The elevator moved pitifully slow, and the creaking and grinding added to the "charm" of the classic building that was probably built some time during the twenties. The penthouse office was all the way on the sixth floor, and aside from the cafes and shops on the first floor, most of the offices in the musty old building were empty for the weekend.
The Jones Associates suite of offices in the penthouse sounded a lot better than it looked - a wide windowless reception area, with five doors leading to a break room, a conference room, two smaller offices, and Mr. Jones' office; all kinda dinky and a little run down looking - classic, like the building. The furniture, mostly shades of brown, was probably top of the line when it was bought...back in the seventies.
When the two women walked into the reception area, Mr. Jones unfolded himself from behind the receptionist's desk. "Good morning, ladies." He came around and hugged his friend. When he walked, the tall man bent his head slightly, like he was used to ducking to avoid things. "Hey Allie." he said to the larger woman. "You're looking fine as ever." He looked at the other woman waiting for an introduction. "I take it, this is Share?"
"Yup," said Allie. "This is the one I've been telling you about. Share, this is Bob."
Share extended her hand. "Hi Mr. Jones. Nice to meet you."
"Impressive." Bob said to Allie. "She has proper manners." He didn't shake Share's outstretched hand.
"Fascinating." said Share to Allie. "He doesn't appear to have any manners at all." she dropped her hand and smiled.
Obviously, this man needed to prove his domliness by being rude. This wasn't going to work at all
.
Bob raised an eyebrow and looked down and the chubby woman calling herself a sub who barely came up to his shoulder.
Probably just wants her hair pulled and her ass spanked, but couldn't be a real sub to save her life.
He looked at Allie and shook his head. "Allie, why are you wasting my time bringing me bored housewives? You know I don't play with amateurs."
"Hold up." Allie laughed. "She offered her hand, and you left her hanging. That was pretty rude."
"I thought we were here to talk." Share said. "Do you honestly expect immediate submission from every woman you meet? Would you really want a sub that falls at everybody's feet? Talk about amateur?"
Bob smiled. "Very interesting. Cute and smart, and not a pushover. Allie, you did good." He gestured to his office. "Ladies, I've made iced tea. Shall we?"
"Wow." Share mused out loud, following Allie and Bob to the office. "Acting as if a childish test excuses rudeness, and not offering the most perfunctory apology. Strike two."
"Ok, listen." Bob said abruptly turning to Share, stepping so close she had to hold her head back to look at him. "I'm sorry if you think my behavior rude, but your bratty comments make me think you want my full attention right now. I assure you, you're not ready for it. We will talk first, and then, if we're both agreeable, you will have my full attention. Until then, we'll have tea. Do you understand?"
Share's neck hurt, and his cologne was a bit much, but she fought back that smile she always got when she won a small victory. This guy was easy. His buttons were right there on the surface. He'd probably be entertaining for a few weeks, and then fade into nothing, just like the rest of the wannabes.
"Watch your step, ladies." Bob said, as he ushered his guests into his office. He caught a whiff of Share's perfume as she brushed past him. Kinda nice, not too sweet. And that hair. Tiny locs, like braids only a lot more natural looking, falling down her back. Did she really grow all that herself?
Share almost tripped going into the office. There was a slight step up then her foot sunk nearly three inches into an unbelievably plush carpet that didn't make sense for the overall shabbiness of the room. Cheap wood paneled closets lined three walls of the office, and the window wall was draped floor to ceiling with hotel surplus curtains. Share looked around for a second and then glanced at their host and smiled. There was more to Bob Jones than she thought. First a door opened out, and a second door level with the carpet opened in. The cheap closets and plush carpets doubled as sound proofing, and the curtains would block sound and light. Leaning against a sagging couch, she wasn't surprised to feel fine leather under the threadbare afghan thrown over it.
The visit took on the air of a Saturday afternoon tea with discussions of southern cooking and parties and life in general. Bob directed Share to a seat near the center of the room. He watched her move deliberately. She wasn't going to submit to anything without negotiation. She wouldn't submit, but she would need to yield to somebody who could overcome her...out think her...see through her. This wasn't a princess at all. She was one of
those
...a fighter. Damn! Bob tried not to smile. This could be too much fun.
The conversation on cooking was right up Share's alley. As an excellent cook, her peach cobbler and yeast rolls got her lots of marriage proposals...even from her husband's friends. She was thoroughly absorbed when she felt Bob's hands moving through her hair. As the conversation continued, she tried not to let the touch distract her. It really wasn't that big a deal. She'd accepted more from lesser men, and she'd already won her small victory. He was interested enough to reach for her first.
"So," said Allie finally, "While y'all talk, I'm'a go next door and watch tv. Y'all got an hour, ok?"
"An hour should be plenty," Share said, standing up, brushing Bob's hands from her hair.
"Yeah." Bob said. not hiding the annoyance in his voice. "That's more than enough."
Share watched him close both doors behind her friend. She noticed he didn't lock them; not that a lock would've kept Allie out anyway, but still. Alone with the man who, with the exception of that brief snit, seemed too pleasant and gentle to be much more than somebody who shopped at Lover's Lane and hung out in kinky chat rooms, Share moved to take a seat at the right end of the couch.
"No." Bob said. "I want you to sit here." He indicted the space on his outstretched leg where he sat at the left end of the couch.
Share hesitated. "I'm not a little girl. It won't be comfortable for either of us."
Bob patted his leg.
"Okay...don't say I didn't warn you."
So, he's one of those. Yeah, this is gonna be really quick.
Share tried sitting on his leg. "Nope." she said, standing up. "This is way too uncomfortable. I won't hear a word you say."
"I see you're a difficult one." Bob said. "Ok, fine. Sit there." He reached out and took her hand, while she lowered herself to the couch. When she tried to pull her hand back, he held tight. "I am going to inspect you. Be still."
Share raised an eyebrow but said nothing. This was interesting. He held on just firm enough to get her attention, but not enough to be uncomfortable.
"Why are you here, Share? What do you want?"
"Excitement. I'm bored."
"Hmph. Hubby not spanking you hard enough, so you wanna play Fifty Shades, huh?"
"Wow. Fifty Shades? Really?" Share asked. "I guess Allie overestimated you." Share moved to pull her hand away. "Nice meeting you, Bob."
He pulled her hand back. "I didn't say you could move. I'm not done yet."
