All weekend I’m trying not to let myself obsess about Sofia, but I’m finding it impossible not to keep thinking about her ass in that skirt.

I know it was a risk inviting her to my house like that and giving her that outfit. Part of me expected her to run away, maybe even make some kind of complaint against me. I didn’t care, though. I can see the way she looks at me. I know what it means.

And I was right. As soon as she walked into the room, she knew what was going on. She didn’t run away, didn’t hesitate. She did as I said.

And it gets my blood up, drives me fucking wild. It’s like the old days again: dirty, forbidden, but this time with a little something extra. I’m not sure what it is. Maybe it’s because we’re both adults now, and we’re more equals than we were before. Though I’m still very much in charge.

But there’s the possibility of something. When I was her teacher and she was just a teenager on the cusp of becoming a woman, it was pure lust between us. There was no thought about what she was like outside of the classroom, what her feelings and interests were. Now though, I find myself wanting to know her, to actually see her for the person she’s become. I want to peel back the layers of her, not just the layers of her clothing.

When I get into the office Monday morning, I spend an hour answering emails before I make a call to Josh. He’s the IT specialist at our company, the head of the department, and I can remember hiring him a long time ago. I made him a very rich man, all because I brought him on and trusted him, and now he’s a good, loyal friend.

Josh is in his late thirties, thinning hair, wiry frame. He’s a serious competitive runner and apparently has done some crazy distances. Minnie buzzes him into my office not long after I call him.

He sits down in the chair in front of me. “How’re the kids?” I ask him. “Ron and Tammy?”

“They’re good,” he says, smiling. “Good of you to remember their names.”

I shrug. “You’ve been with the company for a long time now.”

“True,” he says, frowning. “Since the start.”

“I actually called you in here to ask a favor,” I say.

He nods. “Sure, Jacob. Whatever you need.”

“Here’s the thing.” I need to do this delicately. What I’m about to ask isn’t strictly legal, and although we’re friendly and he definitely owes me, I don’t know how he’ll react. “I’m having issues with Karl Slay.”

He doesn’t look surprised. “I’ve heard rumors,” he admits.

“So you know all about him then. About what he’s been doing.”

“Sure,” he says, looking a little uneasy. “I mean, he’s pretty vicious. I hear he’s been trying to undermine you.”

“Trying very hard,” I say, nodding, glad he knows this much at least. “Look, I need a favor from you. Just something simple.”

“What is it?”

“I need you to watch him for me. I don’t want you to spy on him,” I add quickly when his expression gets dark. “But I do want to make sure he’s not attempting anything behind my back.”

Josh looks down at the floor. “I don’t know,” he admits. “I’m not supposed to keep any personal information, let alone share it.”

“I know,” I say to him. “And the fact that you take your job so seriously is why you’re so important to this company. But consider this a favor to me. Besides, I’m your boss, and all information on these systems is mine by law.”

He looks up and meets my gaze. “You don’t want all his emails?” he asks. “Just the ones about you?”

I nod, smiling. “Just if anything pertains to me.”

“That could be simple,” he says slowly. “Just a little filter on the back end. We wouldn’t even see anything else, just the stuff that mentions you.”

“That’s all I’m asking,” I say, smiling big.

He hesitates a second. “Are you sure we can do this?” he asks.

“Yes,” I say. “I’m positive. Look, it’s for the good of the company. Karl is up to something and I need to know what he’s doing.”

“Okay,” he says finally. “I’ll do it. But nothing more, okay?”

“Deal,” I say.

Josh gets up and we shake hands. He nods as he heads out of my office, already mumbling to himself, trying to figure out the problem.

I feel pretty good about how that went. I didn’t expect him just to agree to help me outright, but he did seem more willing than I thought. And the fact that he knows so much about the situation with Karl is pretty telling. Plus, anything done on company networks is technically company property, and so I have a right by law to view it all. Still, it’s a little uncomfortable for IT to pass along emails, I understand that.

I lean back in my chair and sigh. I hate resorting to this sort of fucking shit. I don’t like spying or being tricky if I can avoid it. I’d rather confront Karl out in the open, but that’s not how he operates. I have to meet him fire for fire and hope I can best him in whatever game he’s playing.

I open my bottom desk drawer and pull out a box. Last night I had a little present for Sofia rush delivered to my office as soon as the store opened. It’s all wrapped up already in very simple paper so as not to look too much like a present, as per my instructions. I suspect she’s going to enjoy it, but I have to be careful.

I don’t know how she’ll react to this, either. I know she accepted my proposal, but I don’t know if she fully understands what she’s getting herself into. I want to push her, test her boundaries, really take her further than she’s ever been before. I should probably be concentrating on my work issues, but this Sofia thing is far more interesting. Frankly, if I could just hide away and ignore everything else, concentrating all my energies on her, I would. I’d do it in a heartbeat.

And I bet she’d enjoy it. For now though, I’m stuck with juggling two things at once.

“Minnie?” I ask, buzzing her desk.

“Yes?”

“Can you deliver a little package for me?”

“Sure.” She comes in a second later, bold eye shadow, gaudy earrings. I’m a big fan of Minnie. She’s been with me since the early days, before we got big funding, and I’ve been paying her great ever since. She’s as loyal as they come, probably because she makes more than most middle managers do.

“What is it?” she asks as I hand over the package.

“Something for Sofia Wolf. She’s in Karl’s department.”

A little smile crosses her face. “Is this…?”

I shake my head. “No.”

“Clay mentioned something about her. Said you seemed to recognize her.”

I glance away. “It’s none of his business.”

“Oh, I’m sure it’s not. But you know him.”

“And I know you.” I look back at her. “Just deliver it, okay?”

“Okay, boss,” she says. She gives me a little knowing smile and heads out without another word.

I probably shouldn’t involve Minnie in this, but I know I can trust her. Of everyone in this building, Minnie is probably my closest friend, aside from Clay, of course. I doubt she would care if she knew about Sofia and I, but it’s better not to even put her in the position.

I lean back at my desk and take a deep breath. I feel so excited I can barely think as I log into our instant messaging platform and add Sofia to my list. I can’t wait to start my little game, and although she doesn’t know what’s coming, I know she’s going to like it.