“Yeah, new brief was emailed this morning, should hear back today.” I incline my head in their direction; they were handling the rebrand for the Baker sister’s studio. They had finally incorporated some full-time self-defense classes and thought their original logos were deceiving. They wanted something stronger and we delivered. Of course.
It was finally some good news. I still haven’t heard back from Andersen Schulz and Meyers and it has been a week. Add to that, I had to fire two of my top salesmen today after word got around about some shady shit they were up to at Lucas’s bar. I’m not one to rain on someone’s fun parade when it’s outside the office, but there are just some moral lines we don’t cross and I know Noah and the company won’t stand for that shit, me included.
It means my workload has increased until I can find replacements. Like my stress and exhaustion aren’t enough, it has also been a week since Rosiefinallycaved, but I still haven’t heard from her. It’s beginning to make my skin itch.
I want to burn through some of this energy and, despite knowing we aren’t exclusive, I want to exclusively use her to burn through it.
“Package on your desk, boss,” my assistant says as I pass her on my way. I smile in thanks as I make my way in and sit down. A square box that looks suspiciously like a jewelry box sits on my desk. I take the folded note from under it and flip it to read the feminine handwriting.
Ready to beg on your knees like a good boy?
R.G.
Goddamn.The smile that splits my face is instant and I feel my cock twitch. Rosebud came to play.
I open the box and a masculine silver chain sits in a deep purple cushion. Pulling it from the box, a little charm falls and air gets stuck in my throat. “The fuck?” I whisper to myself.
It’s a snarling dog; a rottweiler, I think? With a spiked collar. Without wasting a second, I pull out my phone and dial.
“Rosie Garcia,” she chimes, as though she hasn’t a clue who called.
“Cute.”
“I know, thank you.” I picture her flipping those tight curls over her shoulder.
“I got your gift.”
“Oh?”
“Don’t play coy. A dog?”
“All little bitches need a collar, hotshot.” Without even trying, Rosie has me standing at attention in the middle of a fucking workday.
“I’ll punish you for that brattiness, Rosebud.”
“Please, I?—”
“That’s almost perfect, best to work on those manners, you’ll need practice if you want me to go easy.”
“If I wanted easy, Mr. Smith, I wouldn’t play withyou.”
“Mine, eight p.m. tonight. Let’s see just how polite you can be.” The growl in my tone is uncharacteristic, I usually go for playfulness, but something about Rosie Garcia sends me feral.
“Can’t, got plans. Some other time maybe.”
“Rosie.” The tone is warning but she huffs a breath like she is completely unfazed.
“Youshould practice that patience, maybe you’ll get a little treat if you behave.”
“I’m warning you.”
“You forget, Caleb, I’m in control here. You want to play? You better beg for it.” The line goes dead before I even have a chance to retort.
Standing from the desk with more aggression than I had meant, I swipe a hand down my face and storm for my door, slamming it closed.
“Rosie Fucking Garcia.”
“Four pints, thanks.” Stella starts to pour my order.
