Chapter Nine
Mia
There was no way I would get a lot of cleaning done that day, which meant our little adventure into town would push back the time it took for me to get the car for my dad.
That frustrated me somewhat since it was the primary reason for me even agreeing to come out to Tor’s, but I had to admit, I was having fun spending his money.
Must be nice, I thought, having that kind of money to spend, where you can drop so much without even a blink of an eye. I wonder, what does he do to have such disposable income?
“You’ll need some of these,” the salesman said, pointing at some cables on a rack. “These gold-plated ones will reduce signal interference the most.”
I frowned as Tor nodded, indicating to add them to the bill. Although I couldn’t be sure he was gouging Tor, I was getting seedy vibes from the salesman. He was in his forties, maybe late thirties, with oily skin and hair grown out into a ponytail to try to cover up his balding.
He glanced at me before speaking to Tor again. “Do you need speakers?”
“Absolutely,” Tor said. “Full setup, right?”
“Right,” I said, shaking my head. He was certainly having fun, and although most of the technical specs the salesman rattled off meant nothing to me, I had to admit, I was having more fun than cleaning. Even if cleaning would bring me closer to the Chevelle.
We looked at several setups before Tor settled on the second most expensive one, claiming he liked the look of the speakers better. I had to agree. They were sleeker overall, with cleaner lines than the supposed “top-end” ones.
“Now, for the best part,” Tor said, grinning at me like we were in some sort of conspiracy together.
I stared blankly at him. “What’s that?”
“The seating!” he said, his face fully splitting open in a grin that made my body float.
I forced my mind to focus on the fact we were about to look at furniture, something I did know about, instead of how his smile made my knees wobble and my clit tingle. I already knew he was walking sex. I didn’t need the rest of the store to know that I knew. I had to hide my reaction.
“Right this way,” the salesman said, and that time I did catch greedy undertones.
Tor was having too much fun, but I was on instant alert. I hated salesmen who sold for themselves and not for the customer. Absolutely hated it. I encountered a lot of them, and I’d long since made it my mission to sell the customer what was right for them.
“Here, these are our top-of-the-line recliners,” he said, gesturing at a trio of linked single seats, each one covered in shiny black leather. “Come on, have a seat. Let me know what you think.”
“Who makes these?” I asked.
Tor looked at me, pausing in front of the middle chair before he sat down.
“Ah, these are made by a company called Vallen,” the salesman said. “They feature high-quality bonded leather covers that will resist spills and stains, true wood frame construction, and a soft pure foam cushion for sitting.”
I stared hard at him. “They’re overpriced pieces of shit, in other words,” I said, looking at the price tag.
Tor’s head tilted as he looked at me, then he rounded on the salesman, standing up tall, scanning him.
“I assure you, ma’am,” the salesman said, swallowing nervously. “They are—”
“She sells furniture for a living,” Tor growled. “If she says they’re shit, they’re shit. Yet you’re trying to tell me they’re the best? Then, when she calls you out, you were going to what, double down, dismiss her, ‘cause she’s a h—a woman?”
“Umm,” the salesman stammered.
“I think,” Tor said, “that now would be a good time for you to get us a different salesman.”
“One who will show us what we need, not what’s going to get him the biggest commission,” I added darkly, knowing full well that was exactly what had happened.
“Maybe you’ve got a manager or someone who can save this sale.
Otherwise, we’re going elsewhere, and we’ll be sure to let whoever is in charge know that one of their staff is a lying piece of shit. ”
The salesman scurried off, and I exhaled. “I hate it when they do that shit.”
“Me, too,” Tor said, looking at me. “Thank you.”
I shrugged. “Thank you for believing me without question.”
Tor nodded. It wasn’t a long wait before an older gentleman, probably in his sixties, came in our direction. He was tall, only an inch or two shorter than Tor, though without the muscular bulk. He had an open face and a big smile.
“I’m Rob, the manager,” he said. “I understand you had some troubles?”
“Your salesman is a lying piece of crap,” Tor growled. “Selling us whatever will make him the most money.”
Rob grimaced. “That’s it. I’ve had it with him. I thought he’d be good for the store, but all he does is sell the expensive junk that corporate forces me to carry. I wouldn’t even put it out if I had the choice.”
“Oh, I understand better than you might think,” I said. “I work over at Simmonds Furniture.”
“Ah, yes, then I’m sure you know what I mean.”
I gave him a cold smile, but nodded.
“So, what can I help you find, some seating for your theater room?”
Tor nodded.
“Good, okay, come on over here, try out these. This is the Tuscany by Valencia, a premiere maker of home theater seating,” he said, gesturing at a three-seater black leather piece.
Tor glanced at me. I nodded. I’d heard of Valencia before. We didn’t carry them, but I had to sell against them from time to time, so I knew their reputation well. They would be good.
Sinking into the chair, Tor let out a satisfied groan. “Now, this is more like it.”
I flopped into the opposite seat. “Oh, that is nice.”
“Now, come on,” Rob said, coming around in front of us. “That’s not how you’re going to watch movies, is it? Come on, get on over there, miss.”
He gestured for me to scoot closer to Tor. I did so a little reluctantly, unsure of where he was going.
“Now put your arm around her,” Rob said. “Cuddle up. Make sure it’s comfortable for both of you. You need to test it properly.”
Tor awkwardly lifted his arm and draped it over my shoulders, pulling me down to rest my head on his chest while Rob leaned in and reclined the chair.
“There, how’s that?” he asked, stepping back and letting us sit.
“Nice,” Tor rumbled. “It’s nice.”
“Yeah,” I said, somewhat breathlessly, as I listened to his heartbeat and tried not to focus on the feel of his muscular arm resting on my body. So close to my hips, his fingers all but brushing my ass. If he just moved them an inch to the side …
My nipples hardened as he adjusted slightly in his seat, the motion causing his hand to caress the side of my cheek before settling again, with his thumb curling around my thigh.
Rob, meanwhile, was busy looking over the page of items that the other salesman had written down.
“This is all garbage,” he muttered. “Let me put together a real setup for you, one that won’t leave you disappointed now and in six months.
You two should just stay there, enjoy the seating. You look nice and comfy together.”
I had to admit, despite the proximity to Tor and the thunderous beating of my heart, it was an incredibly comfortable setup.
The TV in front of us was playing a continuous loop of pictures and videos designed to highlight its quality.
I stared at it, willing my mind to focus on that instead of the fast-building inferno building between my legs from Tor’s touch.
He was electric, I swore, because every time we made contact, my body reacted to him.
He sat up slightly, his muscular arm snuggling tighter to me. I knew he was strong, but the way he’d casually lifted the car was beyond impressive. I felt secure with his bicep draped on me, fully aware of the power it contained.
His other arm moved, and the recliner sank farther down until he was practically flat.
“What are you doing?” I asked, rolling onto my back to look at him.
At that moment, the chair started going back up, which resulted in my face rolling even closer to his as I struggled not to go the other way and end up on the floor.
“Just playing around,” he said, staring at me.
“Okay,” I said hoarsely.
Look away, Mia. Look away now!
But it was too late. He dipped his head toward me, and our mouths met.
Sparks danced across my lips as they brushed his, and all the tiny hairs on the back of my neck lifted.
Tor’s hand came up, cupping the back of my head, pulling me more tightly toward him.
That deepened the kiss, and my mouth parted in surprise, allowing his tongue to dart forward.
I was screaming on the inside, my pussy exhausting heat like a jet engine as his other fingers curled around my rear, gripping it tightly.
I was burning up on the inside, my clit practically throbbing with need.
The slightest touch would have pushed me over the edge, so tightly wound was I by the kiss and our intimate proximity.
“So, I think I put together a list of everything,” Rob said, his approach from behind the recliner coming unnoticed.
I pulled myself away abruptly, grateful for the interruption as a cold wave washed over me.
What the fuck had I been thinking? Making out with Tor? He was basically my employer!
“If you want, I can show it to you,” Rob said, looking back and forth between us with a slight frown. “Everything okay?”
“Just fine,” Tor said, bringing the recliner back to a seated position without glancing at me. “Let’s see what else you have.”
I followed him up from the chair, swallowing and biting my lip until pain flooded my brain, clearing out the last bits of unnecessary arousal.
For the time being. I still had to clean his house.
How the hell was I supposed to do that when all I could think about when I looked at him was how much I wanted him inside me?
Get a grip, Mia. You told your dad you were getting the car. So you have to hold yourself together long enough to see this through. He’s just a hot guy. You can resist that temptation long enough to claim your prize.
Despite my inner confidence, I had to wonder. If Tor made another move, would I be able to stop myself?