The Bully & the Brat

Even though he tried to be cordial, Marty didn't care for his cousin, who had managed to taunt him constantly when they were teenagers. He went as far as to avoid Jeff at many family functions.

Marty did his best to be away from the store on Fridays. But Jeff caught him one afternoon when he had just finished moving in a few new pieces.

"We need to chat," Jeff chuckled, firmly patting his back.

Marty inwardly groaned. His shoulders held a slight tension as he followed Jeff into the small back office, shutting the door behind him.

"What's up, man?" Marty asked, rubbing his reddish beard.

"What's up is you let those women do nothing all day but sit on their asses and get a paycheck every two weeks. How do you think that fairs with business? Oh, I forgot you don't know much about that, do you?"

"Our numbers are-"

"Shit. Your numbers are shit. You could have at least hired some good-looking bitches," Jeff started in before Marty could take a seat.

"Marsh is a little spoiled, but they've all been good employees. I can put a hiring sign out front but ain't too many people going to work for minimum wage doing all they do," he explained, taking up for his small crew.

The four of them had all been working together for years now. He even considered Pete a good buddy of his. Anna was coming up on her fourth year at the store, and he appreciated having her as a dependable employee.

"I know you're fucking her," Jeff let out.

Eyes widened with guilt, Marty stuttered his reply, "I, I, um...."

Jeff kept his face cold, his eyes bearing on the man. He finally let up, giving a resounding laugh.

"You can't even lie, can you?" Jeff taunted, "I'm sure Jill or Jane, whoever you married, is okay with this arrangement, probably happy she doesn't have to suck your skinny dick."

With a sigh, Marty tilted his head toward the ceiling, "It was one time." he lied, sugar-coating their decade affair.

"Marsha fucking Marshall, we called that bitch M&M in school," Jeff said, leaning back in his seat.

"Jeff, it's...."

"God, her mouth is as warm as I remember," Jeff winked.

His hearty laugh filled the room when Marty's face fell at the news. Wanting to change the subject from his infidelity, he explained.

"They are good employees. I keep things relaxed here. As long as they sell the furniture and collect payments, I don't see a problem."

"You call getting free money for doing jack shit relaxed? You made that bitch a fucking Manager," he scowled at Marty.

"She, um, well, I...."

"You're a pussy is what you are, Farty," Jeff laughed, "What about the Mexican one? Amy, what's she supposed to be a goddamn CEO?" He asked sarcastically.

"She's not Mexican, can't remember where she said her mom was from, but she's just a regular employee. She's a good girl and comes in on time, but she leaves early sometimes. Anna's got damn near three jobs." Marty replied.

"I love good girls. She's not that bad looking, a little fat for her height. Are you fucking her too?"

"No." Marty shook his head, "Look, these women are just trying to do their jobs and go home. They don't want any trouble."

"Trouble? Are you calling me trouble? Is my inheritance a problem for you, Farty?"

"Jeff just cut the shit. I know we don't get along, but hell, it's our job. And it's theirs too. I heard you were thinking about letting one of them go, and I think you will regret it. So let me handle them, and you handle the business."

"I want to handle that, little Amy. I've already handled Marsha."

"Jeff, I'm serious. Anna is a good employee. She has a lot going on, and she doesn't need you being a fucking dick to her."

Marty didn't want to raise his voice, but the way Jeff was going on about his employees pissed him off. He did not want any trouble from the asshole, knowing Jeff's family was the reason he had this gig in the first place.

"Aw, you've got a crush, I see." Jeff stood to step over to him, "Marty, you have always been my favorite cousin, ya know," he chuckled, "We will get along fine."

Jeff brought his big hand to his head, rustling his curly reddish-brown hair.

Marty cringed.

"Trouble?" He snorted before slapping Marty's face playfully, "I'm going to be around more often, buying a house not far from here, so I expect this place to get in order. In that case, tell your whores to ensure this place is spotless."

"Jeff-"

"Every day," he added, pointing at Marty before sitting back at his desk.

Jeff grabbed a few papers, looking them over, and Marty took it as a sign he could leave. There was nothing else he could say, and he walked toward the door with his head down.

Jeff's deep voice rang out teasingly behind him, "Tell M&M to bring her sexy ass in here. If she's not stuffing her face, I have something for her to do," he laughed, grabbing his crotch.

Marty nodded and got on his phone to relay the message to Marsha, who had taken her usual long lunch. He worried about his employees. He knew Jeff was likely to make Anna quit before she had a chance to get fired. Her request that he alter her Friday morning shift to Monday let Marty know she also wanted to avoid Jeff.

Anna wasn't on his radar sexually, although she was a beautiful girl. Marty respected her. She was young, from a broken home, and he had always tried to look out for her.

-

+

-

When Anna arrived at the store early Monday morning to open up, she was alone. She had received a text from Marsha the day before to vacuum the rugs and wipe down all the furniture before switching the sign to open.

Marsha was running late, which wasn't unlike her, even though she had been on her best behavior since the current owner took over.

Anna had both earphones in vacuuming the rugs. When she felt a set of large arms wrap around her waist, she unleashed a blood-curdling scream. Turning to face her attacker, she almost slipped, falling back on the giant machine.

"Jesus Christ, calm the fuck down. Have you never been touched?" Jeff asked.

Placing her hand on her heart, Anna steadied her breathing, recognizing Jeff's significant physical condition.

"What the hell is wrong with you, girl?" Jeff groaned.

She took out the earbud before answering, "I was--"

The day he threatened her livelihood, she ceased to argue with the man and tried to be on her best behavior. But he was far too cranky, making it difficult to be nice.

"You scared me." Anna clarified.

"You should be apologizing for scaring the shit out of me," Jeff shook his head, "I'm sure everyone in the goddamn neighborhood heard. You've got to do better, little girl. I'm still thinking about letting one of you go. It doesn't take three people to vacuum a floor.'' Jeff stewed, adjusting his tie.

"I'm sorry, sir," she mumbled with little emotion.

"Do better," he warned, pointing at her.

"Yes, sir," she nodded, noticing her hands were shaking.

She wondered why he was there on a Monday but knew better than to ask him. It was his establishment, after all. When Marsha walked in, Anna quickly informed her of his presence.

"Yeah, I know. I figured Jeff would be around more often now. He can't get enough," Marsha winked before twisting her body toward the back office.

Anna shook her head. It did not surprise her that Marsha had a desire for Jeff. Their flirting was blatant, and she wondered how Marty would take it.

Jeff was handsome and well-dressed despite his foul ways. The miserable man always wore a suit with an American flag pendant on his tie. It disturbed Anna that he could be so threatening but have such sad eyes.

You couldn't tell at first glance he was an asshole. The strong smile lines on his face were useless since he only ever smiled when he was poking fun at them. She did not like the way he spoke to her or her coworkers, and now he had graduated to touching her inappropriately.

Anna returned to vacuuming the rugs, jamming to one of her favorite songs to calm her spirits. She resented that he would be around more often and prayed another job opportunity would present itself soon enough.

"Amy!" Jeff yelled, deciding not to touch her again, "Aye, girl!"

The sounds of Nicky Manaj reminding Anna she was a nasty bitch, clouded over Jeff's loud voice. With little patience for intolerance, he snatched the earbud from her ear.

"It's 9:01, girl. Take those Goddamn earphones out and turn the sign around!" Jeff shouted over her music.

Her ears instantly grew warm, as well as her cheeks from his loud voice. Embarrassed, Anna quickly walked toward the door and back to put the vacuum away.

"Does Marty allow headphones?" Jeff asked when she returned.

"Not when we open, but when we clean. He doesn't mind."

"You should know by now that I am not him."

Her nose flared as she eyed the crooked smirk on his handsome face.

"It won't happen again," Anna said.

Jeff chuckled, sensing she was holding back. She had passion behind those brown eyes, and he knew she wanted to curse him. He couldn't help but want to spark that fire.

"It won't happen again, huh?" Jeff chuckled.

"Yeah."

Jeff arched his brow, "Yeah? Is that how we speak to adults, little girl?"

Anna averted her eyes to avoid rolling them, "Yes, sir."

Jeff held the bud to his ear and laughed, "Hmm, I didn't take you for a little gangster bitch," he teased, a smile lingering on his bearded mug.

He handed her the wireless earbud and her eyes went downward, not to expose her anger.

"Thank you."

"What is it, little girl?" Jeff asked in a coo, "Are you mad at me?"

Shaking her head, Anna bent to get back to work.

"Have I pissed you off?" Jeff chuckled, folding his arms over his chest.

Anna shook her head.

Jeff kept lustful eyes, watching her bend to wrap the cord around the vacuum. Her plump ass stuck out. Slapping his palm against her rear seemed enticing, yet the way the girl had responded to his touch earlier changed his mind. He could tell she was nervous.

"Stand up," Jeff ordered.

Unbending her waist, Anna looked toward him. He wore a satisfied expression, and she found it difficult to keep steady eye contact. He seemed to gaze into her eyes in search of her spirit, the essence that wanted to tell him off and slap that smirk off his face.

"Back down." Jeff requested, quickly giving another order for her to stand.

Standing straight, Anna looked down at the vacuum, wondering what he was getting from taunting her. He had one more time then she felt she would snap. Closing her eyes, she wrapped the cord up and around.

"You're a good girl, Anna. Very obedient," Jeff complimented, stepping closer.

"Thank you?"

"But, I don't believe you're as innocent as you appear," Jeff explained, in a lusty rhythm, "I know when a woman is angry at me. You are very mad at me right now, aren't you, little girl?"

"No, sir, I just, um, I wantt to finish my work," she managed to say in a shaky voice.

Anna continued her task and quietly prayed he would go away. Highly uncomfortable with this situation, she hurried the vacuum to escape him further.

"You are itching to be the next one out the door, you know?"

Anna stood and glared at him. Her anger rose, and knowing she couldn't react properly made her more irate. "I didn't do anything. I-"

"You had headphones in your ear, remember?"

"I didn't know," she whimpered, mustering up tears.

Jeff licked his lips, eying her adorable pouting face, "You need to figure out how you will make it up to me.

Anna had never had a boss that worried her like this. She had even been an employee of the month a few times at an old restaurant gig. She was great at her job, and she wouldn't let her boss accuse her of otherwise.

She blinked fast as Jeff continued to speak, "Since you rejected my date proposal, I think you could start by...."

Jeff quickly halted when he noticed her eyes were glassy. The fresh tears slipped down her cheeks, and he grunted.

"God, don't fucking cry."

"I..." Anna sniffed, wiping the tears away.

"Sh, I'm sorry, okay, just go to the bathroom and fix your face," he urged, upset that his dominating sexual energy wasn't working for the young girl.

Anna dropped her head and whimpered, "Ah, I'm sorry....."

Stepping away, Jeff groaned. He looked to the ceiling before looking around to ensure no one could see his mistake. Anna noted he was like a brother caught teasing his little sister and hid a giggle with a sniff of her nose. He was falling for her tears when what she really wanted to do was kick him in the nuts.

"Stop crying. I'm sorry, okay? Just go on. I'll put this away," Jeff waved in a panic, "Go do something."

Anna stood upright as he grabbed the vacuum out from under her.

"I'm sorry," she whined, wiping her nose, "I did-"

"Calm down, little girl," Jeff reached out and grasped her head.

With his other hand, he used his thick finger to wipe the one tear stain against her cheek. The gesture caused Anna to freeze. When he wrapped his arms around her head, pulling her into his embrace, she hid a smile at her con. She enjoyed his deep woodsy smell and his palm sliding against her back.

Lifting her chin, Jeff scanned her face and gave a charming smile, "You're a good girl, Anna."

His lips seared into her forehead, knocking her knees together.

"You can leave early today, okay?"

Anna nodded, walking back toward her desk with a smile on her face, "He's so fucking stupid," she chuckled to herself.

-

+

-

Saturday night, when Anna returned home from the tax center, there were no lights on in the house. It was odd, and she quickly discovered why. The electric company had cut off her electricity. Anna was devastated and wanted to break down in tears.

Her mother was home, awaiting her return to explain why she hadn't paid the bill even though Anna had given Lisa the money earlier that day. With no lights and with no place else to go, she went to the store.

This wasn't the first time she had gone there to sleep. The last time it was because the two got evicted. It was hard for her to pay the bills herself when she was trying to hold down so many jobs simultaneously. There seemed not to be enough hours in the day to live.

Anna drove the car down the street. She parked in the back of the building, although her key only worked for the front door. Laying back on a made-up bed, she closed her eyes, letting the tears fall around her ears. She felt safe at the store without the loud music and arguments she usually heard at home, and she soon fell asleep.

-

Anna's eyes popped open. She jumped up, hearing mumbling voices in the back office. Fearing it was Marty or, worse, Mr. Anderson, she hurried to the front door and into the open parking lot.

Anna relaxed a bit once she saw Marsha's car parked beside her. She couldn't believe Marsha and Marty would fuck at the store and prayed it wasn't her seat they were fucking on. She turned around, laughing at her horny colleague.

Her eyes widened when she bumped into Mr. Anderson.

"Oh, shit," she mumbled.

"What the hell are you doing here, girl? Is that your car parked out back?" Jeff asked, folding his arms across his broad chest.

Anna nodded.

Jeff sneered at the frightened woman before speaking again, "Cops said someone might have broken in. Did you break into my store?"

Knowing she could be in serious trouble for breaking in, Anna kept quiet. Quickly she turned to go back to her car and remove herself from his presence and the humiliation she felt.

Jeff followed her to her car and stood as she turned her car over and over to get the old engine to engage and get her out of this mess. But just like her mother, the car was burdening her life.

"It looks like you aren't going anywhere until you answer my question. What the fuck are you doing here? I came in. The doors were unlocked, furniture missing," he lied.

"Uh. I didn't steal anything, I promise. I was..." Anna turned around and quickly lied, "I forgot something at my desk. So...."

Jeff smiled, knowing he had frazzled her. Marsha had told him the young woman slept at the store whenever her druggie mother was in a foul mood, but he couldn't help but taunt her weakness.

"Hmm, you're a bad liar, Anna."

"I..." Anna paused to gather her thoughts, "Um, I'll have to sleep in my car. I'm sorry for going in there. I won't do it anymore," she whispered in defeat.

Anna was holding her breath for a favorable response. With large eyes of repentance, she peeked at him and thought she may have seen kindness in his brown eyes.

"I'm sorry," she whispered.

Jeff rubbed his jaw, a handsome gesture that Anna thought may be in her favor. He gazed down at her, and she tried to pout her lips out to show her innocence in this matter.

"You are not staying near my store," he finally said.

Her head dropped in despair. The accessible bed was a big reason she still held on to the low-paying job.

"I'm not as trusting as Marty. Not sure why he gave you both keys in the first place. Are you fucking him?"

"No," Anna rapidly shook her head at his accusation, "No. I don't even know him."

"So, what are you really doing here?" Jeff inquired, stepping closer.

"The company cut my electricity off," Anna whispered, "I just came here to sleep. It's hot at my house, so...."

Unmoved by the sob story, Jeff could feel his manhood responding to the curvy young woman even after multiple sessions with Marsha. Her plump lips looked enticing more, so he figured with his cock between them. He could see himself paying an electric bill for a price.

"You know it's easy for a young woman to make money," Jeff explained, rubbing his crotch.

Anna didn't peep at his gesture. She was beyond embarrassed and knocked her head against the steering wheel in frustration. Money could solve her problems, but it couldn't battle the loads of her mother nor bring her father back to life. Her shoulders shook as she began to cry.

"You are a crybaby," he commented with an eye roll.

"I try," Anna said, "I try so hard."

"Stop crying, Anna." Jeff urged, "And calm down. I won't call the cops, and I didn't mean to scare you. I was just....."

"It's not you. It's...."

Anna sniffed, trying to stop the tears from falling so rapidly down her cheeks. It wasn't only his demeaning attitude; it was everything.

Feeling ashamed for scaring the woman, Jeff put his large hand on her shoulder to calm her down. Kneeling, he embraced her and rolled his palms on her small back.

Anna sobbed harder in his warmth and left tears on his chest. His lips pecked around her temples. She was a tiny woman but fit perfectly in his arms.

"You've got to suck it up, okay?"

"Hmm, uhm," Anna cried harder.

Emotions weren't something Jeff could handle properly. He was a man and hid them well, keeping them down with alcohol and sleeping pills. Jeff also detested crying and quickly lost patience with her sobs.

"Goddamnit, girl. Come on, get out," he ordered, grabbing her keys from her shaking hands.

Anna looked toward him with glassy eyes and swiped her tears against her arm.

Jeff popped the hood and jangled her starter before returning to the wheel and turning the key. With two twists, he started the car.

Anna looked toward him; her eyes widened with gratitude.

"How did you do that?"

Jeff smirked, "I'll teach you one day. Come on. Get in. I'm staying at a hotel while I work on moving things into my new house. I can buy you a room there. You can't stay here, I'll come back, and the place will be empty."

The brief ride was embarrassing as Jeff commented on the numerous things someone needed to fix on her car. He figured now Anna could not have been fucking his broke-ass mechanic cousin, not with the condition her vehicle was in.

Upon arriving at the hotel, rather than going to the lobby desk, Jeff strode toward his hotel room with Anna silently following him. Keeping a few steps behind him, she fiddled with her fingers.