Page 1 of Mark & Don't Tell

One

DARIA

“We should start with the butt plugs,” Arnold says, gesturing to the array of toys spread across the conference room table, courtesy of Good Vibes.

The sex positive adult store is a prospective client, and Mandy, my boss, has called us all in to brainstorm. And Arnold is an idiot.

Holding up my hand, I shake my head. “I’m all for butt plugs?—”

“I bet you are.” He snickers.

“One, fuck you, two, starting with butt plugs first is a bit aggressive, don’t you think? Good Vibes is all about elevating the adult toy industry and starting with this”—I grab a little pink plug—“is cute, but we want to make people comfortable, like they can trust Good Vibes.”

Arnold’s upper lip curls in annoyance. “Actually?—”

“No,” Mandy says, cutting Arnold off. “Daria is right.”

Do I smirk? Abso-fucking-lutely. Arnold is a total dick. I try to give people the benefit of the doubt, but Arnold is just...

“You’re taking her side again?” the alpha asks with a huff.

An entitled asshole. And frankly, I’m a little tired of alphas and betas as of late, ever since the last pack that courted me cheated. And the one before that said it was me, not them, and the one before that, well, you get the point. My many attempts to find love have failed miserably. No matter how badly I craved a pack, fate screwed me over and over, and the bitch didn’t even let me come. I’ve spent most of the last year swearing off love and avoiding all things dating. Avoiding all things alpha and beta.

Of course, there’s no avoiding Arnold, though. We work together at Moon & Rock, one of the best marketing firms in Norfolk, Virginia, and we’re both in the running to cover Keisha’s spot as Marketing Coordinator once she takes maternity leave in two months. It’s not a permanent position, but it’s a stepping stone. I’d be able to prove that I can handle the duties, and if I play my cards right, I might be the next candidate for a promotion.

I’ve only been with the firm for a little over nine months, but I’ve worked my ass off. Mandy knows and appreciates it. Unfortunately, Arnold has done the same.

Fucker.

I’m determined to win this client over.

“Maybe we should start with the nipple clamps,” Cece suggests.

“Are you kidding me? You think nipple clamps are the next best option?” Arnold snaps, unnecessarily taking his anger out on her.

I hate that I agree with him, but I’m not about to let him make her feel like an idiot. “It’s honestly a lot better than your idea.”

“Children,” Mandy warns but says nothing else as she circles the table. These meetings can get a little intense. It’s part of the process, she always says.

It’s a bit like the Hunger Games, only instead of fighting to the death with weapons, we’re battling over an approach while wielding dildos.

“The butt plugs?—”

“Arnold,” I say, taking a breath, “can we stop talking about the butt plugs for a few minutes and pivot?” There, how’s that for professionally saying shut the fuck up? Mandy might let us fight, but there are some lines I shouldn’t cross. Telling my co-worker to shove a butt plug up his ass is probably one of them.

He scowls at me and leans back in his chair so hard, it creaks in protest. “Pivot away, Dori.”

I ignore him purposely messing up my name and eye the selection of toys. There are fleshlights, high-end dildos, vibrators, nipple clamps, chokers and collars, blindfolds, ball gags, handcuffs, and more. Oh, and can’t forget the butt plugs. Pushing out of my chair, I reach across the table and grab the mask.

Arnold scoffs.

Maybe it’s time to revisit impaling him on a plug.

The mask is made of soft satin or silk, and I run my fingers over it. “They’re not only selling toys, right?” As I glance around, Jane nods at me in encouragement. Smiling at my work bestie, I continue, “It’s an experience. The mask, the vibrators, the freaking butt plugs, they’re all part of sexual exploration. It’s sexy self-discovery. It’s enticing.” Mandy stops next to me, and I glance at her.

She takes the mask from my hands. “Good. This is good. I want everyone to run with this for the client meeting next week. Bring your best work.” She glances at Arnold. “More than butt plugs.”

He frowns and nods, pushing away from the table as everyone else stands. I start to gather my things, but Mandy’s hand falls on my forearm.

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