by Adele Huxley
“Do I? I don’t feel it. I don’t know, Parker was a dick again today and it just brings back everything I’ve been saying since I started.”
“Yeah, I know what you mean,” he said giving her a squeeze. “Have you thought about what we were talking about last weekend? It’s so expensive here and things haven’t worked out the way you thought they would. Maybe it’s time we—”
“Shhh,” Lauren said with wide eyes. “If Ali hears you she’ll flip.”
“Alright, but we should seriously talk about it. I know it isn’t the greatest plan but I’d have a job at Phil’s and you could do contract work or something. It’s so cheap we could have our own place finally. Plus, you know you love summers back home...”
“True,” she said reluctantly. Lauren quickly changed the topic when she spotted Ali approach from the bar, her long swinging strides meant for the guy watching her walk away. “The guys from Pinnacle seemed interested,” she said as Ali drew close. “I think we won’t have to be dealing with all this funding stuff for very long.”
“Little Llama, how would what’s-his-name feel about you getting phone numbers from other men?” Nick said with a smirk, watching her tuck a folded napkin in her pocket.
“What’s-his-name is a single man in New York. He’s got it easy. I need to keep my options open. Plus, how old school is actually writing your number down? Love it.” Ali replied setting her beer on the bar table.
Lauren perked up. “That reminds me. I heard about a start up that just got funded. I can’t remember their name, but basically they hire private jets to fly single women from New York out to Silicon Valley on the weekends. There’s such an imbalance in the gender ratios and everyone’s too busy to date anyway. Isn’t that hilarious?”
“Yeah, I’m gonna need the number of that company,” Ali laughed. “Isn’t that what you guys are doing now? Trying to get funding?”
Lauren looked around the bar. There was little chance anyone important could overhear but stranger things have happened in the business world. StyleSpur was in a delicate position and if the wrong people heard the right information, everything could disintegrate.
“Right, so you really want to know?” Ali nodded. “Alright, let’s use the lemonade stand analogy. When you were little and wanted to start a lemonade stand, you probably went to your parents and asked for money to get started. You had to buy the mix, sugar, cups, paint for the cute little sign you were going to make, all that stuff.”
“Don’t forget to paint the little backwards ‘e’ at the end of ‘lemonade,’” Nick added.
“Obviously. So with that seed money, you started selling lemonade and because you were a clever little Alana Llama, you made sure your income covered your costs. Now, not only were you were a clever little girl, you were hungry. You were ruthless. That tiny profit wasn’t enough and you had bigger plans. With me?”
“Yup. I like that this is all about me so far but gonna be honest, though. If there isn’t a mobster or car chase soon I might mentally check out,” Ali replied.
“Fair enough. So, you wanted to branch out. More lemonade stands, maybe even get into growing organic lemon trees so you can start supplying to other kids in the neighborhood but you’re gonna need more money. Your parents are already tapped out, so you have to get it from somewhere else. You start quietly asking around if anyone is in the market to invest in your amazing lemonade company and hopefully you find someone who has the capital and the industry connections to help out. That’s where StyleSpur is at. We’re asking around to see if anyone is interested in helping us expand, make sense?”
Ali nodded but waved her hand as if to say, go on...
“Oh! Um, and you have to pay off the local mobsters for protection. For a small price, Gino the neighborhood kingpin, will make sure no other lemonade stands open up nearby.”
“Thank you,” Ali exclaimed, throwing her hands up dramatically. “No really, thanks. That all makes sense now.”
“I still don’t understand why you need to be involved in any of that,” Nick said. “You’re just a programmer.” She loved the way his forehead furrowed when he frowned, his dark eyebrows casting shadows over his eyes.
“Because Parker had no desire to learn anything about his own business. You’d think he’d want to at least try and understand what I’ve designed and how it works but no. It’s easier for him to just drag me along to all these meetings and waste my time,” Lauren grumbled.
“Shouldn’t that be his brother’s job?” Nick asked.
“Philip? Yeah, it is. He’s technically the CTO but he hasn’t been in the office in over a month. Apparently he’s on the West Coast meeting with potential investors.”
Ali pulled over another bar stool and sat. She leaned forward and rested a comforting hand on Lauren’s knee.
“It seriously sounds like it’s time for you to quit,” she said.
“Maybe. Something else happened during that meeting today. As I was sitting there listening to him ramble on and on, I remembered this idea I’d had months ago. I don’t really want to go into it because I haven’t thought it all through, but I think it could be pretty big. I’d have to review my thesis to make sure I know what I’m doing and I’d need to find a way to calibrate the cameras...” she realized Ali and Nick were staring at her blankly. “Anyway, I think it might be something that could guarantee us some serious funding. Once we get enough money to move forward and everything settles back down, things can go back to normal and I’ll be less stressed.”
“Will you have enough money to hire a hit on Parker cause there’s the source of your stress,” Nick snorted. Ali nodded in agreement. She leaned back and pretended to crack her knuckles.
“I’m cheap, sloppy, and would probably crack after five minutes of interrogation, but I’d do it for you.”
“Aw, you’re too sweet,” said Lauren. “No, I liked your idea from earlier. Much more humiliating.” The girls burst into laughter as Nick remained confused.
“What idea? Can I help?” They looked at each other, both imagining how he could possibly help in Ali’s original scenario, and laughed even harder.
Crissy tapped Nick on the shoulder. She was the petite blonde manager of Pony Up and she didn’t look happy.
“What’s up?”
“Hey guys. I’m really sorry to do this Nick, but do you think you can work tomorrow night and Friday? Trisha just no-call, no-showed for the second time. I’m gettin’ rid of her and I need to cover her shifts.”
“I’m sorry, Cris, of course I can. Let me know if you need any for next week, too.” Visible relief washed across her face. Crissy worked nearly every night and kept getting screwed over by her staff. From what Nick said and what Lauren could see, she was a good manager, just unlucky and probably a little too nice.
“Don’t know what I’d do without you. Let me get you guys a couple of shots.”
“Oh! I want Fireball!” Ali exclaimed, bouncing after Crissy towards the bar. Nick reached out for Lauren’s wrist and pulled her back, wrapping her in a huge embrace.
“I love you, you know,” he said burying his face into her hair.
“I love you,” she said muffled against his broad chest. The top of her head barely reached his shoulders and his long arms circled her completely. After a squeeze, she pulled away and looked up. How did I get so lucky, she asked herself. He brushed the hair out of her face and kissed her softly on the forehead.
“It’ll all work out, one way or another. You’ll see. Now let’s go get a little silly.”
Lauren leaned against Nick’s left shoulder as the cab flew down the road. It was late, she had to be up early, but all she could think about was getting home and getting his clothes off. His scent, a sweet mixture of sweat and cologne always stirred deep emotions in her. She subtly pressed her breast against his arm, the contact seemingly incidental and unnoticed. Her hand traveled up his thigh, squeezing the thick muscle. Nick looked down at her with an arched eyebrow. With a practiced
look of innocence, Lauren returned his gaze.
“What?” she whispered. He smirked.
Nick cupped the side of her face as their lips met. Even after all these years, his touch caused her body to shiver with excitement. Their tongues met and she hungrily wanted more. Her fingers wound a path through his hair as he nibbled on her lip. She slid her left leg across his, draped across his lap. His scratchy stubble prickled her soft skin. He caressed her breast, her nipple growing hard through her shirt.
The driver suddenly slammed on the brakes, throwing them forward and out of their blissful daze. The cabbie blasted his horn, shouting out the window. Lauren suppressed a giggle, feeling like a teenager who’d just gotten caught making out by her parents. She smoothed her hair and settled back in the seat, but couldn’t ignore the slickness between her legs. Thankfully they were only a few blocks away from their apartment.
Nick playfully slapped her ass as he held the front door of their building open.
“After you, my dear.”
“Shhhh, we have to be quiet,” Lauren whispered loudly. She didn’t feel too drunk but could hear her words slurring together. “We don’t want to wake Jess up again.”
“I’m not promising anything,” he replied.
They stumbled into the apartment and crept down the hallway to their room. Lauren softly closed the door. As she turned, Nick stepped forward and swiftly scooped her up in his arms. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he pinned her against the wall, his mouth hot on her neck. A surprised yelp escaped her lips as he sucked on her sensitive skin. He carried her to the bed and threatened to throw her down.
“No, don’t do it!” Lauren squealed, clinging to him and laughing.
“I’d never,” he smiled, lowering her gently onto her back. He lifted the black t-shirt over his head and Lauren couldn’t help but reach out and touch his muscular body. He’d always been chiseled without trying, just from working physical jobs.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Lauren undid his brown leather belt, unzipped his jeans, and tugged them down to his ankles. She caressed the growing bulge in his black boxer briefs and looked up at him.
“I’ve been wanting to do this all night.”
She carefully slid his underwear down and wrapped both hands around his hard cock. She gently rubbed the sensitive underside with her thumb and was rewarded with a shimmering drop of precum. She massaged the lubricant across his skin.
“Somebody’s a little excited!” Lauren smirked up at him as she slid her tongue along the path her thumb had just traced.
After years together, Lauren knew exactly what to do to drive him crazy. Rather than swallow him whole immediately she teased. Licking the length of the shaft, her hands expertly stroking in between, she had him squirming in no time. Slowly sliding her wet lips over the head, he pushed his hips forward. Pulling away, she shook her head and gave him a cheeky tsk. Resting him on the flat of her tongue with a smile, she looked up into his eyes posing like a porn star. A low groan escaped his throat and she giggled. The only downside of all this was how she teased herself. Igniting his lust, watching his reactions, it drove her crazy too.
Nick moaned as she tightened her lips and took him fully in, her tongue softly caressing as she went. He gently held the back of her head, her hair gathered loosely in his fist. After a few moments he stepped away to strip completely. Lauren helped him pull her blouse over her head before he climbed on the bed beside her. Kissing her neck, her shoulders, hands moving down to her waistband.
“It’s not fair. I’m naked and you aren’t,” he whispered tugging at her trousers.
She lifted her ass off the bed, allowing him to tug them off. Lauren laid flat on her back, Nick to her side as his hand slowly traveled down her belly. His fingers tickled the inside of her thighs, tracing intricate paths inching ever closer and closer to the place she most wanted to be touched. She spread her legs for him, encouraging him, yet his fingers traveled no closer than the crease of her leg. Soon she was squirming, arching to meet his fingers with every pass.
Nick kissed her hungrily. Just as his mouth found her sensitive nipple, he slipped his finger inside her wet pussy. Lauren exhaled loudly, the anticipation replaced by sweet pleasure. He nibbled lightly on her breast as his finger slipped out to tease her clit. She couldn’t take very much before she pushed his shoulder down to the bed, pressing him to his back.
Lauren grinned down at him, squeezing her breasts as she playfully bounced up and down. Straddling his hips, she gently guided his cock inside, working slowly to accommodate his girth. Once inside, she braced her hands against his chest and leaned forward, rocking her hips back and forth. Lauren closed her eyes and was lost in the sensations, his hard body slippery with sweat beneath her. Pressing their foreheads together, they gazed into each other’s eyes, her dark hair dusting the pillow.
“You feel so good,” she murmured. She leaned back and began rubbing her clit. Bouncing up and down on his cock, it didn’t take long before her fingers expertly triggered a powerful orgasm that rocked through her body. As the waves of pleasure subsided, she once again began to writhe. She leaned forward, far enough only the head of Nick’s cock was resting inside before smoothly rolling her hips back. He closed his eyes and groaned, his fingers digging into her hips.
Lauren rode him hard and fast, his hips rising to meet her every down thrust. She grabbed his hands and pinned them above his head, watching his expression of agonized pleasure. His eyes glittered with passion and his breathing shallowed.
“Keep going,” he whispered. Lauren squeezed her muscles tight around his cock, timing the contractions with each stroke. “Oh fuck,” he grunted through clenched teeth. His body stiffened beneath her as he exploded. Pieces of her dark hair stuck to her face and neck with sweat as she smiled down at him. They rested for a few blissful moments before she slipped off him as he softened. Pulling the light sheet over her slick body, she felt much more sober and relaxed.
They chatted for a few minutes, plans for the weekend, a funny thing that happened to Nick at the shop. Before she started feeling drowsy, Lauren stepped to the bathroom to clean up.
“I really mean what I said earlier,” she called into the bedroom, sitting on the toilet.
“What about?” His voice was thick with sleep.
“Getting away from Parker and all his bullshit. I mean it this time. I’m gonna do my time, help them get funded, take my portion and get out.”
“Totally,” he mumbled. She flicked the light off and stepped lightly towards the bed seeing that Nick was nearly asleep. Kissing him sweetly on the forehead, she climbed in next to him.
“I even know how I’m going to do it.”
“Mmmhmmm...”
Lauren stared at the ceiling, listening to Nick’s breathing slow beside her. The passing cars threw light across the room and for nearly an hour she lay awake, her mind racing with plans and ideas.
June 3rd
Had a rough day yesterday but then it was like something snapped inside of me. When I was at the bar with Ali and Nick it just became so clear. I was telling them about Parker and all the bullshit at work and it was like I lifted out of my own body. It was like I was a fourth person in the group hearing myself talk and I just hated what I was hearing. All I heard was complaining and bitching about problems I either have no control over or could easily fix if I put my mind to it. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it was almost like an epiphany.
I’m the one that’s holding that place together. I’m the one that designed everything. Parker will never care how much of myself I put in and to be honest, the more I put in the more he expects. The only thing I can hope for is that the company gets bought out or becomes so successful it doesn’t matter. I’ve got my equity, if I can make it until then, I’ll call that a win. I resent Parker getting a dime off my hard work but what can you do?
A few months ago, when we were still in the planning stages of these new updates, I had a hint of an idea that I haven’
t been able to shake. I even brought it up before but Parker shot it down immediately. It’s just floated there in the back of my mind and it wasn’t until last night I was able to put everything together. I think it could be the key to everything. We’ll get funded, I’ll make my money, and then I’ll be free to do what I want. There’s been a shift inside of me, like my life just switched tracks and I realize how odd that is for me to say. This isn’t like me at all and maybe that’s a good thing.
4.
“Yeah, it’s getting pretty hot here too,” said Lauren. She walked towards the subway station, using her hands-free piece so she could juggle coffee, purse, and gym bag. The streets were heaving with people, dodging this way and that. StyleSpur had flexible hours so she never had to rush to get to work yet the surrounding bustle always spiked her stress levels.
“How’s your day shaping up?” her mother asked.
“Eh, can’t complain. Nick and I booked a brunch cruise for Saturday, should be good. Ali and her new boyfriend are coming too. Hey, how’s Dad’s knee? He keeps ignoring my emails about it.”
“Oh, you know him, he doesn’t complain but I can tell it’s bothering him. School finishes in a little over a week and with all the kids gone, I’m hoping he can slow down. Who knows, though. The district’s cutting back so Jimmy and Dwayne are only there part time over the summer. Your dad’s the only full time janitor for both schools.” Lauren pictured her mom sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee and her People magazine. Nearly twenty years in America and her Hungarian accent was finally starting to fade.
“Aw man, that stinks. Well, keep an eye on him. If he needs to go to a physical therapist it’s better to do it early. You know I’ll sneak you some money for PT but I don’t think I’d make much of a dent on knee replacement surgery.”
“My little Wren, always looking out for us.”
“What are you doing today then? Relaxing by the pool while the maid cleans?” Lauren smiled as her mother laughed on the other end. She could almost see her throw back her head and chuckle at the idea.