Reluctant Muse

By Victoria Blisse

Carrie is a shy student who works in a fast food joint to make ends meet. Her boss is a bully and she meets Jamie when he stands up for her. She's got terrible self esteem problems, but Jamie is an artist and wants to paint her naked. He's also a dominant and he wants to play with her submissive side. Can Carrie overcome her fears and the ghosts of her past to fully give in to Jamie? This excellent short story from award-winning author Victoria Blisse has domination and submission themes and has been specially formatted for today's ebook readers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: House of Erotica
• Release date: Feb 22, 2011
• ISBN: 9781849893299

Victoria Blisse

Victoria Blisse is known as the Queen of Smut, Reverend to the kinky and is the Writer in Residence at Cocktails and Fuck Tales. She’s also an angel. Ask anyone. Mancunian Odd Duck, her northern English quirkiness shows through in all of her stories along with her own particular brand of humour and romance that bring laughs and warm fuzzies in equal measure. Passion, love and laughter fill her works, just as they fill her busy life.Find out more at http://victoriablisse.co.uk

Book preview

1988.

Reluctant Muse

Did you get all that? Mr. Singleton asks, tapping a foot impatiently.

Yes, I think so. Carrie stutters, not looking up from her feet.

Right. Well, I’ll leave you in Jamie’s capable hands now. He’ll look after you, make sure you learn all the ropes. I’ll see you at the end of the week for your assessment.

Thank you, Mr. Singleton. Carrie briefly looks into his eyes then lets her gaze drop again.

You’re welcome. Work hard and behave well and you’ll have a permanent position here at Betta Burga. See you.

The suited Singleton walks out of the front door and it is as if the staff all let out their breath at the same time.

Thank fuck for that. The dark haired, Goth-eyed server grins. I can’t stand that suited son of a…

Now, Fiona, do you think you could pretend to be the nice, sweet Betta Burga server that the company thinks you are for just a little longer whilst I get the new girl settled in?

Well I suppose so, Jamie, but it’ll cost you an extra five minutes on my lunch.

Done. Now get the sign out and the door open, it’s party time folks.

Right, Carrie is it? The tall, blond Jamie looks down on the scared newbie and she nods. Okay, so you’re starting out on the grill as it’s the easiest thing to do. We’ll move you up as you get more confidence.

Okay. Carrie feels the guy’s arm across her shoulders and holds her breath. He smells nice, clean with a citrus hint but she doesn’t like being touched by strangers, even nice smelling ones and shrugs out of his grip as soon as she is able.

Well, it’s as simple as this. Fiona or I will shout over a number like, ‘Five, please.’ And you then just have to flip five burgers on to the hotplate. Be careful, it is really hot. He flips one burger onto the grill. The spitting and hissing of grease is instantaneous. So, you time it using the clock up there, two minutes on the first side, one minute thirty on the other then you move it over from the grill to the warmer where Graham takes over with the buns and the cheese and the other accompaniments. That’s it, okay?

Yeah, got it. Carrie smiles. It’s not exactly challenging is it?

Great. Jamie flips the burger off the hotplate and into the bin. It starts off a bit slow, but it will get busier. If you need any help don’t hesitate to ask.

I think I’ll manage. She rolls her eyes as he walks away from her.

Oh, I’m sure you will. Just have to cover all the bases. Catch you later.

Jamie moves through the other members of the staff, confidently chatting and laughing as he checks everything is ready to go.

She’s a bit, you know… Fiona comments as they serve two hungry students, …timid. I don’t think she’s going to last long.

Oh, I don’t know, she doesn’t strike me as a quitter. Even you were quiet on your first day, Fiona, you soon found your tongue.

Well, I suppose you’re right. I know how to use it now too. She slowly licks her lips, and Jamie blushes and looks away.

Carrie, meanwhile, is already thoroughly sick of tossing burgers. The smell, the sight and the sound are all making her feel rather queasy.

You get used to it. Graham aims a weak, pale smile her way. I mean the smell, anyway. Are you at the University?

Yes. Carrie replies, smiling at the skinny, shy boy, I’m doing English. You?

Nah, we could never afford it. I just work here and when I’m not working here I work in the factory. Brings in the money I guess.

Have you been here long? Carrie’s natural shyness is overridden by her boredom.

Since it opened. Graham beams proudly, the livid red spots on his chin aligning into a curve like his smile. I’m the longest serving member of staff here. Most people don’t last more than a year or two.

Carrie could understand why. What boring, monotonous work, but it would pay her bills and get her through university and then, well then maybe she could do something she loved and finally be happy with her life.

* * * *

Come on, fatty, keep up. Steve barks at Carrie as she tries desperately to flip ten burgers all at the same time. We’ve got customers waiting.

Ignore him, Graham hisses once Steve moves back over to the tills. He’s a total wanker.

Carrie smiles weakly at Graham, who she’s struck up a low level friendship with over the last day or two. She slips the burgers on to the warmer and flips more raw meat onto her grill. Saturdays, apparently, are hard work and Steve is not making the job any easier, breezing around with his stubby nose in the air, barking commands and doing little to no work himself, making the rest of