1
I take a steadying breath as I rearrange the display. I’ve practically been vibrating all day, a combination of first day jitters and excitement. I honestly never thought that I’d work at a sex toy store, but after months of job searching and coming dangerously close to the end of my savings, working here feels like a dream. Plus, everyone here has been amazing. It’s only been a day and I think that for the first time I might actually have friends at work.
I’m cleaning out one of the mirrored display cases, rearranging a display of glass dildos. Another benefit of working here—I get to encounter things I’ve never even heard of before, let alone considered trying. It gives me the chance to research a bunch of new things.
I’ve always loved researching, learning things just because I could. Curiosity is the only gift my dad gave me before he decided his own research in Peru was more important than me or my mother. But that love of learning landed with me with degrees that weren’t…marketable, in the traditional sense, and a scarily large mountain of debt. Still, I wouldn’t trade those years I spent learning for anything.
The past few days since I got the job I’ve been pouring over everything I can find out about Pleasure Chest, from the company history to learning all about the merchandise they sell. Given just how many toys they do sell it’s going to take me awhile, but I’m up for the challenge.
I finish polishing a light pink glass dildo—it’s intriguing, heavy with spiraled ridges running along its length. Not something I’ve ever tried. But most things in this store are things that I’ve never tried.
“Excuse me,” a deep voice says from behind me, “I was wondering if you could tell me about this product?”
I startle, lost in my own thoughts, and nearly knock over the whole display I just finished rearranging. I’m lucky that didn’t happen. I don’t want to be the girl who broke twelve glass dildos on her first day. I put down the toy and turn around, and I freeze. The man attached to the voice is gorgeous. I think my heart may have just skipped a beat in shock, and I also think I might be drooling.
My eyes follow the line of his body up, drinking him in. He’s wearing dark jeans that I can tell are hugging his ass in a way that would make any woman want to take a bite out of him. There’s a pale blue henly shirt that’s tight through the chest and shoulders, showing off a body that he’s clearly worked for, with the sleeves pushed up just enough to show off amazing forearms and the hint of tattoos. I don’t think I’ve ever been turned on by forearms before, but there’s a first time for everything.
As I reach his face—stunning green eyes framed by dark hair—he smiles, and I realize that I’ve been doing nothing but staring at him for at least a full minute. “What?” I say. “I mean—excuse me?”
He laughs softly, lifting the box he’s holding. “I asked if you could tell me about this.”
It takes an effort to take my eyes off him, but I do, focusing on the label. He’s holding a small box with a purple toy, the Lelo Gigi. Crap. I’ve seen it, but it’s one of the toys that I haven’t had a chance to fully research yet. I take the box from him, flipping it over. I can do this. I don’t care if it’s my first day, I want to make a good impression on the managers. I probably won’t do that if I can’t even help a customer by telling him how a toy works.
I scan the back of the box, figuring out the selling points. “This is the Lelo Gigi. They’re a good brand—all of their toys are really high quality. And this one,” I give the box another once over, “I guess it has a way of unlocking a woman’s G-spot.” I press my lips together, trying not to giggle about the fact that I have to say things like ‘G-spot’ out loud at this job.
But he doesn’t seem to find it funny. His face is intense as he studies me. “You guess?”
“I mean, I haven’t used it personally.”
The smile on his face suddenly has a wicked edge, and my stomach does a little flip. Nerves, that’s all it is, or the fact that I probably had too much for lunch. In no way can a stranger’s smile make my stomach do that. “Well,” he says, crossing his arms, “I can’t buy it if I don’t know anything about it. I’m also not a woman. Do you see my problem?”
I do. I also see the strip of skin that was revealed when his crossed arms pulled up his shirt. It’s smooth and perfect and I’m having a hard time focusing on not touching it.
Focus Kara. This is your job. You have to be professional, not a horny teenager. Focus. I put on my best customer service smile, “I understand, sir—”
He releases a sharp breath when I address him, like he wasn’t expecting it. My stomach did another lurch with that sound, like my body already likes that it surprised him. I continue, “but I’m not sure what you want me to do about it.”
“I want you to be good at your job,” he says, taking a step towards me. “I want to know everything about this toy, and I want to hear it from you.” His mouth quirks up into a smile. “After all, you are the expert.”
He hands me the toy, and his fingers brush mine. Even that little touch of skin sends a spark through me, landing between my legs and making me wet. What on earth is wrong with me that he’s affecting me like this?
“The next time I see you,” he says, “I hope you can tell me more about it than just what’s on the box.”
He gives me a final grin and heads towards the door. He’s halfway there when I look down and see the two hundred-dollar bills he tucked into my hand along with the box. “Hey, wait!” But when I look up he’s already gone.
He’s given me more than enough money to buy this toy. Is he serious? He wants me to buy it, use it, and report back? Certainly not what I expected today. Then again, I’m not sure if there can be expectations when you work in a store like this. I mean, I was planning to buy some things to try, but not like this. There’s a nagging feeling inside my chest—I don’t want him to be disappointed the next time I see him. And really, what’s the harm? If he wants to buy a toy for a stranger, that’s his business.
I take they toy over to the register and ring it up. Just as I’m about to open the drawer, Ella comes out of the back. I blush, immediately regretting buying this now and not at the end of my shift. It’s probably not great for us to buy things in the middle of the day, or to ring ourselves up. She comes up to counter, checking out the toy I’ve left there, and starts typing something into the register. “I’m sorry,” I say, “I was just going to buy it and put it in my
locker. Probably should have waited till later.”
She gives me a look. “Girl, please. We do this all the time. But your employee code hasn’t kicked in yet, has it? I’m going to let you use mine. Besides,” her smile is conspiratorial, “I have that one in blue, and I totally approve.”
Relief shoots through me as she prints out my receipt and hands me my change. “Thanks.”
I knew I was going to be researching more toys tonight, but I didn’t think there would be a practical aspect to it. I think about the man—I don’t even know his name—and my body remembers the way he was looking at me. The way I got wet just at the touch of his fingers. Tonight will be interesting.