I dash up the steps, turn the corner into her room and walk to the bed where I had left them. Curious to see what she was working on now, I take a peek at her sewing station. There is a small stack of design sketches on the workspace. I finger through a few and most of them are bright whites, pinks, sea foams and reds.
Then I see an elaborate design sketch of a bizarre dress, and I am one who likes bizarre. It’s a black form-fitting dress with long sleeves and it has deep satiny ribbon stitched up the forearms, which look like actual stitches, like someone would get in a hospital. The ribbons spiral away from the sleeves. It’s kind of a cool design I would totally wear it.
I set the paper down and trail my fingers over the art instruments; pencils, markers, erasers… a razor blade? Probably for cutting the fabric. I turn my head in the direction of her laptop and I see her Facebook page open. I will have to ‘friend’ her later. I get a quick glimpse of a few comments on her page:
Slut, freak, teacher fucker go back to London, are a few that stand out. My heart clenches, it cannot be easy, being a teen today with this kind of social media. Teens today can hide behind a screen and talk all the shit they want and not see the pain they are enforcing.
This is private I shouldn’t be looking at it, but I will be talking to her about it. I get up from her desk, turn and as I pass her bathroom I see mannequin heads…OK, this I have to investigate. I peak in and I see a couple different wigs on heads, they all look so realistic.
Caroline wears a wig? Another thing added to ask her about.
I turn to walk back out and Ben is right there, arms folded across his chest. “Snooping, are we?”
He looks dead serious. I don’t know if I should be worried or not. I shift nervously from foot to foot and I nervously tuck a piece of stray hair behind my ear. What do I say? Biting down on my lip, I look to the floor and then the wind is knocked out of me, and the next thing I know I am being hauled off out of the room over Ben’s shoulder. What the…?
Ben smacks my ass and leaves a little sting. Once again I don’t know if I should be afraid or turned on. When I expect him to turn to go down the steps, he strides through the door across the hall, to his old room.
He kicks the door shut from behind and continues his forceful stride to his bed. He drops me on my back and he starts to undo his jeans.
Oh? Oh my!
He looks at me. “We don’t have much time before my Dad or Gwen get suspicious.” His eyes are on fire with desire. I am instantly wet and ready for him. As he undoes his belt, I eagerly get to work on getting my own jeans off. He grabs the waistband and my underwear at the same time and pulls them right off, in one swift motion.
“I have been dying to take you here since last night at the party,” he says. “I have never had a woman in here and I want you right here, right now.”
All I can get out is a whimper, because I just want him inside of me right now. He is on top of me before I can finish that thought, and he drives into me hard and fast. Only slowing once or twice to swirl his hips, while deep inside. This drives me mad and he knows it. I am trying with all my might not to scream, but this feels too good! How do I keep myself from announcing to everyone in this house that their son is taking me for all that I am up in his high school bedroom?
Sensing my need, Ben reaches above my head holds a small pillow in front of me, all while never missing a pounding beat. “Bite down on this and scream.”
I do as I am told. “That’s my girl. Now let me and only me, hear you.” I am reaching a very hard and very fast climax and he is right with me. I am grateful for the pillow, because without it I am pretty sure I would have screamed at the top of my lungs. Ben buries his mouth between my shoulder and neck. I not only hear his moan with his release, but he gives me a little bite and that make me come all around him one more time. He lifts his head, gives me a feather-light kiss on my lips, and whispers, “God, I love you.”
“You’re only saying that, because you just had sex with me in your old bedroom.” His eyes grow serious. Oh, geez, can’t he tell when I am joking yet?
“No. That’s not why. I love you for so many other reasons that I couldn’t even count on all my fingers and toes. I. Love. You. But we really need to get moving, even though I would prefer to stay just like this.” And he wriggles his hips.
Covering my face, realizing we have been up here for probably a good amount of suspicious time. We quickly dress and make our way back down stairs.
We find Jack and Gwen cleaning up the kitchen together and they look so sweet and happy in that moment. Ben sees it too. He looks down at me and me up to him and he kisses my forehead and smiles.
On the way home I ask Ben about Caroline.
“What do you mean you’re concerned?”
I fiddle with my fingers, “I saw a few things on her Facebook page… things people are calling her.”
His face hardens, “What did they say?” He looks sternly at me from the driver’s side.
“Look, I didn’t bring this up to freak you out or to upset you.”
“What did they say Tess?”
“They were calling her names like, slut and teacher fucker and few others. I didn’t want to look any more, because it’s her privacy. But, Ben, I think there’s something going on.” I am genuinely worried, she is showing signs of how I was during my downward spiral.
“She is seeing a therapist.” He informs me.
“Yeah so did I, when I was her age. That didn’t help shit, you learn to say what they want to hear. Will you just look into it Ben? Make sure she isn’t in any kind of trouble?”
“Of course, but I really don’t think we have much to worry about. Kids are assholes these days, they just want to bring the tough ones down and Caroline is tough.”
“I hope so.”
My alarm goes off at seven a.m, giving me plenty of time to prepare myself for my interview at Tones. Beyond excited, nervous and beside myself, I am incredibly grateful to Ben for getting me an interview. Most magazines wouldn’t look at someone like me, no college degree… yet, or field experience, unless you count all the times I snuck my little camera into shows, but I am willing to bet that is a negative.
After coffee and a shower, I get my bag ready. Portfolio: check. Camera: check. Purse full of my random carry-alongs: check. I go to grab my phone last and I see I have a text from Ben:
Text me when you are walking in the office.
I reply back: You got it. X.
I round the corner to enter the tall gray building. I stop right in front and I take a look up… way up. My stomach is in knots. What if I blow this? I wouldn’t just be letting myself down, but Ben too, considering what he had to do to get me in here. I pull out my phone and text Ben again:
I’m scared.
Where are you?
Outside… downstairs…
Stay where you are I’ll come get you.
Two minutes later I see Ben approaching the glass doors which separate us and my stomach flops once again. He has a huge grin on his face, which warms me up considering it’s November in Seattle. As soon as he is through the doors, his arms go right around me, “Hey baby.”
“Hi.” I mouse out.
He raises an eyebrow, “Wow, you must be really really nervous, because you’re never speechless. Actually when you’re a normal nervous you ramble on and on.”
He leads me onto the elevator and gives me a kiss.
“You’ll be great,” I doubt that, but I am pretty good at putting on a façade when I have to.
Ben leads me to a waiting room, where we check in with a secretary, then he returns to work. Moments later, I am ushered into Mr. Andrews’s office.
He stands and walks over to me, smiles and introduces himself. “Hi, Tess, I am Ted Andrews, CEO of Tones Magazine. Please, please have a seat.” He is in his late thirties, with dark ash blonde hair with a little bit of gray coming through. No tie. I feel a little more at ease.
We sit and I notice his eyes linger
on my legs. “Can I see what photos you have for me?”
I eagerly present him with my small portfolio on a flash drive, he offers a friendly sly smile and leans forward to take it from me, his thumb nail lightly scratching my palm as he pulls away, making my stomach twist. He plugs it in and inspects my work. I don’t think I have ever felt so self-conscious. He slowly flips through my pages and he doesn’t give anything away. Man, he has one hell of a poker face. I start to fidget with my hands.
“Do you edit your own work?” he asks.
“I do.”
“Have you edited how the performers look in anyway? To make them appear sexy… such as yourself?” His questions makes me uncomfortable; where is he going with this?
“No sir.” I answer, trying not to crack my voice.
He nods in what I hope is approval. Finally, he closes the black case and flips it over. Leaning back in his CEO chair, he smiles.
“Very impressive work, Miss Martin, Mr. Mitchell was right on with how great your work is. Now, we have had a lot of applications for a new event photographer, but since my highest-ranking columnist has recommended you, I am going to give you a test run. One show. I want ten of the best shots, from start to finish. If you can give me those and I can use them in the next issue, I will set you up here at Tones with a monthly salary of twenty-five hundred and will increase it once it takes off. What do you think?”
I want to jump up and down and hug the man, but I am pretty sure that is against any and all first-acquaintance behavior. Especially with a possible future boss. “Of course,” I practically squeak.
He smiles and stands, holds out his hand to shake, but pulls me in for a hug instead; his hand lingers on my lower back. “Then this Friday you will be working with Mr. Mitchell. He tells me you are dating. Now, we don’t have anti-dating rule here at Tones, I figure what you do in your personal time is up to you, as long as it doesn’t affect your work. I trust that won’t be an issue?” He asks with a wink. Ew.
“No, sir.”
“Ben will have all of your access badges and information on the show for Friday night. I look forward to see what you report back. Have fun.”
I thank him and make my way to the office next door.
Ben’s office.
I am caught off guard when I see that he has blinds extended down over the glass walls. I can’t see him, like I did before. I knock on his door.
He answers the door right away. “How did it go?” He backs up to allow me into his office. Which is all grays and blacks with some red tones thrown in, just like his apartment. There are photos of him with numerous bands and albums on the walls. He has music playing low in the background.
“We are working Friday night together?” I can finally squeal.
Ben swoops me up in a big bear hug that makes me drop everything in my hands.
“Will we get to do every show together?” I ask.
“I would presume so. How was he?” Speaking of Mr. Andrews.
“Um, well, he’s a little unsettling, but everyone is different right?”
“Just keep it professional with him and you’ll be fine and you let me know if he gets handsy.” Ben jokes.
“Ha ha.” I smack his shoulder.
He nips my neck lightly with his teeth, the sensation shoots right between my legs and I let out a little moan. His hands glide from my arms to my ribs and rest on my hips.
“Ben,” I warn.
“Hmmm?”
“What are you doing?” I ask.
He then moves his hands to my thighs. “Touching my beautiful girlfriend in my office.”
“Obviously. But do you think this is appropriate?”
“Like you once asked me… when am I ever appropriate around you?” He them moves his hands to the apex of my thighs and I throw my head back to rest it on his shoulder. He takes this opportunity to lay a whopping sexy kiss on my mouth. He dives deep with his tongue and I give it right back full force. I start to move my behind on his lap and I can feel him starting to get hard. If I have any intention of getting out of this I better do it now… but do I want to stop?
I stand up off of his lap and step away. I can see the disappointment on his face. Why is he upset? I am sure he has had quite a few afternoon delights in this office, and that thought quickly makes my stomach turn.
His phone rings and he quickly grabs it off his desk and either ignores it, or turns it off, “Someone important?” I ask teasingly.
“No one is more important that you.”
“Ooh, nice save.” And the phones goes off again, who the hell?
“Where are you going?” he asks with sad eyes.
I know how to rectify this situation and I can’t believe I am going to do this here and right now. I walk to the other side of his desk and stand by his leather chair. I take his phone and turn it off.
I point to his chair. “Sit.”
Eyebrows raised, he obeys my orders and I feel hot with power. He brushes his shoulder against mine as he walks past me and I get the chills. He sits down and looks up at me with a heated glare, his mocha eyes searing me deep into my soul, and I feel my heart skip a beat. He reaches out to grab my hips but I shake my index finger at him: No touching! He gives me a fake pout, which makes me want to laugh, but I am trying my damnedest to be sexy!
I move in closer to him and I step between his long legs. I place both hands on either side of the large chair and I lean in, my mouth just about brushing his. I give his lips a quick lick and move my hands down the front of his chest to his belt. I look into Ben’s widening eyes.
That gives me the confidence I need.
I undo the leather belt and unbutton his dark jeans, and slowly unzip the zipper. I reach into his pants and through his boxers I find him hard and ready for me.
He gasps when I drop to my knees.
I lean forward and I teasingly flick the tip of his head with my tongue, and he throws his head back against his black plush chair. I take this time to take him deep into my mouth, making him growl, which turns me on to the point where I moan with him in my mouth. I am guessing he likes this because his dick twitches and his hips unintentionally pump up, so I do it again as I start to move. I change my speed from fast to leisurely slow, which makes him whimper.
I like this power I hold over him.
I flick him once more and take him deeper than before, he moans and his head shoots up and looks right into my eyes. Biting down on his own lip to conceal his desire, he comes hot and hard into my mouth. I slowly stand to my feet and he is breathing heavy and ragged, trying to do up his pants.
I turn away and I finally get that pen I was going for.
I couldn’t believe the look on Tess’s face when I got down to the front of the building. I don’t know how she could be so nervous, her photos and well… practically anything she does is amazing. She just needs to build that confidence. So once I got her text I knew a good cup of coffee would help settle her nerves.
I am incredibly excited knowing that I might just get to work with her and to possibly do shows together. We would make a great team and I hope Mr. Andrews sees that too, that’s why I asked him to put her on an assignment with me. I won’t let her know that right away though, if at all really. She will get the job regardless of me, I just want him to see that we should work together.
While she is in her interview I decide to throw on some music and finish that article that’s due in by the end of the day. But having her here is a big distraction, all I can think about is how it’s going and I hope she remembers to breath and not pass out. Well, it’s either that or she has had too much caffeine and she won’t stop fidgeting or talking, but if I had to guess she is sitting their quietly and nervously biting that pink lip of hers. Yup. Big distraction today.
When I saw my phone light up and I heard that one annoying fucking ring I hate. I look down at it and hit ignore it right away, which is just one call that will happen on my terms as usual.
A few minutes later I got
a call from reception and was told I had a call from that same person. She had some balls to call here. I had told Pete to block her.
When I heard a knock on the door I was hoping it was her and when I saw her standing there I just had to grab her up. I had already taken the opportunity to close the large blinds that over the glass walls for a little privacy.
I am oh so freaking glad I did to. I couldn’t believe it when she dropped to her knees for me in my office. I have never had a woman do anything to me here. EVER. And my God! When she moaned for me in her mouth it took all of my strength to not come, I didn’t want it to end that quickly, but holy crap that felt amazing.
And what was I saying about her confidence? I think she has earned that badge.
Thankfully she never looked at my phone’s screen.
I head down the street to the same Starbucks that Ben scared the shit out of me at not long ago, making me plaster my latte all over the window. OK, maybe I will go to the other Starbucks around the corner…
I duck inside just before a downpour. I make my way to the counter and place my order; I think I deserve a triple shot today!
I take my drink and put in my ear buds, listening to music on random shuffle. Right as I am about to dive into one of my favorite parts, I see Erin’s boyfriend Mark at the window seat, and he is not alone. At first I thought it could have been Erin, because the woman is tall and has her hair braided and pulled to the side, but she is no redhead.
I am sure it’s innocent, because if Mark is smart enough he won’t hurt my best friend. He wouldn’t have to fear only me, but Erin is a ballbuster and won’t stand for that crap. Then I see him run his hand up her bare leg.
Nope, not innocent. It’s your funeral, man.
With my iPod, I snap a quick pic for proof. I keep watching as he tucks a stray hair behind her ear, brushes his leg against hers, and tickles her palm.
Just as they are standing to leave he looks over this way and I try to duck my head so he doesn’t see me. Fail. He says something to the woman and steps away, shit shit, he is coming over.
Private Show (The Private Series) Page 7