#saagelius

Artist is @saagelius on Twitter

Saagelius

“Do I have a choice?” “Of course you do,” he said, raising his eyebrows. At her slightly dubious expression, he gave her a wry smile. “This isn’t the mob, Miss Byrd. I’m simply a businessman, offering you a position at my company.” Chloe did not believe for a second that Jean was ‘simply a businessman’, but she didn’t contradict him. “As an … office assistant.” He gave a non-committal hum. Then he cocked his head, eyes very slightly narrowed and peering at her face. No — not her face. Her mouth, she thought. He said, “How’s your gag reflex?” Still trying to process the events of the past hour, Chloe couldn’t quite make sense of his question. “My what?” she said, sounding every bit as nonplussed as she felt. “Your gag reflex,” he repeated patiently. “Uh— Um—” She was suddenly intensely aware of a blush heating her cheeks. “I don’t know, normal I guess?” Jean hummed. (She remembered that hum, she’d gotten herself off to the memory of it.) He leaned closer, reaching out and cupping her jaw. When she tried to pull away from his touch, the back of her head met the back of the chair, and she was trapped. He tilted her head back a little. The pad of his thumb found her lips, and they parted for him, or perhaps for the whimper his touch elicited. “Open your mouth,” he said.

“Um. Mr Girardi, sir?” “Ah, yes, Miss Byrd — come in.” She entered, closing the door behind her. Dithering a moment, she took a few steps into the room, uncertain what was expected of her. Jean seemed deeply engrossed in reading something, and for a long moment she just stood there in the middle of the floor feeling like a fool. Then he threw her a glance and beckoned her over with a twitch of his fingers. Chloe swallowed. As she approached the desk, Jean swivelled his chair slowly to the side. Without looking up from his documents he motioned for her to come around to his side of the desk. Chloe felt a blush fanning over her cheeks as she complied. At last he set his papers aside. He gave her a long, evaluating look. Chloe’s blush grew hotter, crept down her neck. “Come closer,” he said. Ordered. The way he issued orders was so relaxed, as though he was simply making conversation. As though telling people what to do was a normal part of his life. As though the idea that someone might disobey hadn’t ever crossed his mind. Chloe came closer.

I knew it was likely to get a bit of attention thanks to saagelius (the artist whose work inspired it and who is collaborating with me on the story) sharing the link, but I honestly had no idea what level of engagement to expect. This is ... a bit mind-blowing, for someone who's spent a year writing a niche novel for a tiny fandom. xD