The Virgin Duet

Going to the bedroom, I slip on the one dress I own. It’s a dark violet sundress that I’ve always loved. It shows off my curves and makes me look like a perfect hourglass with how it falls on my hips. The color makes my eyes glow a lighter shade of purple, which works well with my pink- and purple-streaked hair. Grabbing my chunky, studded, ankle-high boots, I slide them on and make my way across town in a taxi. I can’t help but hope Bray will have me lie across his desk, make me lift my dress and put on another show for him.

When I reach his office Cindy is on the phone but gives me a puckered face like she swallowed a lemon. I roll my eyes and stroll past her right into Bray’s office.

“Hey you can’t—” Cindy shrieks but I just ignore her, pushing the doors to his office open.

“Vanilla, you gonna take me to lunch?” I ask, making my way over to him, plopping down in his lap, and ignoring the two men in his office staring at me with smirks on their faces. But none of their faces beat Cindy’s, who looks like she might die of shock.

Bray’s hands lock onto my hips and squeeze. A soft moan escapes my mouth, because it’s the first time he’s really touched me and it caught me off guard. I hear Bray growl behind me.

“Sir, I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine, Cindy,” Bray says, cutting her off. “I actually could use your assistance with Rebecca if you don’t mind.” His words make my stomach clench. The idea of having to do anything with Cindy makes me want to pound my head up against the nearest wall.

“It seems she doesn’t have a proper wardrobe.”

I feel shame hit me and I’m sure it shows on my face. All my fight seems to leave my body. I should have some smart comment, but I probably look as shocked as Cindy did moments ago, and now she has a smirk on her face.

Maybe I’ve read far more into Bray and I than we really are. Over the past few weeks I came to think he liked the way I am. I haven’t felt like this in a long time. This feeling that I’m not meeting someone’s idea of what I should be. That who I am isn’t good enough. To make it more painful, I thought I was past caring what others thought. But for some reason it’s worse coming from Bray than when it came from my own mother or one of my foster parents. I guess it’s okay to slum it with me in the privacy of his own home, but not in public where people could see.

I try to stand so I can get away from him, because the touch I was craving moments ago now feels like it burns me. He locks his hold on me, and I give a hard pull to yank myself from his grasp. I nearly trip over my own feet, and increase my embarrassment.

“I didn’t know there was anything wrong with my clothes,” I snap, refusing to look at him. I focus my eyes on the far wall, not wanting to look at any of them, but I can feel all four pairs of eyes on me.

“It’s inappropriate,” is all he says in his cold controlled voice. Not the voice that I’ve heard for the past few weeks, the one that fought with me over how many towels I use when I take a bath. Or the voice of the man who came into the guest room and worked on his laptop so he could watch me paint.

“Sir, it’s fine. I’ll call your personal shopper and have her set something up.” Eyeing me up and down with distaste, Cindy adds, “It’s probably best we have her come to Rebecca, so we don’t have to drag her into all the formal shops.”

“That’s a wonderful idea. Set it up.” Nodding in approval, Cindy turns and leaves the office.

I have the urge to flee as well. No point in sticking around for another group chat of ‘why Rebecca isn’t good enough’. Without looking at him I make my way to the door.

“Rebecca,” he calls after me. A spark of hope lights in my chest. Maybe he sees how big an ass he’s been. How he just embarrassed me in a room full of people, one who might even be his side piece. Maybe you’re the side piece floats through my head, but I push it away. Maybe he’s going to apologize.

“I’ll be late tonight, so don’t have dinner ready until eight.” His words are almost worse than a physical blow. I nod my head and make my way back out of his office.

Cindy is leaning up against her desk as if she’s waiting for me.

“Looks like he’s going to try and clean up the trailer trash. He can try all he likes, but don’t hold your breath. You can’t hang on to a man like Mr. Spencer. He’ll be back to his weekly dinner with me in no time.” The way she says ‘dinner’ lets me know it’s so much more. I wasn’t sure if they had something going on, but that just confirms that they have at one time. Or maybe they still do.

“Well, I’m done sucking his cock, it’s all yours,” I force out around the lump in my throat, making my way to the elevator. I was stupid to think Bray could ever want me. I bet he touches Cindy when they are together. I bet she doesn’t have to pull him out to play with her.

At least I won’t have to worry about avoiding him. I thought he enjoyed our dinners together, but maybe he was just being polite. Maybe that’s all any of this has been. Fine. From now I’ll clean his house, make his dinner, keep my fucking mouth shut, and stay out of his way until I can find myself a new job.