Free Reads!! Wednesday Briefs – Innocence & Carnality Part 34
Welcome to the next part in my Wednesday Briefs flash fiction serial, Innocence & Carnality! Each chapter has to be between 500 and 1,000 words and this week I skipped using a prompt. No prompt this week, my head was elsewhere.
Nathan and Rother discuss Delaga House in his office.
Click here to start from the beginning
Part 34
I resisted the urge to tap my fingers on the chair rail. “So once you’ve decided I’m ready, in what capacity shall I be working for Delaga House? I think it’s fair to assume you don’t want my help with the accounting.”
Rother closed the ledger before him. “I should say not.”
The office was as lush as the rest of Delaga House with its rich, wine colored walls and elegant furniture. I stood calm before the massive carved mahogany desk, in spite of the lack of rigid Victorian dress designed to force one upright. Francine may have held a laxer standard, but I doubted a lifetime of teaching would ever undo my automatic manners and posture.
“You’ll be my co-host. On my arm at all times and using your precious protocol lessons to dazzle my high-end clients.”
As much as I felt capable of playing my part and that the nature of Delaga House’s business appalled me, I was grateful Rother had paid enough attention to know how I would be most useful. Years of lessons wouldn’t be wasted after all.
“I think that makes the most sense. I want to contribute. The idea of lazing about the house being idle sounds horrible.”
Rother placed the book into the wall mounted safe, filled with cash and other random items. Its cast iron door closed with a solid thunk and whirr of the combination. A simple but effective construction, it was well manufactured.
“And my business practices don’t offend you any more?”
“Of course they do. But I think not doing my part to support my husband is a shameful way to exist. Even Victorians believe that in spirit.”
“Even under these circumstances?”
I had to pause. It all still bothered me, but I worked to contain it. “I’d like to believe even the staunchest moralist family in Victoria has a secret or two amongst them. I don’t have to abandon everything to be by your side.”
“Boss, about tomorrow night—” Blythe walked in and rooted himself in the doorway at the sight of me. His face impassive and unreadable, a tight tension coiled through his massive frame as he continued to stare me down. I braced myself for the sly grin and jibe about the other night, but he stood wordless, which confused me greatly. Where was the crass joke that would leave my blushing in horror?
“What about tomorrow night?” Rother asked.
Blythe shook himself out of his macabre silence, grumbling out a response. “You’re busy. I’ll come back.”
With his head held low, he rushed out of the office. I watched him storm down the hall, not even looking back over his shoulder as he turned the corner. Last night I’d imagined and rehearsed various scenarios so I could prepare myself for his crude wit with a scathing retort, so Blythe’s behavior left me a bit dumbstruck.
Rother’s voice directly behind me made me jump. “What was that all about?”
“I’m not sure, but I think he’s upset with me after I interrupted him and Harston the other night.”
“How do you mean interrupted? You never really said what happened.”
I huffed and rubbed my forehead, trying to ignore away the memory. “I pushed open the door without knocking. And there they were.”
“What did you do?”
“I was too shocked to do anything. I suppose the sight kicked a few gears loose in my head.”
Rother’s brow arch in surprise, his volume rising. “So you stood there and watched?”
“Not on purpose, and not for long. They saw me and stopped.”
“I imagine Blythe wasn’t pleased.”
“Understandably, neither one was.”
“Was Blythe angry?”
I shook my head. “I think so, but it’s hard to be sure sometimes. I had no idea what to make of his reaction.”
“What did he do?”
“He waltzed over, as easy as you please, and shut the door in my face. He didn’t even attempt to cover himself. The man has zero modesty.”
Rother stepped around me, deliberately blocking my view of the hall. His visage darkened as his question took on an unpleasant growl. “Give you a good look, did he? Is that why you were so eager when you returned?”
Once again, I was faced with his more possessive nature. I wasn’t sure if I found it flattering given the implication. The idea was utterly ridiculous. Hopefully this wasn’t going to be a recurring headache to bear.
Reaching up, I caressed his jacket lapel between my fingers as I tilted my head without losing eye contact. “If I recall, you planted that seed in my ear before I’d left the room.”
The ugly jealous vibration in my husband faded as he pondered. “I suppose you’re right.” The snarl curled into something wicked as he reached out, gently closing and locking the office door. “Perhaps we should take this time to continue your education. I believe there are essential skills you should be practicing.”
Invading my personal space, he ghosted his fingers through my hair, sending shivers racing over my skin. Combined with his proximity, my resolve was beginning to fracture. His skill at unravelling me with simple efforts continued to frustrate me. I knew full well what Rother was after, but being coy was in my nature, even if I enjoyed—if not looked forward to—my lessons. I would never be some cheap public house tart begging for sweaty attention.
“What exactly did you have in mind, sir?”
The chuckle as Rother traced my lips with his fingertip was sinful, bringing my body to further attention. With a casual step, he circled me, heading for the guest chair facing the desk. Hooking the leg with his foot, he rotated the chair to face the room. Rother unbuckled his trousers and fished out his swelling sex. Dropping himself into the seat, he leaned back and spread his thighs wide. He beckoned me with a simple gesture.
“Some skills are best performed and practiced on your knees.”
Check back next Wednesday for the next installation… Be sure to take a read at the other briefers free reads this week here: Wednesday Briefs
