Chapter 1 First Impressions
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Jack
Pleasure, beyond her wildest fantasies.
“That’s a helluva promise to make,” I said, picking up the tall purple device from my desk. The thing boasted twelve settings, all designed to serve up “exquisite stimulation.” I rattled off the tagline, smirking. “Because some people have pretty wild fantasies.”
“That’s exactly why we’re making that promise,” my sister, Casey, replied, hopping up onto the edge of my desk like she owned the place.
Well, she kind of did. With me, that is.
She crossed her legs, her high-heeled foot swinging back and forth like a pendulum.
“Because this bad boy can de-li-ver. Stories, I can tell you.”
I held up a hand, cutting her off before she could elaborate. “I’ll have to trust you on that.”
She rolled her eyes—stormy blue, just like mine. “Don’t go all squeamish on me.”
“This has nothing to do with squeamishness,” I said, shaking my head. “You can just keep this on the list of things I never want to hear—stories about my little sister and our newest product.”
“You don’t have to trust me when it comes to The Wild One.
” She grasped the vibrator, cradling it like it was a precious artifact, stroking it lovingly.
“Trust our product testing group, otherwise known as The Happiest Ladies in the World. Allow me to quote some feedback from one of our testers: ‘The Wild One is like a direct line to a pleasure palace I didn’t even know existed inside me.’ Now that I think about it, we should rename this one The Wizard, because this is the closest anyone will ever come to real magic here.
” She paused dramatically. “Get it? Come?”
I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips. “I get it. Wasn’t a hard one to wrap my head around,” I said, tapping my temple.
“See? You’ve got the hang of the puns too.”
“Been running this business with you for five years now, Casey. I’m well acquainted with your style. And with the magic we’re peddling.”
“Abracadabra,” she said, miming a magic wand. “Joy delivered.”
That was the name of her company—Joy Delivered.
I’d helped her launch it, funding the company—her dream—through my venture studio, and helping with the business deals, while she managed the product and the marketing.
And tonight, I had a meeting with one of the city’s top purveyors of pleasure products, Eden.
The high-end shop on the Upper East Side also ran a private sex club upstairs.
They’d been actively promoting another device, the Dancing Dolphin, a pocket vibrator that had developed quite a following.
Business was booming, as third parties were coming into the bedroom—even if the third party required batteries.
“Are you taking this with you to your meeting tonight?” Casey held up The Wild One.
I quickly shook my head. “They’ve already seen it. We’re finalizing the paperwork for the new shipment. We’re beyond the giggle-at-the-dildo stage of the conversation.”
“But it’s still nice to see the pleasure tools,” she said, handing it over. “Especially since they’re going to that sexuality conference at The Pierson, right? I can grab you a new one of course. Still in the packaging.”
“Right. But…” I said, scratching my chin, “I’d rather not display a nine-inch fake schlong at The Pierson Hotel.”
“Fine, be like that,” she said with a playful pout. “I’ll have to send a brand new one to Marquita for special delivery. By the way, tell her and Henry I said hi.”
Casey sauntered out of my office, and I grinned, tsking under my breath. No way in hell was I bringing a device along—packaging or not. Not because I was embarrassed—far from it—but because I preferred to keep things simple.
Wallet and phone were all I needed.
I stood up, raked a hand through my hair, and grabbed the cranberry-colored tie slung over the back of my chair. Looping it around my neck, I tied a neat knot. Best to look sharp for Eden. New York was still very much a suit-and-tie city, and I wore the requisite uniform. Besides, I liked suits.
I was about to head out when Casey popped her head back in. Her playful expression was gone, replaced with something more serious. “Don’t forget your appointment tomorrow at two.”
Of course she’d remind me. “I know.”
“It’s important.”
“Yes, Mommy.”
She pursed her lips. “You need it.”
She wasn’t wrong. I hadn’t been the same since losing my fiancée a year ago. I needed to get my head straight. No, correction: my heart.
If that was even possible.
But tonight, I was focused on business. So I left for The Pierson to close the deal.