Part One: Let’s Spend The Night Together
A career woman finds a job in the music industry equals a licence to get it on…
Amber ran down the platform and squeezed into the packed tube carriage, only just managing to pull her bag through behind her before the doors closed. The familiar smell of the commute filled her nostrils: sweat, perfume, fast food and the indeterminate ‘London’ odour, part smoke, part grime. Swearing under her breath as someone jabbed her with their umbrella, she fought to keep her balance. “And this is why I spent years working for my degree,” she thought. “A better quality of life. Pah!”
Looking back, she couldn’t believe she’d bought a bottle of champagne the day she’d landed her job in PR for Violet Books. She’d thought it would be glamorous because they specialised in music titles. Visions of mingling with rock stars and sipping champagne at book launches had crowded her mind. Two years on, the closest she’d come to a celeb was meeting a bloke who’d had a one hit wonder with his pet dog; on the few occasions she’d been invited to a book launch, the best they’d had on offer was warm white wine. OK, it wasn’t all bad – there had been a minor success over a book they’d published from a musician who was conveniently arrested for drug trafficking just as it launched. But it was hardly the glossy world of her daydreams, particularly given her misogynist boss, Euan, who made Andrew Tate look enlightened.
Two hours later, Amber was swearing at her screen. It had decided to lose her database and she was desperately trying to find itp. Without the database, her job was nigh on impossible. Worse, she was almost certain the glitch had happened courtesy of one of the evening shift packaging staff using her computer to download porn – a common occurrence that her boss Euan refused to do anything about, simply laughing when she complained about finding videos of women doing unspeakable things with barnyard animals on her desktop. After trying every technical trick she could think of, Amber sighed and walked over to the IT desk.
“Can you find a file for me, Greg?” she asked.
“Sure thing,” he said, standing up – but as he neared her computer, Euan barked, “Greg, my laptop’s gone down again. Get in here.”
Greg shot Amber an apologetic look and did as Euan asked.
Five minutes later, the pair of them appeared at Euan’s door.
“Man the phones, Amber, we’re going out to lunch,” Euan said.
“OK, but can Greg just check my drive first?”
“Never trust a girl with a machine, that’s what I say. What do you think, Greg?” Euan laughed, nudging Greg in the ribs with his elbow. “Get on with stuffing envelopes. We’ll be back in an hour. He can sort it out then – I’m hungry.”
Venus in Furs
Euan quivered at Amber’s feet, clad in only a leather harness with a leather butt plug protruding from his arse.
“Lick my feet, slave,” Amber ordered.
Euan salivated as he did as Amber asked. His cock quivered.
“Call that an erection? I’ve seen bigger chipolatas.”
“Sorry, Mistress,” Euan said.
“Did I give you permission to speak?” Amber kicked Euan hard in the groin, sending him reeling backwards and giving her the opportunity to grind her heel into his balls. He whimpered and tears flooded his eyes.
“You’re the most pathetic specimen I’ve ever had the misfortune to encounter. Now, get on your hands and knees, crawl over there and start filing.”
Euan did as he was ordered, and Amber’s mind wandered to the cheese grater in the kitchen. She could have fun with that…
“Amber, baby, we’re back.”
Euan’s voice broke through Amber’s daydreams. “Get me a coffee,” he snarled grumpily.
“Where’s Greg?” she asked.
“Oh, I sent him into town to get me some new headphones. Mine are broken and what’s the point of hiring technical staff if you can’t use them?”
“But I needed him to fix my computer.”
“There’s plenty of stuff for you to do, doll. Like make my coffee.” Euan walked into his office, closing the door to signify the matter was closed.
“Sod it,” thought Amber. She followed him.
“White and one. You should know that by now. God, you girls are so dizzy.”
“Euan, you can get your own coffee. I quit.”
“You can’t quit. What about the launch next week?”
“I’m sure you’ll be able to manage it, Euan,” Amber smiled. “After all, you are a man.”
She turned on her heel and walked out, stopping only to bundle her few office possessions into a carrier bag. She might regret it later but right now, she felt good.
Cigarettes And Alcohol
The significance of what she’d done had sunk in by the time Amber had finished her celebratory glass of wine at the office local. She had no savings, no job and, she was pretty certain, no chance of getting it back. Euan’s ego was too big for that. She called her best friend.
“Hi Cat. You busy?”
Cat worked as an A&R for a record company and seemed to spend half her time at jollies.
“At a showcase in Camden. What’s up?”
“I’ve just resigned.”
“Shit. Come over. Just say you’re with me. The bands will probably suck but there’s free beer.”
Amber googled the address and started walking to the tube. OK, she should be looking through the papers for a new job but surely she was allowed one afternoon of fun?
The venue was a classic indie joint: dark paint peeling from the walls, a floor so dirty that Amber could hear her feet sticking to it with every step and the smell of last night’s beer lingering in the air.
“Amber, babe, over here.” Cat’s voice cut through the venue, attracting glances from the fifteen or so guys clustering near the stage. Amber walked over, all too aware that her short-skirted suit marked her out as different – the only other women in the room were wearing jeans and tops that made Kate Moss seem out of chic.
“You remember Stacey from the Methuselah gig? And this is Tim – he’s not as much of a tosser as he looks.”
Amber smiled at the pair. “Nice to meet you. So you both work with Cat?”
“For our sins,” said Tim. “How about you?”
“Met her at uni.”
“So you don’t work in the industry?”
”I don’t work anywhere,” Cat said. “I’ve just quit my job.”
“In that case, you need a beer,” said Will, going to the bar without waiting for her reply – and returning soon after with three cans and three shots of tequila.
“Any excuse,” said Cat.
“Absolutely,” said Tim. “What, are you complaining?”
“Not at all.”
The three clinked their shot glasses together and downed them in one.
By the time the band came on, they’d worked their way through another two shots, and were in such high spirits that the band’s manager was convinced he’d be getting a deal at the end of the set. The trio huddled together giggling.
“So what was the job you left then?” asked Tim.
“PR at Violet Books,” said Amber.
“Aren’t they the ones who did that book by Trash?” said Steph.
“Well remembered. Yep, that was us – about the only exciting thing to happen there in the history of time.”
“So you aren’t a PR fan then?”
“Oh no, I love PR. It’s just that my boss was a sexist tosser who was more concerned that I made him tea than did my actual job. But I got my own back.”
“How so?” Steph asked.
“I got this.” Amber pulled out her phone. “I was the one who dealt with all the journalists, I had this as back up. The drive went down this morning so he’s soon going to realise I’m not as easy to replace as he thought.”
“Harsh but fair,” said Cat.
Tim looked thoughtful.
“So you’re a PR, you’ve got a pile of contacts and you worked on music titles?” he said.
“That’s me.”
“Let me just make a call,” he said, and left the venue to get reception. Two minutes later he returned. “OK, you’ve got an interview tomorrow with Zanzibar records – the people who look after Quantum.”
Amber grinned. “You mean the ones who did that song for that advert?”
“Yep, that’s the one. And got into trouble at the Brits last year for raising hell. Anyway, their PR’s just left to go on tour with some band she met, and they’re in a hole. Ask for Elijah.” He scribbled an address down on a piece of paper and handed it to Amber.
“You angel,” she said. “Right, next round’s on me!”
Two beers later and Amber was getting frisky. She leaned towards to Cat. “You know what I need,” she said.
“What?”
“A shag. To celebrate.”
“You haven’t got the job yet,” Cat warned.
“Yeah, but I’ve left one I hated – that’s reason enough. Anyway, I’m horny.”
“Good enough reason for me. What about him?” Cat pointed at a tall and broad guy with a big beard and tattoos.
“Nah, not my type. Him, on the other hand…” Amber pointed out a blonde and toned man who was standing with a group of friends, and laughing.
“Go for it, girl,” said Cat.
Amber smiled. “I think I will.”
Seconds later, she was standing next to the group and, after making some comment to the lads, her direct approach was rewarded. Cat watched as the object of Amber’s affection laughed in her direction, and moved closer towards her to whisper in her ear.
Get It On
“So, tell me all,” Cat said. Amber hadn’t left the blonde’s side for two hours and was updating Cat in the loos.
“He’s called Will, he’s in the music industry and he’s just admitted to having a thing for elfin women with long hair and blue eyes,” she’d told Cat in the toilets. Cat had looked Amber up and down – a perfect match for Will’s description.
“He’s definitely sharking you then, mate. Here you go.” She’d fished a condom out of her bag. “Just in case.”
“I’ve already got some,” Amber had said.
“Yeah, but who knows – you might need more.”
Amber suspected Cat was right when she got into the cab with Will. They kissed all the way back to his place – starting gently but before long grinding against each other on the back seat of the bus. Amber could feel herself getting wet even before Will had touched her properly. And she’d been pleased to note that he was a well-endowed lad, if the bulge pressing against her was anything to go by.
Back at his flat, there was little preamble. Will made a cursory offer of a drink but one look at Amber told him that she wasn’t there for the refreshments. They stumbled into his bedroom and hungrily pulled at each other’s clothes, animal passion taking the place of more sensual seduction. Only when Amber was finally naked did Will stand back for a second.
“God, you’re hot,” he said, before leaning in to kiss her neck, his tongue tracing delicate patterns on that most sensitive of places, while his hand slid to her bum and pulled her close against his skin. Amber trailed her fingers down his back, barely resisting the urge to scratch him as she felt her arousal bubbling up at his touch. Her hands moved lower, gripping his muscular thighs, and she hooked one leg around him, pulling him even more tightly to her. She could feel herself shaking, knew that he’d find her centre slick with juices when he finally touched her. Which he did, after an agonisingly erotic age of standing, body pressed to hers, kissing her and stroking her neck and breasts, when he led her to the bed and pushed her back so she lay, legs spread in front of him.
As Will’s tongue traced up Amber’s inner thigh, she bit her lip in ecstasy. He moved gradually higher and she was lost in lust, unable to stop herself from screaming out at the sensation of his tongue gently flickering over her most sensitive parts. But she didn’t want to come quite yet, wanted to hold back until he was inside her so, shocked at her own willpower, she pushed him away.
“Not yet,” she said, and dipped her head down to kiss first his chest, then the trail of hairs running down his stomach and, just when Will was beginning to give up hope of it ever happening, taking his entirety into her mouth. She sucked and licked, hands working simultaneously with her lips and tongue. Will gasped at her exquisite caresses, hands tangling in her hair, urging her on, but as he felt the surge of energy rushing through his body he too pushed her away. Wordlessly, Amber handed him a condom and seconds later, he was buried deep inside her. She ground against him, loving the way their bodies fitted together; the way that he flipped her from one position to another – first on top, then underneath; now slow and steady; now hard and fast. As he moved her onto her front and slid one hand around her breast, one to her clit and kissed her neck, all the while thrusting inside her, Amber knew it was inevitable. She felt the ripplings start and was soon crying out in bliss, pleased to hear him matching her cries moments later.
It was the first of many sessions that night. Every time the pair tried to get to sleep, one of them would shift slightly, in such a way to make the other feel aroused, and soon they’d be wrapped together in a fierce embrace that could only lead in one direction. Amber was grateful for the extra condom Cat had given her. By morning, the floor was littered with evidence of their passion. They’d eventually grabbed an hour or so’s sleep but still woke feeling energised, if somewhat sore from their exertions.
Lazy Monday
“Morning, gorgeous, Well, that was quite a night,” said Will, as Amber woke up.
“I could say the same to you,” Amber smiled. “So, any chance of a coffee? Or do you have to rush to work?”
“No, I’ve got plenty of time. Music industry doesn’t wake up until at least 10am. And they’re pretty chilled at Zanzibar.”
“That name rings a bell,” Amber said. “What sort of music do you deal with there?”
“It’s a fairly diverse roster, but mostly rock and indie. I guess Quantum is our biggest signing.”
Amber blanched, suddenly remembering where she’d heard the name before.
“What do you do there?”
”I’m in marketing. Why? Want some free music?”
”No. But that’s where my interview is in,” Amber looked at her watch, “Two hours.”
“Fuck,” Will said. “Well… I won’t tell you if you don’t. Want some tips on how to get the job?”
Amber smiled. “You mean you’re OK with the idea of us working together?”
“Hell, why not? Be nice having someone around to have fun with on a boring Friday afternoon.” Will raised a suggestive eyebrow.
“Oi, less of that. We’ve got an interview to prepare for.”
And as Amber followed Will down to the kitchen, she was pretty sure that her new job – if she got it – was going to be a lot more fun than her last.
Read Part Two of Making Sweet Music.
