He kept his arm around her shoulders and Anya thought Denise, an executive whose office was across the hall from her, would jump into his open arm.
She straightened when a receptionist showed Makin and Anuis down the hall. They wore sleek business suits and looked very professional.
"I didn't know you were coming,” she said as she shook their hands. It felt strange to greet them so formally, after all they'd shared. “We should go. Phil's expecting us."
They started down the hallway and Paran put his arm around her waist.
"Let me do the talking."
She stiffened and shook her head. “I can handle myself in business matters."
"I'm sure you can, but I'd like to take care of it."
Anya pulled to a sudden stop, and everyone in the group turned to her. “No mind tricks. No making Phil think I've given him something, or that I said something I didn't say. Understand?"
"Of course,” Makin and Anuis said at the same time. Paran just lifted his brows at her.
"I mean it, Paran. I won't put my integrity in harm's way by doing something like that. Promise me."
"Oh very well. But it would have been so easy to take care of that way."
They started walking again and Phil's receptionist smiled at them, and stared openly at the Djinn.
"He's expecting us,” Anya said.
Anya wasn't surprised to find Aliya, and her friend Christie, waiting in the office. When Aliya saw the models her face dropped, just a little. Then she turned dark eyes to Anya.
"Can I offer anyone coffee?” Phil indicated a pot on the credenza. After everyone had beverages, they settled around the large table and he cleared his throat.
"Gentlemen, and ladies, I'm happy to see you here. I'm sure Anya's filled you in on the situation."
"I did,” Anya said. “I wanted you to know, Phil, that..."
"You must forgive us,” Paran said, interrupting Anya, “for not following procedure. Makin, Anuis and I discussed the ideas Anya had proposed to them, and I'm afraid I was so excited about getting my face in print that I just ran with it. I've never been part of an advertising campaign before, and I didn't know I was breaking the rules."
"Excuse me,” Aliya said. “But she discussed the idea with you, a model, before clearing it with Mr. Tyson? That right there is very unethical."
"Aliya.” Phil's voice was stern.
She sat back in her seat and clamped her mouth shut. Then she jumped and her hand shot to her backside.
"Something wrong?” Paran smiled at her.
"Something just hit my behind."
Luca stifled a laugh, and Anya shook her head, gasping when Paran's voice sounded in her head. “That woman needs a good spanking."
"Phil,” Anya said in a hurry. “I'm sorry about the paperwork, really I am, and I shouldn't have taken the boards that Paran gave me. But they were so perfect that I didn't want to wait. I broke the rules, I know.” She glared at Aliya, who glared right back. “But the ideas are mine, and mine alone."
"This is bull,” her co-worker interjected. “I have a requisition order here that shows I was shooting these very pictures for this ad campaign."
Anya gave her a sweet look. “Really, and was your model a BBW?"
"Of course,” Aliya responded. “She's perfect for the ad."
Phil cleared his throat and the room grew silent. “Gentlemen, and Ms. Luca, I appreciate you coming in today. Mr. Paran, thank you for the information, and I'm sorry that you were dragged into the middle of this situation."
"Not at all,” Paran replied.
"We loved the ideas that Anya proposed,” Makin offered with a smile. “She's very talented."
"Yes, she is,” Phil said. “I'm taking it that this means you are happy with the campaign? That you like the ideas and we can move forward with plotting out ad space and costs?"
"We are,” Anuis said. “As long as Anya stays in charge of the account."
"She will.” Phil rose to his feet. “Thank you for coming in. Christie, thank you for attending. Anya and Aliya, if you'll stay for a moment, please."
They stood at the doorway and talked for a moment. Anuis and Makin caressed her mind with gentle thoughts and she sighed as their lips met hers in soft kisses only the three of them could see and feel. She stifled a laugh when she realized that Paran and Luca could see them too.
When they were gone, Phil shut the door and stalked to the table. “Sit. Both of you."
They did as he asked, but he remained standing. “I don't know what the problem is with the two of you, but it ends here, do you understand?"
"Phil, I...” Aliya closed her mouth when he held up his hand.
"Don't,” he muttered. “Do you have any idea how embarrassing that was for me? Two new clients with money to spend and I have one employee try to undermine another in front of them?"
"She didn't follow procedure! There were no requisition forms for the photos, there was no work order for the boards."
"And how would you know that? Were you checking up on her? Were you checking files to see what she had done so you could try to steal the account out from under her?"
Aliya's blush answered his questions.
"You're lucky I don't fire you right now. And I can assure you if it ever happens again, I will. Now, go back to work, both of you."
When they were in the hallway, Anya turned to Aliya.
"Listen, I—"
"Don't talk to me. You get everything, and it makes me sick."
"Me?” Anya's head swirled. The little skinny girl was jealous of her?
"That's right, you. Every new account goes through you first. You get first choice of all the big accounts. I'm as good as you are, and I have to wait to get your seconds. It sucks, and I'm sick of it."
"So what, you're going to try and cut me off at the knees? Aliya, we can work together."
"Nice try, Chubby. No way would I work with you. But you know what I am going to do? Your ex offered me a job, and I'm taking it. And then we'll steal every big account that you have, ‘cause my ideas are better. Once the advertisers get the chance to see that, they'll know it."
"Nicholas offered you a job?"
"That's right. Not only that, but he fucked me last night. Said it was nice to be with a real woman instead of a tub of lard.” Aliya looked Anya up and down, sneered and then stalked off.
The world reeled as Anya watched her leave. She sucked in a sharp breath when Makin's voice sounded in her head.
"Easy, little one. Don't let her get to you. Come to your office. We're waiting for you."
She walked the hall in a daze, Aliya's sharp words echoing in her mind. A real woman instead of a tub of lard.
She shut the door to her office and stared at Makin and Anuis.
"You're all right,” Anuis said. “Sit down, sweet pet."
"No. I just can't ... no. I knew Nicholas hated me, but for him to go to Aliya? I think I'm going to be sick."
"Stop that,” Makin said sternly. “Sit down and analyze the situation. You're letting your emotions get the better of you."
"Am I? Well I'm sorry, but I'm not an all powerful Djinn who can turn emotions on and off at will."
Makin reeled back, his eyes focused on Anya. “We feel things, too, Anya."
"Maybe, but you don't show it. You're with me because of your job, I know that. Plus, I just found out that a man I loved is screwing a woman who hates me."
"And he's doing it to get back at you,” Anuis said. “Did Nicholas work here?"
"Yes. That's how we met."
"I see,” Anuis said. “And were you above him in sales, as you are Aliya, and Nathan?"
"Yes. I've been the top seller for a few years now."
"It's that vivid imagination,” Anuis said with a grin. “Makes you think up sexy fantasies, and great advertising slogans."
Anya laughed, her smile not reaching her eyes. “So you're saying that my troubles with Nicholas happened because of professional jealousy?"
>
"Probably,” Anuis said. “Tell me, Anya, did you really love him, or were you simply thrilled that he paid attention to you?"
"I thought I loved him But now I'm thinking maybe he just paid attention to me in an effort to get in with me professionally."
"It would explain his comments about your size.” Makin's voice was soft and Anya looked at him. He looked sad, and more than a little upset. “Love is more than just physical. If you truly love a person you see them in heart, mind, and body."
"The old saying that love is blind?"
Makin nodded, and continued. “Would you care for your friends less if they were obese, or if they had one eye, or missing limbs?"
Anya pulled back. “Of course not."
"Would you try to change them?"
"No."
"Yet you think yourself in love with a man who tried to change you."
"It's just that...” tears spilled down her cheeks. “Men don't pay attention to me, and he did. I thought, I just thought..."
Anuis put his arm around her and stroked her leg. “Would you like to know what I think?"
"Sure,” she sniffled.
"I think you've been told one too many times that you're not beautiful because you are not skinny, when nothing is further from the truth. You're so very beautiful, Anya. But you've allowed people's words to influence you. You dressed as you thought a larger woman should, instead of wearing clothing that would flatter your figure. And you've thrown yourself into your job, and neglected your personal life. You thought it would be the only thing you ever had."
"I had Nicholas, and now I find out that all he wanted me for was my business sense. What does that tell me? Maybe I am good for nothing but business, if that's the only reason he wanted me."
"You'd better curb your tongue,” Makin said. “Because spankings can be done for things other than eroticism."
"He's not worthy of you,” Anuis said softly. “Do not grieve for that which you never had."
"That's just it, Anuis. I did have him, and I thought he cared. Knowing he didn't leaves a huge hole in my heart. And please don't say that you care, because I know if it weren't for the lamp, you wouldn't be here."
"Maybe,” Anuis said. “But maybe you went to Pleasant that day for a reason. Maybe you were led there, so that we could meet. Have you thought of that?"
"Fate? I'm fated to meet two Djinn, have wonderful sex and then what? You'll still leave in the end, just like Nicholas did.” She turned toward her desk, pulling her arms around herself. “Maybe you should go. Maybe we should just forget this whole thing."
She heard Anuis', “As you wish,” accompanied by a soft whoosh of air, and she buried her face in her hands.
"Anya."
She wheeled toward Makin, “Please, don't."
"Listen to me.” He stepped toward her, his hand gentle on her arm. “If you allow her words to hurt you, then you've let her win. You are a loving, wonderful woman with many things to offer. Don't let her tear you down, and don't let your pain sully the beauty of what the three of us have shared."
She turned her tear-filled eyes toward the window.
"You think me cold?"
"No."
"Yes, you do, and you're right. I'm able to shut myself off from the emotional aspects of love, while still enjoying the physical. It's a safety net, one I developed hundreds of years ago. When my wife died, I thought I could never love again. I was afraid of the pain. A wise Djinn taught me that you learn from each experience, and if you cut yourself off, whether the experience is good or bad, you can't grow from what you have learned."
"Yes, but Makin, your wife loved you. It's different knowing that Nicholas only used me."
"Grow from the experience. Don't allow yourself to become uncaring, as I have. I spent years alone until I learned my lesson. Truthfully, I still don't offer all of myself. But I'm learning."
She put her hand on his cheek. “You're not uncaring. You've shown me great love just by being here while I'm acting like an idiot."
Shock spread through her as tears leaked from his eyes. Instead of turning away from her, he stepped closer and took her finger, trailing it down the path the tear made on his cheek.
"Don't pull away from us, please. If you do, then we have failed."
She put her hands on his chest and he gently stroked her back. They stood that way for a few moments before he leaned down and kissed her hair, laying his cheek on the top of her head.
"We will be home tonight when you arrive. You have dancing class?"
"Yes, but I think maybe I'll skip it tonight."
"No, you should go. We will see you afterwards. Or do you want us to leave?"
The weight of his words hung in the air. Anya knew that if she told them to leave they would, and she would never see them again. Could she stand that? True, they were leaving at the end of the month, but maybe Makin was right. You could learn from every experience, good or bad. And if she allowed the callous way Nicholas, and in turn Aliya, had treated her to ruin the good things that happened when her Djinn were around, then she not only didn't learn from the experience, she lost part of her soul.
"Will you cook?"
His laugh was soft and he stroked her hair. “You wish is my desire. Seafood? Or something else?"
"Surprise me."
"With pleasure.” He disappeared and Anya sniffed. It galled her to think that Aliya was in her office right now, gloating over the fact that Anya was upset, that she was more than likely crying.
She took her compact out of her purse and checked her eyes. They didn't look too bad. Then she picked up her coffee mug and opened the door. Aliya stood in the hallway, laughing and talking with Nathan.
She shot Anya a malicious smile, which Anya returned with a sweet one.
"I'm going for coffee. Would anyone like some?"
Her heart jumped at Nathan's smile. “Coffee? It's time for lunch. Aliya and I were just making plans. Wanna join us?"
"I'd love to,” Anya said with a smile. Makin was right. If she allowed Aliya's words to wound her, she'd destroy everything she'd built in the last few weeks. And she wasn't going to let that happen. Not if she could help it.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter Thirteen
"Yum. You made Italian food?"
"I did,” Makin stepped out from the kitchen. He was naked except for the apron that he wore. “Ravioli with cheese, and a seafood pasta, with shrimp and scallops. How does that sound?"
"Sounds yummy.” She turned toward Anuis, who was coming down the stairs.
"Good evening, sweet pet. How was the remainder of your day?"
"It was good.” She turned to Makin. “And you were right. I had lunch with Nathan, and we had a good time. Aliya was supposed to go, but when she saw me, she canceled."
Makin cocked his head at her. “I'm glad you didn't pout all day."
She responded by sticking her tongue out at him and then laughing. “I did a lot of thinking today."
"And?” Anuis came up behind her and massaged her shoulders.
"And, you guys are right. If Nicholas, or anyone else, doesn't want me, it's only the end of the world if I allow it to be."
"You're so very smart,” Makin said with a laugh. “And we have a surprise for you that will reinforce your sense of desirability."
"Really? What's that?"
"We're going to an orgy."
* * * *
Anya clasped her hands in front of her, then pulled them apart and clasped them again.
"Are you sure it's fine to wear this? I feel a little strange."
Anuis turned from the door and assessed her. She smoothed her hands down the gauzy pants. They'd talked her into wearing one of the belly-dancer outfits, the red one. The halter-top displayed her breasts to perfection and the pants hugged her hips. She felt very sexy, but she was still very nervous.
"How does one act at an orgy?"
"Horny,” Makin said with a grin, which softened at her loo
k of distress. “Don't worry, little one, if all you want to do is watch, then that's what we'll do. But I distinctly remember seeing this fantasy in your mind."
"It's enticing, yes, but I'm still nervous."
Anuis turned to her. “The people here are a mix of Djinn and regular folk, just like yourself. Relax and enjoy."
She wanted to tell him that she would probably be the only person wearing a belly-dancer outfit, but the second she stepped through the door she knew that was wrong. Several women were dressed just as she was, and some were totally naked.
Plus, several of them were her size, or larger. She felt much more at ease as Makin and Anuis led her into the room.
The furniture was all plush, large chairs and sofas with numerous groupings of pillows on the floor. The lights were low, provided by the same floating candles that Makin and Anuis could produce.
The sounds and smells of sex permeated the room. There was also the low hum of music, flutes and drums that provided a slow, sensuous rhythm. Anya's heart beat faster, and she could feel wetness forming between her thighs.
Anuis led them into a large room. There was a sunken pit in the middle, surrounded by soft couches. There were people in the center, touching and feeling each other, their hands and lips wandering. People sitting on the couches watched, their hands either gliding over themselves, or over the people next to them. One man stroked his cock while his tongue pleasured a woman, who was pleasuring another woman.
Anya focused on the people in the pit. She'd thought at first they were just touching but as she watched she could see movements that indicated there was penetration. Several of the couples were fucking, slowly and sensuously. She moaned softly and Makin kissed her shoulder.
"Would you like to join them?"
"No.” She pulled her shoulders together and gave him a shy look. “I'm not ready for that."
"But you like what you see,” Anuis said. “Why deny yourself the pleasure? Come, let's sit on the couch and watch, and then we will seek out Paran."
"Paran?"
"Of course, Anya. Two fantasies in one, an orgy and three men loving you at one time."
"Oh. It's a great fantasy; I just never expected to live it out. I've never, um, well...” She bit her lip and looked into Anuis’ face.
Wish Me Up, Rub Me Down [A Desires of the Lamp Tale] Page 8