Chapter Twenty-Two

For the next two days, Karla worked at Mitch’s shop, answering phones, sorting and organizing files, and showing off the cups of her ass for their enjoyment. Wednesday, Mitch made her wear a skirt, and then they spent all day sending her up the ladder for things they didn’t need, just so they could peek up at her from below. Each time she went up the ladder, she found herself staying longer and stretching out more. She wasn’t sure which made her wetter, the fact that they snuck peeks at her or the fact that Mitch grinned the entire time it was happening.

By the time she left Wednesday to get ready for her shift at Sand Dune, she dreaded leaving. Bartending was fun, but being around Mitch was better, so much so that even the drudgery of office work didn’t sour her mood or make her want to rush out of there. She enjoyed being there, working. She didn’t even realize it until she readied herself to leave for her real job, the one that actually paid her.

Mitch walked her out to the car, his hand on her back when they neared it, turning her to face him. “Thanks for all you did the past few days,” he said. “You’ve definitely got a touch when it comes to files.”

She giggled—actually giggled—not sure whether to take his comment as a compliment or not. “What can I say? It kept me from getting bored during the day.”

“Well, I know Lloyd loved having you around.” Mitch’s grin grew.

“He just loved looking at my ass.”

“And who wouldn’t?” He leaned in and kissed her before opening her car door. “Be safe tonight and have fun. See you afterward?”

She held onto the top of the door as she leaned over, her head tilted as she stared at him. “You’re the boss. You tell me.”

“Well, why not see how tired you are afterward, and then send me a text letting me know whether you’re going home or coming over.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

She slid into her car and took off, her eyes soaking him in from the rearview mirror as she drove away. She spent so much time at his place that she had barely been home. She wasn’t even sure when she last saw Aimee. It surprised her that her sister hadn’t sent out the National Guard to find her. Of course, knowing Aimee, she was probably lost in Clint Asher’s Dentyne smile to even notice Karla hadn’t come home the past two nights. Not that Karla blamed her sister. She was actually happy Aimee found someone who could keep her from hiding out in her condo.

Sean worked behind the bar pouring two drafts for a couple at the far end when Karla entered Sand Dune. The music through the speakers seemed a little subdued, but the customers seemed to prefer it, made it easier to hear, that was for sure. Still, it was unusual for Paul to have it so quiet. Maybe I’ll get lucky, and he won’t be here.

She slid behind the bar, using the register to clock in, and then checked to make sure they were stocked up for the hump day crowd. Sean noticed her and gave her a greeting with a lift of his chin as he filled two more glasses with ice. “Welcome back,” he said with a wink. “It’s always so much better when you get here, especially when I need something from the bottom shelf.”

“You mean like this?” she asked with a laugh, as she bent over, her skirt almost baring her ass for his viewing pleasure. Sean whistled as she stood straight again. “What’s with the music?” she asked. “Seems quiet in here.”

He nodded his head toward the back area. “Boss man is in a mood it seems. I’d steer clear if I were you. I’m not even sure your sex appeal could get a rise out of him tonight.”

“No problem there.” She wasn’t really in the mood to deal with Paul anyway. Keeping her distance suited her just fine.

The dinner crowd came in, families, beach combers, tourists, and then slowly drifted into the night crowd looking for a little mid-week action. Karla stayed busy enough to not even notice the passing of time, and when she wasn’t busy, her mind wandered back to Mitch. She must admit, it surprised her that he was so eager to show her off, especially to someone who he worked with on a daily basis. Most men would be more possessive. Oh, they’d call it protective, but Karla knew better. They wanted to keep their treasure in a chest and only take it out to stroke it themselves. None of them really liked to show off their booty—or rather, their girlfriend’s booty. Mitch got off on it as much as she did, it seemed. She wondered how long it would last.

She wondered how long she would last.

It wasn’t until Paul slithered out of his office around ten that night that she realized she hadn’t seen him yet. Business kept her hopping, and she hadn’t noticed the passing of time. These are the best kind of nights.

Yet, when she did see Paul, he appeared like a man beaten, his shoulders slumped, his lips curved downward in a permanent frown, and his breathing shallow. She watched him for a few moments, at first agitated with him and her mother, and then concerned over whatever had him so depressed. God, I can be such a contradiction at times. She wasn’t going to say anything, but then she began to feel bad about it all. They were friends—were still friends—before he hooked up with her mother. She growled. She knew she would regret this.

Sean went out to collect glasses and wipe down tables, taking a break from being behind the bar, and Paul shuffled into his place. With a deep breath, she eased over to where he stood. “So, why the long face?” she asked.

He glanced over at her, his expression one of disbelief mixed with anger. “Come off it, Karla. As if you don’t know.” He opened the cash register and started counting money.

She stared at him a moment; her brows furrowed over her eyes. “Know what? What are you talking about?”

He hit the register, coins bouncing in their compartments. “Damn it, Karla. I’m really not in the mood for your games.”

“What games? I have absolutely no idea what the hell you’re talking about.” She began to wish she had never even brought it up.

Running his hand through his dark hair, he sighed, his other hand going to his hip. “I’m sorry. I just assumed you knew since she did it for you.”

Karla arched an eyebrow. “Who did what for me?” She had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

“Your mother stopped seeing me,” he said, his bitter tone not lost on Karla, “because of you.”

“Because of me?” That didn’t make sense. When Karla last spoke to her mother, she hadn’t actually done any speaking. It was more like her mother reaming her out for interfering in her mother’s life. Everything Paul told her was totally unexpected. And shocking, to be honest. Her mother seemed so… Well, so happy. “I don’t understand.”

“Well, that makes two of us.” He slammed the register drawer. He sighed again as he fell back onto the bar. “Karla, I know you don’t approve of me seeing your mother, and to be quite honest, the whole thing surprises me as well. Yet…” He shook his head, and she could see the anguish on his face. “I truly care for her. I know it sounds weird. We’re so far apart in age. We have different tastes. Then there’s you and our history. Yet, I can’t help it. I can’t stop thinking about her.” He turned his gaze up at her, his eyes imploring her. “Karla, I like her. I more than like her. I like like her…..you know what I’m saying…”

She did know what he was saying, and she wasn’t sure whether she felt sorry for him or just nauseous. However, she couldn’t get past the look of pain on his face. He had that sappy, gooey, head-over-heels…she swallowed the lump in her throat…expression that shouted he was in love. And it was with her mother! She knew what she needed to say, what she needed to do, but it still turned her stomach. If it hadn’t been for her time with Mitch and the current twist her life took, she would have leaped for joy that her mother kicked Paul to the curb, knowing the foul moods and his anger toward her would end eventually, bringing everything back to normal. Yet now, for some reason, she felt Paul’s agony over the breakup and wanted to set it right. She remembered her mother’s smile, her determination when she spoke to Karla about her relationship with Paul and how much she needed it. Guilt washed over her as she realized she was the reason her mother now sat at home alone, longing for someone to hold her. It was all Karla’s fault.

She would regret her next words, but she knew it was the right thing to do. “I’ll talk to her.”

He glanced up at her, his eyes hopeful, expectant. “Will you? Really?”

She didn’t want to, but with those sad, puppy dog eyes staring back at her, how could she say no? She sighed. “I’ll talk to her. I’m not promising anything, just that I’ll talk to her.” Yet, she knew if she did, her mother would change her mind again. She always did whatever Karla wanted.

Karla hated that.

Slipping her phone out of her back pocket, she sent a text to Mitch. Will you be going home after work? I need to go talk to my mom in the morning. She shoved the phone back into her back pocket while she returned to pouring drinks.

A couple of seconds later, her phone dinged with his reply. Are you telling me or asking me?

She stared at the message, not really comprehending at first. Asking? What the hell does he mean am I asking him? I must get permission now to go home? She sent him a text asking him that very question.

He simply replied, Yes.

He’s taking this control thing a little too far. She stared at the message some more, frozen in place by her confusion. Should she ignore him or just go with it? Did she want to ask him permission for things? Is this what he really meant by his form of control? She had too many questions and not enough answers. She decided to play it safe. For now. May I go home, so I can go talk to my mother in the morning? As an afterthought and more as a sarcastic retort, she also sent, Sir.

She shoved her phone back into her pocket with a shake of her head. Was she really going to allow him to boss her around like that?

Her phone dinged again. You may. And there will be a spanking coming for your smart mouth. He even added a winking emoji. She would have growled except the idea of being spanked by him again sent warm tendrils through her sex. Perhaps this control thing wasn’t such a bad idea. What do you need to talk to your mom about so early in the morning?

She stared at the question, stalling in giving him an answer, because she knew how selfish it would sound. Yet, she knew she needed to reply, or she wouldn’t enjoy the spanking he would give her. Mom broke up with Paul because of me. I told him I’d talk to her, even though the whole concept makes me nauseous.

It was the truth. Paul with her mother was not on her bucket list of things to see happen. Yet, her mom seemed so happy, and Paul was so heart-broken now, Karla felt guilty for even opening her mouth in the first place.

Good, Mitch texted back. You, of all people, should understand non-traditional relationships. Your mother deserves the person who makes her happy. I’ll expect you to make it right before coming to the shop tomorrow.

She just stared at the phone. Was he really taking control of her relationship with her mother now as well? She may just wind up getting a spanking with what she was thinking. However, all she texted back was, Yes, sir.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Mitch slid his phone onto the table with a smirk, as the sound of pool balls ricocheting off each other echoed off the walls, some sinking into the pockets, others banking off the sides. He knew she was battling her inner demons against her fantasies. He’d get her where he wanted her. It wouldn’t be overnight, but it would happen. Of that, he was sure.

“Does that grin mean you’re getting company tonight?” Lloyd asked, as he knocked the eight ball into the corner pocket. “You’re going to need consoling considering that’s the third game you’ve lost so far,” he said, as he brushed his dark bangs out of his eyes. A couple of tables over, two girls cheered, the tall blond bouncing up and down, catching Lloyd’s attention. “Speaking of company…”

Mitch chuckled as he grabbed the triangle from under the corner of the pool table. “They’re way out of your league, my friend,” he said with a chuckle. “Maybe you should just wait and see who’s left at closing time.” He started reaching into the pockets and pulling the balls out, placing them in the triangle.

“Ouch, that’s just rude.” Lloyd swirled the cube of chalk around the tip of his pool stick as he waited for Mitch to finish racking the balls.

“Just keeping you humble.” Mitch set the triangle of balls in the middle of the far end of the table, slipping the wooden triangle over and off. With a wave of his hand, he gestured for Lloyd to break.

Lloyd gave him an overdramatic bow before stepping up to the pool table.

Mitch just laughed as he walked over to their table and picked up his beer bottle, the condensation cool on his fingers. As Lloyd broke the cluster of balls, Mitch took a long pull from the bottle. He had to admit, he was looking forward to seeing Karla after her shift, but he understood her need to rest before confronting her mother. Karla told him all about the relationship between Betty Harper and Paul, and he understood her annoyance. Yet, life was about the unusual, and if anyone could comprehend that, it should be Karla. In her mind, she was the only one who could live life on her terms; everyone else had to follow the traditional rules. It was time to take the traditional out of her vocabulary.

The smack of Lloyd’s pool stick striking a ball sliced the air, overshadowing the eighties music blaring from the speakers in the corner of the hall. He stayed bent over the table, arm outstretched as he watched the roll of the balls he just smacked into motion. “So, you gonna keep Karla coming to the shop? Or is this just a passing phase?” The three ball sunk into the side pocket. “And what about that other girl? What was her name?”

“Sandy?” Mitch set his bottle on the table. “Not sure where she will fit into all this if at all. Karla likes her and the two of them have already played around. Maybe there’s a threesome in my future again. That was definitely a night worth repeating. As far as Karla being at the shop, I’m not sure. I kinda like her there. It doesn’t hurt that she’s also doing an awesome job. I can actually see the top of my desk.”

“We had a desk?” Lloyd missed his next shot, shook his head, and stepped back. “She definitely brightens up the place, I’ll say that. Better than those old Playboy posters you hang up.”

“Flesh is always better than the shine of a poster,” Mitch said with a chuckle as he studied the table for his next shot. It didn’t matter. He knew he was going to lose anyway.

“And how’s the control thing going?”

Mitch shrugged. “It’s going,” he answered, smiling. Lloyd witnessed Mitch dominate his lovers before, knowing his boss preferred a more structured form of sex. “She is definitely a challenge.”

“Do you think she’ll break one of your rules?”

Mitch grinned as he took his shot. “I’m counting on it. It’ll be the only way I can prove to her I mean everything I’ve said to her, that I’m not going anywhere, no matter what she does.” No matter how hard she tries to force it to happen.