An Unexpected Applicant

Karla stared across the desk like she wanted to set it on fire. Pepper sat there oblivious, legs crossed, smiling like this was any other interview. "So, you ever bail on people last-minute?" Karla asked, one brow cocked, voice low enough to draw blood. Pepper laughed. "Uhh, nobody likes confrontation." "What about when things heat up fast, then you just… disappear?" Karla kept her pen tapping. Slow. Annoying. Pepper shifted. "I guess I’ve done that. Life gets messy." "Messy." Karla’s smirk was pure venom. "You leave a trail and walk away. No calls. No texts. Like they don’t exist." Pepper’s smile faltered. "Wait. Do we—do I know you?" Karla leaned in, chin on her hand. "Two months ago. The red room shot. You said you’d meet me out back after my shift. Never showed." Pepper’s face went slack. "Shit. You’re—that Karla?" "Surprise." Karla’s tone was flat, but her eyes weren’t. "You ghosted me after I sent you the video. Told you how wet I got thinking about you. Remember that?" Pepper swallowed, color rising in her cheeks. "I freaked out. You were intense. Hot, but—" "—but you left me hanging with my hand between my legs." Karla cut her off, no mercy. "At least own it." "I’m sorry," Pepper blurted. Her voice cracked. "I was scared. You were… a lot. I didn’t know how to handle it." She looked down at her hands, then back up. "I still think about it. About you." Karla didn’t blink. "Thinking’s cheap." Pepper stood. Crossed the room. Locked the door. When she turned around her skirt was already hiked, panties gone like an afterthought. "Let me make it right. Right here." Karla rose slow. Came around the desk. Grabbed Pepper’s jaw, thumb dragging across her lower lip. "You think you can fuck your way out of this?" Pepper nodded, breathing hard. "I want to. Use me. Whatever you want." Karla’s fingers slid lower, found her bare and slick. She smiled, mean and satisfied. "Then get on the desk. Legs open. And don’t you dare ghost me again."