Book8-11
I stare at the older man in horror because this sounds like the worst psychobabble ever. Mr. Elliston is literally spewing stuff that a recruiter or a job coach would tell you. But instead, he’s warping the words so that it sounds likeI’mthe obstinate one.
“But you know that Bart and I only have my salary from Tootsie’s right now,” I say in a slow voice. “So if you fire me, we’ll have nothing.”This is property © NôvelDrama.Org.
John shrugs, his gray eyes deceptively mild.
“That’s not my problem. Now, if you were a contributing team member, itwouldbe my problem, but you’re not, so you’ll have to find another position. I’ll have your last paycheck for you tomorrow,” he says in a clip before standing up from the counter. “You can leave your apron on the hook over there,” he nods. Then, the tall man turns to leave, but I lose it then. I fall to my knees and begin to beg.
“Please,” I sob. “Don’t do this, Mr. Elliston. My father and I have no place to go. Don’t do this!”
The older man merely looks at me like I’m a bug he’s found squashed on the bottom of his shoe.
“Then accept my offer, Christy,” he says silkily. “I’ve been more than generous. You know that. Accept my offer, and your salary will double.”
This isn’t what I want. I’ve been sharing my body with the man of the house, and having this creep touch it would make me feel vile, not to mention polluted. But what can I do? As tears flow down my face, I nod.
“Okay,” I say in a whisper. “I’ll do it.”
“Perfect,” John says in a snappy tone, turning his gaze away from me. “Now get yourself cleaned up, and come to the nursery tomorrow night around seven, okay? You know Elliston Nursery over on Cogby and Range. We’ll have our first date there. And be sure to wear something sexy!”
Then, he exits the shop, whistling like nothing’s the matter. I stare at his tall form as it disappears, although inside, my heart’s already crumbling. I can’t imagine going on a date with John Elliston. The mere thought makes me feel nauseous, and I can’t stomach the thought of that asshole fondling my curves. But what choice do I have? I’ll lose my job otherwise … and likely lose Bart too.
Christy
I can’t believe I’m here. I choke back a sob as I slowly teeter towards Elliston Nursery, wobbly in my high heels. Why in the world is this happening? Howin the world is this happening? I thought the #MeToo movement had ensured that young women would no longer be preyed upon by powerful men, but obviously, that’s not the case.
I swallow another sob while wiping surreptitiously at my eyes.
Shape up, Christy, the voice in my head admonishes. It does no good to show up at a date with tear tracks on your cheeks.
Still, I swallow hard as I approach the nursery. This sucks so bad because I had to lie to Bart to sneak out. We made love after an early dinner, and then I fed him some bullshit about meeting my friend Vanessa for a movie.
“Which movie?” he drawled lazily.
I stammered, suddenly off balance.
“Oh, you know that new one about a group of young women living their best lives in Brooklyn. That one.”
Bart chuckled before leaning in to press a kiss to my cheek.
“Well, I haven’t heard of that one, but I’m sure it’ll be entertaining. Enjoy yourself, honey.”
I merely smiled before getting dressed and heading out. Of course, beneath my big coat is the skankiest outfit ever, and I groan as I look down at myself. I’m wearing a bustier that shows off my enormous tits, as well as a purple pleather miniskirt with fishnet heels and matching violet stilettos. The whole look is very “80’s hooker” and I’m hoping it turns John Elliston off. I’m hoping that he’s repulsed by the gobs of mascara on my lashes, and the weird, ratty ponytail I’m currently sporting.
But instead, when I enter the nursery, I’m immediately whisked to a private area by an employee who seems to recognize me.
“Mr. Elliston is waiting,” the young man murmurs. “In here, please.”
I step into a greenhouse, which has been lit up with fairy lights. A romantic ambience is palpable in the golden illumination, and my stomach clenches in on itself. Oh god, no. This is not what I want, but how can I stop it?
The interior of the greenhouse is intimate and warm, and as I make my way through a bevy of potted plants and towering trees, I come upon a table for two with a pitcher of water on it, as well as a drinking glass and a tub of Crisco. I mean, ahugetub of Crisco too. The kind you get from Costco that lasts ten years. I stare at these items, perplexed. I thought this was going to be a romantic date, but I suppose everyone has their own version of “romance.”
But then, John Elliston appears. To my surprise, he’s dressed like a ninja in an all-black outfit consisting of a tight athletic top, as well as sleek track pants and Adidas sneakers. All that’s missing is a face mask and head covering, not to mention a sword.
“Um, hi John,” I say with a confused smile. “How are you?”
“I’m great!” he chuckles, looking totally unperturbed. “You’re on-time too, which I appreciate in an employee.”
I smile wanly, shifting my weight from foot to foot.
“Um yes. But what are these items on the table?”
He shrugs, his handsome features unbothered.
“Well, instead of having a romantic dinner for two or some other bullshit, I figured we’d cut to the chase. Why waste time and money when I already know what I want?”
“And what is that?” I ask in a slow tone.
He smirks, his grin overly-white in the flickering lights.
“I want to enjoy your curves, Christy, and I want to do it in a very special way that I think you’ll enjoy. I want to chase you.”
I stare at him, utterly befuddled.
“Chase me? What do you mean?”
He snorts.
“I mean literally, as in chase. Like you run, and I come after you.”
I stare at him.
“John, this isn’t the Dark Ages. You don’t have to be a barbarian and hunt down the girl you want before grabbing her by the hair and dragging her back to the cave. I’m here already.”
John merely squints his eyes and shakes his head.
“No, geez, use your imagination, Christy! I want you get naked, and all lubed up with Crisco. Then we’ll head out to the lawn in back of the nursery, and the chase will begin. I’ll give you a head start, of course, because I’m an athletic beast and you’re just a girl. But when I catch you is when the fireworks start,” he says with a smarmy grin.
“You mean, you want to do anakedchase?” I gasp, gawking. “You want my curves out, bouncing around? But what about other people? They’ll see!”
My boss licks his lips lasciviously.
“Hell yeah, that’s the best part. I want to see your curves oiled up and glistening, and bouncing around before I run you down and fuck you. Don’t worry, everyone’s gone home by now. We’re alone here at the nursery so no one will be watching.”
I stare at him in utter shock. This is obviously no “normal” date. Instead, John Elliston has some idea that he’s a primal male, and wants to hunt down a woman before breeding her.
“But you said you weren’t going to take my cherries,” I say in a weak voice. “I promised my mom, remember? And you agreed to that.”
“Oh right,” John says in an off-hand tone. “Don’t worry, we won’t go that far. But can I help it if I become an animal during the hunt? If I go crazy and lose control at the scent of a breeding female? Of course not.”
Holy shit. A hunt? Oh my god, things have gotten way out of hand.
“Mr. Elliston, I’m having second thoughts,” I murmur, already trying to back away. Unfortunately, I bump into a giant palm, the fronds rattling ominously around me.
My boss clucks his tongue.
“There’s no time for second thoughts, Christy. Besides, the nursery’s locked now, so you’re all mine.”
“No please,” I beg. “I don’t want to do this.”
John cocks his head to the side as if in thought.
“Okay, how about this? To make things more palatable, I’ll throw in a bonus. Does that sound good? I know I’ve sprung the hunt on you out of the blue, so I’ll throw in some extra. In fact, I have some cash with me now,” he says, pulling open a special zip pocket on his track pants. Then, he pulls out a stack of hundreds, and my mouth drops open. There must be at least five thousand in his fist! Immediately, my jaw snaps shut.
“That’s more like it,” Mr. Elliston chuckles, seeing my gob-smacked expression. “This is all for you if you play along, Christy. Cold, hard cash.”
To my shame, I begin to get undressed. It’s terrible, but with the money so near, I’m ready to do what I need to do. I disrobe, my curves ivory and gleaming in the golden lights, and John looks me over with hungry grey eyes.