paul and David and tell Laura in Legal to reserve a conference room for the entire day before we leave,” Serena smoothly overrode the younger woman. Standing, she pulled Debbie up with her. “Come on, Debbie. Claire might not be able to go with us, but I know where we can get some incredible things you'll love."
Keith had to fight to keep a straight face as Serena pulled a protesting Debbie out of his office. Glancing over her shoulder, Serena winked before closing the door.
For a moment, Keith let the humor of the moment fill the air. He and Serena made a pretty good team, whether in or out of bed, he smiled. Dear God, he thought, he'd had no idea things were as bad as Debbie had finally told him. Serena's shock had been obvious as she had listened, slack-jawed. What the hell was going on? How had he been so blind? Was it arrogance? Over-confidence? He couldn't believe this had been going on under his very nose!