The job had come out of the blue and Sarah still couldn't believe her luck. There had been other applicants, of course, but she had been selected and today was her first day. She was nervous, no question of that, and she wasn't sure quite what the job entailed, but it couldn't be worse than the factory job she'd walked out of the other week. How she'd stood it, she'd never know, but that was in the past now and she was determined to make a success of her new start.
The job advert was for someone who could type and the salary was more than Sarah had ever earned in her life. No other qualifications needed, just a friendly smile and a pleasant personality. She had dressed in her best clothes but hoped that soon, with a decent wage, she could go and buy some newer outfits.
Sarah felt a little strange dressing for work. Normally she wore jeans and a tee-shirt so the tight black skirt and silky white blouse she had picked felt uncomfortable and restricting at first. She had a good figure, but her self-confidence had taken a blow lately and she felt the first twinges of doubt. Suppose she made lots of mistakes? She still wasn't entirely sure what the job entailed. The description had been so vague and even though she'd tried to ask questions, the woman who had interviewed her had swept aside her queries and assured her that she was more than qualified.
Sarah stood in front of the mirror and practised some moves, hoping that she wouldn't reveal too much creamy flesh. Her top had a plunging neckline that struggled to cover her voluptuous breasts and she wondered whether it was a good idea to wear it on her first day. But it had to do; nothing else was suitable. Her hair was long and dark and it curled around the frilly collar, nestling into her cleavage and making Sarah feel suddenly extremely feminine. As she pulled on her sheer stockings she felt a surge of arousal pulse through her body and smiled. It was a new, enjoyable sensation and she idly wondered what her new boss would be like.
She didn't have a car so she caught the bus into the town. She could feel the stares from the other passengers as she gazed out of the window. It was a warm spring day and she could feel little beads of sweat roll down her back. The warmth of her body and the faint trace of arousal she still felt made her shift in her seat, increasing the ache between her legs.
At the bus stop, Sarah glanced at her watch and hurried towards the tall Victorian house that was her new place of work. It was set back from the road, the front garden shaded by tall, mature trees. When she'd arrived for her interview she'd felt a little intimidated by the house, but inside she was welcomed by the existing staff and any apprehensions had disappeared. Today though, the house looked faintly sinister and the downstairs windows were closed off by tightly drawn blinds.
Sarah rang the doorbell and waited. She could feel the heat emanating from her body and hoped that she would be able to take her coat off soon. She wondered what work she would be doing...maybe secretarial, she thought, answering the phone and taking messages. Why hadn't she been introduced to her boss? At the interview she'd seen his assistant who was pleasant enough but very professional. She'd been quizzed about her previous jobs and her personal life, but there had been very little information about what she would actually be doing.
Sarah heard footsteps and the door was opened by a tall woman dressed severely in a business suit, her hair coiled into a bun. She smiled at Sarah.
"Ah, Sarah, come in. My name's Lisa."
Sarah followed her into the house, the ticking of a Grandfather clock the only sound. Lisa led the way into a small room off the hallway and motioned for Sarah to sit at a desk which contained a pile of papers.
Lisa smiled. "Welcome to Redworth House. I hope you'll be very happy with us."
"I'm sure I will be," Sarah answered. "Will I be working with you?"
"No...you'll be working for Mr X, but he's away at the moment. He's left you lots of instructions so you'll be very busy, don't worry."
"But you'll be here, won't you?"
Lisa smiled again. "No. I was just taken on to recruit you, my dear. Mr X doesn't like a large staff. I'm sure you'll be fine."
Sarah was stunned. The thought of being all alone in the house with a stranger was terrifying. Suppose something happened to her? Who would know?
Over the next half hour, Lisa explained every aspect of the job to Sarah who sat and stared, her mind whirling with thoughts of how to escape. This was not what she had expected at all. If she'd known it was just her and a strange man she would never have accepted the position.
"Well...what are your thoughts?"
Sarah jumped at Lisa's voice. "I...I need to think this over."
"Of course. I understand." She stood up and guided Sarah out of the room. "Would you like a cup of coffee while you think? I do need an answer today, of course."
Sarah followed Lisa out of the room and into the hallway where she sank into a leather armchair. The house reeked of money and good taste and she looked around at the beautiful paintings on the wall, the antique furniture that cost more than she could ever earn in a year in her old job.
She closed her eyes and thought of her dingy little flat, how she'd love to be able to buy her own home one day and fill it with lovely furniture, flowers and beautiful things. And she had no car...that had been one of the worst days of her life when she'd been forced to sell her little sports car to pay off the mounting debts...
The noise of a door opening made her look up. Lisa was approaching with a cup of coffee, her eyes watching Sarah intently.
"Here you are," she said and sat opposite. "Far be it for me to tell you what to do, but Mr X is a good employer. He'll make sure you're looked after."
"But...this is so unexpected. I had no idea..."
Lisa smiled. "He really liked you. Nobody else came close."
Sarah sipped her coffee and stared at the Grandfather clock, the swinging pendulum making her feel almost hypnotised. She felt so confused. She was tempted by the incredible salary, but wary that she would be working on her own and of what the job involved.
"Why does Mr X require someone to do this?"
Lisa smiled. "Ah, that's for him to tell you, not me. But you can rely on his absolute discretion."
"Is he married?"
"No. He's been alone for five years now."
Sarah finished her coffee and stood up. She felt as if she was on the brink of a huge precipe. Part of her shied away from the job but she suddenly felt a surge of desire shoot through her. Why not? She could always walk away if she hated it and her first day's payment was assured.
"OK...I'll do it."
Lisa smiled. "I knew you would. Mr X will be delighted. We just need to complete some paperwork and then you can start."
Half an hour later, Sarah found herself in a large room overlooking the front garden. There was a desk with a brand new computer, a sofa and chairs and lots of shelving crammed with books. The room was airy and light and Sarah felt herself begin to relax.
Lisa showed her how to use the computer, pointed out the large pile of manuscript papers, gave her a broad smile and then left. Sarah could hear her clattering down the stairs, the slam of the front door and then silence.
The quiet was unnerving. Sarah looked around the room and went to the door to listen but there was not a sound. The house was silent. Her footsteps sounded loud as she made her way back to the desk and sat down. The manuscript lay white and heavy next to her on the desk, the front page containing just the title of the story that Sarah had been given to type up.
She turned over the top page and began to read.
*
Two hours later, Sarah rose from her chair and walked stiffly to the window. The story had held her interest and she realised that it had been wrong to read it. She had been employed to type the story into the computer but she couldn't stop reading. She had been warned by Lisa that the story was not a conventional one, that it was an erotic novel, but the words hadn't bothered her at all. Her feelings of arousal, dimmed by her meeting with Lisa, had flared up again and she could feel her nipples straining against the silky material of her blouse.