Page 2 of Edging Obsession

“Jules, you’ve been with us for quite some time. I’ve given you countless opportunities.”

I perk up and start firing away. “Did I do something wrong? I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. What can I—?”

Fred lifts his hands in a stop position and says, “Slow down, Jules. We’re only talking. It’s my job to make sure things run smoothly at this magazine.”

My nerves are sparked. “I understand. I do. You’re a great boss.”

“Now, now, calm down. This is a chat about your performance and expectations. You’re not getting fired.”

I glance around the room, and when he bows his head, I adjust my breasts so they’re bloating out of my blouse. When he raises his head, his eyes zero in on them, he clears his throat and says, “It’s no secret some of the employees have been somewhat discouraged by your work. I’ve placated several of the people making the complaints until now. Some of them went over my head regarding you, which is why we’re having this discussion.”

This can’t be happening today. First Carl and now my job? What the hell? I can’t prevent my lips from quivering, my breasts heaving up and down, capturing Fred’s attention. I swap a tissue from the box sitting on his desk and blow my nose.

“Everything will be fine, Jules.” He comes around to pat my shoulder, and somehow his hand drifts onto my breast. I still, our eyes lock, until he moves it to my arm, taking the chair next to me. My knees are his next target as he rubs them in a circular motion.

“No need to worry about something that hasn’t happened yet. As of today, I need to put you on probation.” My eyes widen while my mouth opens. Fred stops me from saying anything. “It’s only a trial run. But I have a solution.”

He licks his lips while he gives my knees one last rub and sits back. “I’m going to give you the biggest opportunity of your life. You’re going to do a ‘day-in-the-life’ of The Coven. The biggest band today.”

I lean forward, my breasts pouring out of my blouse. Fred glances at my mouth, and swallows down an accumulation of saliva. My back crashes against the chair when he kisses me on the lips. The nicotine habit withered his mouth—skin puckered and rough against the softness of mine. He backs away, keeping his hands on my thighs. We say nothing for a moment, letting the instance evaporate.

“This will work, Jules. For two weeks, you’ll travel with the band, and then write an article about a day in the life of The Coven.”

The Coven is the biggest international band on the planet. Their music is deep, moving, and the diverse songs set them apart from other bands. My favorite song of theirs isButterfly Winds, which always evokes emotions in me.

I pat my lips with my fingertips, eyes remaining on him, and say, “I can’t thank you enough for this, Fred.”

“This is a make-or-break opportunity. If you produce an outstanding piece, you’re off probation, but if you don’t…” His eyes devour my body, and he readjusts in his seat to hide his arousal. It isn’t working. “If you don’t, then I’ll have to fire you.” He looks into my eyes. “Neither of us want that, so make sure this is the best thing you’ve ever produced.”

I nod and smile. “I will. I promise I’ll make you proud.”

We sit there staring at each other while his hands slide up my thighs, back to my knees, and fall away. I stand and move behind the chair to stop anymore intrusions.

“When do I leave?”

Fred walks over to his desk, puts on his glasses, and reads a short memo. “Tomorrow.” He gives me a once over. “Is that too early?”

I go to the door as I say, “Not at all. I’ll prep now, pack tonight, and meet the band tomorrow.” The door opens and my eyebrows knit together as I ask, “Where am I meeting them?”

“At their bus. I’ll send you the address.”

Before I close the door, I say, “Thanks so much, Fred. You won’t be disappointed.”

In the bathroom, I squeal from excitement, and place my hand against my chest once realization sets in. I can’t believe Fred felt me up and kissed me. I let out a shocked laugh. It’s never gone this far. A peek here and there is fine, but he just about molested me in his office. And I let him. For what? To keep my job?

Hell yes! I can’t believe he gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. To meet the members of The Coven. I’ve been following their careers for a while. The lead singer, Callan Crothers, started the band with the lead guitarist, Ace Dilliard. They played at parties, and added bass player, Thomas Capers to the mix. The band progressed to small gigs and seedy bars. It wasn’t until Miles Nash, the drummer and handsomest of them all, joined that the band took off. They went from small bars to arenas overnight, which spread throughout the States and into Europe. Dubbed “The Atomic Band”, The Coven has been going strong for several years. And I’m going to be traveling with them.

2

Our manager Lee calls a meeting this morning to inform us we’ll have a woman traveling with us for the next two weeks. She’s going to write an article on the band’s daily life. He asks us to make ourselves available to her, so she can interview us along the way. This is the last thing I want to hear. My personal life is private. Lee and the band can beg all they want for me to open my life to the public, but it will never happen. I’d rather peel my skin from bone. The Coven has created a different persona for me, and I intend to keep things separate. I’m here to play music, not talk about my private life. She’ll have to fill the article with Callan, Ace, and Thomas’ fucked up lives. Callan hasn’t heard of the word discretion. His words and actions are an open book, so she should have enough juice for her article.

I’m glancing out the window when Callan smacks my leg. “Dude, Lee says she’s hot as fuck. Like gloryhole hot!”

I shove him and he falls to the ground, calling me a dick. My head shakes as I think,Fuck no!A gloryhole woman is nothing more than a prostitute used by inadequate and insecure men. More like boys who fail in the dick department in size and/or performance. Not a problem for me in either. I’m too fucking old to be squandering my time on groupies and whores. The rockstar life isn’t one I’ve adapted to. Drums are what brought me here, and I had hoped to find a wife by now. A submissive one who is willing to settle into the lifestyle.

We’re sitting on the bus, waiting for this woman to arrive before hitting the road. Today is the first day of a month-long sold-out tour around the East Coast, and then we fly to the West Coast, Midwest, Southern states, and Europe. Once this article woman arrives, we’ll head to Boston for a concert at Fenway Park. I’m not a baseball fan but I do like open arenas. A deafening crowd in an open arena proves you’re getting the job done.

Ace and Thomas are playing chords on their guitars, and Callan is watching porn on his phone. I head to the back of the bus for some space. This is a big bus, but there’s still not enough room for me. My private phone is hidden in a small compartment of my bunk. I snatch it and enter the lounge area with a TV, which is on and muted. In the leather chair, I scroll through my messages and come across several from my brother. Problems are brewing back home. He hopes I’ll come back soon. Even though he follows my career, he can’t comprehend the demands and schedule. The way he sees it, I’m a traveling drummer who can come and go when he pleases. I shoot off a few texts to him before Lee asks me to join them.

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