validate my
ticket? I was pretty harsh with him the last time we talked.
I don't think I have enough cash to pay it.
Hope they take debit cards.
I can't believe I'm here. What am I,
nuts?
Shhh, don't answer that.
But after that interview with Damien Cage, I
need a cock in me ASAP. I'll do whatever it takes. My pussy could
be declared a flood disaster zone by now, eligible for FEMA relief.
Shit, I think I can smell it here in this elevator.
The tall black man turns and looks at me with
a little smile.
God, he smells it too, doesn't he?
The elevator doors open.
"Have a nice day," he says with a smile as he
leaves. The doors close.
Yep, he definitely knew.
Ding! Floor 26.
Here we go.
Lightpak LLC is one of those self-important
little startups which design packages for things. Or maybe they
design the designs that go on packages for things.
Or something like that. I never paid much
attention really.
Lisa is at the reception desk when I walk in.
She is wearing a leather outfit with large buckles. Lots of
cleavage. Goth tats above her boobs. Lip ring. Black lipstick.
Purple hair, shaved on one side.
"Annika!" she says in her annoying nasal
voice. "How are you? I haven't seen you in a while."
"Lisa!" I say with faux joy.
"I thought you and Jared–"
"We did. I just want to... uh... talk to him
about something. Can I go in?"
"Sure."
I really didn't need to ask. At Lightpak LLC
there are very few rules. Every day is "casual Friday." Anyone can
walk in or walk out. Everybody looks dingy and un-showered in
T-shirts and jeans. Oh, and they're animal-friendly so the place
smells of wet dog.
I find Jared at his cubicle, which is a
shrine to Star Trek . A model of the 1960s-era Enterprise sits on the top of the left side and a Mr. Spock
figurine making the Vulcan salute stands on the right.
Before I blossomed as a teenager, I was a big
geek myself so I still have a soft spot for them.
Jared is actually quite good-looking
underneath his plaid shirt and Dockers with old Nikes. And smart.
We met about a year ago when Steve hired him to do some freelance
web design for MiamiImproper.com .
We dated for a while, but he got too clingy
so I had to cut him loose.
Which means what I'm about to do is selfish,
mean, and horrible.
But I'm desperate.
"Annika!" he says as he leaps up and spills
his coffee. "Shit!"
I take a wipe from my purse and walk up to
him, dabbing his T-shirt. I stand a little too close to him while I
brush his chest. I notice two plump girls giving me the evil eye
from their own cubicles.
"There," I say. "All better."
"Annika, what's up?" he says. "I mean, good
to see you. How've you been?"
"Remember that room you showed me here
once?"
"The server room."
"Shhhhh. Not so loud. Yes. Can we go
there?"
Jared laughs while looking around.
"Um... sure," he whispers. "Why?"
"I just need to talk to you," I say while
staring up into his eyes.
That gets his attention.
"Oh. Okay. Um, let me just... um... close
this screen."
He shuts down League of Legends. Getting a
lot done today, Jared, huh?
"It's right back here," he says as he walks
down the little hallway that leads out of the main cubicle area. I
follow him.
We walk past the rows of salespeople, who
thankfully are better-dressed. Everybody's head looks up as we
pass. I get a smile from a smarmy sales guy. I look down with a
little smile as I pass him.
We arrive at the end of the space and turn
left. There is a secure exit on the right and a glass door with an
electronic lock on the left. Jared swipes his card, opens the door,
and we're in the big server room. Lots of servers. Why does a
little packaging company need so many servers?
"So what's up?" Jared says. "Is everything
okay?"
I leap forward and kiss him. Hard. My glasses
scrunch up. I take them off and put them in my purse.
"Wow!" he says. "Annika, I–"
"Shut up!" I say and kiss him again. Our
tongues dance.
His arms find their way to my naked waist
underneath the blouse. I spin him