“No, sir.Emma is on contract to the company I work for.She’s helping me with mainframe expansion and streamlining, along with merging our domestic and international divisions.”
“How fascinating,” Magnolia purred, leaning closer to Asher.He gave her a pointed look and shifted closer to me.
“I see.”Dad nodded.Even though he worked in applied technology and owned one of the largest chip manufacturing companies in the country, I knew he didn’t understand a darn thing Asher had just outlined.He’d never understood why I majored in computer science or why I’d chosen my current career path.None of my family did.“And what is your company name?”
I quickly covered Asher’s hand with mine and squeezed…hard.
Asher glanced over at me, then lasered on my father and answered in a voice so smooth even James Bond would’ve been proud.“Fantasies, Inc.”
Dad hesitated, then frowned.“I’m not familiar with them.”
I took a breath.Good, then there wouldn’t be any awkward conversations.
“Oh, I’ve heard of them,” Seraphina said.
Oh shit.This is about to go sideways.
Seraphina looked smug, totally pleased with herself.“It’s that company that arranges salacious hook-ups.”
“It’s not a dating business, Seraphina,” I said, earning a dirty look from her.“It’s a perfectly respectable company.”I may have been a little ignorant when I first walked into Fantasies, Inc., but the organization was good, and there was nothing even slightly salacious about it.
“I doubt that.”Mother’s lips were pinched together.
Magnolia was examining her manicure, then looked up directly at me, her resting bitch face expression firmly in place.“I heard it’s a sex toy company.”She laid her hand on Asher’s arm in an open invitation.
Oh, to hell with this crap.I rolled my eyes.
Asher shook Magnolia’s hand off his arm.“Fantasies, Inc.is not a”—he raised both hands in an air quote gesture—“sex toy company.We respect and understand what our clients want.We recognized a need and filled it.”
“A sexual need.”Mother made no attempt to hide her disgust.
“It can be,” Asher said.“Our clients want a safe space to enjoy all aspects of life, and we ensure they can do just that.”
“I can’t see how a place like that can make money,” Father commented.
“I can’t comment on the financial aspects as I’m not privy to the corporation’s books.I can say I’m paid higher than my counterparts in other technology companies.”
“I don’t care what money it makes.Emelina, you will quit this job,” Father demanded.
I could see the satisfied grins on my sisters’ faces.As if I cared.
“I have a contract.”
“Contracts can be broken,” he said.
I shook my head.“I’m not going to break it.I like working there.”
My mother gasped as if I’d said something totally obscene.
“I may not know all the ins and outs of the adult toys business but working on this project with Asher is fun.”
“And the place you work for is okay with his company claiming any technology product you develop?”Dad wasn’t going to let this go.
I stiffened.“They are not stealing anything.I’m configuring, expanding, and improving existing systems.Any code I write or apps I develop will be properly licensed.”I wanted to say more, but that would only lead to an old argument, and I wasn’t going to waste the energy.
“I think it’s interesting,” Magnolia commented.“Asher, have you used the company’s products?”
Asher flinched, and I looked at him and followed his gaze to his lap, and I could see Magnolia’s red painted nails.She had her hand in his lap.Assault.That’s fucking assault.Goddamn the bitch!My entire visual field took on a reddish haze.Every hair on my body was standing up.Asher squeezed my hand, and over the buzzing in my ears, I could’ve sworn I heard a whisper that sounded like…Asher.
