My body wouldn’t stop throbbing.Taking a deep breath, I pushed my desire away the best I could.But my mind went back to how Lucas was when we were together.
He was dominant back then, but only in the bedroom.The rest of the time he kept his dominant side harnessed, and I made my own choices.And he was a gentleman, always had a hand on my arm, or waist, or holding my hand, making sure I was safe and so much more.Is that what I’d been missing all these years, the comfort of being safe?
It’s possible.I had dated, but I’d only slept with three men after Lucas.Each one was okay in his own way, but they weren’t Lucas.Had Lucas spoiled me for other men?Maybe.It was something to chew over.It was Friday; maybe tonight we could spend some time together and explore where this relationship was going.
We spent the next hour going over all the equipment.What I found the most interesting was the variety of equipment and the difference in each one.Some of the wood was different, and there were more flaws.My body was still on fire when we finished, but there wasn’t anything I could do about it.At least not right now.
“Let’s go talk with the owner,” Lucas said, reaching for my hand.
I placed it behind my back.“Are we going to mention anything about the equipment?”At least Lucas walked easier now.I didn’t dare glance to see if he still had an erection.It would make me want to…Mind on business not sex.I almost laughed out loud at my insane thought.
“No.This was more to see what we’d find.I want to talk it over with the others before we do.”
“Okay.Do you think I can chat with their accountant?”
“About?”
“I’m curious about how they categorize everything.I know I’ve been going over the books, but some of the categories are not as intuitive as I think they should be.”
“It shouldn’t be a problem.They know we’re looking into the books.”We walked across the warehouse floor, and that’s when I realized something.I tugged Lucas to a stop.He looked at me.
“Have you noticed how there is no noise and no people are walking around?”Not since Fred left us alone.That was odd for a manufacturing company.
“Not until you mentioned it.You’re right; it’s too quiet.”Lucas knocked on the open door, and we stepped in.Fred sat behind his desk.He stood as we approached.
“Did you enjoy your tour?”he asked us.
“Yes.”Lucas stared at Fred.“Have all those pieces been through quality control?”
Fred glanced around, looking nervous.“They should have.I’ll have them double checked.”
Lucas nodded.
“I’m really interested in how your accountant handles the categories for all of this.Is it possible to talk with them?”I wasn’t going to beat around the bush.
Fred frowned, then nodded.“I know Fantasies, Inc.is auditing our books, so I don’t see why not.Let me introduce you.”We left his office and went to another one.A woman sat behind an old wooden desk with ledgers open.Her black hair was pulled back into a bun, and she was frowning.
Fred called her name.“Clara…”
She lifted her head, and I blinked.There was something familiar about her, but I couldn’t quite place it.“Hello,” she said, closing the books on her desk.
“This is Lucas and Valerie from Fantasies, Inc.”Fred emphasized the company name as he shifted from one foot to the other.“Valerie has a question or two for you.”
Clara stiffened and stared at Fred, then she glanced at me.“Sure.What is your question?”
“I was wondering how you classify the equipment.I noticed that most of the furniture gets classified under a main category.Does that get broken down into sub-categories?”I already knew the answer, I’d seen some sub-categories, but they didn’t always make sense to me.
“It really depends.I put all the spanking benches in one category, along with the crosses, but some of the other items go under miscellaneous.”
I nodded.By using miscellaneous it would create an accounting nightmare of knowing inventory in stock, constructed, sold, and rented.What was the company hiding?“Thank you; I was curious.”While that seemed like a straightforward answer, no company that I’d ever worked didn’t have detailed sub-categories.
“You’re quite welcome.”
Fred led us out of Clara’s office.Something didn’t sit right with me, but I wouldn’t say anything until Lucas and I were alone.I didn’t want to tip them off that I was anything more than just someone who worked for FI and not someone going over their books.
“Thanks for letting us come and visit.I’m sorry we can’t see the manufacturing side.We need to get back to the office.”Lucas shook Fred’s hand.
“You’re more than welcome.We look forward to working with you.”Fred shook my hand too.
