Voyeur

We set up a payment plan to get my semester paid for before spring break, and he also found a spot for me in another work study program in the physics department. It seemed an easy solution since I was already in the building for my work study in biology.

For the first time in a couple of weeks, I felt like I could breathe, as though a weight had been lifted from my chest. The semester was going to be hard, but I wasn’t scared of hard work. My determination would keep me going. And next year, I’d be more careful. It would be easier. I just had to focus on these next few months.

However, I still kept my feelers out for other jobs, hoping to find something less . . . just less than Voyeur.

Less than the black pumps and Santa dress I currently wore. My breasts lifted to perfect display.

“Derringer.” Daniel called my name as he walked in with a tall, shirtless guy. To say he was attractive was an understatement. He looked like a modern-day James Dean and my jaw almost dropped taking in his bare chest and tight black jeans.

“My eyes are up here,” he joked.

“Be nice, Jackson.” Daniel issued a warning before speaking to me. “This is your new partner, Jackson.”

He reached his large hand out and I lamely placed mine in his, watching it get lost in his long fingers. “Hi, I’m Oaklyn.”

“Hey, Oaklyn. Can’t wait to make out with you.”

“Stop scaring her, Jackson.” Daniel glared at Jackson before turning toward me. “We keep it professional around here. Yes, there will probably be sexual acts between the two of you but think of it as an acting job. There will be a probationary period of sorts with you two to make sure the chemistry is there, and if it doesn’t work out, you’ll try another partner. So, don’t let Jackson scare you. He’s one of the nicest ones I know.” He turned his attention back to Jackson. “Don’t get yourself into a harassment suit. I’d hate to lose you.”

Jackson put his hands up in defeat. “Alright. I’ll lay off.” He turned to me with earnest eyes and a warm smile, different from the sexy smirk from earlier. “It’s nice to meet you, Oaklyn. If you have any issues, just come to me, and I’ll help you out.”

“Thank you,” I answered.

“But we probably should get together to talk soon. Get comfortable with kissing each other so it all seems more natural.”

“Yeah. Okay.”

My nerves had crept in and limited me to simple one- and two-word answers.

“I have paperwork calling my name,” Daniel said. “I’ll leave you two to it. Oaklyn, come to me if you have any issues or questions.”

And then it was just Jackson and me in the room.

“Nice outfit, Derringer,” Jackson broke the silence.

Outfit was an understatement. More like barely-there lingerie that resembled Mrs. Clause. “Thanks,” I responded dryly.

Jackson shined his perfect smile at me, and I couldn’t fight the smile back. Somehow, he’d already begun putting me at ease around him.

“You nervous for your first night?”

“A little. But a little excited too.”

“That’s good. It’s better to just think of it like acting in a play—to remove yourself from the porny feel of it.” He closed his locker and leaned against it, staring at me. “You going to select any partner work tonight?”

“Umm.” I looked down and fiddled with the white fur lining the bottom of my dress. “I don’t think so.”

“Maybe next time.” He stood to his full height and looked me over before walking toward me. Each step he took, my eyes grew wider and wider until he stood right in front of me. I watched, frozen, as his hand came up to cradle my cheek and he leaned down to press his lips to mine. They were soft and lush and not at all demanding. When his tongue flicked out at the seam of my mouth, I opened and met him halfway, tasting the fresh mint.

I had expected the kiss to go further, to shoot to my core and set off sparks along the way. Instead, it was comfortable. Friendly. He knew exactly how confused I was when he pulled back and took in my face.

“It’s a good feeling to have, Oaklyn. We’ll be better partners if our feelings for each other are mild.”

I nodded and muttered an okay. He gave me a quick peck and a slap on the ass before heading out.

“See you out there, Derringer.”

I walked to the entrance of the employee lounge and grabbed an iPad to enter what I was willing to do that night. A giggle burst up as I started checking things off. The situation of sitting there in a slutty Santa costume, picking out what sexual acts I was willing to do in front of strangers was too funny for that moment.