To Be Decided
Rae was sitting at an extension of Stella's desk Killian had installed so they could comfortably share the space without being on top of one another. Stella was going over the hierarchy of the firm and where Killian fit. On paper, he was a founding partner in charge of the office in the burbs while the majority of the other senior partners were at their offices in the city. In reality, two junior partners ran the suburban office while Killian did his own thing, occasionally sitting in on meetings. But for the most part, Stella was his go between, and she was a marvel. Unflappable, she moved through the day with no sense of urgency while getting everything accomplished with ease. Killian's everything was a fairly apt description, without her he'd be lost. It was hard for Rae to imagine taking on the mantle when Stella left, but she was working hard to live up to the expectation.
A commotion stopped Stella short, and then two delivery men appeared. One carrying a couple boxes and another rolling a wrapped piece of furniture down the hall. Before Rae or Stella could say anything Killian walked out of his office. "Perfect timing."
He held the door open, and after the delivery men disappeared looked at them and smiled, then followed. Stella and Rae exchanged confused glances, and Stella said, "What is he up too?"
"Up too?" Rae asked, keeping her voice neutral.
Stella laughed lightly and said, "Always. That man is always up to something."
"Add it to the things to remember list?"
Stella nodded, laughing louder and Rae smiled in return, her instincts telling her without a doubt, the up to something, had to do with her.
The door opened and Killian thanked the delivery men, palming them some cash. After they left he said, "Rae, I need a word."
"Yes Mr. Laird." That looked flitted through his eyes and she suppressed a smile. She'd been there two weeks and while Stella called him Killian, she didn't, and it chafed. It was a tiny victory in the game, and she was going to milk it for all it was worth.
She walked into his office surprised to see a chaise lounge in the alcove between his desk, and private bathroom. Killian didn't strike her as a chaise kind of man, at least not in his office. He picked up one of the packages off his desk and handed it to her.
"Do I want to know what's inside?" she asked.
He smiled and said, "Open it."
The box was already opened so she pulled back the paper. Skin and hair care products, as well as a makeup bag filled with powders, blushes, lipsticks and other items. Now she was annoyed. Fixing a smile on her face she said, "Thank you Mr. Laird. This is very generous of you."
"And yet, you're not at all happy."
"Are you kidding?" she said, brightly. "When a man gives a woman such thoughtful gifts, there's no other way she could possibly feel. So again, thank you."
He scrutinized her closely, and said, "Try them, and I promise you actually will be happy." She nodded, her smile not faltering in the slightest. The side of his mouth twitched and he leaned on the edge of his desk. "That will be all Rae."
Can I leave this here so I don't have to explain the gifts to Stella?"
He nodded, so she placed the box on a chair and headed for the door. She could feel his eyes peeling away her clothing, and forced herself to walk calmly. He'd been completely professional so far, but that was about to change and she knew it. When she sat down at her desk, she did a quick search of the products and almost fell out of her chair. He'd spent a thousand dollars easily.
"Everything ok?" Stella asked.
"Mmhmm. Just a little nervous about being by myself is all." It was easily believable, because it was partly true.
Stella smiled and said, "You'll be fine. It's only for a few hours and you can text me with any questions."
For the next couple hours she focused on work, and when Killian and Stella left for meetings elsewhere, she tried to enjoy the quiet. But it was tough with, to be decided looming over her head. Thankfully the rest of the day flew by without incident and at five on the dot she gathered her things to leave. Glancing at his door she debated leaving the box, but after what he spent she couldn't be rude. She was just about to enter Killian's office when her phone vibrated. Killian reminding her not to forget her products, and wanting her to know the other box was for her as well. A gift for work.
She stepped into his office and saw the boxes on the new chaise. It was a beautiful piece of furniture, the carvings along the base reminiscent of Celtic knot work. She moved the boxes to the floor and walked around the chaise. Something seemed off. Running her hands over the brown leather she was amazed at the silky smoothness. She'd never felt leather so soft, and that, she realized, was one of the issues. The leather didn't fit the style of the base. She should be seeing tuft leather, but whoever restored it replaced that look and style with a modern one. The curves were more pronounced too, and the more she studied them, the more certain she became the chaise was designed for a plethora of sexual positions. She still had no clue what his appetites were, and leaving the boxes on the chaise was a calculated move to make her wonder, to keep her mind on him, and what he was going to do.
She looked at the other box and knelt down. He'd opened it as well, and she pulled the paper back, the bees in her stomach making her hands shake a touch. She sat back on her heels surprised. No whips, chains or cuffs, but an outfit. A red blouse, black skirt, backseam hose, and even heals. Another smaller white box was tucked inside and she pulled off the lid.
"Shit," she breathed, staring at red lace bra, panties, and garter belt.
Her phone vibrated and she fished it out of her bag. Of course it was Killian. Have a great weekend sunshine. I look forward to seeing you Monday.
She stared at her phone a moment, then texted, Thank you Mr. Laird, you too.
At least she knew that would take some of the wind out of his sails, not much but a little. Gathering her new things together, she headed for the parking garage.
*********************
Killian passed Rae's car as he pulled into his parking space and a smile spread across his face. Mondays she was his as long as he needed, and he had plans. He grabbed his briefcase and garment bag out of the backseat and strolled to the elevator whistling.
When he rounded the corner to his office and saw Rae he smiled. "Good morning. I hope you had a wonderful weekend."
Rae, wearing black pants and blouse, looked at him almost expectantly and said, "Good morning Mr. Laird. I did, thank you."
He walked into his office, waiting until the door shut before chuckling. Hanging the garment bag on the bathroom door, he settled in behind his desk. It was just the two of them, Stella had the day off, and he'd given himself a light load so he could spend quality time with Rae. He had a lot to learn about her tastes, and boundaries. His gaze drifted to the chaise and he shifted in his chair. He was looking forward to seeing her draped across it, the curves accentuating her curves. He shifted in his chair again, and pulled his phone out of his pocket. First things first. "Rae, I need a word."
She walked in the office a smile on her face. "Yes, Mr. Laird?"
He stood and looked her up and down. "We need to discuss your wardrobe."
"What about it?"
"While those clothes were just fine for the restaurant, they aren't right for my firm. Was there a problem with the clothing I gave you?"
"No Mr. Laird, everything is absolutely lovely," she said, her eyes much too innocent. "Thank you."
She thought she could play the game with him and win. Losing over and over would sharpen her skills, and with the right guidance she could become a formidable opponent. But not today. He walked around the desk and circled her, taking in her shabby clothing with a few tisks. "Your pants are too big and falling apart because of it." He crossed his arms and stopped in front of her. "Your blouse has seen better days as well. Appearance matters, to me and my clients. This outfit is unsatisfactory. Change into the clothes I bought you."
She was taken aback, and said, "I have to go home to do that. It'll be an hour, hour and a half round trip."
He shook his head, suppressing a smile, and said, "Completely unacceptable."
A touch of panic darted across her gaze, and he eyed her sternly for another moment then walked over to the garment bag. He unzipped it and stepped aside. The stunned look on her face was so satisfying arousal flooded his groin. He hadn't told her specifically she had to wear the outfit, so it was a given she wouldn't. Not because she didn't like the clothes, but because he bought them for her. So he'd gotten her a second set, down to the shoes.
She scanned the contents of the garment bag and said, "I, in no way, saw this coming." Suddenly she was fighting a smile, and the more she tried, the more it wouldn't be denied. "You got me. I..." She met his gaze and burst into laughter.
Of all the reactions he thought possible, surliness, resentment, annoyance, even defeat, laughter was completely unexpected. Her eyes sparkled with genuine amusement, her laugh big and full, and real. He'd heard her different laughs over the past couple years. Working in the service industry she'd perfected a few, but he'd only heard her real laugh through the coatroom wall. He founded himself chuckling in return, unable to help it. It was a completely different kind of victory, one that humanized him in her eyes. But mostly, it just made him feel good.
