Contains scenes of non con nature and BDSM.
CHAPTER 7
As the time to turn in the internship assignment drew closer, I couldn't convince myself to use my own mother's case as an example. I was struggling to find something that held just as much conviction. Most of the time I had spent at the club now was focused on how to make mixed drinks and keep a healthy satisfied clientele returning for drinks and good looks. No one had touched me in about two weeks and I was dying with every look from Browning, and some fleeting ones from Shawna as well. Although we hadn't actually interacted with each other, our interactions were within a close enough space that her presence made me flush.
Opening weekend for the club was scheduled for the following weekend and the internship paper was due the Friday before. I had spent so much time searching for a case that would hold as much merit as my mother's but I was coming up empty. I had decided to take up the case involving an oxford comma and tractor trailer driver's hours. Something that was really groundbreaking in law but really inconsequential compared to my mother's sacrifice. Thursday's class went about the same as every other class until the end.
"The internship assignment is due tomorrow, I expect a lot from all of you, don't be afraid to be critical. The best lawyers are critical of their own practice." Her eyes met mine for a moment. "This internship can be a game changer for those on the fence about their future. Dismissed." Everyone started gathering their things and I tried to meld into the crowd as I left as I had become accustomed to over the last couple weeks.
"Jess, would you wait a moment," I barely heard her voice over the shuffling of everyone else trying to leave. I gathered my things and laid my bag in my lap waiting for our privacy. I didn't dare get up or move any closer to her.
"I assume you are writing about your mother's case," she almost seemed hesitant.
"N-no, there's no way," she quirked her eyebrow at me.
"I thought it would be the perfect time for you to state your injustices of our practice," she seemed disappointed.
"I don't think I could write about that case without having my emotions and morals bleed into it," I was scared now at the implication that my case choice was wrong.
"What case are you writing about then?" she leaned against her desk and crossed her arms.
"The oxford comm-" she cut me off.
"Really Jess, why are you not trying to fulfill your potential? Emotions aside, I've been digging into that case as a practiced lawyer and you were spot on, even if you were emotionally driven in the beginning. I picked this topic hoping you would highlight your mother's injustice." She seemed to be upset with herself as much as me.
"I-I," I stammered now, unprepared for this kind of assault, "I don't," I couldn't handle the emotions running through me now. I grabbed my stuff and ran out of the classroom despite Browning calling my name. I knew that conversation was the end of my legal career, before it even started. At least I had a job at the club, that alone would keep me afloat until I figured out my next move. Cause paying off student loans was top priority now, since I clearly was never going to be able to use my degree for anything.
That night was opening night for the club, I was scheduled to be the bartender on the top floor, the private floor. Once I was home in my own apartment, I broke down and cried. I don't know how I let Browning pierce my soul so harshly, but she had and I couldn't get her out of my mind. I didn't want to go to the club that night but I couldn't doubt the rush of that atmosphere either. The prospect of a steady income was also comforting. If I had just thrown my whole career out the window, the least I could do was feed my curiosity and sexuality at the club while paying rent. If there were more people like Browning at the club, I couldn't deny my chance to network with those people. What I had experienced because of her, was something I could never forget, and I wanted more. Maybe someone else could give me the same euphoric pause of my brain, I knew I wouldn't be able to resist the possibility.
I arrived at the club and went straight to the bar on the second floor. I was dressed in my short black skirt, no panties, and tight, quarter sleeve button up that was dark purple. I adorned an apron for straws, napkins, and tabs, checking all the taps and products as I cut up limes and lemons for drinks. Everything was perfect right before we opened. The first few customers were what I had anticipated. They wanted heavy liquor mixed drinks for their partners, and some rented out a couple rooms and some binds, dildos, nothing out of the ordinary for what the club was designed for.
As I tried to focus on just getting through the shift, a man a little older than me with a very nice five o'clock shadow sat at the bar, "Seabreeze please, love," his black button up shirt, rolled up on his forearms, and displayed his muscles like a dream. I nodded at him and mixed the drink. "How much for you darling?" he asked, as he passed me a hundred dollar bill for a drink less than ten dollars.
"Sorry, I'm not on the menu tonight," I took his money and brought him his change, he clasped my wrist when I presented it to him, "that's a shame, I would pay more than top dollar for a night with you." I blushed at the compliment as he rubbed my wrist, I took a breath before I pulled away from him with a small smile. "Sorry not on the menu." As the night continued on, this new customer continued to make remarks about wanting me and I was starting to falter at his advances. If Browning couldn't be something real for me in the way I wanted, maybe this guy would be a fun experience to get over her. The best way to get over someone was to get under someone else right?
As closing time approached with no sign of Browning, Shawna, or even Dean, I knew if I was going to take up this guy's offer it was now or never.
"It's last call," I leaned a bit over the bar, showing off my breasts to him. He glanced at them and smiled at me.
"Does that mean you are free for me soon," I glanced around and bit my lip, unsure but willing.
"I have a few things to do to close down the bar then I'm free," I admitted hesitantly. I didn't think anyone could stand up to what Browning had shown me but I was willing to try my chances. Obviously I wasn't going to get her internship and that was fine, I needed to find other ways to keep myself afloat, emotionally, sexually, and financially. He smiled at me in a way that made my heart pound with a faint warning. But I chucked it up to nervousness.
"I can wait right here for you," he smiled, and it took my breath away. I simply nodded as I bit my lip. I was closing out the register and cleaning everything as he watched me, making my insides burn. I had just locked all the cash into the register and was about to grab my bag when Browning finally showed up.
"What are you still doing here?" She asked my possible suitor.
"I'm waiting on this pretty lady to close up and head out with me," he smiled, his charming smile that faded instantly as she spoke back.
"You are not allowed to stay here, in fact," I could hear the restraint in her voice, "you're banned from the club," she motioned to one of the security guys standing down the hallway. "Hector will show you the way out, thank you for your business, you are no longer welcome here."
I couldn't believe her animosity towards someone trying to show me a good time. "What are you doing Browning?" I interjected.
"He is no longer welcome, Hector," the intimidating man strolled over and escorted the man out without much fanfare. Once he was out of sight I accosted Browning.
"What the hell Browning? That was not ok." She stood tall facing me now and started backing me up against the counter.
"You," she stroked my cheek and I couldn't help the shiver that ran down my body, are mine, and mine alone." I hated that I leaned into her touch for a moment, before my brain took over and I pushed her away.
"No, I'm not yours. You have done nothing but belittle me, and use my mother's pain against me." I didn't mean to shout at her, but I was angry at her implications that she had a right to a say in my life. Especially since I had disappointed her with my internship paper and was never going to sit the BAR. I was hurt by the pain and remorse that showed on her face. She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow at me.
"You have done nothing but use me since you found out about my mother's case, trying to right a wrong from your past, I'm done, I take back my application to your internship." I grabbed my stuff and trailed after the man that was taken out by security. I wanted to look back at her reaction, but I didn't dare. She had used me like a piece of meat to atone for her actions in my mother's case and this guy was just interested. She had no right to interrupt my life for a second time. I rushed up to the guy as he was getting into his car.