Risqué Business- (Matilda)

[Sage]

The thing with an abundance of time on your hands is you have to spend it somewhere. When you are homeless outside the convenience of the local shelter you have to find places to hang without overstaying your welcome during the day. Sage was no different in that regard. He had found his way this particular time moving about places he really had no reason for being. Some of it was to case places that were lax on their security. He was no big time thief and he wasn’t about to expend enormous amounts of time trying to figure it out. He was an opportunist plain and simple. If it was there with easy access and it caught his eye he would take it. No questions asked. Just like the sample plates at the local supermarket. It was like a lunch plate waiting for him and it was in his hands much to the shock of the one in the brightly colored apron cooking up another batch to replace it.

This time his steps had him waltzing into a shop that really would not be anything he particularly needed. His ocean blues looked up long enough to determine it was in fact a lingerie boutique. His lips formed an amused smirk that really didn’t take a whole to put there. He preferred the temptation of the au natural package being displayed with no frills or wrapping that took a few minutes to remove. Then again with his budget things like lace thongs or leather bits of fabric with snaps kind of exceeded his current options. One of the first garments he spotted, if the scant amount of material could be called such, had a price tag visible. He blinked and his brows raised in unison. That was more than he had in his wallet total all of last year.

A brightly colored flag that was in the nearby window caught his attention and he plucked it up and began waving it around clearly entertained by the way it moved. The symbolism of it was hardly new to him and was another reason he took possession of it. It was going home with him. He slid it in his his front shirt pocket and ignored the clash of patterns and colors against his well worn recycled Hawaiian shirt. With a slow stroke of both of his hands over his long, unruly curls he finally spotted a body that looked right in place where he was standing. His head dipped a little to the side as his focus went to a petite but visually promising set of legs. A less than subtle snort of approval escaped his nose as finished his appreciative tour up to the blonde coiffed hair that wouldn’t take more than two minutes tops for him to make a mess of.

“Are you open?” The tone he used without introducing himself said it all.

[Matilda]

The shop was a new venture for Matilda, and one she sure as **** had never planned on. It had all come about as a sort of joke, she had the Reptile Emporium fairly in hand and was looking for something totally different, the plan being to hire managers and free herself up for more exciting activities than lingering around a shop all night. Both were open at hours where she could at least pop by, but Second Skin catered to those who were more in the mood for evening shopping. The store was well sized, stocked with a wide variety of tasteful lingerie and outfits, aimed at a more upmarket and younger, fresher generation. One wall display had harnesses and strappy garments that looked more complicated than they were, across the room a glass case displaying a variety of modern, sleekly designed toys and accessories designed to enhance experiences.

There wasn’t a great deal of colour, it was mostly black and cream, ivory and jewel tones made from rich fabrics, lots of leather and tasteful lace on display. It was the kind of items she could see herself wearing if she felt so inclined, in fact that day she had put on a set that she was selling. What better way to lift sales than being a walking billboard for your product? The tall blonde wore a pair of tight fitting black pants pair with a sheer black top that could be seen through to display one of the intricate harnesses over a bra, enhancing her bust. Her height was added to by a pair of stiletto heels, the red bottoms giving away their prestige. Matilda had bothered to sweep her up into a lazy up-do that helped add to her chic appearance, so far from the country girl she was at heart, more at home in a pair of riding boots and an akubra hat.

The quiet tinkle of the bell caught her attention, Matilda looking up from the display she was studying to see a young man dressed scruffily in a Hawaiian shirt, his hand sunk into messy curls that look like they would be beautiful soft a good wash. Tucked into the front of his shirt was a very familiar little rainbow flag, one that been placed beside a sign seeking staff that she’d put in the front window. It was Pride that week in Montreal and she’d decided to bring that to HR Not just this week, but every week. Among the wares she sold were underwear specifically designed for those transitioning, binding garments and enhancing ones alike.

The young man received a raise of the brow, eyes moving over him, a pleased little smile on her face as she moved to greet him. Behind the counter the store manager, and her favourite assistant, Heath gave a reproachful look. “Hiya, I see you’ve taken a liking to my little flag. You wouldn’t believe it, open a week and I’ve already had three stolen, it’s a good thing I bought in bulk… What brings you in to Second Skin?” It was true, she’d bought a few boxes of the little flags with the intention of giving them out with purchase, and had already had to place a few in the display window.

[Sage]

“Boredom.” He admitted. “Nothing in particular other than the door opened when I pushed on it.”

It was his way of things of course. Real and how he liked it in return. Unfortunately the world didn’t work like he did and he was all too aware of that fact. Especially when appearances sold merchandise and made another buck for the one making the effort. He glanced over at the other two employees finally in his sights and a small chuckle flowed.

“And this flag.” He patted the pocket it was in as well as his chest casually as if it was rightfully his now that it was secured where he placed it. “Best colors to wave.” He winked. “If you don’t mind I will just show myself around. Have to see what I can’t afford.”

[Matilda]

“Boredom.” She repeated, without condemnation or judgement, a wry smile quirking her lips. At least he was honest, she supposed, and clearly not intending to make any purchases but that didn’t bother her overly. “Yeah, a working door tends to be a great start for any business don’t you think?” The blonde busied herself once more with rearranging things around the shop, only keeping a vague eye on the man. Heath watched like a hawk, clearly unimpressed by the flag issue. “Rainbows are great, a little something for everyone.” She agreed, no point making a big deal over a little flag. “You know, you could have asked, happy to give you one. Heath over there will be sulking all night over having to re-do it.” The well groomed man gave a scoff, preening at the lapels of his jacket and trying to act disinterested. “Hopefully you can at least make my efforts to soothe the bugger worth it, hm? I’m Matilda, you just ask if you have any questions, alright handsome?” A wink was offered, a little harmless flirtation to keep the mood light even if she was half tempted to smack the kid upside the head for being smug and sneaky.

[Sage]

He eyed the woman as she repeated the reason he gave for entering the shop. “That’s right.” He nodded. He winked back as if she needed the boost for the effort she was putting out there to come out ahead of their interaction. “I don’t think about working or about doors unless they are hitting me in the *** on the way out. Then I give them five minutes of my time as a rule but usually no more than that.”

Sage did his slow tour of the racks and shelves and glanced every so often over at the male staring at him constantly. Finally when it was more than obvious he mouthed the words rather obvious so that even if there was some distance between he and the employee there was no confusion as to what he was saying. “Want something?” He winked to seal the message.

“I could have but I didn’t.” He shrugged off the suggestion that he was well aware was always an option as opposed to doing what he wanted when he wanted. “Sage. If that makes your next fireside chat with him an easier one to get through. “ He looked over Matilda as she kept his attention. She appeared to be a well maintained tight little cookie. A subtle whistle escaped his lips. “You got it sweetheart.”

He stepped back smirking at Heath. Then failed to remember he had only two steps to work with before he would arrive at a lace thong display. He went too far and the display toppled back and he barely saved his *** from going with it.

[Matilda]

Heath made a sound in the back of his through, one of distaste and finally turned away as if trying to appear like he couldn’t stand the sight of the guy anymore, giving a flick of his hand to cement the dismissal. Matilda just laughed, a quiet, feminine sound beneath her breath. Her store manager was frustrated enough for the both of them, she’d let him be bad cop to her pleasant, airy owner act. “I doubt you do often, ask, that is.” It was an appraisal that had her looking him over, taking in the slightly tattered nature of him. She hoped for his sake he wasn’t entirely useless, a pretty no hoper who would get by until his looks completely gave out from whatever substances he used to get through his days. He could be a gem, unpolished and cast aside like it were some ugly rock, just waiting for the right person to see the treasure inside.

Nah, that sounded WAY too optimistic, and while she had grown a lot over the past few years she hadn’t grown THAT much. Cynicism was a nice way to protect your heart, her icy layer had thinned but it was still intact.

She figured he’d make small talk or grow quiet soon enough, maybe pocket something which would be a mild annoyance and having Heath talking about not letting in vagabonds and thieves, or upping security. Yeah, the merchandise was decently priced but it wasn’t so extravagant that loosing a strip of lace here and there would hurt her too much, these ventures were more a way to feel normal, still involved in human affairs. A sort of cover, something to keep her from slipping back into the cover of shadows and despair. That wasn’t cute. Her thoughts had distracted her enough that the clattering sound made her start, turning to eye the man who was teetering, just managing not to fall down with one of the displays.

Her clear blue eyes narrowed slightly, there was something colder, sharper to her gaze and while her smile had tightened it still looked amused. “Sage, was it?” She asked, not pausing to wait for his reply. “Guess who just got himself a job… Well, some volunteer work. You’re going to help Heath over there put this back together, then you are going to meet me in my office out back… Be a good boy and i’ll make it worth your while.” The woman strode to the door, flipping the sign that said they were closed and locking the door. It would be a quiet night anyway, and this could be a bit of fun, maybe she’d terrify the guy just a little… Or just toy with him. Either way, he wasn’t walking out of here without some sort of lesson however vague. “Shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes, i’ll be waiting.” A click of her fingers had a disappointed looking Heath scurrying over to start picking things up, and snapping hostile instructions at Sage about how to lift and position it back in place.

Matilda did as she’d said, draping herself in the comfortable desk chair, one leg folder over the other and her eyes on a series of resumes, waiting for the man to make his appearance.

[Sage]

Sage found his footing steady enough to turn and take in the damage that was minimal at best. He had done far worse than leaving a rainbow of wispy lace strewn about the floor around him. This was no big thing even if the male employee was scurrying like an obedient pet trying to make amends for pissing in the wrong spot. His right hand massaged the scalp on his head below the chaotic natural auburn curl that went every which way but loose.Both his hands went to a firm lock at his hips eyeing the situation for what it was while hearing some orders rattled off to him. He had to smirk at the expectation applied to him.

“You can dream on, Jeeves.” Sage dismissed the guy while he started stepping towards the door that the woman used to disappear. “You clean up and I am going to give your boss a little advice.” He winked. “If you know what I mean.”

Sage left Heath whoever to struggle with the display that clearly required at least four hands to put back together. It wasn't like he worked there so why would he be taking directions from someone that did and was going to get paid for their time. Just as he found his way through the route she took he wondered if the guy he left behind really called him a ‘*****’. An amused laugh erupted from his lips.

“Nice space, lady, but figured I would be doing you a huge service by coming back here and filling you in on a few handy pieces of information.” He gave the place a quick once over then settled his sights on her. “You can order him around like your favorite little pet but no one tells me what to do. Got it?” He sniffed in some air through his right nostril as if that was the universal signal for him meaning business with what he said. His hands went to the waistband around his hips and shifted the material just enough to make himself a little more comfortable. “Now that we got that settled let’s cut to the chase. You be a good girl and hop on your desk. I am a busy man and I don't have all night.” Sage figured she wanted a quick shot at bumping uglies. It wasn't like she was the first woman in heels barking orders at him trying to get laid. He could read between the lines. Once he rocked her world and busted a nut he would be on his merry way.

[Matilda]

While she wasn’t listening intently she did have an ear trained on the situation in the shop front, hearing Heath’s shoes clapping against the floor as he rushed over to clear up the display. He hated mess, and loved his VM so as much as he would ***** and whine she knew he secretly got a thrill out of it, enjoyed having something to do and when she returned to it the display would be slightly different and he’d have numerous notes to share on why he’d made each choice, how he’d decided on every tiny detail. Notes which she’d smile blankly at, nodding woodenly to appease him. The other man? Well, she figured it wouldn’t take long for him to follow her instead, she’d left a juicy bone dangling and he was going to try to snap his jaws around it.

What an idiot.

She heard him refer to Heath as “Jeeves” and get called a ***** in return, not terribly unusual, but it was pretty amusing to listen to. Matilda allowed herself a small smile before straightening her features into something more serious, waiting for the sound of footsteps to reach her door, knowing he would think himself important enough to just stroll in, no knocking. The man, Sage, waited less than a breath before launching into his little speech, calling her lady although she’d given her name and making a show of testosterone that would almost be laughable if he didn’t take himself so seriously… Or did he? That was it, wasn’t it? It was that strange mixture of not giving a ****, and yet acting like he owned the world, hard to really pin down and make a decision on so most people would probably write him off or weaker types get wrapped up in his bravado ******** and enamored with him.

“Thanks for the lesson. Now. Sit down, baby boy and let ME teach you a thing or two.” She rose from her chair, moving around to stand in front of him. He was still taller, but not by much thanks to her heels and she took him by the shoulders, putting little of her true strength into the task of shoving him bodily into one of the large, plush chairs. The blonde made a show of looking flirtatious, there was a sharpness in the depths of her gaze but it was hidden beneath that layer of girlish want, moving forwards so that she could climb onto the chair over him, knees sliding other side of his eyes. “You think i’m going to **** some messy little vagabond who wants to act like a boss in MY domain? You think you are above rules, you are better than them or they just don’t apply to you because you like, don’t conform man, you are like totally on a different level.” She scoffed at him, her voice growing cold, sharp. Her welcoming pleasantness was gone, her body hovering over him, eyes locked on his as her hand reached up to snap pale fingers around his throat. She held him like that, enough pressure to cause discomfort, to make it difficult to speak around if he tried.

“Sage… I am the boss. A boss. In this shop, on the street or in any ******* place you choose to lay your head down, it doesn’t matter. I am MORE than you. You can hate it, you can try to rally against it all you like but you will respect it.” Her fingers fluttered, tightening and loosening, glimpses of the strength she possessed. “I can be sweet, Sage.” Her body lowered until they were flush against each other, lap to lap, the woman giving slow, deliberate shifts of her hips as her mouth found his ear. “I can be very, very good to those who choose to show me the respect i’ve earned, who want to make an almost honest living, or who are smart enough to have some self preservation.” She spoke like a poem, a flow to her words, her voice feminine and breathy against his ear. Her skin was cool to the touch, and in the dim light she was beautiful but the second any harshness would hit her he’d see her for what she was. A monster, prowling the darkness.

Silently she thanked herself for thinking ahead, for the soft moody lightning, the chill music that had an ambiguously sexy tone to it, hard to put your finger on why the smooth sounds made you want to sway, to smooth your hands over your hips and trace the shape of curves. Ideal, when you wanted to sell lingerie. “You have a choice, Sage, try to be a good boy and get rewarded for it or continue to be an asshat and be dinner, mate.” Her fangs were petite, needle points gleaming in her smile, too sharp beneath her tongue as she ran it over them. She was hungry, so hungry and he was warm, he was hot, skin flushed in a way that made her think of what junk he’d put in his system. Would he taste bad? Would he make her head swim? Her body feel dozy and heavy? Perhaps it would be the opposite, liquid energy that made her feel limitless.

“What do you want it to be?” She shifted sharply, hips rocking a little more firmly over him as mouth dipped to close around the incessant pulse resting just above where her hand clutched at throat, suckling the flesh to colour, a mottled pink that would turn purple with continued attention. He could decide, it would be easy enough to bite him, to let him become woozy and send him on home or if things went wrong, to kill him… Some sick part of her mind had the urge then to turn him, just to make him suffer under her, beneath her in a monster’s body. Rip him from life, and make him her childe, make him hate and fear her. Matilda gave a little gasp, a quiet sound, fingers easing up on their hold just slightly as she processed and pushed it away. No, she’d bite him, heal him and kick him out on his dopey *** if he wanted to misbehave but that was it.

She wasn’t about to sully her new shop with murder.

[Sage]

Well now, wasn’t this his lucky night. A shameless, bold woman with a set of killer heels and an attitude to match. He could say ones like her were a dime a dozen in the world and for the most part he would be right but it wouldn’t apply to him. He knew this all too well. Not to a man like Sage. Perhaps to the men or women who walked in shoes with the hundred dollar soles beneath them. But certainly not him. He was by no means in her league as far as the bank account went. He didn’t even have a piggy bank back at the shelter. He had at most a pack of stale Juicy Fruit that he should really think about chewing on with the way Ms. Congeniality was working over his lap. Something between his jaws sweet and grinding down was more his type of fix because there other option could most likely get him arrested if he gave into his hands.

“Let me guess you wanna be the cowgirl only if I bend over and take your orders like a champ.” His voice was low, strangled partially by her impressive grip and a bit weighted with the self-induced wear and tear of too many packs of generic cigarettes that he would regret later in his life. “Now you are talking. But visitor team gets choice of who is up to bat first.”

So typical. The proposition of sex or blood was already coming with expectations after the lovin feeling was gone. Her cool hands were on his throat as she spoke of the reasons that they were different. She missed one. She was a bloodsucker...had to be. While that point was hardly lost on him there was nothing like a little play with danger now and then to get a temporary rush until his chemically induced one was available. If she was trying to seduce him with those points that separated them then he was going to find it really easy to get the only job he saw needing to be done at that moment. Sage was a realist. He wondered if she would be so up close and personal if she knew what a powder keg of what-the-**** she was perching herself on. The pull of the skin at his neck had his eyes momentarily floating back beneath the lids that reacted like cheap motel blinds that were tugged down with sinful fingers fueled by anticipation.

“You want a good boy stalk the the St. James Cathedral.”

He stood up with the woman getting a lift with the assistance of his hands. Hands that were more than adequate at cupping the bottom of the woman who was proving to be less than a handful in his palms. Petite and not very sweet. She was already being typecasted in his head. His intention was to make it as far as possible from being some sort of personal investment on his part when he pushed his own point a little more firmly at her. His steps back towards her desk said as much as he did nothing to remove her cold hands from his hot, throbbing neck. He swam in cold lakes before. How much different could she be?

“You want something bad then relax, sit back and I will drive.” With that her *** was on the surface of the desk and one of his hands found her hair. Boldly the length of his fingers disrupted any organization going on in the up-do she had worked out before he walked into the shop. “What’s it gonna be?”

[Matilda]

A cowgirl? If only he had a clue. Matilda had grown up riding horses, she'd gotten to travel with a family friend on a herding trip, sleeping under the stars and feeling as she'd never get the red dirt out of her hair. It was a great way to grow up, she'd been taught a lot of unique skills and had some great experiences she'd never forget. Her mother tried her best to teach her girl about fashion and the arts, about using her wit and intelligence as well as physicality to get by. The woman was French, had been a teacher and had moved to Australia to be with the man she loved, a country New South Wales boy with a big cheeky grin, broad shoulders and an overwhelming capacity for love. Matilda knew how to use her charms when she wanted to, but she was also a hell of a lot stronger and far more capable than her delicate frame betrayed. There was tone to her muscle that became apparent as she moved above him, she was willowy and thin but her curves were feminine, soft to touch and trace.

The choked nature of his voice was somewhat satisfying, raspy beneath her grip, feeling him try to swallow and the difficulty her hold presented. He thought she wanted to bend him over? Of course he did, the silly boy, though again hie was blissfully unaware as to what exactly he was volunteering himself for.

His hands were slipping beneath her, so assertive in his touch as if he thought that everthing he laid them on was under his command, his control. He owned the world and he'd never paid a damn cent, never would. Possessions were fleeting, he took them but he didn't care for them, didn't necessarily want them just wanted something to own even if it was for a minute. He wanted to discard it, just as quickly as he'd taken it. That's what she thought of this man, the one trying to press his point home like he had every right to. Sure, she'd gotten in his personal space so that seemed fair, Matilda couldn't fault him for giving it a red hot go. That hand had remained at his throat, the other gripping his shoulder as he'd carried her the short distance to the desk, sitting her atop it.

"You're mental mate, legit something in that pretty little head of yours isn't right. A screw or two loose, gotta be." The weight of her long waves of fair hair were tumbling down, caressing her shoulders and the back of her neck in a way that tickled enough to make her resist a shiver. Something in her enjoyed the control being taken, but it had always been in her nature to fight control, especially from smarmy men. Hadn't that been what lead her so frequently into trouble? You couldn't tame them, and she wouldn't settle or be complacent at their whim so it was a constant push and pull. It was exciting, in a way, it got her fired up for a fight and she did love a good fight. "I'm not looking for a boy at all, or a man for that matter. I'll take one, sure, for a bit of fun but what makes you think you've got the goods to be in that position? You've got balls, i'll give you that but I don't need a man to drive. If you want to do that, grab your own damn stick and shift. Please, give me a little bit more respect than that you daft ********." She pressed him back, pushing against the windpipe under hand to do so.

There were so many ways in which she could make him suffer in that moment, so many abilities she had control over that she could use. The shadows were at her command, she had a firm grip over inflicting damage and the ability to heal, she could deplete his energy or dampen his charisma but for what? No, not yet, she was stronger than him without any of that. She drew leg towards her, knee bent so that her foot could make it's way to his shoulder, heel digging painfully above his collarbone as she pushed downwards, hands forcing him towards his knees beneath her guiding pressure. The leg still hooked behind him kicked at the back of his knees, those wicked points of her heels driving home to send the final message that maybe, just maybe he should let them buckle. "Don't be stupid. You could be useful. I need someone to keep this place tidy, and run some... Errands for me. They won't always be of the most savoury variety. Besides, it comes with a nice pay check and some pretty panties for your lily white ***. Don't piss me off, listen and try to actually learn something for once in your pathetic life and you might just get some goodies out of it... ***** work, mostly, but it would do you some good."