Shake Her World (Restrained Book 1) (2 page)

Looking in the mirror shows her nothing new. She’s still barely 5’2, her eyes are almond shaped and so dark they’re almost black, her black hair is floppy and short, and her skin is still peach colored. She’s not delicate thanks to working out five times a week, and she’s insanely proud of her delicious six pack and muscular body. Her previous girlfriends loved it too. Ariana loved the feeling of being appreciated.

She turns away from the mirror and checks the water, deeming it warm enough before she turns the taps off and slowly climbs into the tub. She pours some lavender scented bubble bath into the water, then lies back with a soft groan, enjoying the quietness and the warm embrace of the water. Her fingers are idly stroking her stomach, drawing circles and stars around her bellybutton slowly wandering lower without Ariana really realizing it.

She closes her eyes and lets herself think about how it would feel if Ms. Mason… No, if Sophie was there with her. She imagines leaning back against the delectably curved body, resting her head on Sophie’s shoulder as Sophie breathes teasing kisses against her neck while her hands wander around Ariana’s body, caressing her shoulders, fondling her breasts and rubbing her nipples, because Sophie knows just how sensitive Ariana’s buds are.

She moans when her own hands pinch her nipples, and she imagines it is Sophie who plays with the pink nubs. She swallows heavily and lets one of her hands to slide down her stomach and sink into her neatly trimmed pubic hair. She can almost believe that it’s Sophie’s fingers that open her gently, teasing needy sounds from her throat. The slight burn of the stretch heightens her need, urging her to lift her hips and meet the slow rhythm of the fingers’ thrusts.

In her head, Sophie is still massaging her breasts with one hand, while her finger is slowly sliding deeper and deeper into her. Ariana moans from the wonderful feeling and throws her head back. She reaches for her clit to make it even better, but Sophie slaps her hand away and uses her own fingers to rub Ariana’s clitoris.

It doesn’t take long before Ariana is begging for another finger, asking Sophie to give her more in a breaking voice, her moans getting louder as Sophie increases the tempo and pushes a third finger inside. Her body feels like it’s on fire, but it’s not enough. She wants to feel Sophie lips and tongue, wants to feel their bodies moving in perfect tandem, and the mere thought is enough for her lower belly to clench. She can feel her orgasm build deep within her, making her thrust her fingers faster and harder as she seeks her completion, groaning deeply from the sensation. She thinks of Sophie sitting on the edge of the tub with her legs wide open, her breathtaking body gleaming with pearls of water, and Ariana wants nothing more than to dive in and taste it, give Sophie the same pleasure she’s receiving from her until Sophie’s trashing and screaming Ariana’s name. And that single mental image is enough to push her over the edge, making her muscles spasm around her fingers as she reaches her peak, legs trembling violently.

It takes Ariana a few minutes to get down from her high and slowly slip her fingers out of herself. Touching herself always make her feel pampered and loose-limbed, but this time she can’t help the pang of disappointment drop into her stomach at the realization that she’s alone at her home and there is no hope of ever turning that fantasy into reality. Because Sophie has a boyfriend who is a cheating worthless piece of shit, but Sophie doesn’t know that and Ariana can’t tell her either. Not to mention, even if Sophie somehow find out, she won’t magically fall for Ariana, because life is not a fairytale and Sophie isn’t even attracted to her.

Ariana knows this. But it doesn’t make accepting it easier, especially not after such an intense orgasm and vivid fantasy. Well, she’s a big girl and it’s not the first time she developed unrequited feelings for another woman, so she’ll get over it. If she doesn’t actually believe herself, no one has to know.

The gala goes off without a hitch, well if you can call Neil Thompson making an ass out of himself on national TV by being a misogynistic douchebag without a hitch, and Ariana doesn’t dream about Thompson’s naked body using a clueless college girl as an outlet for his frustrations. Ms. Mason is back to her Ice Queen persona, barking orders and making one of the interns cry after the poor guy accidentally messes up a line of code and his manager is too cruel to chew him out personally. Ariana is of course ready with a box of tissues and a cup of hot chocolate when the guy shuffles out of Ms. Mason’s office, his eyes puffy and his hands trembling.

“Don’t take it personally,” she tells the kid who looks back at her like she’s crazy. “It’s kind of a rite of passage here.”

“One hell of a rite of passage,” the guy mutters into his cup. “I thought she was going to skin me alive.”

“A little secret,” Ariana says leaning closer while pretending to organize some files on her desk. “If she didn’t see some potential in you, you’d been told to pack your things and get lost without ever getting to see her.”

“Oh.”

“Yepp. So, woman up, and make sure you don’t make the same mistake twice.”

“I… Yeah. I will.” The guy, obviously still shaken, leaves without a second glance at Ms. Mason who seems to be lost in the contents of her computer screen, deaf to the world. Ariana knows better, so when her boss calls for her, she’s more or less ready to look the beast in the eye.

“Babying them will never teach them to stand up for themselves and accomplish anything,” Ms. Mason says frostily, glaring at Ariana who tries her best not to show how much it affects her.

“That might be, but the kid was a mess and from what I’ve seen, a bit of encouragement never hurt anyone.”

“Should I have petted his hair and told him it was fine that he deemed an obviously faulty code line correct?”

It’s a tricky question, Ariana knows this. Technically, she knows that Ms. Mason is satisfied with her work because otherwise she wouldn’t be still working as her personal assistant, but she’s also aware that her boss hates being contradicted, especially when she thinks she’s right. Which means that Ariana has to tread really carefully.

“I believe your employees should be independent enough to deal with their underlings on their own, instead of using you to set an example,” she answers in the end.

Ms. Mason’s lips part as if she was ready with a biting retort that died before she could have fully formed it. Her speechlessness pleases Ariana endlessly, but she reigns in the smug smile that wants to curl her lips. It’s nice to know that she can still surprise her boss, although it’s not a really feat considering that during the first eleven months Ms. Mason barely spoke to her more than a few words and even those were little more than impatient orders for one thing or another.

“Interesting,” is Ms. Mason’s thoughtful answer. Her beseeching gaze is sharp and captivates Ariana effortlessly, making her want to give up anything the woman would demand from her. “Take a seat, Ariana.”

She doesn’t expect the offer, but quickly sits down, keeping her back straight and her head high. The first and only time she was offered a seat across from Ms. Mason was at the beginning of her job interview, but back then she was too nervous to appreciate being treated like an equal instead of a servant to a regale queen. Now, however, she feels unsettled and excited all at once, not knowing what the sudden change means and what has brought it on. She licks her chapped lips, fighting against the urge to wrinkle her nose at the grease taste of the remnants of her lipstick and waits for Ms. Mason to say something instead of merely watching her every move.

“Tell me, do you think my managers are useless?”

“No,” Ariana says slowly. “You and Mr. Wouldridge wouldn’t have hired them if they were. But, and excuse my French, they are a big bag of dicks who exploit the fear you instill in everyone at the office.”

“And how should I put a stop to this… tendency? Hand out sweets and grin at everyone like a moron?”

“Dock their paychecks every time one of them sends another newbie to your office.” Ariana knows her smile is anything but friendly, but her boss doesn’t seem to be bothered by it. “And maybe try not to give those clueless kids heart attacks just by glaring at them.” When Ms. Mason cuts her a lethal glare, Ariana takes a chance and grins back cheekily. “Yeah like that one.”

“Shouldn’t you be afraid of me?”

‘Kinda hard after seeing you being swarmed by a bunch of cats in your penguin slippers.’
Ariana doesn’t say this, just offers a sheepish shrug and a half-smile. “I like to call it respect. My fear is reserved for monsters and diseases.” This time, she’s sure Ms. Mason is blushing no matter how hard she tries to hide it, and she wants to crow at the sight. Instead, she stands up and shoots a friendly smile at her boss before she heads to the door. “Lunch?”

“Coffee.”

She isn’t bothered by the curt answer because she knows Ms. Mason is not used to being thrown off-balance by anyone. Angered? Yes. Exasperated? Definitely. Out of her depth? Never. She calls Ms. Mason’s favorite Korean restaurant to order her a bowl of
Tteokmandu Guk before she skips out for requested venti, because unlike her boss, she keeps tabs on Ms. Mason’s abysmal eating habits. Naturally, Ms. Mason is less than happy when she sees the bowl of rice cake and dumpling soup steaming on her desk, but by the time Ariana is ready to leave the bowl is empty and she counts it as a victory.

She’s more than ready for a quiet night in when she gets home, so dreaming about her boss’ boyfriend feels like a kick in the gut, especially when she sees the slightly familiar setting of Carlson & Sons, the main office of corporate law firm Thompson works at. And coincidentally is owned by the father of Ariana’s best friend. The scene unfolds before her eyes despite her best efforts to ignore it, and having to watch as the poor college girl falls prey to Thompson’s vile charms once again without having a way to turn the whole thing off makes Ariana wants to hurt somebody. Unfortunately, she’s not really present she is just forced to watch as the girl giggles and perches herself on the corner of the desk that most probably belongs to Thompson, her legs spread wide with her skirt pulled up around her waist.

“I’m gonna eat you up,” Thompson breathes into the girls ear seductively, earning a hitched moan. “You like that?”

“Yeah,” the girl whispers, clutching at Thompson’s shoulders. Her moans become louder when Thompson’s hand disappears between her legs and she tries to push her hips closer to the man’s touch.

Ariana wants to hurl or at least just turn away from the atrocity assaulting her senses, but without a corporate form she cannot do anything but watch. She hates it that she’s consciously aware of what she sees in her dreams, yet her body is asleep, preventing her from escaping the horrific sight of Thompson’s erect penis being pulled out through his open fly. And Ariana can’t believe that they’re not using a condom while having sex, and wishes she had a voice to chew the girl out for letting the asshole get away with it. It’s almost funny to see that Thompson is not a selfish bastard when it comes to sex, but then he starts spouting things like
“Tell me it’s good.”
and
“You feel it, baby?”
, and Ariana has to realize that Thompson is only plays the role of the considerate lover to stroke his own ego.

They’re not even quiet even though it’s the middle of the day and anyone could walk in on them. The girl is writhing in ecstasy, babbling nonsense while Thompson pumps his hips like his life depends on it, groaning and grunting every time he sinks into the girl. They kiss passionately with a lot of tongue and it’s so awkward that Ariana has to wonder if Sophie’s constant bad mood is connected to her less than satisfying sex life. She is quickly reaching her breaking point, and wishes the bastard’s dick just fell off. Why can’t Thompson be one of those rapid fire guys who shoot almost before they start? It would make Ariana’s life so much easier.

She’s at the point where she would do anything just to get out of the dream when Thompson’s office door opens and there stands Sophie frozen in the doorway. Thompson’s hips snap forward one more time before he realizes what’s going on, but even ceasing his movements doesn’t help the situation, because the girl under him tries to lift her hips to make him move, drawing a deep moan from Thompson whose eyes widen as he stares at Sophie.

“Come on, babe, I’m so close,” the girl urges, finally opening her eyes when Thompson refuses to move. “What’s going on?”

“I would ask the same thing, except it’s pretty obvious,” Sophie speaks up, her tone deceptively calm. “Would you mind pulling the girl off your dick, Neil?”

“Who’s this woman, babe? Your boss?” the girl asks, her face turning red as she tries to hide her exposed breasts. “Are you in trouble?”

“You could say that,” Sophie says, closing the door behind her as she walks fully into the office. “Neil, move.”

“Darling, this i
s
–
”

“If you dare insult my intelligence by finishing that sentence, I’ll cut you.” If the murderous glare Sophie shoots at Thompson is anything to go by it’s not an empty threat. “Now, get out of my way. I want to meet your girlfriend.”

“Darlin
g
–
”

“I said move, are you deaf?”

Thompson quickly steps back, causing the girl to flinch and moan when he pulls out of her carelessly. Sophie’s hands ball into fists as if she has to restrain herself from punching her boyfriend. She steps up to the cowering girl and takes her face into one of her long-fingered hands, turning it from one side to the other, examining the youthful features before dropping her hand back to her side.

“How old are you?” she asks impassively, her amber colored eyes sharp but not giving away anything.

“T-twenty,” the girl stammers, avoiding eye contact.

“Try again.”

“Eighteen?”

“Is that a question or a statement?”

“I’m eighteen. Almost.” Thompson groans behind them, burying his head in his hands. Obviously, he had no idea that his latest toy wasn’t even an adult.

“At least you’re legal. If barely.”

“I’m a lot more mature than my age.”

“How long have you been… dating Neil?”

“We’re no
t
–
”

“I didn’t ask for your opinion,” Sophie snaps, causing both the girl and Thompson to flinch back. “How long?”

“We met two months ago,” the girl admits, staring at her lap. “Are you his sister?”

“No.”

“His cousin?”

“No.”

“His wife?”

“No, but I was his girlfriend.”

“Darlin
g
–
”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

“I figured as much.” Sophie doesn’t sound angry. “Please dress yourself, then you can leave.”

“I didn’t want to wreck your relationship,” the girl starts weakly. “He was so charming and nice when I applied for a summer internship, and I though
t
–
”

“That’s enough. It wasn’t your fault.”

“But I let him… fall for his sweet words. I’m so stupid! How could I think that a guy like him would really want someone like me?”

Sophie sighs and places her hand on the girl’s shoulder. “He’s a 33 year old man. He might not have known that you’re underage, but he was perfectly aware that he would cheat on me, on our relationship if he pursued you, yet he did it anyway. So no, it’s not your fault. You were naive, yes, but you didn’t do anything wrong. He did.”

“I… Thank you,” she murmurs, sniffling and wiping at her eyes. “And I’m sorry.”

Sophie opens her purse and pulls out a business card.“If you need any help, don’t hesitate to call.”

The girl looks awed, but quickly nods and heads to the door, careful not to go near Thompson. She leaves with a last glance at Sophie, her shoulders hunched but her expression not as broken as it could be if Sophie had reacted differently. As the door clicks shut, Sophie turns to Thompson, her face so hard it could be carved from marble. The asshole puts on a brave face and opens his mouth to defend himself even as Sophie stalks up to him, swinging her fist…

Ariana wakes up to her alarm blaring in her ears and to her heart pounding against her ribcage. She groans into her pillow and refuses to open her eyes, repeating one single word, “Fuck.”