Chapter 1: Introduction
The doorbell jingled cheerily as the entrance door swung open. The old bell sent a muffled echo through the cozy video rental store, and I looked up from the stack of releases I was cataloguing. A thin older woman with curly brown hair in a flowery dress walked in, looking around the space with an amused smile. She walked up to the counter where I stood, and glanced down at the collection of candy and chips beneath the glass countertop.
"Do you have season two of The Good Wife?" she asked in a dry, amused undertone.
I looked at her for a second, taking in her finely carved features and the twinkle of mischief in her eyes.
"Of course, let me check," I said, smiling back at her. I turned to look for the series on the shelves at the back of the store. "It's been moved since our store just got the Blu-Ray versions."
"Oh, I don't mind," she replied.
"I've been coming here for years and I like to support a business that's still sticking around."
I handed her the boxset and took her money, then looked up to see a younger woman walk into the store. She had long blonde hair, captivating green eyes, and a slender figure, not to mention an intriguingly mysterious air that instantly drew me in. She looked around, then made her way over to me, glancing back and forth between the shelves.
"Do you have any romance movies?" she asked me, her voice as sultry as her eyes promised.
I nodded, looking up quickly from the shelf of movies I was perusing, and smiled at her.
She grinned back, the corner of her mouth turning up in a mischievous way.
"Great. Can you help me pick some out?"
I nodded again, my heart racing in my chest as I realized she was flirting with me.
I led her over to the section of the store where I kept the romance movies, and started pulling some off the shelf and handing them to her.
She glanced at each one, shaking her head and setting them back down.
"No, no, no, not really feeling those," she said. "They're all so predictable."
I chuckled, trying to hide my nerves. I had never flirted with anyone like this before, especially not while on the job. I wasn't sure if I was doing it right, but she seemed to be enjoying herself.
"Well, what are you in the mood for then?" I asked, my voice low and husky.
She looked up at me, her eyes sparkling.
"I'm in the mood for something a little more... exotic," she said, her voice dripping with innuendo.
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. I had a feeling I knew what she was hinting at, and I was both scared and excited to take the next step.
"Okay," I said, trying to sound confident. "Let me see what I can find."
I led her over to the "Adult" section of the store, my hands shaking slightly as I pulled out a few movies and handed them to her.
"How about these?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
She took them from me and flipped through them, her eyes scanning the titles and cover images.
"Hmm, maybe," she said, her voice dripping with suggestion. "But I think I'd rather see what you have to offer in person."
My heart skipped a beat as she looked up at me and smiled, her eyes full of desire.
I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry.
"Okay," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.