Yes, Sir

1.4

•- Laine Bennett -•

I burst into laughter as Thea and my Grandmother discuss how rambunctious Thea and I were as children.

It felt like years had gone by while I was working. I hardly ever saw them. IMd work all day, come home and eat, then pass out in my bed just to repeat.

I was making dinner tonight, my mother's famous spaghetti recipe, and we were reminiscing.

"Thea was the one who got in the most trouble, not me," I laugh, stirring the sauce carefully so it doesn't spill over the tops of the saucepan.

"Someone has to be the black sheep of the family! We can't not have a somewhat normal family it just isn't right, okay?" She says defensively, making me shake my head gently.

Gram sighs gently, "How has work been going, Lainey? We never get to see you anymore."

I tap the spoon on the side of the pan and place it down on the counter. I take a seat at the table where the two were currently sitting, and sympathetically smile for my absence.

"It's better than it was last week. Austin loosened the reins a bit. We went for breakfast at Mary's the other day," I smile at the enemies. Not necessarily because of the food, although that played a large factor, but because our deal was set and I was going to start bringing home more money than what my job already entails.

"Did you just refer to him as Austin? Are you feeling okay? Did he trick you into some weird cult? Gram, grab the thermometer I think she's sick!" Thea gasps our, nearly running out of breath in the process before resting her hand on my forehead dramatically.

I swat her hand away and fall back into my seat. "I'm fine. It was free food and I got the choice."

"Don't go falling for him, Lainey. I can just tell that boy is trouble," my grandmother tsks, making me roll my eyes.

I had no intentions on "falling" for him. That's the complete opposite of my plans. If I was going to survive this, falling was the last thing I need.

"He's my boss. It's strictly professional. We just discussed moving my position from just the office to full time on call sort of thing. We were already going to slowly fade into that, and I told you both it would happen when I took the job. He just thought my work was up to the right standard to transfer to this type of assisting. You should be happy, not accusing me of falling for someone who is so unobtainable it's almost disgusting. Leave it at that."

I stand up from my seat and resume cooking. Did I really have reason to hiss at my family? All signs point to no. But that doesn't matter. If you knew my family, they would push the thought on you until it ruined all chances. And I can't ruin this. Thea would understand, there is no doubt about that. But my grandmother would only call me out on it and make me feel worse about myself.

It was toxic, I know. But she's relatively old fashioned. She hadn't caught up with the times on many outlooks and sex was definitely one of those things that will never change in her eyes. And I could accept that, but her need to call out Thea or I if we so little as had a night out was sign enough the telling her about my plans with Austin was just as dangerous as lighting a match in a fabric store.

Dinner was served a few moments later, and although the air was minimally tense, we were able to fall into a normal conversation.

•- Austin Wood -•

It was near midnight and I was in my at home office with a pile of paperwork in front of me. I didn't want to have to do it. But that was the job.

Every time I signed a paper, all I could think about was Laine. Not necessarily her, just the deal in general. It'd been a long time since I had to work for something. Especially sex. There was no way I wouldn't win. Maybe I was being a little too cocky about this all, but there are only so many things a man can do to get a woman in his bed.