Chapter 1: Introduction
In the dim lighting of her cubicle, Isabelle sat, hunched over her computer, glancing at the screen every few minutes while fingering the edges of the stiff collar of her blouse. It was her usual closing routine for the past six months: she would work into the wee hours, shut her computer, and quietly slip out the back entrance to avoid crossing paths with anyone from work. But tonight was different - it was the office Christmas party, and she had stayed late to finish up some paperwork.
The office building was completely empty, save for the hum of the systems that regulated the building's temperature.
As she was deep in her work, there was a soft knock on the door. Her heart leaped in her chest as she looked up expecting to see her stern boss, M. Leclerc, or even worse, the potential suitor, Thomas. Instead, she saw Sophie's irrepressible smile peek through the crack.
"What are you still doing here, Isabelle?" Sophie asked, brushing a loose strand of hair off her face. "It's past midnight.
I'm finishing up some paperwork before the party," Isabelle replied, a tinge of worry in her voice.
Sophie, always one to break the ice, moved closer and gently pushed the door closed behind her. "Well, that can wait. I've got something much more interesting for you to do." Sophie's eyes sparkled mischievously.
"What do you mean? I can't just leave my work; M.
Leclerc will have my head," Isabelle whispered as she glanced nervously towards the door.
"Don't worry about it," Sophie said with a dismissive wave of her hand. "I have a surprise for you. A little pre-party fun."
Sophie pulled out a length of silk scarf from her purse and walked over to Isabelle. Before Isabelle could fully process what was happening, Sophie had already tied her wrists to the back of her office chair.
The makeshift restraints were not uncomfortable - just enough to restrict Isabelle's movement and elicit a feeling of vulnerability.
"Sophie, what are you doing?" Isabelle whispered anxiously, half-terrified, half-excited.
"Relax, Isabelle. We're just going to play a game." Sophie leaned in conspiratorially. "It's called 'Tease the Boss.' We've been working so hard, haven't we?
Your boss is probably busy working late too,' Sophie purred. 'And if we're lucky, we might even give him a little show.'
Isabelle's eyes went wide with shock and embarrassment at the thought of being caught in such a scandalous position. 'That's not funny, Sophie. Please, let me go.'
Sophie chuckled and took a step back. 'Okay, consider this a practice round then. I'm going to do some things to you that might get you excited, and you have to stay quiet no matter what.
Got it?" Sophie whispered, a naughty smile playing on her lips.
Isabelle nodded nervously, unsure of how far Sophie would take this little game. She tried to relax, but her heart raced, and her breathing became shallow as a mix of fear and anticipation coursed through her veins.
Sophie reached down and slowly inched Isabelle's blouse out of her skirt and began to unbutton it.
"Shh," Sophie whispered as she slipped the fabric off Isabelle's shoulders.
Isabelle's chest rose and fell quickly as an unexpected rush of cool air swept across her skin. Sophie's fingers traced the delicate curves of Isabelle's breasts through her pale-blue lace bra, and Isabelle's breath hitched involuntarily.
Sophie leaned in and whispered into Isabelle's ear, "Remember, you can't make a sound."
"Yes," Isabelle murmured, her voice barely audible. She felt herself being pushed towards the edge of control, but yet, she found herself unable to protest.