An Author's Angst Page 5

  "Earth to Venia," Jeffrey said with a chuckle.

  "Um, what?"

  "I asked if I can offer you something to drink. I can put on a pot of coffee or I'd be happy to open a bottle of wine if you prefer."

  "Wine would be nice," Venia agreed, "though coffee is good too." Great, good answer, Venia—how can he take you seriously if he thinks that you are not only not paying attention, you can't even give him a simple answer!

  "Why don't you make yourself comfortable while I get the wine?" Jeffrey suggested, leading her towards the couch. "I'll only be a minute."

  Sinking onto the couch, she nodded and watched as he went into the kitchen. While he opened the wine, she opened her notebook. Seeing the caricature she'd drawn of the mad scientist, and slightly horrified that somehow a paddle had been tucked into one of the pockets of his lab coat, she grimaced and hurriedly flipped to a fresh page. Digging a pen out of her purse, she took several deep breaths. Remembering her looming deadline, she knew she needed to get her mind off her fantasies and start discussing possible story lines.

  "Thank you," she said as she accepted the glass he offered. When he took a seat beside her instead of in the chair across from the couch, she found it necessary to take a long drink of the wine instead of sipping it properly. Though he said nothing, she blushed and set the glass down on the end table.

  "Tell me, exactly what sort of help are you looking for?"

  Ignoring the impulse to blurt out her first thought, she tapped her pen against her notebook. "I don't know if you realize it but I'm an author."

  "That's impressive," Jeffrey said, sitting back and crossing his ankles. "What sort of books do you write?"

  "You won't know of them," Venia said.

  "Why do you assume that? I'm quite the avid reader."

  Looking across to him, she smiled. "Unless you read romances, I doubt you would have read one of my books. I write under the pen name Scarlett Rose."

  She saw his eyebrow lift and the grin he gave her as he took a sip of his wine had her grabbing her own glass again. "That's a very pretty name. Tell me, are these romances the types with long haired, bare chested men on the covers? Are there beautiful, fainting damsels in distress being held in very muscular arms?"

  This time she could not stop her giggles or her blush. "Perhaps you have read them after all. You sure pegged my publisher's idea of what draws a potential reader's attention."

  Shaking his head, he chuckled. "I'm more of a scientific journal type of guy." He took another sip. "That doesn't mean to say that I am not aware that such books have an audience and you might be surprised to learn that I have read a few books that, shall we say, might be considered even more likely to bust a woman's bodice."

  Finding her glass empty, she gulped. "Oh… um, well, that's very… um, enlightening."

  "I'd like you to enlighten me on what Dina meant by hypotheticals."

  Venia nodded and clicked her pen. "Right." She went on to explain how she was in a rut and gave him a rundown of the discussion at the book club meeting. "I liked the idea of writing some sort of scientific thriller and since Dina is a scientist, I sort of roped her into helping." She tapped her notebook again. "I didn't realize her idea of help was to foist me off on you. As I said, I…"

  "And as I said, I don't feel saddled by you and certainly don't feel you've been foisted on me," Jeffrey interrupted. "I'll get us a refill and then I'll be glad to see if I can help you climb out of that rut."

  As he went back to the kitchen, Venia finally relaxed. He wasn't rolling his eyes and didn't appear upset at Dina's actions. When he handed her the glass, she took a small sip and set it down. "Okay, so listening to the project about the mice, I had an idea. While I understand that genetic research or cloning isn't going to be demonstrated, what do you think about having a plot that includes them in a book? What sort of chemical could they accidentally, or better yet—be fed on purpose—that would have them growing to some immense size and escaping the maze? Then, how could they infect the population without being discovered until people start dropping like flies?"

  His look of incredulity didn't stop her. "Or, if that is a bit far-fetched, how about some chemical experiment going horribly wrong. You know, spores or whatever leak through the malfunctioning ventilation grids in a top-secret laboratory and spread throughout the world. That might be better as no one is going to be able to ignore a colony of mice the size of horses running around."

  "Well, that's a relief," he said when she finally paused. "For a moment there, I thought you were going to infect the world with a new strain of Bubonic plague."

  "Oh—that's an idea!" Venia exclaimed, scribbling the words down on the page before drawing a mouse beside it.

  "I was kidding," Jeffrey said. He leaned forward to put his glass down on the coffee table before settling back again. "If you want to be ridiculous, why don't you just infect those men on your covers and have them running amok infecting all the women of the world?"

  "Infecting them with what?" Venia asked, lifting her head to look at him. "I don't want to kill off just the women. I want to have something believable."

  His eyebrow rose in a way that had her stomach flip. "Seriously?"

  "Well, not totally believable," she admitted. "Remember, this is fantasy and not some article for one of your stuffy journals."

  "Watch it, Mrs. Varner," Jeffrey said as he sat up and leaned towards her. "I didn't make disparaging remarks about Scarlett's books and you'd do well to remember those stuffy journals are just as entertaining to me as your books are to your readers. I'm going to be honest and say that I find it hard to believe that someone as intelligent and dedicated as you are to your craft finds the need to write a bunch of drivel that is only meant to frighten people."

  Sitting up a bit herself, she felt a need to defend her ideas. "Life is scary!"

  "I can't argue with that," he agreed as he reached out and took the notebook from her hands, setting it beside his wine glass. "I'm just stating that there is no need to scare people further."

  Venia couldn't seem to think. Her brain was whirling but she was only aware of his presence beside her and the feeling that she had truly disappointed him. Not having her notebook to keep her hands occupied, she moved to grab her wine glass only to have her hand stilled as he took it in his.

  "I propose you give this some more thought. Perhaps do some personal research before you go off half-cocked."

  "What-what sort of research?" Her heart was pounding as he stroked her palm with his fingertip. She looked towards the hall that led to his office, her bottom beginning to tingle beneath her.

  "I suggest you come out to the lab. I'll give you a tour and you can get some idea of what happens in scientific research. Though we don't have any mutant mice at the present, at the very least, you can see how some of the equipment works."

  Slightly disappointed and yet intrigued, she nodded. "Thank you. That sounds like a good idea. I've never been in a real lab before."

  "Then we shall consider that the plan." Jeffrey pressed her hand as he stood, drawing her up with him. "However, I believe you need to remember another visit was scheduled for tonight. Now is the time to let me know if you want to expand your research into more than just the lab. Do you wish me to drive you home or would you like to see my office?"

  All disappointment evaporated. It was with her heart pounding in her throat that she nodded. "I do recall someone stating I was to be sent to the office."

  "Good girl. The bathroom is just down the hall to the left. When you are ready, the office is directly across on the right."

  "Yes, sir," Venia said as he released her hand. As she followed his directions, she felt her face heat and the skin on her backside crawl. Thoughts of her impending deadline or science disappeared as she stepped into the bathroom and saw her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes shone in a way they hadn't in so long. Though she'd taken advantage of Vance's services, this was totally different. For some reason, she found it extre
mely easy to slip into the role of that naughty school girl. After using the facilities, she snapped her jeans closed, grateful to discover she wasn't wearing what could be considered as granny panties. Hers might not be the latest in either fashion or sexiness, but at least they were a pretty pale blue with a lacy waistband. Another deep calming breath had her reaching for the doorknob. If research is what the good doctor—make that sexy scientific doctor—ordered, who was she to disagree?

  Chapter Seven

  Jeffrey sat behind his desk with a huge grin on his face. He had adored watching the expressions flit across Venia's face. They had ranged from shock, to embarrassment, to desire—the last giving him the distinct impression that the woman was indeed ready to play out the scenario they'd been toying with for the past few hours. He bit back a chuckle when he heard distinct giggling in the hall. The naughty little school girl had discovered the kitchen chair he'd quickly placed outside his door while she'd been in the bathroom. He felt a sense of excitement that he hadn't experienced in a long time. Who knew that right beneath his nose he might have found the woman he'd been searching for. True, this was but their first foray into what he hoped would be but one of many scenes they might play together, but it was with fervent hope that it wouldn't be their last.

  Moving some books and papers to one side of his desk, he gave her five minutes to sit and think about why she'd been sent to his office before he rose. Opening the door, he looked down as her head lifted. In his sternest voice, he spoke. "I must say, I was quite disappointed when Professor Einstein informed me that you have been quite disruptive in his class, Miss Varner. Come in, please."

  He didn't miss the flash of mischief in her eyes or the way her hand went behind her as if to protect her ass. Stepping aside, he opened the door further. "Take a seat while you still are able to do so." Her gasp had him grinning as he closed the door a bit more forcefully than necessary. Her small jump at the loud sound had him biting back a chuckle as he watched her scurry to the second chair he'd taken from the kitchen and placed in front of his desk. He took his time resuming his own seat and once settled, shook his head as he reached for the notebook he'd also brought into the room.

  Flipping through the pages and pretending to read, his eye was caught by the caricature, noticing immediately that a paddle had been added. It seemed all of his instincts had been right so far and he had no urge to change direction. Looking up, he saw the miscreant seated with her ankles crossed and her hands folded neatly on her lap. He didn't see a middle-aged woman. He saw a beautiful female whose beauty and sense of fun, as she batted her eyelashes, took his breath away.

  "I'd like to hear your version of what happened in the lab today. Care to enlighten me, Miss Varner?" he asked as he folded his hands over the notebook.

  "Um, what did Professor Einstein say happened?"

  "I don't appreciate you answering my question with one of your own, young lady." He watched as she fought not to smile, sitting up even straighter. "Come now, there is no reason to play the innocent. I have no doubt that you can tell me exactly what has your poor professor in such a dither." He saw her lips twitch and discovered he couldn't wait to hear her answer.

  "I can't help it if I find dissecting frogs icky," Venia said as she began to play along. "Besides, does he have absolute proof that I was the one who let the frogs out of the cage?"

  Her creativeness gave him an idea that she must be quite the author. Though he wanted to chuckle, he forced himself to remain stoic. "I believe finding you at the open window shoving amphibians out as fast as you could constitutes irrevocable evidence of your guilt. Not only have you taken away the opportunity for your classmates to do their first dissection, you have cost the school money. Do you have any idea how much we pay for those frogs?"

  She lifted one hand to wave around in the air. "They didn't look very expensive to me. It's not like they've been genetically altered to be super frogs." He almost lost it when she obviously had to fight back a giggle. "Besides, you probably have some students go down to the river and catch them when they hop from lily pad to lily pad."

  Jeffrey found himself actually visualizing some sort of frog party, often having heard loud croaking filling the air in the brook that ran behind his fence. He leaned a bit forward in his chair. "Then I don't believe you shall have any objection to replacing every one of the creatures?"

  Venia shrank back in her chair, her mouth open in shock. "Ewww, that's just gross. I'm not trampling around in some creepy swamp at night time. There might be alligators waiting to eat me alive! What are you trying to do, scare me?"

  "Someone just commented on the fact that life can be scary," he said with a slow smile. "I assure you, young lady, while that may be true, I'd never put you in harm's way." He paused as if thinking. "Since the swamp is out, tell me, how exactly do you plan on paying for your misbehavior?" At her quick glance around the room, he grinned. Was she looking for escape or perhaps to see if he had implements hanging on the wall? Realizing that she was looking at the corner across from his desk, his grin grew. He kept silent, wanting her to take the first step to give him permission for the role play to continue.

  "Um, since my daddy doesn't give me a big allowance, maybe I can stand in the corner for a little while?"

  "I see. Is that all your daddy will expect when you give him the note that I'll be sending home with you?"

  Her eyes snapped to his. "Oh, please, Principal Humphries, you don't need to do that."

  "Ah, I see," Jeffrey said, nodding his head slowly. "From your reaction, I get the impression that your parents aren't going to be pleased about your decision to impede science?"

  "They won't be pleased but since this is the first time I've been sent to the principal's office, perhaps you can give me a break. Besides, I don't consider it impeding anything. I'd like to consider it as being a simple protest against animal cruelty."

  "Consider this, Miss," he said as he sat back and put on a stern expression. "You will stand in the corner for one minute for every frog you urged to freedom. Then, young lady, you will present yourself before the board of correction."

  He was a bit amazed to see her grin as if totally unconcerned about her sentence.

  "Are there any animal lovers on this board? Perhaps they might be a bit more sympathetic to my cause."

  Jeff shook his head as he leaned forward, his eyes holding hers. "I wonder if you will continue to be so flippant after you meet with the 'board', Miss Varna." Her eyes widened and she squirmed on her chair but didn't protest. "Tell me, do you have any idea of the number of frogs that will need to be replaced?"

  Asking her the question would give her the control over the rest of the 'lesson'. While he'd not give her a choice in the future, if they had a future, for this first time, he wanted to let her understand that it was up to her what happened next.

  He was very pleased when she nodded. "I think maybe a dozen?" Something in her eyes had him ask his next question.

  "Shall I go ask Professor Einstein if he agrees with that answer?"

  "No!" she shouted and then looked down at her feet. "I mean, it might have been a few more."

  "Would twenty cover it?"

  Her head lifted and her tongue darted out to lick along her bottom lip. He felt his cock twitch as she nodded. "Yes, sir. I think twenty would be quite fair."

  "Good, you may go to the corner and think about how you might make a proper apology to your professor."

  Venia walked to the corner and leaned forward to place her nose against the juncture of the two walls. Without questioning his reasoning, Jeffrey spoke again. "I believe that bottom can be displayed a bit more prominently, Miss Varner. Push it out and up if you don't mind. You aren't standing there to take a nap. You are to be thinking about what happens to very naughty, sassy young ladies." When he saw her bottom lift and push out into the room, he had to choke back a groan and reach down to adjust himself. He'd need every one of those twenty minutes to get himself under control.

  *
* * * *

  Venia was trembling as she pushed her bottom out. God, how many years had it been since she'd been facing a corner? Greg had found it a very effective punishment because it forced her to stand still and think. She had a hard time sitting and doing nothing. When they watched television, she'd have her laptop on her knees typing away even as the movie played or she'd be knitting something, her long suffering husband having learned to tune out the clicking of her needles. Standing here, in Jeffrey's office, felt more like play than discipline. Of course, the fact that her jeans were still fastened and her bottom hadn't been bared and paddled helped support that illusion. Despite her position, she smiled. It just felt so right somehow. She knew that her daughter, Cecily, would most likely be shaking her head and trying to persuade her husband that 'mother' needed therapy but she also knew that Lizzy would be jumping up and down in joy and pestering her for every single detail. When she heard him state she could come out of the corner, she was a bit shocked. Had it really been twenty minutes? Her shock had her thinking of another question—was he really going to follow through and paddle her?

  Her heart skipped a beat as she stepped away from the wall and turned back towards the desk. Jeffrey had moved from his swivel chair behind his desk to take a seat on the kitchen chair. He had placed what did indeed appear to be a paddle within easy reach. He caught her glance and kept his eyes on her face as he began rolling up his sleeves, something that had her stomach flipping. She knew that all it would take would be for her to laugh and move towards the door and her ass would be safe. He was not a man to force himself on her. She also knew he had no intention of making this any easier because he remained silent, allowing her to make the choice.