“I needed the money. My dad lost his job and can’t help me with tuition. My next payment is due in four weeks. I thought if I could show the dean that I was employed then maybe he would give me a break and more time to come up with the balance.” Well, now I felt like a shithead for being so cruel to her.
“I have applied for twenty jobs in the past two days, and no one will hire me because I have no experience. This was my last resort. Someone told me that they hired underage here, and I thought if I looked good enough, they wouldn’t ask questions. I’m sorry, I didn’t consider the consequences.”
I was a total dick and needed to fix this. I could give her the money, but somehow, I knew she wouldn’t take it.
“Maddox, please sit. Maybe there’s something else you can do. What are you majoring in?” Maddox took a breath and plunked onto the seat. I handed her a tissue and she dried her face and then took a fortifying breath before answering me.
“Economics with a BA in business. I like numbers. They don’t lie and are never wrong. The predictability of it makes sense, and I don’t, uh, get nervous with numbers like I do with people. My father also works in the field. You would think a company would want experienced accountants, but they opt for new grads willing to take a much smaller salary.”
This was a different Maddox from the one I met or the one that had been shaking only moments ago. When you got her talking about school, and work, she was more than capable. A plan began to form, one in which she worked for me and under my tutelege.
“Maddox, how would you feel about a bookkeeping job?” She smiled, and her face brightened. “Very open. Who do I call to schedule an interview?”
“No need, you just passed. You will work for me. I need someone to run the books for this place. In my experience, even managers sometimes skim, and it’s easy when there are cash sales. I would need someone to check the nightly totals against the amount of product sold. I would also like a spreadsheet which I will go over in detail with you and a weekly walkthrough of stock to ensure the balances.”
Maddox took in a deep breath and let it out very slowly. “May I ask what it pays?”
“You may ask. What are you worth?” This was her chance to show me what she was made out of, to ask what her service was worth, and let me know how she viewed herself. Someone who had already been beaten down always accepted the minimum. The entitled group were usually arrogant and had nothing to back up their requests, asked too much and expected it. I suspected Maddie would fall into line with just below the maximum. I suspected she had value but knew I didn’t know it yet. So, imagine my surprise when she gained the lead over me.
“I’m requesting the mid-entry range. But I ask that after three months, I get an increase, and qualify for a bonus on the condition that you are perfectly happy with my performance. I will expect a raise regardless, with the option to profit share down the road.”
Where was the innocent brat from the other night?
“Maddie, I want you in a schoolgirl uniform on Saturday Night, with pigtails and school-issued white underpants. Is that clear?” I was throwing her on purpose. Her directness while admirable was changing our dynamic, and I wanted to see if she was a natural submissive.
Her eyes grew wide as she nodded her head. “Words, young lady.”
“Yes, sir,” she agreed readily. “But, well, I don’t own anything like that. I uh, don’t even know where to go to get those things.” Aha, there she was. My little Maddox exhibiting a dual personality, delicious.
“Text me your measurements, and I will have everything you need delivered before Saturday Night. Now, you better leave, or I will bend you over my desk and fuck you senseless.” She jumped to her feet, but not before I caught sight of her dilated pupils.
She was at the door when I called out her name, “Maddie.”
“Yes, sir,” she said, turning back to me. “Your conditions are acceptable. I will send you my email address, along with a list of the required paperwork. But I have one condition of my own.” She waited, unconsciously nibbling her bottom lip. Damn, little girl was making a tent in my pants.
“No. More. Bars. I want your word.” She bestowed a beautiful smile on me.
“I agree to your terms. I won’t apply for bar jobs or try and get in using my fake ID. I promise.” Something in the way she saidI promisemade me feel like she was promising something contrary to what I’d just said.
“See you Saturday, Daddy,” she said, and bounced out of my office. I leaned forward on my elbows and ran my hands down my face. What a handful she was, and all mine to mold as I wished.
Chapter Three
Every choice leaves a mark. But the wise hunter knows where the heart lies.
I rode the bus home with my smile planted firmly on my face. I had a job, and I couldn’t wait to tell my folks so they could stop worrying about me. Just as the bus reached my stop, my phone pinged. It was Langden with a list of the required documentation and his email.
The house was quiet, my father probably out looking for a job, and my mother no doubt at her club doing whatever those chattering hens did. I grabbed some food and sat down on my bed with my laptop.
I entered Langden’s email and attached all the required information. Then deciding I needed to know more about the man playing the role ofdaddy,I Googled Langden Ross. Then lay back on the bed, placing the laptop on my knees, and waited. Langden’s gorgeous face popped up, his grey eyes seeming to pierce me from his image on my computer.
“Wealthy socialite, Langden Ross inherits a fortune” What was this? I read the article and learned that Langden’s parents had died a year ago in a car accident. The authorities saidthe case was still under investigation as foul play hadn’t yet been ruled out. Hmm, that was strange. The article noted that Langden had a sister who had left the country after their parent's funeral.
“Billionaire Playboy,” “Sexy and Rich” were the headings and so many more as I scrolled down. Pictures of Langden with various women were abundant, and the further I scrolled, the more embarrassed I became. I’d lost my V card to a womanizer, a man-whore. I was disgusted with myself. But with every photo, those grey eyes gazed at me, piercing my very core.
I was angry at myself for being so stupid. Why would a man like that want a woman like me? Why did he want to play those games with me? Probably none of his rich bitch ladies would debase themselves like I had. And hey, why pay for something that stupid Maddie would give for free.
I picked up my phone and texted Langden.
