by Rumer Raines
“We have to eat, Stephanie,” she whines.
“We do have to eat, but we don’t have to eat out three times a week. I don’t have that kind of money.”
“Okay… I’ll go alone.” She marches off and I sigh.
I re-read Monique’s message about the team meeting. Can I afford not to give this a chance? She made more money in one night than I do in two months. I have looked at part-time jobs, and I would work myself to death before I earned that much. I have no other choice but to work the business. What’s the worst that can happen?
Wednesday arrives, and it is the day from hell. Ted is having a bad day, which means we all are having a bad day. I can’t do anything up to his standards, and I think I am his target for today’s insanity. I want to walk out and never look back, but I can’t. I need this damn job, and my parents need me to keep it.
“Do you have the documentation for these funds?” Ted slams the folder on my desk.
“I attached it to the email, Ted,” I whisper.
“You didn’t attach what I wanted!” he yells as everyone in the aisle turns to look at us.
“I attached what you requested.”
“I also need form six. In my mind, you should have known I would request that, too! Please send me the damn form. I don’t get paid enough do my job and yours, too.” He storms off.
I fight back the tears as I look for the additional form that he is now requesting. He never mentioned needing the form, and he just implied that I can’t do my job in the middle of the damn aisle. I think the management in this company takes training on how to break down employees.
Wiping away the one tear that manages to escape, I think of my new business as I work to keep Ted satisfied for the rest of the day.
MONIQUE LIVES forty-five minutes away from the office. The GPS directs me as I glance at all the beautiful townhouses. I have never been in this neighborhood before; no one I know can afford to live in this area. When I finally arrive, my mouth drops as I stare at Monique’s house. Her home is a beautiful three-story townhouse. It is surrounded by a black iron fence, most likely to keep people like me out.
I pull the gate open and slowly shut it behind me. I am so nervous about being here that I can barely walk straight. When I finally reach the door, I softly knock and glance toward the doorbell. I wonder if I should ring the doorbell instead? She will probably think I am stupid for knocking when there is a doorbell. Is there a protocol for this? I am overthinking this… Stop it, Stephanie.
A blonde girl opens the door. “Hi, are you here for the meeting?” she asks as she looks me over. I can tell from the look in her eyes that she doesn’t think I belong.
“I am,” I whisper.
“Come in! I’m Jane. We are meeting in the den. Just follow me.” She tosses her blonde hair over her shoulder and moves through the house.
The inside of Monique’s home is just as breathtaking as the outside. All the furniture is white leather, and the floors are a light-colored wood. I would never be able to afford to live in a home like this. I am proud of what I have, but it’s nothing like this.
“Stephanie! I am so glad you were able to come!” Monique shrieks, and the other girls turn to look at me.
She pulls me into a hug, and I feel myself stiffen. I feel uncomfortable being here. I feel out of place like I just don’t belong. These women all look like they fell out of a fashion magazine.
“Everyone, this is Stephanie! She is our newest team member.” Her mouth curves into a smile.
The other girls welcome me and give me hugs. There are ten of them, and they all appear friendly. Ted felt friendly when I met him, too.
Monique starts the meeting by gifting me with my consultant kit. We discuss each product, and the other girls give tips on how to use each one. When we get to the different dildos, I can feel my heart start to race. Do we really need to discuss how to use it?
“How about you come in front of the group, so we can show you how to display it at your parties?” Monique suggests.
Please, God, if you plan on coming for me soon, let it be now.
I wait a few moments, realizing that God isn’t coming for me. All eyes are now on me.
“The most important thing is not to be aggressive with a dick,” Monique purrs, and the other girls laugh.
“We are offering pleasure, not tacky sex. Everyone in your party will be mature women, and we need to be tasteful. Hold it like it’s the most important part of the body.” She grins.
I grab the dildo and my heart starts to race. My eyes meet Monique’s, and she gives me a small nod.
“I brought snacks, ladies,” a familiar, smooth voice announces. He smiles and inclines his head.
It is him, and I am clutching another dildo. He looks at me, and his eyes move to the dildo that is again in my hand.
“Damn it, Dominic,” Monique groans.
“What? I am trying to be nice here,” he answers.
The girls all rush past us as Monique sneers at him. He comes close, looking down at me intensely. “I am starting to get a little jealous of that thing. I can only imagine what your hands would feel like wrapped around mine.” He looks at me intently, then strides to the door.
My mind refuses to register the significance of his words. He is too attractive; he could have any of the girls here. I walk into the kitchen where everyone is gathered. With an odd twinge of disappointment, I notice Dominic huddled in a corner with Jane. She laughs at something he says and softly puts her hand on his chest.
“Tuscan Lemonade?” Monique offers.
“Sure.”
“I’m sorry our meeting was hijacked by Dominic. I promise I will go over everything with you.”
“No, it’s fine. He probably just wanted to spend time with his girlfriend.” I nod toward Dominic and Jane who are still huddled together.
Monique rolls her eyes and chuckles. “They are not a couple. Dominic doesn’t do relationships.” She shakes her head negatively.
I don’t know if I’m relieved, they aren’t a couple or sad because there’s no chance for me.
7
THE MEETING NEVER RESTARTED. Drinks were served, and Dominic dazzled all the girls while making occasional eye contact with me. Having to work the next day, I excused myself and went home. The next morning, Monique sent a text apologizing and asking when I’ll be available again to go over the kit.
When I didn’t reply, she asked if I’m free tonight. She is having a party and asked that I come over and watch how she does hers. She tells me the time of the party but asked that I come a little early to help her set up. The party starts at nine, so luckily, I’ll have time to go home, shower, and make a sandwich.
I glance at the beautiful townhouse as I hop out of my car. I didn’t bring my kit; hopefully, Monique wasn’t expecting me to. Slowly closing the gate, I walk up the familiar stairs and ring the doorbell. I wait and wait and ring again. Grabbing my phone from my purse, I pull up Monique’s original text when the door is snatched open.
His boldly handsome face smiles warmly down on me. Drops of moisture cling to his damp forehead. My eyes move lower to find his bare chest, which is half covered in tattoos. They move farther down to find him only wearing a towel.
“Sorry… I was in the shower. You must be Stephanie?”
I can’t talk. I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.
“Monique had to run to the store. She said you would be arriving and I should let you in.”
I still can’t say anything. What do you say to a man that looks like this?
“I will take it you are Stephanie. Did you want to come in?” His firm mouth curls as if on the edge of laughter.
His fingers slide sensuously over my bare arm as he pulls me into the house. When he closes the door, I think I fall against it. He’s taken my breath away. I reach over and put my hand on his chest, finding the muscles hard beneath my fingertips.
“Did you want to practice on mine?” he leans over and whispers in m
y ear.
“W…What?” I shudder.
“My dick. I haven’t seen you without one in your hand. I wouldn’t mind if your used mine.”
I suddenly feel the soft brushing of his fingers against my cheek.
Monique suddenly pushes open the door and finds us in our compromising position.
“I’m sorry, Stephanie. I forgot to pick up chips. What is going on here? Where the hell are your clothes, Dominic?”
“I was in the shower when she got here.” He shrugs. He turns away, stopping to inhale a deep breath before walking back upstairs.
“Is everything okay? He didn’t try anything with you, did he?” Monique questions.
“No,” I lie.
He offered to let me practice on his dick, but I don’t think he was serious. Of course, if he was, I would be tempted to take him up on the offer. The man is sexy as hell. It would be more fun to play with the real thing than the battery operated one. I would have loved for him to take off the towel and tell me to drop to my knees to taste him.
What is wrong with me? I don’t even know the man and I am thinking about tasting him?
Shaking off my dirty thoughts, I help Monique set up the party and watch her in action. The entire time, my mind is on the sexy man upstairs.
Monique’s party lasts two hours. I don’t pay much attention because my thoughts are still on Dominic. I want to see him again. I want a do-over of what happened earlier. I would scream yes, this time if he asked me the same question.
I hate that the party is in the den. I can’t watch the door from back here. I need another peak at Dominic. I wonder where he is right now? Is he still upstairs? Was he showering to go out with another woman? What the hell is wrong with me… He is not mine.
“What did you think, Stephanie?” Monique asks.
I have no idea what she is talking about. My mind was gone the minute Dominic walked away. “I think you did a great job,” I respond. I hope she doesn’t ask me any questions about the party. I have no idea what went on.
“Do you think you can do it?”
“I think I can. I just need to become a little more familiar with the products.”
Monique reminds me of my unused kit and tells me that is what those products are for. I need to use them, so I can be the living testimony of how they work.
I plan on testing out one special item, and I even have a name for it.
I crawl into bed and squeeze the dildo that I charged when I originally received it. I open my legs as I think of sexy dark eyes. I hit the power button to start the vibrating. After rolling it over my most sensitive area until I can no longer stand it, I push it slightly in and pull it out, all the while thinking of him. I push and pull faster and faster until I’m calling out his name. I don’t stop until I’m shaking, and I come thinking of Dominic.
I wake up still clutching the gold colored dildo that I have named Dominic. I stick him in the nightstand and get ready for work. As I pull into the parking lot, my cell phone rings and I see that it’s my mother.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Hi, honey.”
I can hear the sadness in her voice. “What’s wrong?” I ask.
“I don’t want to worry you, but I got a letter that they are canceling our insurance.”
“What? I don’t understand. When Dad retired, they promised free healthcare for life,” I remind her.
“Yes, that is what they promised. I guess companies don’t have to keep their promises. I don’t know how I am going to afford my medications, Steph.”
“Mom… don’t worry. You have me. I will help you. We can talk later, okay? I’ll come over after work.”
“Okay, Steph. Have a good day,” she replies.
How can I have a good day after hearing this? My parents have both worked hard all their lives, and they were promised free healthcare. How can a company take away something they promised? Not only take it away, but they take it away from people who can’t start over and plan for it?
Opening my emails, I learn that Ted has taken a spur of the moment two-week vacation. I guess there’s one good thing today. I doubt I would be able to deal with him with my parents on my mind.
I spent most of the day researching insurance plans for the elderly. I don’t know how my parents will be able to afford any of the plans. I only know that I won’t let them go without. My parents worked and supported me; I will do the same for them.
“I don’t know how we will be able to afford any of these plans, Steph,” my mother worries as she glances through the plans. The most affordable is eight hundred a month. My parents are retired. Who has that much extra money laying around a month?
“Mom, I already told you that I will help,” I remind her.
“You don’t have that kind of extra money.”
“I will. I started a part-time job,” I tell her.
I can see the suspicion on her face. “What kind of part-time job brings in that kind of money?” she questions.
“Don’t worry, Mom. It’s legal. I am going to do direct sales. The girl who signed me up earns over two-thousand dollars a night.”
“That is a lot of money for something legal, Steph,” she whispers.
“Mom, have I ever done anything illegal?”
“Not yet.”
“Mom! It’s a legit business. I am training now, and I think I’ll be having my first party soon. I’ll be able to pay it,” I assure her.
“Steph, just promise me it’s nothing illegal.”
“It’s not, Mom,” I promise as I give her a hug before leaving for the night.
I will never share with her what I am doing. She will never approve.
8
MY FIRST PARTY is in a few hours. I don’t know how I pulled this off, but I’ll admit Monique has been so helpful. We are having a joint party at her house since it is bigger than my apartment. I must admit that I love using the products, especially the dildo that I have used every night since my encounter with Dominic.
Monique and I set up the chips and dip, and she gives me a pep talk before our guests arrive. She did invite more people since most are ladies from the bar. However, she is splitting what is made evenly. I can’t believe that Monique is being so generous. Hopefully, I’ll have enough to help my parents with the first insurance payment.
When Monique goes upstairs to take a shower, I hear the front door close. Dominic walks in and stops when his eyes meet mine. My heart starts to race as he watches me. His tall, black-clad figure stiffens, standing tall and straight like a towering spruce. My eyes freeze on his long, strong handsome form.
“Stephanie.” He lifts an eyebrow.
I think my panties got wet just from hearing the way he said my name. “Dominic.”
His eyes burn with something that makes me feel nervous, almost scared. I don’t know how to react in this situation. I have had men come on to me and flirt, but none ever looked like him.
He licks his lips, and I watch his tongue wondering how it tastes.
“How about dinner?” The tall figure heads toward me.
“Ahh… I…” I don’t know how to answer.
“I’ll take that as a yes. How about after the party?” He moves closer, looking down at me intensely.
“I… don’t…” I must step away from his tense, hard body.
Touching my trembling lips with one finger, he comes closer and whispers in my ear, “This is going to happen, Stephanie. I know you can feel it. Don’t fight it.” His fingers curve under my chin.
It feels like he’s reading my mind, and he is right. I do feel it, and I know it’s going to happen. But I don’t think I am ready for it to happen tonight.
His hand brushes the hair from my cheek. “Tonight, Stephanie,” he whispers and walks away.
The party turns out to be a huge success. We make over four thousand dollars, which gives me enough to pay the insurance for my parents. I can even buy myself a small treat. Despite the excitement of what I made, my stomach is still
clenched tight. My mind is still thinking about Dominic. I listen for the door shutting during the entire party, but I never hear it. He is still in this house, which means he knows the party is over. Will he still want to have dinner with me? It is almost ten-thirty, so maybe it’s too late for dinner. I am normally in bed by now, so I don’t need to eat.
Anxiety cools my thoughts as I put my kit in the trunk. I made it out of the house without running into Dominic again. I am going home with extra cash and avoided the date with Mr. tall dark and handsome. As I back away from the trunk, I hit something hard. It thrills and frightens me because I know exactly what I hit. Dominic.
I choke back a cry, frightened and electrified. I slowly turn around and feel impaled by his steady gaze.
“Did you try to sneak away?”
My pulse beats erratically at the threatening tone in his deep voice. “I…” My mind flutters away in anxiety. Why can’t I talk when I am around this man? My chest feels as if it will burst.
He gives me a narrowed, glinting gaze as he moves to within inches of my heaving chest.
“What do you want?” He regards me quizzically for a moment.
I flinch and retreat a step before his expression.
“What do you want to eat, Stephanie?” His hoarse whisper breaks the silence.
I glance up at him, but he doesn’t give me a chance to answer.
“I know a place. You can leave your car here. I’ll drive.” His gaze rests on my questioning eyes.
Dominic places his hand on mine and leads me to a black Jaguar. He opens the door and smiles as I get in. I have never been in a car this expensive before. The bells and whistles are nothing like the Chevy Cavalier that I drive. This car cost more than I could make in one year. Dominic wedges himself into the seat next to me and looks at me.
“I hope you enjoy what I have planned for you.” His arched eyebrow indicates his humorous surprise.
My lips part in question. What exactly does he have planned for me? “W-Wha-What would that be?”
He smiles easily. “I was hoping you like tacos. I know this restaurant that stays open until three, and they have really good tacos.” His whole face spreads into a smile. God, he looks sexier when he smiles. How in the hell is that even possible?