4. Nadine
4
NADINE
T he clock on Nadine’s desk ticked closer to noon, each tick echoing like a distant drum roll before a grand reveal. She adjusted her stylish blazer in the reflection of her office window, her heart racing. Her office was a stark contrast to her humble beginnings. As she prepared to meet Cassandra Wynter for lunch, a familiar knot twisted in her stomach.
Cassandra was the CEO of a company known for its vintage charm and long-standing legacy in the fashion world. But lately, Nadine sensed that authority had begun to crack. Just last week, Nadine’s company had swooped in and stolen Purdey’s from right from under Cassandra’s perfect nose.
Nadine had known her actions would cause trouble. But after Cassandra’s behaviour, leaving her hanging on the terrace at the party and then ignoring her email, Nadine had fancied something like revenge. And, as it turned out, the Purdey’s contract hadn’t been difficult to steal. They seemed delighted to hear Nadine’s fresh take on things.
As she walked to the trendy restaurant just a few blocks from her office, Nadine mused over her decision to onboard Purdey’s. She hadn’t exactly acted out of a sense of morality. Sure, she had a great digital strategy—interactive campaigns, innovative social media techniques, the kind of cutting-edge approach that left traditional methods in the dust—but deep down, the decision had been a bit personal, aimed at provoking Cassandra’s undivided attention.
Being ghosted and ignored by Cassandra had not been something she enjoyed, that was for sure.
Nadine recalled her frustration after sending a follow-up email to Cassandra only to be met with further radio silence. It felt like she’d spent an eternity waiting for a response. After all, they were colleagues in the same industry, and they should support one another…or so Nadine had thought. Driven by a mix of ambition and spite, Nadine had seized the moment. Get the client. Show Cassandra what Pulse Media is made of , she’d told herself.
The restaurant was buzzing with energy, filled with bright colors and the chatter of fashionable New Yorkers. Nadine arrived a few minutes early, scanning the room. When Cassandra walked in, the atmosphere shifted slightly. Heads turned and whispers filled the air. There ’ s the ice queen of the fashion world , Nadine thought. She felt a twinge of admiration mixed with anxiety.
“Hi, Cassandra!” Nadine said warmly as the older woman approached. She noticed the slight tightness around Cassandra’s smile, a hint of anger that lived just beneath the surface.
“Hello, Nadine,” Cassandra replied, her tone friendly yet laced with an edge that hinted at the tension between them. They took their seats at a small table adorned with bright flowers. “Nice to see you.”
Nadine nodded. “Of course! I thought it would be a good for us to catch up.” But as the waiter came to take their drink orders, Nadine couldn’t shake the feeling that the catch-up would come with some challenging conversations. “So, is this your power outfit?” Nadine teased, motioning to Cassandra’s formal attire. She near enough always wore these immaculate tailored pantsuits that accentuated her body perfectly and gave the aura of power.
“I half expected you to bring a briefcase filled with charts and graphs!”
Cassandra’s expression faltered for a brief moment, and Nadine felt the atmosphere shift. She chuckled, hoping to keep things lighthearted. But instead, she noticed the way Cassandra’s vividly painted lips pressed into a thin line.
“Excuse me?” Cassandra replied, her tone as cool as ever.
Nadine’s smile faltered, and she quickly registered the seriousness behind the words. “I mean, you looks great—just a little…serious for lunch, don’t you think? Do you ever dress casually?” She wrinkled her nose playfully. “Were you expecting a board meeting or something?”
Cassandra narrowed her eyes slightly, her posture straightening as she folded her arms across her chest. “A formal outfit is a sign of respect, Nadine,” she said, her voice firm. It was as if the words hung in the air, weighty and unyielding.
Nadine’s cheeks heated up. She’d meant it as a joke, but perhaps she’d crossed a line. After all, Cassandra had already achieved so much in her career. She could easily have brushed off the comment, but instead, it had stung her deeply.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” Nadine quickly clarified, feeling the need to mend the situation. “I really admire how you present yourself. It’s just a different vibe, you know? I’m used to being a little more…” She searched for the right word. “...casual?”
Cassandra took a sip of her water, letting the tension settle between them for a moment. Nadine could see the gears turning in her mind. “You’re young, and I can appreciate that you want to be approachable,” she finally said, her tone softening slightly, though still serious. “But in our industry, how you present yourself carries a lot of weight. It shows you mean business.”
Nadine nodded slowly, absorbing her perspective. “I get that. I really do. It’s just…” She paused, searching for the right balance. “I believe our creativity sometimes flourishes when we can express ourselves a bit more freely, whether that’s through our clothing or our ideas.”
Cassandra raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite herself. “You think that being casual encourages creativity?”
Nadine leaned forward, her enthusiasm bubbling up again. “Definitely! Just look at how we’ve branded Pulse Media. We embrace individuality, which I think is essential in fashion. We want everyone to feel like they can showcase their true selves.”
Cassandra seemed to mull over Nadine’s words, the tension ebbing away with each second. She was a tough nut to crack, but Nadine was determined to find some common ground.
As they settled in, the conversation flowed, though with an undertone of unspoken rivalry. Cassandra shared industry news as she sipped her iced tea, but there was an air of defensiveness in her posture, as if she was trying to maintain her composure. Nadine could sense the tension building with every polite exchange.
The sexual connection that had felt so heated between them before seemed nowhere to be seen now.
“Your digital strategies have been making waves,” Cassandra finally said, her voice cool as her eyes pierced through the lush air of the restaurant. “I can see you’ve been quite successful in securing new clients.” Cassandra’s words were barbed.
A mix of pride and guilt washed over Nadine. She’d strategized and fought hard for Purdey’s, but she also recognized the collateral damage she’d caused. “Thank you, Cassandra. We’ve focused on modernizing our approach,” she replied, keeping her tone professional.
Cassandra leaned back in her chair, her expression revealing a subtle mix of respect and annoyance. “It’s important to adapt, isn’t it?”
“Absolutely,” Nadine replied, feeling the weight of her words. “But I think it’s important to find a balance. Tradition and innovation can merge if done thoughtfully.” She watched as Cassandra’s expression softened slightly, the glimmer of a shared industry battle sparking between them.
At that moment, Nadine realized that understanding and rivalry often walked hand in hand in the world of fashion. They were competitors, yes, but they were also women in a tough industry, trying to make their mark. Perhaps it was time to shift the narrative away from competition and toward collaboration.
“I’d like to explore some ideas on how we could potentially work together—combine some of our strategies,” Nadine said, her heart pounding as she pitched the notion. Cassandra looked taken aback at first, but then the small crease in her brow relaxed.
“Maybe that’s not such a bad idea after all,” Cassandra replied thoughtfully. Was the frost in her icy blue eyes beginning to melt? Or was Nadine just living in hope?
Nadine adjusted her blazer as she stepped out of the upscale restaurant alone following the lunch with Cassandra. Another fashion mogul, Vivienne Blackwood had been in the restaurant and it was only a matter of time before Cassandra finished up her lunch with Nadine and left to join Vivienne.
Nadine wished she knew where she stood with Cassandra, but honestly she had no idea. Cassandra was still pissed at her, that much was clear.
The golden afternoon sunlight washed over her, warming her cheeks after the chilly indoor lunch. She took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of freshly cut flowers from a nearby shop. It was a crisp Friday, one of those days that made her reflect on how far she’d come in her career as CEO of Pulse Media. Today’s lunch with Cassandra had felt promising perhaps, yet Nadine was hesitant. Would they really move forward with the collaboration they’d discussed, or was it just another carrot dangled by Cassandra only to be whipped away when she felt like it?
She shook her head, trying to clear her mind. The thought of working with Wynter Media, such a well-established and influential company in the fashion world, was exciting. But Nadine refused to get her hopes up too much. Cassandra had a reputation for being difficult to work with. Would she really partner with a younger company like Pulse who had stolen one of her best clients? It seemed unlikely, even after the conversations they had had.
Nadine hurried to her next meeting. Her heart raced with anticipation. Today was particularly special: Nadine had been invited to the table for an upcoming fashion show, a significant step forward for her startup. She knew this meeting could potentially open even more doors for Pulse Media. As she walked through the glass entrance of the sleek, modern building, she felt a thrill of excitement course through her.
Nadine entered the conference room, her heels clicking rhythmically on the polished floor. The round table was crowded with chairs, each one occupied by designers and marketing executives discussing details about the show. Nadine quickly scanned the room, taking a mental note of who was there, until her eyes froze on a figure at the far end of the table: Cassandra.
The realization hit Nadine like a wave. There Cassandra sat, looking as perfectly put together as always, with her assistant beside her. Their eyes met, and time seemed to pause. Shock coursed through Nadine, and her heart began to pound as she took a seat, aware of the tension that suddenly filled the room.
“Welcome, everyone,” the meeting coordinator announced, oblivious to the charged atmosphere between the two CEOs. The meeting began, but Nadine’s thoughts were a whirlwind. Why was Cassandra here? Hadn’t she just had lunch with her and then left her with Vivienne Blackwood? Were they rivals again now, sharing the same space in this high-stakes meeting?
As the discussion unfolded, Nadine’s mind raced. She tried to focus on the agenda, listening to the marketing strategies and production timelines being proposed. But Cassandra’s frosty gaze was impossible to ignore—it seemed like it burned into her, making Nadine feel both exposed and empowered. Every time she glanced at Cassandra, she saw a woman who had succeeded in the industry for years, but also someone who could be a potential ally.
And she couldn’t forget the hunger and seduction she had seen in Cassandra’s eyes that night, the promise of something more. She had seemed entirely closed off ever since, but Nadine still remembered how she had made her feel that night.
Just as Nadine was starting to breathe a little easier, she noticed Cassandra elegantly interjecting her thoughts into the conversation. The other attendees nodded along as she spoke, clearly captivated by her insights. Nadine felt a twinge of jealousy, but reminded herself that she belonged here, too.
As the meeting continued, Nadine made a mental note to approach Cassandra afterward. They needed to talk more about the potential partnerships they’d discussed at lunch. Maybe this surprising development could work in her favor after all. As she shared her own input, she locked eyes with Cassandra again. This time, there was a hint of a smile on Cassandra’s lips as her glance lingered on Nadine for a couple of seconds too long, and Nadine’s pulse quickened in response.
By the time the meeting concluded, Nadine felt both exhilarated and drained. She was eager to discuss the collaboration they’d contemplated during lunch, but she needed a moment. She headed to the bathroom to have a few moments alone.
Nadine leaned against the cool marble wall of the bathroom, trying to collect her thoughts. The echoes of the fashion show meeting still buzzed in her head, a whirl of excitement and anxiety. Being the CEO of Pulse Media at thirty-five meant she had to stay sharp and be constantly on her game. Their lunch meeting had gone well, with new designs and marketing strategies laid out across the table. But one thing had caught her completely off guard: seeing Cassandra again so soon.
Cassandra was a powerful figure in the fashion world, known for her sharp intellect and elegant flair. Nadine had assumed one of her lackeys would be there in her place. Cassandra had sat in the meeting with a commanding presence, her long blonde hair cascading down her shoulders, those striking blue eyes dominating the room. It was their second encounter that day, and Nadine couldn’t shake the feeling that destiny was weaving their paths together in unexpected ways. Cassandra must have known she was going to see Nadine at that meeting, and yet she hadn’t mentioned it at lunch? Why? She had just looked at Nadine with that almost seductive look that was reminiscent of the party. But that was one look in a hundred since then. The other 99 had all been as icy as Antarctica. Why was she so guarded?
As Nadine washed her hands, she caught her reflection in the mirror. Her dark hair framed her face, and she could see the remnants of the meeting’s adrenaline still radiating from her. She needed a moment to breathe, to let the day settle. Just as she turned to leave, the bathroom door swung open, and Cassandra entered.
“Mind if I join you?” Cassandra asked, a smirk playing at the edges of her lips. There was a mischievous glint in her gaze that sent a shiver down Nadine’s spine.
“Uh, sure, it’s a public restroom,” Nadine stammered, her heart racing. She wasn’t sure what to expect, but she never could have predicted what Cassandra did next.
Before Nadine could register what was happening, Cassandra stepped forward, her presence enveloping Nadine like a bolt of electricity. In an instant, Cassandra pushed her firmly against the wall. The space felt small and charged with an intense energy. Nadine’s breath caught in her throat as Cassandra leaned in closer, her blue eyes locked onto Nadine’s.
And then it happened. Cassandra kissed her—a kiss of dominance and passion, a bold and unexpected connection that ignited something deep within Nadine. Time seemed to pause around them, the muffled sounds of people talking as they left the meeting fading into the background.
They broke apart, leaving Nadine breathless, and her mind raced with thoughts of the consequences. But her heart was beating almost out of her chest. She realized in that moment that this was what she had been wanting the whole time.
Cassandra grabbed Nadine’s hand leading her one of the bathroom stalls. Luckily, it was spacious.
Cassandra’s fingers worked with intention as she unbuttoned Nadine’s blouse. The fabric fell away, and heat surged through Nadine’s body. Cassandra kissed her again, this time trailing her lips down, exploring every inch of her neck. Nadine gasped as Cassandra’s teeth found her collarbone, skin glowing with warmth and urgency. She felt the bite and flinched.
“So, Ms. James,” Cassandra said, boldly, her fingers deftly finding their way down Nadine’s body. Nadine felt herself shivering under her touch. “You’ve been causing me one challenge too many. I’d like you to know that I don’t respond well to those who come after my clients.”
Nadine could feel her own wetness bubbling between her legs as Cassandra’s hands ran down over her belly, dipping into the waistband of her skirt and panties and Nadine felt the delicious press of Cassandra’s hand on her pussy.
She moaned. Loudly.
“Oh, sweetheart. You are so fucking wet for me. I knew you would be.”
Nadine shuddered. She felt like she might come there and then. She felt her legs parting of their own accord as she leant back against the wall of the stall, desperate to feel Cassandra’s fingers inside her.
Nadine’s heart raced. She knew how reckless this was. They were in a public restroom, and anyone could walk in at any moment.
“As much as I would love to fuck your soaking wet pussy, right now, that isn’t what I’m here for.”
She withdrew her hand and Nadine felt her eyes widen with shock.
She wanted Cassandra’s hand back, so desperately.
Cassandra was smirking, happily as she raised her right hand to Nadine’s mouth pushing her beautifully manicured fingers inside. “Clean them for me,” she commanded.
Nadine could taste her own wetness on Cassandra’s fingers as she instinctively began to suck them.
“Very good, little slut.”
Nadine noticed Cassandra’s left hand fumbling with the fastening of her own pants. She withdrew her fingers from Nadine’s mouth and adjusted her pants and panties rolling them down to her knees. Nadine could see a flash of neatly trimmed pubic hair and she felt her mouth begin to water in anticipation.
“Now, sweetheart, get on your knees and apologize to me for your actions on the Purdey’s contract with your mouth. Maybe if I come in your mouth, it will make me feel less angry about it. Maybe.” Cassandra’s voice was as icy as ever.
Nadine dropped obediently to her knees. As much as she had enjoyed challenging and defying Cassandra, nothing on earth felt sweeter than this- being taken in hand by Cassandra.
She could see Cassandra’s pussy immediately in front of her face and she moved immediately to press her face into it, inhaling deeply, the sweet smell of sex evident. Cassandra was turned on. Nadine thrust her tongue out, desperate to taste her.
Nadine licked long and slow, once, twice, thrice and heard the deep guttural moans from Cassandra.
Cassandra seemed frustrated though. She felt a hand in her hair pulling her away.
“Wait,” Cassandra commanded. “Wait just there with your mouth open and your tongue out like a fucking dog.”
Nadine hadn’t thought before that humiliation might be one of her kinks but she felt a deep flood of desire at Cassandra’s harsh tone. She did as commanded, looking obediently upwards at the woman she desperately wanted to become her mistress.
She watched as Cassandra removed her pants and panties and hung them on the hook on the back of the door. From the waist up, she was as immaculate as ever and she had left her designer heels on. Of course. She raised her right leg onto the toilet lid and Nadine watched in delight as she saw her wet folds suddenly on display.
Cassandra reached a hand to the back of Nadine’s head and pulled her head in close until all Nadine could see, smell, taste was her.
“Now, little dog. Now you are going to lick me like you are really fucking sorry for what you have done. Isn’t that right?”
Nadine nodded eagerly and pushed her face forwards, her tongue seeking its destiny.
She closed her eyes and began to lick and lick. Long slow laps alternated with sucking on Cassandra’s beautiful swollen labia and clitoris.
Nadine couldn’t remember ever being this turned on before or this keen to please anyone with her mouth, but here she was. Desperately licking. Every whimper and moan that came from Cassandra only spurred her on more.
Cassandra let her lick away for minutes before grabbing the back of her hair again.
Nadine looked up to see those icy blue eyes staring down at her.
“Now then,” Cassandra smirked and had that same predatory hunger in her eyes that Nadine enjoyed so much. “I haven’t got all day. Now, I’m going to fuck your face with my pussy until I come. And when I come, you’ll swallow and lick up every drop and then you’ll thank me for it. Do you understand?”
Nadine nodded, eagerly. She had never done anything remotely BDSM before, so what she had gotten into now, she had no idea, but she did know that she was totally fine with Cassandra fucking her face. Well, she was sure enough anyway.
She waited for Cassandra to take what she wanted.
“Open your mouth,” she commanded.
Nadine did so.
“Stick your tongue out,” Cassandra commanded again and Nadine obediently did so.
“Now you just stay like that and I will fuck your sweet little face,” Cassandra’s satisfied smirk was deeply embedded in Nadine’s mind as she felt Cassandra’s hand in her hair pulling her face in yet again.
The difference this time was that Nadine was passive with her mouth open and her tongue out and she felt Cassandra lower herself onto Nadine’s waiting tongue.
Nadine felt her tongue push inside Cassandra’s hot wet pussy just for a few seconds before Cassandra began to grind herself down against Nadine’s face and tongue.
She could suddenly barely breathe. She was totally engulfed in Cassandra’s pussy, trying desperately to do as she had been commanded, mouth open, tongue out.
Cassandra was moaning loudly now, enjoying herself.
Nadine caught her breath where she could. She could feel Cassandra’s pussy grinding from her chin to her nose and back again, her head firmly gripped in Cassandra’s hand as though, should she want an option to get out, she had none.
But, she didn’t want to get out. This was the most erotic thing she had ever done in her life and she wasn’t about to back out of it. She focussed again on what she was doing. Mouth open. Tongue out. Simple instructions.
She felt Cassandra’s grinding speed increase along with her breathing rate and the sound of her moans. She was close.
Even knowing that Cassandra’s orgasm was close, did nothing to prepare her for the ferocity of Cassandra’s climax as it exploded gushing into her mouth.
Nadine gulped and swallowed, reacting quickly before she drowned in Cassandra’s pleasure.
She then licked and licked to clean up anything she had missed remembering her orders. She then pulled away, kneeling and obediently looking up at Cassandra. When she met her gaze that was as icy as ever, she swallowed again.
“Thank you, Mistress,” she said, sincerely. “I hope you can see how sorry I am for my actions.”
Cassandra smiled down at her in satisfaction.
“Not bad for a beginner,” she said as she turned away from Nadine to put her pants back on and exit the stall. As Cassandra began to perfect her appearance in the mirror, Nadine got up from the floor and also exited the stall.
As Nadine adjusted her clothes, she heard the unmistakable click of the bathroom door swinging open. Heart racing, she turned in time to see a young intern rushing in. Nadine’s stomach twisted with relief; she’d just managed to get dressed before anyone else arrived. The last thing she needed was someone catching her in a compromised position, especially after what had just happened.
The intern barely glanced at her, too busy scrolling through emails on their phone. Nadine took a breath, what was this between her and Cassandra. She splashed her face with water from the faucet trying to clean the remnants of Cassandra’s orgasm from her face before sorting her make up. She looked as dishevelled as you might imagine given what had just happened. Her hair looked wild standing in unruly spikes.
Cassandra was in front of the mirrors over the sinks, smoothing out her long blonde hair and reapplying her lipstick with delicate precision. The way she moved was effortlessly captivating. Nadine couldn’t help but admire the older woman’s confidence, the way she carried herself like she owned the room—even a bathroom that had just been the backdrop of their secret rendezvous. Without saying a word, Cassandra tossed a knowing glance over her shoulder and exited the bathroom, leaving Nadine feeling as if the air had been sucked out of her lungs.
Nadine stood frozen for a moment, her mind racing. Would it ever happen again? The thrill of the encounter had ignited a longing like nothing she’d ever felt before. The adrenaline had fueled something competitive and wild inside her. She imagined the possibilities of what they could explore together, the layers of their connection waiting to be peeled back.
What if , she thought mischievously, she might fuck me next time ?
Nadine leaned against the sink, a whirlwind of emotions swirling in her mind. What would it take to see Cassandra again? She had a feeling the desire to be fucked by Cassandra wasn’t going to go away.