[B.S. #1] Tied Up in Knotts (11 page)

The next morning found Avery at her desk, her long blonde hair was up and she was back to wearing the long skirts. She knew she was being petty, going back to this way of dress, but she felt like it helped with the shield she was trying to build around her.

The front door opened and Clay walked in with James trailing him. Walking up to her desk, Clay grinned. “Nice outfit. I like it. You really dress up the office.”

Avery couldn’t help the grin. She knew Clay was making a joke at her expense, but the truth of the matter was he was right. Hiding the smile the best way she could, she looked down at her desk and held out a few yellow pages with messages. “Glad you like it.”

James stepped beside Clay. “Anything for me?”

Not looking up, Avery muttered, “No, nothing today. I guess you’re not as popular as you thought.” Avery took a quick look at Clay. Was he mad that she was speaking to a fellow worker and his friend this way? Oh God, her mouth was going to be the destruction of her. She just didn’t stop to think. Avery was surprised to see Clay giving James a thumb up as he looked at the messages in his hand. James didn’t seem too happy with her reply. He turned his back on her and walked into his office.

“Don’t let him bother you. He’s just got a lot of things on his mind right now.”

Avery watched Clay as he also went his office.
I just bet he has a lot on his mind, his next drug deal for Carlos.

Work progressed through the week without incident. James and Angel seemed to spend a lot of their time in the back alley. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask, but she wouldn’t give James the satisfaction of speaking to him. And Angel didn’t seem to sit still long enough for her to approach him. If she didn’t know better she would think he was avoiding her. Friday was another story. Avery was just going through the mail when James barged through the front door and angrily strove directly to Clay’s office and proceeded to slam the door behind him.

“What the fuck are you planning? And why didn’t you inform me? Why did I have to hear it from Angel?” James shouted at Clay.

Clay rose from his desk. “Keep your voice down. Do you want Avery to hear?”

“Right now I don’t give a fuck! Was Angel right? Are you planning to go after Avery yourself?” James threw himself down in the chair in front of Clay’s desk

Clay settled back down in his chair now that James seated himself. “Angel’s right, but he shouldn’t be gossiping like an old lady.”

“Well I’m damn glad he did. When were you going to tell me?”

“This morning I was going over all the headway we’ve made, and we seem to have Carlos’s distributers biting and ready to sell to us. But with Avery, you really fucked up. You know that, James. She won’t even speak to you. If we’re really going to get to the bottom of this, we have to know if she hiding something. Even the Feds are starting to get antsy.”

“No,” James shouted at Clay. “No fucking way.” James sat up in his seat, put his arm on his thighs, and debated whether to get up and strangle his friend.

“Now, James,” Clay shouted back at him. “And keep your voice down, or should I just invite Avery in so she can hear more clearly?”

“No.” James swiped his hand through his hair. “I‘ll get through to her. I’m just giving her time to miss me.”

“God you’re fucked up. She’s pissed at you. I don’t think we have time to wait around. You know I’m the best bet. My hands are clean, only you and Angel seem to be visiting the alley for drops that I’m sure Avery has noticed after you let the cat out of the bag.”

“I can’t let you.”

“You can’t let me, or won’t let me?”

“Does it really make a difference? Avery’s mine and I will handle it.”

“OK, we’ll play it your way”—Clay raised his hand toward James—“but just for a week. I know you’re the boss of this operation but this is serious. One week and I take over. Don’t think I can’t take you out.” Clay grinned at James breaking the tension

“You and who else?” James said, rising from his seat, grinning now that the tension had abated between them.

“Well I might ask Angel. He deserves a beating for being a gossip.”

James laughed back, shaking his head as he left the office.

Avery watched James leave Clay’s office. With all the yelling going on, she didn’t expect him to be smiling. In fact he looked directly at her and his smile turned into a wolfish grin. Like he would like to eat her up.

Well he would be starving, Avery thought to herself. He had his chance and blew it. She knew enough, or thought she did, and would be steering clear of him.

James walked directly to Avery’s desk. By the time he reached it, his grin had turned hard. This had gone on long enough. The little darling needed a spanking. And he was just the one to do it.

Leaning over her desk, almost touching her, James looked her up and down.

“Are you done pouting? Think before you answer, I don’t like to be lied to.” James stared directly into her big green eyes.

Avery looked up at James. He was so close she could smell his aftershave. Well, he could try and intimidate her. But it wasn’t going to work, Avery thought. But God, she wanted to give him another chance. He was crowding her and all she wanted was for him to kiss her. No, that was not what she was thinking. She shook her head at him.

“No I’m not, and for your information, I’m not pouting. Now go away and let me work.” She waved her hand in the air as if to dismiss him.

James grabbed the hand waving in the air and pulled her to her feet. Walking around the desk to her side, he put his other arm under her knees and lifted her into his arms.

“Put me down, James, this isn’t funny.” Concern was now creeping into her voice.

“It’s not supposed to be funny. This is very serious, and it’s about time you know your place with me. I’ve let you have time, but your time’s up.”

Avery put her arms around his neck and hung on as he briskly walked to his office. He slammed the door with his foot and turned the lock.

Striding to the chair in front of his desk, he whipped it around and sat, flipping Avery facedown over his lap.

Now Avery knew he was serious and started to struggle. “Let me up, you brute. You can’t do this. I have rights. Wait until I tell Clay, your ass will be fired. “

“Maybe that could happen, but not before I warm your ass for your behavior.”

“My behavior. I’m not the one going into the alley and buying drugs.” Avery turned her head up to look at him, her hair falling around her face.

“Why didn’t you ask if you wanted to know what was going on? No, you just leaped to conclusions, and they are wrong. It won’t get you out of your punishment. Now stay still and it will go smoother.”

“Smoother for you maybe, but it’s not your ass on the line.” Avery squirmed again, trying to dislodge herself from his hold.

James held her with a firm hand on her back and lifted her long skirt up to her waist, biting back a grin at her words. God, she was magnificent when riled.

Avery was glad she had at least worn her nice panties for today. Avery gritted her teeth. Why was she bothered to think about her panties at a time like this? Maybe she liked the controlling James. Avery dismissed her thoughts the next second. No way was he getting away with this he-man attitude.

The next thing she knew, her panties were around her ankles and James had struck her with an open hand on her right ass cheek.

“Ouch, that hurt.”

“That’s the point.” James gave her another wallop on her other cheek. This time he held his hand over the area so the warmth was absorbed by Avery.

Five more were given with Avery yelling, “Ouch” every time. Her voice was now taking on a low tone, like she would be moaning if she allowed herself. James could tell she was holding back.

“Ready to give up and start acting like an adult?” James asked her in a no-nonsense tone. The heat had now started to make its way down to her pussy and she squirmed on James.

“No, I saw what you did, and you left my bed for a drug deal. I’m not stupid, I know what I saw.”

“Why. Didn’t. You. Ask. Me?” In between each word, James gave her another paddle on her ass with his hand.

His hand was starting to feel the heat also and James almost gave up when he heard Avery moan. God, she was stubborn.

Reaching his hand down to her mound, he stuck a finger in her. She was wet, almost dripping.

Turning her up to a sitting position on his lap, James lifted her face up to his and wiped the tears that she didn’t know she was crying.

What could he tell her? He couldn’t tell her about their job. He hated lying to her, but it was necessary. He hoped she would understand when all this was over.

“I’m…” James started again. It wasn’t like him to hesitate. “I mean Angel and I are trying to help the youth around here. Trying to get them off the streets and find a proper job.”

“But I saw money passing hands,” Avery sputtered though her tears.

“Yes, you did. I would rather give them some money than have them run drugs for it.”

Standing her up beside the chair, James pulled her panties back up and straightened down her skirt. Unlocking the door, he waved her through with a pat on the ass.

“Be ready after work. We are going to go out for dinner and try again. And if you have any questions, don’t think, ask.” James closed the door behind her and she could swear she heard him sigh.

Walking back to her desk, Avery though of all James had told her. She really didn’t know what to believe. Could it be true that what she thought she saw was just them helping the youth around here? God, she was confused. Looking around, she hoped no one had seen anything. She would be so embarrassed if Clay or any of the others had seen their exchange.

Chapter Thirteen

Avery looked in her bedroom mirror and took in the outfit she had chosen. She wore a knee-length black skirt and a white lace top. They had been buys at the thrift store, but didn’t look worn. Avery hoped that James would approve. She didn’t know why she wanted his approval. After this afternoon she should have just walked out. But something in her was drawn to James. It couldn’t be his sweet disposition. If that’s what she wanted, Clay would probably be the better bet. Clay seemed more even tempered and totally gorgeous in his own way, but he just didn’t give off the spark James did every time he looked at her.

James watched Avery walking down the stairs to him. She looked good enough to eat. She had worn her hair down and it seemed to form a golden halo around her head. God, he was going to hell with the thoughts he had running through his head. Smiling up at her, James took her hand as she neared the bottom.

“You look gorgeous. I really approve of what you’re wearing tonight.”

Tonight would be a good test to see how submissive she was. He was going to be overly demanding. He wanted to see if this could be long-term for them.

“Well I wouldn’t want to disappoint you. After the lesson you gave me in your office,” Avery answered back sarcastically.

“See, you’re learning,” James said with a grin

Avery looked up at him. Was he serious? James looked down at her with a twinkle in his eyes and took her elbow and led her out of the office.

The restaurant James had chosen was an upscale Italian bistro. Could he afford this? It was on the other side of town. When they pulled into the parking lot, she could tell that his car stood out like a sore thumb. In between the Jags and Mercedes, even the parking attendant looked twice at the car before getting in and parking it.

Placing his hand on her back, James led Avery into the posh establishment. Avery looked around. James didn’t seem to be uncomfortable so she made the best of it and tried to look like they came here every day. She sure hoped James wasn’t trying to impress her and spending a week’s pay on one night. Pulling at his jacket sleeve as they waited for the hostess to seat them, she looked up at James.

“I don’t think we should stay. It looks awful expensive. Why don’t we go back and just eat at the diner?”

Catching the hostess’s attention, James nodded at her. For some reason the hostess didn’t ask for his name or reservations, just turned and escorted them to a very private booth at the back.

Seating Avery at the table, James turned and asked the hostess to send over the wine steward.

Something was up. James seemed too comfortable in this environment. James was dressed nicely in a black blazer that enhanced his wide shoulders and tan pants, but not up to the standards that others wore around them, and her little black skirt wasn’t up to snuff either. Where would James get money enough to afford a place like this? Avery jerked her head up and watched James order a wine she had never heard of. She was crazy. How many times did it have to come and bite her on the ass before she got it in her head that drug money was the only answer? Pulling back into herself, she looked around. Could she just leave? There must be a way out at the back. James seemed to notice her eyes darting around, looking very uncomfortable.

“Everything OK? I hope that you will like the wine that I picked.” Avery just nodded her head and kept looking around.

“What are you looking for? I can see that your mind is off someplace again. Need I explain to you again that if you have a question, just ask? I don’t think your ass could handle another spanking tonight. While I don’t mind, I don’t think the other customers in the place would like a floor show with you in the spotlight.” James used his Dom voice as he looked at Avery. She looked like she was going to bolt at any second.

That got Avery’s attention. She turned back facing him with her month gasping. “There is no way you can use that to threaten me here. You would get arrested.”

James laid down his napkin and started to rise from the booth. Avery reached over the table and grabbed his coat sleeve. “Please don’t make a scene. I think we stand out enough without the floor show.”

Sitting back down, James placed the napkin back in his lap and raised an eyebrow at Avery.

God, she was starting to hate when he did that. She knew he would sit there saying nothing until she spilled her thoughts.