CHAPTER TWO

The rest of the week passed in a familiar rhythm. It turned out that Monday's flurry of work was a sign of things to come. The phone just wouldn't stop ringing. I tried my best to get my other jobs done quickly, hoping some Wrights work would come my way, but the deluge of menial tasks simply wouldn't let up. It was frustrating. Other associates were across the hall doing something really meaningful, and I was stuck drafting settlement agreements for petty insurance claims and cleaning up my colleagues' contracts.

In spite of my busyness, Sebastian was never far from my mind. It was strange. I felt like we'd known each other a lot longer than a few weeks. It irked me to admit, but I realised that I missed him.

His text messages certainly didn't help. They started innocently enough.

Sebastian: I'm sorry I had to leave the other night. I wanted to stay, but my hands were tied.

Sophia: That's alright. I know how it is. Is everything okay down there?

Sebastian: Not really. We've had some major setbacks. Hopefully I can get things back on track soon though. I'm already sick of being stuck down here.

I liked that he was thinking of me even when he was busy. It seemed like our argument in my office had done some good.

But as usual with Sebastian, things quickly grew hotter. I started one morning with this exchange.

Sebastian: You know, I haven't been able to get our last night together out of my head.

Sophia: Oh? =)

Sebastian: I can't wait to do that to you again. I can't wait to tie you up and fuck you until you can't even speak anymore.

Sophia: So hurry up and get back here!

Sebastian: Haha. Patience. Sometimes a little wait does a lot of good. I'm enjoying thinking of all the things I'm still yet to do to you. You have no idea how hard I'm going to make you come.

Yeah. How the hell is a girl meant to function with messages like that in her inbox?

They didn't come too often, but they were just frequent enough to leave my libido on constant simmer. To make matters worse, no matter how hot I got, I wasn't allowed to relieve myself. He'd made it very clear that was against the rules. Several nights when I was nearly at breaking point, I considered doing it anyway, but something stopped me. He'd know. Somehow, he'd know. And so I powered on and did my best to ignore it.

Because of the sheer volume of work coming in, I spent the entire weekend at the office. There were a few less people around then, and so some more meaty jobs trickled down my way, but by Monday they'd all dried up again. Finally I decided I'd had enough of sitting on the bench.

" Ernest, have you got a minute? " I said, knocking on my boss's door.

" Sophia, sure. Come in. "

I shut the door behind me and took a seat in front of the desk. I never quite knew what to make of my boss. A slim, balding man of about fifty, he constantly wore a harried look, as though he were just an instant from being overwhelmed by it all. He was the law firm equivalent of middle management; reasonably competent, but totally unambitious. He'd been a partner at the firm for the last twenty years, but never seemed to care about moving any higher than that.

He'd always seemed to like me, which is why I felt comfortable going to him. His relatively lowly position meant he couldn't intervene directly to change Alan's orders, but he still held more sway than I did. If he pushed hard enough, he might be able to make something happen. Besides, I was desperate.

" I just wanted to talk to you about the Wrights case. "

His eyes brightened. " It's fascinating isn't it? A real coup for us. "

" I wouldn't know. I've basically done nothing but pick up the slack for the last week. "

He looked a little uncomfortable. " Oh now, I'm sure that's not true. "

" It is true. You know what I spent the morning doing? Cross referencing Nick and Will's notes for that fraud case. "

He licked his lips. " Well, that kind of thing needs to be done too. You know how it is, you don't always get to pick and choose what you do. Work gets given to the people best suited to the task. "

" Sorry, but that's bullshit, Ernest. I'm one of the best associates on this floor and you know it. So why aren't I being allowed to help? "

His mouth curled into a sympathetic smile. " I'm not co-ordinating this case, Sophia. Believe me, if I were you'd be at the top of the list. "

I slumped deeper into my chair. That was pretty much the response I'd been expecting. " Okay, let me ask you a different question then. Do you have any idea why Alan dislikes me so much? "

" Alan doesn't dislike you. He's just very... particular about how he does things. " It was an incredibly diplomatic way of saying that he played favourites.

" Well I wish he'd be particular in my direction occasionally. Seriously, I bust my ass for this company, Ernest, and lately I get nothing in return. "

He gazed at me for several seconds. " Look, how about this. I'll make some calls and see if I can't call in a few favours. But in the meantime I need you to ride this one out. If you kick up too much of a fuss you might piss off the wrong people. You know how this place is. "

I felt a glimmer of hope. " That would be great, Ernest. Thanks. " It probably wouldn't do much good, but it was better than nothing. " Now if you'll excuse me, I better get back to it. I think there's a child in my office who needs his school absence note drafted. "

He chuckled. " Good luck with that. "

Well, I'd played my hand. All I could do now was wait.

" It's something, " said Ruth, when I called her a few hours later.

" Yeah. I don't think it'll amount to much though. " I let out a heavy sigh. " Maybe it's just the girl factor. Maybe I need to suck it up and find a nice boutique firm somewhere where a cock isn't considered mandatory equipment for success. "

" Hey, there's always a job for you here. Helping unhappy couples tear each other apart financially is rewarding in its own way. "

" I'll keep that in mind, " I said with a laugh, although I knew that wasn't really me. I could never do what Ruth did. It was a little too daytime chat-show for me.

" So how are things with your mystery man? " she asked. I swear I could hear her grin travelling down the phone line.

" Okay. Actually to be honest, I had a bit of a freak out, but it turned out I was just being an idiot. We talked it through, and things are good now... I think. "

" You think? "

" Well, he had to fly to Melbourne for work the day we made up. We've texted a little, but I haven't actually seen him since then. "

" Ah bummer. Oh well, absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that crap. "

" It's not his heart I'm interested in. "

She laughed. " Ah, well it can make that grow fonder too. Trust me. "

I didn't sleep well that night, and the next morning I arrived at work in a foul mood. However, it didn't last long. Resting in the centre of my desk when I walked into my office was a neatly wrapped box. There was no postage stamp or delivery address. Instead, on the face, in elegant, flowing script, was a single word. Sophia. My heart leapt. I'd only seen that handwriting once before, in the Royal Bay, but everything about that night was etched permanently into my brain.

I walked over and picked it up, weighing it in my hands. It wasn't particularly heavy, but there was something solid within. Shutting the door to protect from wandering eyes, I sat down at my desk and slowly peeled away the ribbon.

Rather than containing the object itself, inside the first box was another box. On top rested a note. I found myself grinning. Games within games. That was so like him.

Dear Sophia.

I'm sorry I've been gone so long. Things here are still messy and I have to stay until we can sort them out. Please forgive me.

I know I promised you a way to make up for the other day, and as much as I would like that to involve me being inside you, it will still be a few days until I return. Fortunately, I've come up with an alternative that I think you're going to enjoy.

Today I have a task for you. After you finish reading this note, I want you to sneak off into the bathroom, lock yourself in one of the cubicles, and masturbate through your panties. Play as long as you want, but our rules still stand: you're forbidden to come. Take the second box with you. When you're done, open it. There will be further instructions within. Have fun.

-S

A tingle rolled through me as I read. The request was both exciting and risky. Aside from Sebastian's kiss the other week, I'd never so much as fooled around in the office before. My job was just too important to me, and I didn't want to do anything that could come back to bite me. But the fact that Sebastian had commanded me to do it made it much more alluring. I could hear the words in his voice as I read, that strong, implacable tone that seemed impossible to resist. It was as though he was right behind me, leaning over my shoulder, strong hands lightly caressing my body as he whispered in my ear. And I felt compelled to do as I was told.

Glancing out into the corridor I saw that the building was still largely empty. Most days I tried to arrive before the bulk of my colleagues; I found that first hour of silence before the daily office buzz began was my most productive. And at that moment, it provided the perfect cover. Picking up the smaller box, I slipped casually out the door and headed for the ladies' room.

I passed a few other early-birds as I went, nodding greetings and trying to look calm. Were their smiles just friendly, or was there something smug behind them? It seemed impossible, but I couldn't shake the feeling that they knew what I was up to. It was like the fabric store all over again. I knew it was all part of Sebastian's game, but that didn't make it any easier. I clutched the box to my chest and began to walk faster, my cheeks burning with embarrassment, or excitement, or some baffling combination of the two. I'd never thought of the threat of being exposed as appealing before, but I was quickly learning that there was something strangely thrilling in that fear.

I made it to the bathroom without anyone crying foul and slipped into a cubicle with a sigh. Giving my heart a moment to settle, I sat on the toilet seat and inspected the smaller box. It was made from the same dark cardboard as the larger one, and as I tilted it from side to side, I could feel the object inside sliding around through the thin walls. Like a child on Christmas day, I began to try and guess what lay within. Judging by his request, it was probably something sexy, maybe a vibrator? Or something I might have to wear? I was incredibly curious. It took a lot of restraint not to simply tear the lid off then and there. But he'd asked me to wait, and so I did.

Instead, I reached down and hiked up my skirt, exposing my intricate pair of black lace panties. Like most girls, my underwear collection ranged from stuff I didn't wear out of the house to a few Victoria's Secret pieces I saved for special occasions. Normally for work I wore something in between, but since meeting Sebastian, my sexier pieces had been getting all the attention. As much as I hated the idea of grooming to please a guy, with his spontaneous appearances and unconventional approach, I never knew when I might need to look my best.

Masturbate through your panties. It seemed like an odd request, but I'd already learned that with Sebastian, the specifics were often important.

After listening once more to make sure there was nobody else hidden away in another cubicle, I reached out and ran a hand tentatively across my shrouded sex. Even through my underwear, I could feel how turned on I was. My juices had already begun seeping through the sheer cloth. I had no idea how he could do that to me with a simple letter, but I wasn't about to waste time considering it any further.

I began to stroke myself in a slow, steady rhythm. I was no stranger to a little fun for one. When you work the kind of hours I do, you just don't have time to seek out the real thing as often as you'd like. But this was a totally new experience. Being in a public place gave it a frenetic edge that seemed to heighten every sensation. At any moment, one of my workmates could burst in and catch me in the act. After just a minute, my heart was thundering in my chest and I could taste something sharp on my tongue.

It felt a little like I was putting on a performance. Sebastian wasn't there to see of course, but nonetheless he knew what I was doing. He knew that sometime that morning I'd be in the office bathroom, just thirty feet from my colleagues, pleasuring myself at his command. I imagined him doing the same thing, stroking that magnificent cock and picturing me. That thought drove me wild.

A moan escaped my lips as I shortened my motions, strumming my trigger with increasing urgency. The lace of the panties was rough against my skin, and the faster I rubbed the more it bit into me. Perhaps Sebastian intended it that way, perhaps he knew the kind of underwear I'd be wearing. Such precise planning wouldn't have surprised me — he'd long since proven how easily he could read me — but in truth the sensation didn't bother me. It was nothing more than a tickle compared to the delights he'd already shown me.

My breath began coming in short, sharp bursts, and a trickle of sweat lined my brow. I could feel an orgasm swelling up inside me, beckoning to me with unrestrained promise.

You're forbidden to come.

The words echoed in my head. I wanted to obey him. I knew there was a purpose behind everything he asked, a purpose that would undoubtedly lead to more pleasure later, but I was already so close. Every part of my body burned with desire. That week of waiting while my imagination ran wild seemed to have built up inside me, and now it was all bubbling to the surface. Another few seconds and I knew I'd be past the point of no return.

The tiny, logical part of my mind that wasn't flushed with hormones began to make peace with the fact that I was going to fail. He'd probably have a punishment prepared, and I doubted he'd be as gentle as last time. I might even be forced to meet the paddle. But there was nothing I could do, the pressure was too great.

Then, moments before my climax took hold, I heard the bathroom door fly open.

It was like somebody had pulled the plug out from inside me. All the passion and arousal instantly drained away as I let out a mortified gasp. How much had they heard? I had no idea how loud I'd been. As excited as I was, it wouldn't have surprised me if the entire floor knew what I was up to. It was one thing to savour the threat of getting caught, but it was quite another for it to actually happen.

There was a pause, as though the person was deciding whether to speak.

" Are you okay in there? " she said eventually. The sing-song voice instantly sent a slinking sensation down my spine, like a wayward insect. Jennifer. I cursed silently. Of all the colleagues that I'd want to walk in on me, she was at the bottom of the list. Hell, if you threw my mother, grandmother and all my ex-boyfriends on there, Jennifer was still at the bottom.

" Hello? " she continued. " Do you need any help? "

I winced. " I'm fine. Just ate some bad prawns last night I think. "

I could almost picture her face twisting into that supercilious smile as she recognised me. " Ah, Sophia, I didn't realise it was you. I hope it's not serious. " Did she sound smug because she knew about my little date for one in here? Or was it just general pleasure at my discomfort? It was impossible to tell. Jennifer always sounded so damn self-satisfied.

" It's alright. I'll be fine in a couple of minutes. "

" Good, good. The Wrights case is really ramping up and we need as many hands on deck as we can get. I'd hate for you to miss out because of a weak stomach. " The woman's tone was saccharine sweet. I growled quietly to myself. Why wouldn't she just leave?

" I know. I wouldn't miss it for the world. "

" I know you wouldn't. " I heard the tap begin running, followed by the tear of paper towel. " I just came in here to freshen up. Big meeting this morning. Mister Bell himself is going to be there. Anyway, I have to run. I do hope you feel better. If you need anything, just sing out. Ta ta. "

The door opened, and then the room fell silent once more. I'd go to hell and back before I went to you for help.

I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself. It seemed like I'd gotten away with it, although it was hard to tell with her. She'd be just as likely to keep it to herself for a few months and pull it out at an opportune moment as to rub it in my face then and there.

On the plus side, I technically hadn't disobeyed Sebastian, although it was through no strength of my own. I wondered if that counted.

Regardless, I wasn't finished yet. My eyes flicked down to where the box lay on the floor.

Take the second box with you. When you're done, open it.

I was still shaken from my near miss with Jennifer, but I scooped it up anyway. A trace of my earlier fire flared between my legs as I gazed at it. Sebastian was nothing if not inventive, and I was rapidly discovering just how much I liked his games. It was a simple gesture, classic really, an unexplained package left quietly on a desk, but he always knew how to give things just enough of a twist to set my blood pumping. Sexy commands, boxes within boxes; it was like some kind of kinky Russian doll.

Unable to wait any longer, I tugged gently at the ribbon and the box fell open. " Oh god, he didn't, " I said, to no one in particular.

It had been years since I'd seen a butt plug. One past boyfriend had been more than a little fixated on my ass, so I'd consented to a little anal play. We never actually progressed to sealing the deal — it turned out my ass wasn't the only one he was fixated on — but we made it as far as a little toy play. I didn't have the fondest memories of those times.

I exhaled sharply. In the throes of my last passionate encounter with Sebastian, I'd expressed a willingness to consider anal play, but in the cold, hard, fluorescent light of reality, the idea lost most of its charm.

I picked the plug up slowly, turning it in my hand. It wasn't particularly big — three inches long and about the thickness of a large index finger, with one end that tapered to a round point — but in the context of where it was supposed to go, it looked positively daunting.

There was another note in this box, lying next to a small white tube that I assumed was lubricant. I picked up the note gingerly.

Dear Sophia.

I trust you enjoyed that. I must admit, the thought of you pleasuring yourself kept me awake most of last night. I will definitely require a more intimate show when I return.

But the game is not quite over yet. You've obviously discovered my little gift. In my opinion, it's something every girl should own. I know you're probably a little uncertain about such things, but I think you'll come to take pleasure in them eventually. Besides, it would make me extremely happy.

I originally bought it to use on you myself, but since I've been delayed, I figured maybe you could get started without me. There's no time like the present.

With that in mind, I want you to remove your panties and place them in the box. Give the plug a healthy dose of lube and then insert it as far into your ass as you can. Don't be shy; the deeper the better. Then, I want you to return to your desk and continue working as normal.

I have no doubt it will be uncomfortable to begin with, but that will pass. I love the idea of you going about your day exposed and penetrated for me. Even though I'm not there, you'll have a little piece of me inside you, a constant reminder of my presence.

You don't have to leave it in all day; it's best to start slowly. An hour or two should do it, and if you enjoy the sensation, we can go from there.

Now, if you followed my instructions properly, your panties should be in quite a state. I wish I were there to do something about that myself — I can practically taste you on my tongue right now — but seeing as I'm not, I'd like you to save them for me. You're forbidden to wear them for the rest of the day. Just keep them there in the box. And to make things a little more interesting, I'd like you to keep it on your desk until you leave. I do hope you don't get too many visitors.

I will be in touch later in the day to see that my orders have been followed. Have a lovely day.

-S

My mouth fell open as I read. The plug wasn't just a gift. He expected me to wear it right now.

My eyes darted to the lube, then back to the toy, and I swallowed loudly. Theoretically, nobody would notice — it was small, and I wasn't exactly in the habit of flashing my work mates — but still, the very idea was crazy. Walking around the office all day wearing a sex toy was about the most inappropriate thing I could think of. Except perhaps leaving a pair of sex-wet panties out on my desk. I got the sense it was more about the risk than the panties themselves, and while it was true they'd be hidden inside something, it wouldn't take much for someone to start asking questions.

But even as my rational self madly tried to dissuade me, the new Sophia, the one that had only recently awakened, was buzzing with excitement. Being commanded to do such risqué things was a huge turn on. It made me feel like the naughty little minx I'd never known I wanted to be. And beyond that, it would make Sebastian happy, which was a reward all of its own. His pleasure became my pleasure; he'd made that very clear.

I began preparing. Breaking the seal on the lube, I squeezed a healthy dollop out onto my hand and smeared it all over the plug. You're not basting a damn turkey, I thought, admiring my handiwork. That thing is going inside your ass, don't be stingy now. So I took a second squeeze and did it again. Soon, I could barely keep a firm grip on the thing.

Not giving myself a chance to change my mind, I hiked up my skirt once more, slipped my underwear free, bent over, and brought the small rubber tip up to my delicate ring. The lube was cold against my skin, but the light pressure was not unpleasant. I thought back to our last night together, to the gentle probing of Sebastian's finger. In the heat of the moment, I'd kind of enjoyed that. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad.

With a deep breath I began to apply pressure. The first inch was surprisingly easy, slipping in with little resistance, but as the shaft gradually grew wider, it began to hurt. My sphincter started to spasm and tighten, rebelling against the foreign sensation. I gritted my teeth and tried to relax, but it was impossible. My body seemed to have a mind of its own. I growled in frustration.

Closing my eyes for a moment, I tried to regroup. Think of that night in the hotel. Think of the wonderful things Sebastian still has to show you, the things he'll do to you if you please him.

And somehow, it worked. Slowly but surely, my muscles loosened and the plug began to slide deeper. It was a lengthy process, and I stopped twice to apply more lube, but eventually I buried the entire thing inside me, right down to the handle.

I let out a deep sigh, followed by a wince. The toy was as painful as I'd feared. My ass burned with the fullness of it. I experimented, shaking my hips back and forth and applying gentle pressure to the plug with my hand. Every motion sent a sting coursing through me as my muscles stretched far beyond what had been asked of them recently. It was an invasive sensation, and far from comfortable, but it was done now. Stubbornness meant I would see it through, at least for a while.

After checking that the room was empty, I slipped out of the cubicle and inspected myself in the mirror. I looked a little flustered, and somehow I'd given myself a perfect sex hair makeover despite the fact that I'd been playing solo. Also, you're walking like you've got a stick up your ass, which I guess in a manner of speaking, you do. On the plus side, that should make you a shoe-in for partner.

I spent a minute washing the heat from my cheeks and collecting myself, before taking another deep breath and marching out through the door. I half expected Jennifer to have gathered the entire building to witness my walk of shame, so I was pleasantly surprised to find the corridor outside empty. Perhaps I really had gotten away with it.

The walk to my desk seemed to last an eternity. Every few steps I found myself reaching out to smooth the back of my skirt, certain there was a large, plug shaped knob visible under the material. At one point, one of my colleagues decided to pop out of his office for a chat. It was one of the most excruciating conversations of my life. I could barely string two words together, and with every stumble I felt more certain I had given myself away. After a minute or so, I mumbled something about needing to go, and took off before he could stop me.

I'd never been happier to arrive at my office. Slipping inside and shutting the door, I pressed myself against it and closed my eyes. Safety.

A nervous laugh escaped my lips as I considered the lunacy of what I'd just done. Little Bell was one of the oldest and most eminent law firms in Australia. It was a company steeped in tradition, yet there I was marching the hallways with a pair of sodden panties in a box in my hands and a sex toy between my legs. It was crazy. For the hundredth time, I asked myself why I was giving Sebastian so much control, but of course I knew the answer. Because I enjoyed it as much as he did.

The next few minutes were extremely uncomfortable. Having something buried in my ass was such an alien feeling that I could barely concentrate. Several times I came close to giving up. But gradually, as my muscles began to adjust, the discomfort ebbed away. That unwavering pressure was still there, but the longer I worked, the less it bothered me.

At some point, I realised that I was actually beginning to enjoy it. It wasn't pleasurable in a direct way, but the sense of fullness was extremely satisfying. And beyond that, there was the psychological effect. Sebastian was right, the plug acted as a constant reminder of his presence. I'd be working through a dense case file, my mind utterly focused on the task at hand, when a sudden shift in position would send a wave of sensation curling through me. It was distracting, but also immensely erotic; as though he was stimulating me from across the country. The message was clear: even when we were apart, I was still his.

It was difficult to work at my normal pace. I tried my best to focus, but I couldn't slip into my normal steady rhythm. The morning's activities had left me buzzing with energy. My latent orgasm still simmered somewhere inside me, and whenever I looked up from my work, I found my eyes wandering to the box that sat just a few inches from my keyboard. It was closed of course, and looked fairly innocuous, but nonetheless it was nerve-wracking knowing that such a thing was out in the open, just waiting to be discovered. It seemed so damned obvious. I swore I could smell hints of my earlier excitement hanging in the air.

For a while it seemed like I might escape the day without any visitors, but around lunch time, I heard the dreaded sound of a knock at my door.

It was Elle. " Feel like ducking out for a bite, Soph? "

My cheeks instantly turned red. Just chill. She probably won't even notice it.

" I better not, " I replied. " I've got a ton of stuff to do here. "

She grimaced. " Bah. I guess it's me and the boys again then. I have to say, I'm getting a little tired of pretending like I give a shit about football. "

" Next time, " I said, smiling sympathetically.

She nodded. " Sure thing. "

I thought I'd gotten away with it, but as she began to turn away, her eyes suddenly lit up. " And what have we here? " she said with a grin. " A secret admirer perhaps? "

Even though she hadn't moved, I found my hand darting out to clutch the box anyway. Good work, Sophia. Could you be any more obvious?

I tried to remain composed. " I wish. It's just my sister trying to make up for forgetting my birthday. "

She frowned. " That was two months ago. "

" What can I say? She's a crappy sister. "

She studied me for several seconds, but eventually gave a short nod. " Fair enough. Get anything good? "

I breathed a silent sigh of relief. " Movie vouchers and chocolate. Original hey? "

Elle laughed. " Not really, but I wouldn't be complaining. Anyway, the others are waiting, so I better bail. I'll catch you later. "

" Sure. Seeya. "

Even after she'd gone, it took a few minutes for my muscles to unclench. That had been a lot closer than I'd hoped. I had to admit though, again, part of me had enjoyed the perverse thrill of coming so close to exposure. It was such a simple thing, but so naughtily creative at the same time. I had no idea where Sebastian's mind came up with such ideas.

The afternoon passed slowly. As my excitement wore off, I began to find my groove again. At about two o'clock, my desk phone rang. The caller ID showed an unfamiliar number.

" Hello, " I said tentatively.

" Hello, Sophia. I hope you enjoyed your present. "

I let out a little sigh. It was nice just to hear his voice again. " I did. I'm wearing it right now in fact. "

" How's the fit? " he asked, his voice playful.

I laughed. " It was a little tight to begin with, but I think you got my size just right. "

" Excellent. How about my other requests? "

" All done. "

" I'm impressed. Had any close calls? "

" One, but I dealt with it. "

He chuckled. " I'm glad to hear it. "

I hesitated, choosing my words carefully, not wanting to sound too needy. " So how's the trip? Are you nearly done there? "

" A few more days probably. There's still one or two things to take care of. "

" Good, because after this morning, I'm thoroughly in need of a good seeing to. "

He laughed. " I know the feeling. Christ, I'm hard just thinking about you sitting there with no panties on. But in any case, good behaviour deserves a reward. Since you did such a wonderful job this morning, I'm going to lift the rules. You're free to come as many times as you want until I return. "

I blew out a slow breath. Part of me wanted to run back to the bathroom that very moment and finish what I'd started. But I restrained myself. " Are you sure? "

" Yes. You've earned it. But save a little something for me. I've got plans for you when I get back. "

" I'll do my best. And you should know, I'll be thinking of you the whole time. "

" I would expect nothing else, " he said. " On another note, I saw on the news yesterday that your firm has picked up that big pharmaceutical class action suit. I bet that's pretty exciting. "

I sighed. What a way to kill the mood. " It is, for the people working on it. "

" And I take it by your tone that you're not one of them? "

" Not at the moment. "

" I'm sorry, Sophia. "

" Hey, it's okay, I'm used to it, " I replied. " Anyway, I should go. I may not be working on Wrights, but I have a pile of other stuff to do. "

" No problem. I'll be in touch when I get back. Have a good night. "

" I most certainly will. Bye. "

Knowing I had Sebastian's blessing to relieve the pressure made the rest of the day a little easier. I got through everything I had to do by six o'clock.

I think I was beginning to appreciate the new side of me that Sebastian was gradually teasing out, because I found the walk out with no underwear on immensely enjoyable. It was my little secret that nobody else knew, and it made even the simple act of saying goodbye to people sexy. Plus I knew that somewhere, a thousand kilometres away, it was driving Sebastian crazy, which made it hotter still.

A few people tried to stop me on my way out to chat, but I politely excused myself. I had more important things on my agenda. Like a long overdue date with a battery operated friend.