Taking A Risk by Karen Monroe

Analise

“Okay. I know you’re old, but today’s not the day to give up. We just got to drive to campus, then you can rest all day in a cool parking lot.”

I gently tap the dash of my 2005 Toyota Camry. My car’s a living entity, like the possessed one in Stephen King’s novel, “Christine”. I treat her with respect.

“Alright,” I murmur as I turn the key in the ignition.

There’s a slight hesitation, but the ole girl sputters to life. I thank the car gods and tap the dash again.

“Let’s go.”

Thankfully, the drive itself is uneventful. I stick to the far right lane and keep it to 65 mph. I’m early for my interview. There’s no need to speed like a maniac.

I’m queued up with the cars waiting for entrance through the South Gate of campus, when the little she-devil decides now is the time to stall.

As I slowly roll to a stop at the kiosk, I cry, “No… no… no. Don’t do this.” Putting the car in park, I try to restart the engine. Several loud clicks sound. “C’mon,” I plead to the car gods. “Please”

A smart-looking attendant with a name badge reading “Keisha” steps forward, poking her head through my open window. “What’s wrong?” She asks.

Embarrassed, I shake my head. “My-my car won’t start.”

“Reggie! Get Miguel over here.”

Behind me, several frustrated drivers are honking their horns. I’ve instantly become the pariah with the shitty car.

Keisha leans her head into the window again as I continue to turn the key. “It sounds like the alternator. Steer into that space right there. Reggie and Miguel will push,” she says, gesturing to an empty spot near the kiosk.

I put the car in neutral and take my foot off the brake. A moment later, the ole girl moves forward. There’s a bit of a decline, which helps with momentum. Twenty seconds later, I’m parked in a space next to the large booth.

“Girl, you need a new car,” Keisha offers, sticking her head in the window again.

I love when someone offers unsolicited advice. “You planning on buying me one?”

The pretty, cocoa-colored beauty smirks. “I wish I had that kind of money. You can keep it parked here until the end of my shift, but after that you’re on your own.”

I was sure I could get my jalopy to start… eventually, but I didn’t want to arrive at my interview looking like a grease monkey.

“Thanks,” I respond gratefully. “I’ll move it in about an hour.”

Keisha nods. “My shift ends at two.”

I thank her again and lock the car, then I hike my book bag over one shoulder. I’m not too far from the library, but the heat is stifling. By the time I reach the large white building, it has drained my energy level like the air from a balloon. I’m eager to get inside where there’s A/C. And… I have to pee like a racehorse.

I’m almost to the doors when some Taylor Swift look-alike barges out. She’s not watching where she’s going and slams into me, nearly knocking me over.

I’m bothered she almost bowled me down while looking like she doesn’t have a care in the world.

“Hey! Watch where you’re going,” I fume.

I want to piss on her day just because.

A pair of blue eyes widen. “Sorry. I’m in a rush.”

My eyes roll. “Yeah, me too. Watch where you’re going.”

She shakes her head as she darts past me. “Sorry.”

I watch her for a moment longer, knowing I’m going to have to get used to these sorts of privileged, rich kids.

Dismissing little miss blondie, I walk inside the cool haven of the Cooper building. The library is a wonderfully airy space with large, high ceilings and immense windows. There’s a Starbucks inside, so the air has that faint whiff of coffee and cinnamon.

When I’d taken a tour of the campus, the library had been the one thing to blow my mind. It was so much better than the rinky-dink one at my old community college. Just being inside made me feel like a real deal college student.

I still have thirty minutes left before my interview, and I head toward the nearest bathroom to freshen up.

My hair has a tendency to get frizzy on good days. I can only imagine what it looks like after a long walk in the humidity.

Entering the restroom, I head for an empty stall to take care of business. After I wash my hands, I splash a bit of water on my cheeks. My hair isn’t too bad, but I still smooth some Frizz-Ease through it to help with the fly-aways. Next I touch up my mascara and lip gloss and wonder for the twentieth time if my button down top and jeans are appropriate for a job interview. The email I received specifically stated casual attire. Besides, I didn’t own any fancy suits.

I’m supposed to meet with someone on the second floor. The email didn’t mention a name, so I head for the information desk near the elevators.

Smiling brightly at the tiny Asian girl behind the counter, I start my spiel. “Hi! I have an interview at eleven-thirty for the assistant's position. I think I’m supposed to check in.”

“Oh… are you Analise?”

My brows lift in surprise. “Yeah.”

“Great! I’ll show you where to put your stuff.” I follow my guide through a door marked “Staff”. “I’m Claire by the way. You’ll enjoy working here. You can do your homework and get paid while you do it.”

The door leads into a short hallway that opens up to a large area dotted with small cubicles.

“Some of the faculty have offices here. If you run into one of your old professors or TAs, don’t freak out.”

“Shouldn’t be a problem. I just started.”

Claire peers at me, her dark eyebrows lowered. “You don’t look like a freshman.”

“I’m not. I just transferred from CC.”

She nods in understanding. “Well, you’re going to love it. Let me show you how to clock in, then I’ll tell you all the cool places to party.”

“Wait a minute. What about the interview?”

Claire waves a hand. “Showing up on time is the interview. The job’s yours if you want it.”

Hell yeah!Finally, something is going my way.

Claire hadn’t been lying.I loved working at the library. The pay was minuscule, but not bad for a second job that gave me access to student resources. I worked nights on the days I had classes, and my regular AM shift at Kroeger’s on the days I didn’t. Sleep was like a distant memory, but it was feeling like the stars were aligning. I used my first paycheck from my second job to replace the alternator in my car. There had even been enough leftover to start a small savings of twenty-five dollars.

You had to start somewhere!

Of course, there was still Nate and his bullshit to deal with, but thanks to Principal Gilchrist, I’d kept him busy while he was on suspension. I’d volunteered his services to one of the local churches in the area. I wasn’t particularly religious, but Principal Gilchrist and her husband were. Mr. Gilchrist, who also was the church’s treasurer, assured me Nate would be plenty busy during the day. He’d also offered to drop him home around the same time he would normally get out of school.

I could only hope being around an upstanding citizen would be good for Nate, especially since our father hadn’t been the best example.

Ignoring thoughts of my parents, I sip from my tall Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino from Starbucks. That was another benefit of working at the library. The campus shop often laid out the leftovers for the library staff and faculty. Claire also had an awesome hookup. Free Starbucks was now a thing. I had more Starbucks in the last three weeks than I had for the past two years.

The only drawback to working in the library was boredom. That wasn’t surprising, but sometimes I found my mind wondering. I liked to call it people-watching. Like now, I’m covertly observing an overly chunky student chowing down on a burger. He taps on the keyboard, then reaches his greasy fingers into an oily bag of fries next to the mouse. He palms the handful of fried potatoes as he eats them, then he licks his fingers before tapping the keyboard again.

Gross!

He’s not supposed to be eating at the computer station, but nobody enforces it. I’m thinking about giving him a lesson in basic hygiene when my gaze lights on a beast of a man walking toward an empty computer station.

My God! He’s ginormous and all muscles. I can tell by the way the T-shirt clings to his large biceps. He’s wearing a pair of orange jogging pants, with the school’s logo emblazoned in white on the side. I can see glimpses of thick, corded muscles beneath the shiny material. His curly dark hair is messy and a little too long, like he hasn’t had a decent haircut in a while. Still, the grungy-look only makes him hotter. Dayum! I want to climb him like a tree, and my body tingles with forgotten pleasures. I wonder what he would say if I walked up to him and asked for a quick fuck.

Laughing, I look down again at my phone screen. I’m playing “Words with Friends” with Shelby. She’s good. I need the dictionary next to me, but when I look up again, the handsome giant is staring right at me.

I return his intense gaze with one of my own. My game forgotten. Then I recall the last time I had sex. It had been a quick bump and grind with my ex-boyfriend, Alex, in the backseat of his old Ford. That was before my parent’s accident. Shit! Since then I hadn’t even flirted with a guy.

Taking in his strong jawline and deep-set dark eyes, I realize this isn’t the ideal time to think about breaking my drought. I’m at work. I have a cart full of books to shelve.

But… technically, it is time for my lunch break… and I have a condom in my purse.

Carpe Diem!

* * *

Will

I wasn’t thinkingabout sex when I walked into the library. I was thinking about getting away from my roommate and meeting up with a classmate from ECON 4040.

My learning group was creating a presentation on the negative and positive outcomes for large and small families in the United States. I had some insights because of my own large family and my classmate, Lin, had five brothers and sisters. Between us we had this assignment on lock, but she wanted to discuss the PPT due next week. We agreed to meet at the library at 8:00 pm, but it was already 8:15 and Lin was a no show. I figured I’d wait a little longer. There was no need to rush back to the Cassi and Griff fuckfest.

Taking a seat at one of the empty computer stations, I’m typing a text to Lin when my gaze freezes on a stunning shade of red. I hadn’t noticed the girl sitting at the info desk when I walked in, but now I can’t take my eyes off her. Her delicate features and milky colored skin remind me of the famous Botticelli painting.

A pair of stormy eyes focus on me, but the diminutive redhead doesn’t shy away from my stare. I’m impressed. She doesn’t even blink. Most people look at me and blink.

I’m wondering what she might say if I ask for her number when she rises from behind the counter, pushing a double-sided cart filled with books in my direction. My brows lift as she approaches. If she weren’t so tiny, I’d say she was stalking toward me. But her gait is more like a woodland sprite.

She’s wearing a flared jean skirt which looks a bit worn and a colorful graphic tee that falls to the side on one shoulder. On her feet are a pair of nude gladiator sandals that lace just beyond her ankles.

There’s something about her, but I can’t put my finger on it. Before I know what’s what, she’s standing next to my station, a seductive grin lining her cheeks.

“Hey there. How’s it going?”

“Good,” I answer, hoping I appear just as nonchalant as she does. “How’s it going with you?”

“Can’t complain.” She cocks one hip against the desk. “So whatcha you studying?”

I’m trying to determine her angle, but… I got nothing. “Who says I’m studying?”

“I don’t know. You’re in a place filled with lots of books where people normally go to study. But, that’s just a guess.”

“I’m waiting for someone,” I answer, my tongue thick in my mouth. I wish I had some water.

The bold little sprite wiggles her brows. “Girlfriend?”

I chuckle. “No.”

”Boyfriend? Partner? Significant other?”

Again I laugh. “Why are those the only options? Couldn’t I be meeting a… studybuddy? As you so kindly pointed out we are in a place where people study.”

“Touché,” she acknowledges, nodding. “So that means no to the girlfriend?”

My eyes narrow. “Why do you ask?”

“Just wondering if anyone would mind if I took you some place quiet and had my way with you.”

Is she fucking serious?

I need to shut this down, but when my mouth opens I say, “No… no one would mind.” And as the words leave my lips, I realize I wouldn’t mind either.

Her eyes drift over my arms and chest, causing my muscles to flex involuntarily

“There’s a place on the fifth floor. The door locks from the inside,” she says with a wink.

My coaches and the media gurus at the Jervey Center preach against these types of scenarios, but my mouth is already watering for a taste. My dick is pulsing with need. It doesn’t help I’ve been celibate for over three months and listening to my roommate trying to bang the house down for the past thirty days.

“Lead the way,” I say, regretting my words; yet, unable to stop myself from following.

On one hand, I can’t believe this is happening, but as we walk into the elevator and the sultry redhead presses the button for the fifth floor, I hope and pray I have a condom in my wallet.

The door opens on the third floor and a bleary-eyed student steps inside. I’m sure the two of us look perfectly normal. She’s got her book cart and I’m standing behind it to hide my erection.

The tired-looking guy presses the button for the fourth floor, then leaves once we reach his destination.

When we’re alone again, my heart beats with anticipation, sending blood straight to my cock. Looking over at the delicate redhead, I realize how tiny she is. If she were on her tippy toes, her head would only reach my pecs.

I also realize I don’t know what to call her.

“What’s your name?”

“No names,” she quickly replies.

“Nonames? Sounds kind of foreign. But you speak perfect English,” I respond, gesturing toward her tiny frame.

She sniggers. “You’re cute. You know that?”

No one had called me cute since I was seven years old. After that I started growing like a bean sprout and was no longer cute.

I wink down at her. “I think you’re cuter.”

“That should make this a lot easier.”

I’ve never had a girl proposition me so boldly. I’d seen plenty of chicks throwing themselves at Griff and Jax, but I wasn’t often in that category.

“Is this how things normally work with you?”

I still can’t figure her out, but just then the elevator dings, announcing our arrival to the fifth floor.

“Why don’t you come with me and find out.”

I shouldn’t, but again I can’t help myself.

This is going to be the best decision of my life, or the absolute worse.

* * *

Analise

This is a bad idea.I’ve only been working at the library for a little over a month and I’m about to have sex on the job! That has to be some kind of record for terrible employees.

I blame Tildee and Claire for putting ideas in my head.

My sister from another mister kept harping about seizing the day and living for the moment, and Claire was always going on about how she and her boyfriend were sneaking off to have sex in the study rooms.

I had zero intentions of creating my own lurid adventures in the library, but now the idea had taken hold, nothing was shaking it loose. I don’t know why I’m taking a risk. The only thing I know is I haven’t felt this invigorated since before my parents died.

This big hunk of a man is about to be mine! I’m not interested in becoming his girlfriend. A few moments of carnal bliss are all I need.

After that, I’ll never see him again. There’s a reason they call these things one-night-stands.

As I lead my conquest down the hallway and into one of the private study rooms, I close the blinds and lock the door behind us. I’m not worried about getting caught, though I probably should be. The area is closed for the night, but better safe than sorry.

Stowing the cart in the corner, I don’t turn on the lights. There’s enough ambient illumination from the hallway to make sure we aren’t in complete darkness.

Our gazes lock, and his dark eyes sweep over me from head to toe. Another surge of arousal sparks in his eyes, the flame glowing like wildfire.

The strange chemistry brewing between us sends a trill of excitement down my spine. I should be frightened of him. He’s so much bigger than me. If he wanted, he could throw me down and have me anyway he wanted. I wouldn’t be able to stop him; but the image in my mind doesn’t scare me, instead I’m vibrating with untapped lust.

I was the initiator. I should be the one making the moves, but I’m frozen by the coveting gaze roaming up and down my body. The next second, he slams me into the wall. There’s no pain. He laces his enormous arms around my back, cushioning me with warmth.

We both struggle to push down my panties, but in our haste I hear a small tearing sound before the material floats down my thighs like scrap.

He just ripped my panties off!

It’s a good thing I carry a change of clothes in my car. I’d hate to go back to work with no underwear.

“Sorry,” he mutters. “I’ll buy you some new ones.”

I don’t have time to remind him we won’t be seeing each other again because his mouth is on mine.

Oh Lord! This is all kinds of wrong, but it feels… so right. His massive chest rises and falls beneath my fingertips as our lips remained locked together.

The air sizzles with electricity, and my core is throbbing with unbearable need. I’m not about to deny myself the pleasure of rubbing up and down his humongous body.

Wrapping my legs around him, I use his tall frame for leverage. The thin pants he’s wearing cling to him like a wetsuit, allowing me to feel every nook and cranny.

He’s a force of domination and lust. It’s overwhelming and there’s no denying who’s in control. I can’t get enough of him, but suddenly he pulls his mouth away and breathes harshly. His eyes lock on mine again as he pulls down his jogger pants. I know his dick is out because I can feel and hear it bumping around. I glance down out of sheer curiosity.

Oh. My. God.

He’s built like a fucking racehorse.

Whatever-his-name… definitely wants me. There’s no denying that. He lifts me up and walks us over to the large table in the middle of the room, sitting me upon it.

“Lie back,” he orders.

Even though I’m no longer in control, I need to make sure we’re safe. Reaching into the pocket of my thrift store skirt, I pull out the Durex I stashed earlier when I decided to… seize the day.

“Condom,” I say, producing the pink, shiny square-wrapper. I’d picked up a bunch from the medical center.

Dark eyes light with amusement, and he grins. “That will not fit me.”

For real?

Damn!

I don’t want to end this before it begins, but… no glove… no love.

“Sorry, but I don’t have a Magnum for your large girth,” I joke.

He laughs and it should feel out of place during our illicit rendezvous, but it doesn’t.

“I do,” he says, extricating a square golden-wrapped object from his wallet. “But you have to put it on me.”

Alright! We’re back in the game, and I grab the condom wrapper to rip it open with my teeth. Before I slip on the thin plastic, I wank his massive dick to get it nice and hard.

Lying back on the table with my back arched, my skinny legs wrap around his hips. The entire scene resembles some kinky school house porn.

“Are you sure you want this?” He asks, his cock poised at the entrance of my cunt.

Hell yeah! But I stay silent, letting my eyes and expression speak for me.

“Don’t move,” he demands. “I’m going to fuck you hard.”

There’s no turning back now, and my legs spread wider.

* * *

Will

This isthe culmination of all the sexual fantasies I’ve ever had. Nothing else has ever compared. This slip of a girl has rocked my world in ways she cannot imagine. There’s something about her. It’s like she’s placed me in some kind of arm hold, and I can’t wrestle free from the allure.

The condom is on my dick, but I’m not sure she’s ready yet, so I soak my fingers through her slick folds. I push two fingers inside her snug passage. Her channel clamps down when I use my thumb to massage her clit. Like a guitar note, she cries loudly—too loudly—and I cover her mouth.

“Quiet. You don’t want anyone to hear, right?”

She shakes her head with my hand still covering her mouth. Something dark and tainted flows through me. I enjoy seeing her restrained under my grip, but I don’t want to look too deeply into it. For now, I’m content to savor her tiny, lush body.

“Open your legs wider,” I command.

I like the slight hint of fear I see in her eyes. I’m so primed to fuck I might break the table beneath us. But I would never hurt her.

Her legs spread like a gymnast and I push up her loose shirt and tiny bra. Her breasts are in proportion with her body, but she’s like a Lilliputian compared to me. The contrast only stirs me further, and I suck both tiny buds—hard. Analise gasps with pleasure, but before she can take her next breath, I plunge my rock hard cock inside her tight pussy. Even with the latex covering my flesh, she feels good… so good. I grit my teeth, trying to quell the groan rumbling up my throat.

“Shit,” I grunt, holding back the urge to fuck her completely into submission.

“Oh gawd,” she moans.

My flame-hair beauty lifts one foot off the table, angling her cunt so she can take more and more of me. I have never wanted to please someone so badly. My hands grasp her hips as I bounce her on my cock.

The table rocks and squeaks. We’re trying to be quiet, but I’m coming undone with an orgasm that’s been a long time coming. I need to take her with me, and I circle her clitoris with my thumb, hoping she’s just as close as I am.

“I’m about to… Cum with me,” I urge.

That’s all it takes for her to join me, and within seconds we’re both exploding in ecstasy.

A full minute passes before we’re able to catch our breaths. I can barely move, but my eyes are wide open—in more ways than one.

“What’s your name?” I ask again. After what we just shared I need to know more, but a first name’s a good start.

“I told you. No names.”

My head shakes warily. “That was cute in the beginning. Emphasis on was.”

She laughs then tries to move, but I’m standing between her thighs, holding her down. She can’t move until I let her.

“Name?”

“Sophia Petrillo.”

I laugh in her face, but she deserves points for that, and I let up slightly, allowing her to rise at the waist.

“Seriously, I need to get back to work,” she says, sounding very businesslike.

“Too late for that. You just fucked off on the job, literally. Tell me your name and I’ll let you up.”

“You’ll let me up now because I said so,” she grits.

I shake my head. This girl is a mix of contradictions.

Sassy but sweet.

Aggressive, but submissive. Fiery… but cool, like a breeze. I couldn’t have dreamed her up.

“Okay,” I agree, lifting my lower body so she can move.

She rises quickly to straighten her shirt, then she jumps off the table and smooths her jean skirt by patting the wrinkles.

Her underwear is scrap now, lying in a heap by my feet, but she picks them up and stuffs them into her pocket, before running her fingers through her hair twice.

“Thank you. I needed that,” she says as she walks toward the book-cart in the corner. “Close the door when you leave.”

What the ever-loving-knuckle-fuck is this shit?

“Where are you going?” I ask, my crusty condom covered dick hanging out.

“Back to work.”

This… is unbelievable, but when the door shuts on her departure, I’m forced to acknowledge it is now my reality.

What the fuck?