I smoothed my skirt down and stood. My legs were twitching in an annoying unwanted fashion. I shut my computer down and turned off my desk light. Taking my handbag, I made my way to lifts and the top floor.
The lift door opened and I stepped out, looking about. The open space was eerily silent, no Carla or the rest of the PA team. She must have been on the way out the door when she rang. Her computer was shut down and desk cleared. Jason’s door was slightly ajar. I put my handbag on Carla’s chair, out of the way. Taking a deep breath, I knocked timidly and walked into his office.
Jason was by the window looking down at the streets way below. His mobile phone was in hand and he looked like he was about to ring someone. Seeing me, he tossed it on to his office chair. I nudged the door shut with my back.
“You’re here then.” Jason folded his arms across his chest.
His face was impassive and I was pierced by his blue eyes. I looked at the floor in front of him knowing he was seriously displeased with me. I clenched my fists so he could not see me shaking.
Fingers snapped and I darted across to stand where he was pointing.
“Down!” He hissed at me through clenched teeth.
I was on my knees at his feet, head bowed and hands on my thighs. Whatever happened next I would need to be the perfect submissive.
“Do you appreciate how angry I’ve been with you? All around the office, this rumour that I fuck interns,” his voice was laced with dangerous undertones.
“I didn’t start it...” I blurted out.
“Don’t you dare speak to me without permission,” he shouted at me.
I jumped at the acidity in his words and tried to look as small as possible. His hands rested on his hips, he started to paced up down in front of the window.
“Fucking interns. That’s what is going round and then if that wasn’t bad enough your name is mentioned.” He stopped by me again. “I told you no hanky panky and be discreet. Yet I find you are a topic of conversation by the water cooler.”
I kept looking at his shoes.
I can explain, was what I pleaded silently.
“Have you said anything about us?” Definitely a direct question.
“No! No! Sir, please believe me I would never. It was the girls in my office, they were joking around about interns and I , I... I think I blushed or something, and it just put silly ideas in the head.... it has been like Chinese whispers..,” I ran out of steam. “I’m so sorry, sir. I didn’t expect it to get so out hand. I would do anything to protect your name.”
“Protect my name!” he growled at me. “I don’t give a fuck about my name. Don’t you think there are rumours, not just here in this office, in the gutter press. I’ve had them since I hit the big bucks years ago.”
He grabbed my ponytail and yanked my head up. “It is you I’m disappointed in. You let me down with indiscretion. Your stupid inability to deal with the situation.”
He dropped my hair with a swipe, almost hitting me. Tears sprung into my eyes. Jason was mad at me. For a brief moment, I felt afraid of him. What kind of man was an irate Jason Lucas - controlled or a crazy maniac? My instinct to bolt out of the door was strong and I fell back on looking contrite and demure. I hoped that my meekness would dissipate his anger.
“I’m sorry, I don’t have your gift for controlling situations, I’m not good at it, and I let them think things that weren’t true,” I said looking up into his eyes.
He snapped his fingers again and I quickly looked at the floor. The pristine carpet did not offer me much comfort under my knees.
“Are you going to fire me, sir?” I whispered at him, hoping to placate him quickly.
Jason sighed, and leaned back to perch on his desk near to where I was kneeling.
“No. The situation is under control. HR has been slapping the managers back into line. I’m not going to fire you, but I am going to punish you – I’m going to fire your arse, like I warned you I would,” he was speaking in a low voice. My master’s voice was in residence, not the angry boss.
“Do you want me to go to Blythewood tonight, sir?” I asked politely as possible.
“No, it will take too long. We’ll do it here.”
He stood up and went over to lock the catch on his office door. “I want you to stand facing the wall, over there, nose against it while you compose yourself.”
I was trembling, heart pounding as I carried out his instructions. I was strangely excited, being punished in his office, like a bizarre fantasy except the fantasy was really happening – what was he going to do to me? Standing there, I tried hard to stop my legs from going like jelly. Eventually he spoke again.
“Drop your skirt and knickers off.”