The key to sneaking unnoticed through the night is to not wear black. While objects appear black, the night itself is dark blue. If you want to be invisible, you have to wear dark blue. Taren had learned that trick on her first heist, two years ago. She never imagined that a law degree would lead her to a life of crime, but corporate espionage paid handsomely, and Taren liked living a debt-free life. She also really liked her job.
At five foot seven, Taren wasn't terribly small, but she was a fit brunette. Her muscles stretched the under armor and yoga pants she wore for the heist. Initially, she had envisioned herself in leather and heels, like spies in the movies, but real life espionage had little patience for fabrics that didn't breath or shoes that made it difficult to run.
Taren relished in the familiar adrenaline rush as she silently scaled the fire escape of the apartment building. There were cameras in the lobby, elevator, and hallways, but the rest of the building lack any sort of security. She probably wouldn't even break a sweat sneaking into a biochemist's apartment to swipe his laptop. She smiled when she found his window unlocked and already partially opened.
Slipping into the pitch-black apartment, Taren paused to let her eyes adjust and found herself standing in a small kitchen that opened into a fairly barren living room. Either the man had embraced a minimalist philosophy, or scientists were not paid very well. The only furniture in the room was a second-hand recliner along the far wall and cluttered desk in the center. Taren crossed quickly to it, eager to get her loot and get out.
Poorly hidden under folders and scientific journals was the laptop she sought. The sticker across the cover read, "Property of Dr. Felix Xie, not to be removed from the lab." In her recon work, Taren had learned that Dr. Xie seldom followed the security protocols at the pharmaceutical company he worked for. He took the laptop, with all the research it contained, home with him almost every night. By the time he reported the theft to his superiors, Taren's company would be well on its way to cataloging all of the secrets that lay within. So focused on the task at hand, Taren didn't notice the doctor in the room with her until his taser was pressed into her back.
50,000 volts of electricity running through one's nervous system is not a pleasant experience. It was not surprising that the shock caused Taren to crumple to the floor, convulsing and making strange, involuntary noises. She looked up at Felix as he observed her. He wasn't a large man, probably no taller than Taren herself, but his physical fitness rivaled her own. His smooth, tanned skin was hairless except for a small train running from his lower abdomen into the waistband of his boxer-briefs. That was all he was wearing. Taren struggled to shift her gaze from the attractive V at his hips to his angular and refined face. In any other situation, she would have taken the time to admire his exotic handsomeness. At the moment, however, she needed to focus on regaining control of her limbs.
Felix crouched down and hooked his hand under her arm, pulling her onto her stomach with little effort. Taren took the opportunity to push herself onto her knees, but before she could get further Felix shoved her back to the floor. He carelessly wrenched her arms behind her back and tied them at the wrist, possibly with shoestring, then dragged her up onto the desk.
"Please, don't hurt me," she mustered. Perhaps she could talk him out of calling the cops. Nothing ruined a corporate spy's career like getting arrested. Felix crossed to front of the desk grabbed a hold of her hair and yanked her head back, so she could look up at him.
"You broke in to my place," he began. "But I am going to hurt you?"
"What are you going to do?" Taren asked.
"I should call the cops," he spat at her. "I'm not stupid. I know you are here to steal my research. You are even dressed like a thief."
"Fine, call the cops," she bluffed. "It will take less than an hour for my employers to get me out of any charges. Meanwhile, your company will know what a security risk you are. I might be reprimanded, but you'll be fired."
Felix gave her a half smile and let go of her hair. He was quiet as he paced around the desk, and Taren could feel the heat radiating off of him as he came to a stop behind her, not quite touching her. In the silence, she could hear her own pulse, like the rushing of waves. Without warning, his hand landed on her ass, his fingers digging painfully into the cheek. Taren gasped reflexively as he squeezed the flesh, his nails digging through the fabric.
"Perhaps I will just punish you myself," he suggested.
"What are you going to do," she sneered. "Spank me?"
"What a good idea."
Felix hooked his fingers into the waistband of her pants and peeled them down to her knees.
SMACK
Taren regretted her decision to wear a thong as his hand meet bare flesh. The sting was shocking, but not too painful.
SMACK SMACK
