Chapter 21
Amelia
Afew nights later, I take Annabelle’s advice and meet up with Hope. She’s a nurse, and our working hours have never been compatible.
It’s been too long since we’ve had any meaningful time together, and when she texts to let me know Bethany is coming along too, I look forward to the evening even more.
When I arrive at the bar, it’s a crush of people and I weave my way through the tables, waving happily as I see Hope sitting by the wall with Bethany.
They both stand up to hug me as I approach, and I laugh as I see the drink Hope has ordered for me. It’s a cocktail in a skull-shaped glass, with dry ice spilling over the top.
“Is that human blood?” I asked teasingly as I wipe some red syrup from the edge.
“Only the best for you, babe,” Hope says as we sit down.
Bethany smiles at me. “You look fantastic. How’s the job going?”
“Good! I think,” I say, taking a sip of the cocktail. “It’s hard to say some days. Crawford’s schedule is crazy, but he hasn’t fired me yet, so…”
Bethany glances at Hope with a smug smile. “I told you she was okay.”
“Hey! I am allowed to worry about her,” Hope says defensively. “I’m really glad things are going well, though, Mia. He isn’t being an asshole, is he?”
Bethany’s smug expression evaporates, and she leans forward, suddenly serious, as if she’s not sure what the answer to that question is going to be.
Wow, Crawford really doesn’t have a good reputation among the girls at the agency.
“No. I mean, he can be pretty abrupt, but he has three other EAs who are really good at their jobs. He doesn’t have much cause to be an asshole to me, I just print out a load of shit every day.”
“That’s not what Fiona said,” Bethany says, leaning back in her chair. “He was a total douchebag to her, but then, Fiona can be a lazy bitch.”
“Was that the girl who was assigned to him before?” I ask, my gut churning.
“Yeah, but she didn’t last long. She likes the sex, not the admin, if you know what I mean.”
I tip my drink to her, unsure what to say, and Bethany cracks up.
“I love this girl,” she says to Hope as I turn to her, smiling broadly at my best friend. She looks gorgeous in a sparkling sequined shrug that catches the light.
“How’s the wedding planning going?” I ask, enjoying the chance to finally get an update on what’s going on with her. Our sporadic texts have hardly scratched the surface, and her eyes light up as she starts to talk about the arrangements.
As she begins complaining about how controlling her mother has been and her annoying little sisters, I try to listen, but my mind is all over the place. It’s teeming with thoughts of Fiona and Crawford, what they might have done together, how he felt about her.
Did he look at her the same way he looks at me? Am I an idiot for thinking I’m special to him?
Ever since the night at Crawford’s apartment, I’ve had a weird feeling around him.
Since he kissed me, things have felt intense in a way they didn’t before. I shouldn’t feel jealous about Fiona, I know that, but I can’t help it. I don’t like the idea of him touching anyone else.
This is ridiculous. My first job with the agency, and I’m getting possessive over my boss as if we’re in a real relationship.
It doesn’t help that the sex since the night with Ambrose has been sporadic at best. Crawford has been out of the office constantly with meetings and events, and I’ve barely seen him. Barnes Enterprises might be the biggest merger on his books, but he has a lot of other irons in the fire.
What if he’s grown bored of me? Is he putting distance between us so it’s easier to fire me?
“Mia?”
I look up to find them both staring at me.
“Sorry, I spaced out. What did you say?”
“I was asking whether you think you’ll stay on with Crawford for a while,” Hope says again.
“Pippa told me you’re doing really well,” Bethany says.
I clear my throat. Her definition of doing well must be bonuses, and I’m suddenly weirdly embarrassed about the twenty thousand dollars he sent me. Bethany touches my arm lightly.
“Don’t let anyone make you feel bad for what you choose to do for a living, or how you take care of the people you love, Mia. You’re killing it and being paid more monthly than most people earn in a year. Own it, girl.”
I smile at her gratefully, and she gives me an encouraging wink.
“So, do you think you’ll stay with him for a while?” Hope asks me.
I nod. “I’m hoping I’ll have enough to start Annabelle’s treatment in a few more weeks.”
“Holy shit, seriously?”
I grin. “Yeah.”
“Oh my God! We should have a ‘fuck cancer’ party. I can’t wait for Annabelle to be back to her old self. She’s such a sweetie.”
I manage a smile, but unease builds in my chest. If Crawford has tired of me, and that night with Ambrose heralded the beginning of the end, then I’ll have to find another job.
Who would I be working with? Would he be as sexy and good-looking as Crawford, or will it be some crusty old CEO who enjoys having young, pretty girls at his beck and call?
“What’s the matter?” Bethany asks. “You’re all twitchy.”
I shrug, attempting nonchalance. “Crawford’s been gone the past couple of days. I guess I’m just worried that he might be bored already. Like you say, women don’t last long with him.”
“How long have you worked there again?” Bethany asks me.
“Almost three weeks.”
“Yeah. That figures. I wouldn’t get your hopes up. That’s basically a lifetime for Crawford from what I heard.”
I nod, trying to keep my expression neutral.
“So, why not remind him of what you have to offer?” Hope says, and I glance at her in surprise.
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“Well, you told me he bought you some ‘toys’, right?”
I glance at Bethany. “Yeah, he said it was technically against the rules.”
Bethany snorts. “All of my clients have used toys. What about that is against the rules?”
“He asked for photographs.”
She shrugs her shoulders. “Okay, well, my advice? Send them if you’re comfortable, but for the love of God, keep your face out of them. You don’t want that shit on the internet.”
“So it’s okay to do it?”
“Of course, as long as you want to. No pressure, no harm done. If he pays you and it’s consensual, that’s all good, but I’d charge him a ton. That’s definitely not on the job description.”
I look at Hope, the idea ping-ponging around my brain as I consider whether I’d actually try it.
“What have you got to lose?” Hope asks. “If the job is going well, and you want to keep it, remind him what he’s missing. Not a lot of guys will be able to resist that.”
Bethany’s eyes run over me again like they did in the hot tub, and her lips tug up into a smile.
“Yeah. If I got a photo like that, I’d definitely keep you on for another three weeks.”
By the time I get home, the idea hasn’t faded from my mind. The house is quiet, my mom and Annabelle already in bed, and I head to my room, tiptoeing down the hallway.
Kneeling on the floor beside my closet, I pull out the metal box Crawford gave me and stare at it.
Am I really going to do this?
I’ve never taken any explicit images of myself, let alone sent them to anyone.
Rising, I walk to the bed, lay the box down, and open it. The dildos range in size from small to medium, but none are particularly big. At first, I wonder why that is, until I Google it and discover that they’re actually butt plugs.
Crawford has talked about fucking my ass before, but he’s never tried it. For a moment, I’m lost in the idea of Crawford fucking me and Ambrose shoving his cock into my ass from behind.
I feel a rush of heat between my legs and bend down to pick up the largest of the plugs. I’m definitely not putting this up my ass, but I have another plan for it.
I’m not going to need much lube for this thing.
Climbing onto the bed, I pull off my panties and sit there with the thing in my hand for about five minutes. All I know is it’s not going anywhere near my ass, I’ll use it in the ‘traditional’ sense until I research that side of things in more detail.
I have Crawford’s number from when he called me. Is that the number he wanted me to use to send the pictures?
I spread my legs, the plug warm from my hand.
Pulling my knees up, I glance at the door furtively before placing it at the opening to my body as I push it in.
I’m used to taking Crawford’s massive dick by now, and I’m surprised by how easily the toy slides inside me. I moan low in the back of my throat, wanting to use it for real, but I have to take the picture first.
Once it’s pushed inside me, but still visible, I spread my legs. Retrieving my phone, I swipe open the camera and push it down between my thighs; the obscene image is stark and shocking on the screen.
I stare at myself, not having seen my own body from this angle before. Then I snap the picture.
Before I can overthink it, I press the share button, scroll to Crawford’s number, and then hit send. If I don’t do it now, I never will, and I have to try whatever I can to keep this job.
I squeeze the plug inside me, my hand moving down to take hold of it as I start to push it further in, then pull it out and do it again. It feels good, but not half as good as Crawford’s cock.
I lie back, staring at the ceiling, and pleasure myself as I writhe on the bed. As I arch upward, my body hot and filled with need, I imagine Crawford is there with me, watching from the corner of the room.
I come hard, collapsing back on the bed with it still inside me.
Well, if that picture doesn’t get his attention, I’m not sure what will.