Chapter One

Veronica “Rikki” Reynolds pushed open the glass door to her corner office and stepped inside with the confidence of a young woman who had earned every inch of the private space. She still felt a rush of disbelief whenever she crossed the threshold into the expansive room that overlooked Manhattan’s bustling streets. She may have only been twenty-seven, but this office belonged to her, Senior Political Editor of Vogue Femme Magazine, a title she had secured just three months earlier after working her way through the corporate ranks over the last six years.

She had started at the magazine at 21, fresh out of college, and climbed the ladder with a combination of sharp intellect and ‘right place, right time. Despite its focus on female empowerment, Vogue Femme had gone from one PR disaster to another over the last couple of years, with stories of male leadership abusing their power and offering promotions in exchange for favors. The corporation needed a fresh start, and it began with an all-female executive board. Being an ardent feminist herself, Rikki found it easier than her male counterparts to connect with the new leadership team and had been reaping the rewards ever since.

Her recent promotion had been a triumph, and the accompanying paycheck allowed her to indulge her expensive tastes without hesitation. Designer handbags, tailored suits, and Italian leather shoes filled her closet, all proudly purchased with her own money. The brunette powerhouse refused to rely on anyone, not even her fiancé. However, she, of course, allowed him to shower her with gifts as a gesture of his devotion.

The new Senior Political Editor crossed the polished floor in her gray blazer and matching long pencil skirt, the fabric hugging her curves just enough to make her feel sexy without sacrificing her professionalism and giving men the wrong idea. Her dark hair fell in loose waves over her shoulders, and her brown eyes scanned the room with quiet satisfaction. Rikki set her Hermes bag on the desk and sank into the plush leather chair, her fingers brushing the edge of a folder needing her attention before she flicked on the PC.

As Rikki launched the company’s edition review software, her unpainted lips grinned widely at the headline on the top page that caught her eye immediately: ‘Beefcake Banned. A Win For Feminism.’

Rikki leaned back in her chair and allowed the satisfaction to wash over her as she recalled the intense campaign that had led to this victory. Scott Wolfman, the self-proclaimed Beefcake in internet circles, had built his online influencer empire on hatred and degradation of women. He ranted endlessly about how it was a woman’s carnal instinct to submit to men, how their body was their only asset, and how feminism ruined society. What made it worse were the tens of thousands of young, impressionable men having their views twisted and distorted by this misogynistic asshole. Rikki had first clashed with him months ago during a live debate on a well-known podcast, where his crude analysis and vile insults only fueled her resolve. The breaking point came when Beefcake uploaded that disgusting AI-generated video to his YouTube channel, showing Rikki, or RikkiRoar as she is known on TikTok, on her knees giving two hulking men a blowjob. It was a total fabrication, but the video had gone viral and spread like wildfire. As she worked hard to fan the flames of the firestorm, the woman went on the offensive. She mobilized her own followers, contacted advertisers, and pressured the platform until they finally removed his channel for good. This headline was her trophy, a public declaration that women needn’t sit by and let men control the narrative. She had won again.

Rikki’s phone vibrated against the desk, pulling her from the glow of her accomplishment. She glanced at the screen and saw Kyle’s name flashing there, a sight that always brought her a private thrill. She answered the call and pressed the device to her ear.

“Good morning, love,” her fiancé said warmly with a voice that still made her skin tingle. “I just heard the news. That asshole has been banned indefinitely. Your plan worked, babe. Congratulations.”

Rikki let out a light laugh, crossing her legs beneath the desk as she savored his praise. “It was no big deal. Any woman in my position would’ve done the same.”

“No big deal?” Kyle replied, his voice carrying a note of playful disbelief. “He has like almost a million followers. Getting someone like that kicked off the platform takes guts. You risked everything to take care of that creep, and you deserve a treat. I’m taking you out to dinner tonight.”

The brunette tilted her head slightly as she considered his offer. “I thought you had that big scientific paper to finish before the conference next week? You’ve been stressing about it for days.”

The tall man chuckled on the other end of the line. “One night won’t make a difference in the grand scheme of things, babe. I’ll wrap up at the lab later on and pick you up straight from your apartment. Wear something nice, this is your night.”

Rikki felt a flutter in her chest at his words, the way he always knew how to make her feel valued without ever overshadowing her independence. Only Kyle had ever made the woman feel that way. Their relationship had thrived for five years, and his proposal last month had only deepened the bond. “Alright, you’ve twisted my arm,” she said playfully. “I’ll see you later.”

She could sense her lover’s smile over the phone. “I can’t wait to see you. You’re going to look stunning, as always. See you tonight. Love you.”

The political editor smiled warmly. “Love you too, Kyle.”

She ended the call and placed the cell phone back on her desk. A dinner out with Kyle sounded perfect after the turmoil she had gone through the last couple of weeks. She imagined slipping into one of her favorite dresses, perhaps that red one she had bought last week, and just forgetting about the world for a few hours. Kyle always chose the best spots, and his thoughtfulness made every outing memorable.

Before getting back to work, Rikki allowed herself to check her TikTok app, clearing off the hundreds of notifications of her followers reacting to her latest video about the dangers of male entitlement. She had a sizable fan base herself, with over 750,000 people, primarily women, watching her frequent videos and hanging on to her every word.

As the brunette moved her focus back to her work, she caught her reflection in the monitor. Her pretty face stared back at her, framed by those loose dark waves that cascaded with natural allure. Her button nose gave her a youthful charm, while she knew her slightly full lips often gave men unholy thoughts, a big reason why she rarely painted her lips in bold colors. Her slim, athletic body filled the blazer and skirt, and her C-cup breasts provided a subtle fullness that gave her professional silhouette a feminine shape.

Rikki got to work on giving the political section of the magazine one final proofread before sending it back with suggested revisions. The victory over Beefcake was just one more step in her mission to reshape the conversation around women’s rights. With Kyle by her side and her career soaring, the future looked brighter than ever.

❖

Eight hours later, Rikki stepped out of her office and approached the desk stationed just outside her door. Her personal assistant, Charisma, sat there, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she continued to work. The assistant looked up as Rikki approached, her large lips shifting to an attentive smile in an instant.

“Hey, Ms. Reynolds,” the PA said, adjusting her blouse in an attempt to make her blouse appear more modest, a challenging task considering the enhanced E-cup breasts bolted on her chest. “Are you heading off?”

Rikki nodded. “Yes, and you should head off too, Charisma,” she replied. “You’ve been here since before I stepped into the building. I don’t want you burning yourself out.”

The blonde assistant glanced at the screen, where dozens of unread emails demanded attention. “I still have a bunch of emails to send out before I head out. Some of them are from the board, and they usually expect responses ASAP.”

The brunette placed a hand on the edge of Charisma’s desk and leaned forward slightly, her tone gentle but firm. “Those emails can wait until the morning. You have already handled more than enough today, and I need you at your best for the rest of the week. Go home, relax, and recharge.”

Charisma gave Rikki a grateful smile, and it was sincere. She owed everything to her boss. Just a year ago, the blonde had danced under neon lights at a strip club called Temptations just three blocks from the Vogue Femme headquarters building. Men had paid to watch her enhanced body twirl around a pole, their eyes hungry and their words degrading. She owed the club’s manager, Jamal, a large sum of money, and he used that leverage to mold her body to his liking and keep her on the pole.

Rikki had discovered Charisma during an investigative piece on the exploitation of women within New York’s seedy adult entertainment industry. Instead of merely publishing the story, Rikki had made it her mission to help the young blonde. Not only did she pay off Jamal, suddenly freeing Charisma from her obligations, but she also extended a job offer, giving the former stripper a chance at a new start and a new career. With mentorship, education, and unwavering support, Charisma had rebuilt her life, embracing Rikki’s feminist ethos and solidifying her pivotal role as the brunette’s personal assistant. Her loyalty to Rikki ran deep, a bond that could never be broken.

Charisma nodded, closing down her workstation and standing up, her enhanced figure drawing subtle glances from nearby cubicles. “You’re always looking out for me, Ms Reynolds. Thank you,” she said sincerely. “So, what do you have planned for the evening? Something special, judging by the smile on your face,”

Rikki straightened as a spark of excitement glistened in her eyes. “Kyle’s taking me out to dinner to celebrate. He insisted, even with his paper due next week. He’s one of a kind.”

The assistant clasped her hands together in delight, her curves shifting under the modest blouse she always tried to maintain in the office. “That sounds perfect. You deserve to be treated after everything that has recently happened. I heard about that asshole getting banned,” she smiled. “Thank you for protecting women from disgusting filth like him. Men like that think they can say whatever they want. I met enough of them in my old job. What he did to you was disgusting, and I’m glad you fought back.”

Rikki felt a surge of pride at Charisma’s words, the validation from someone who had lived through the worst of male entitlement, hitting deep. “Thanks, Charisma,” she replied simply.

“You make it look easy, Ms. Reynolds,” Charisma continued. “I wish I had half the resilience you do.”

The Political Editor parted her unpainted lips to speak when a sudden snort from the other side of the corridor diverted her attention. She turned her head, her brown eyes narrowing as she pinpointed the source. The sound came from the intern bullpen, and more specifically, the only intern who hadn’t gone home yet. Liam, a young intern with glasses perched on his nose, sat hunched over his desk, his screen glowing with something that made him chuckle under his breath. He did not notice his boss approach, too absorbed in whatever amused him.

Rikki moved with purpose, her heels barely audible against the carpeted floor as she stood directly behind her subordinate. She leaned over his shoulder, her presence finally registering as Liam stiffened. On his monitor was a candid photo of Rikki’s assistant, Charisma, in her stripping days, topless with her big fake tits out and arched around a pole, her body oiled and posing for the photographer.

“What the hell is this?” Rikki asked with a fury boiling in her gut.

The young dark-blond-haired man jumped and rushed to close off the image, spinning in his chair to meet his boss’s gaze, his face draining of color as he witnessed her expression. “Uh, uh, it’s not what it looks like, Ms. Reynolds. It was sent to me in a group chat. I didn’t ask for it, I swear. Someone must’ve thought it was funny, but I was going to delete it right away.”

Rikki’s gaze never wavered, her arms crossing over her chest as she stared the young man down. “You know I have zero tolerance for misogyny in the workplace. That kind of objectification has no place here.”

Liam pushed his glasses up, his hands shaking slightly. “Please, Ms. Reynolds. That’s not me. I was definitely going to delete it.”

The brunette shook her head. “It’s too late for that, I heard the laugh,” she retorted. “You are fired, Mr. Woodstock. I’ll let you stay until Friday. That will give me enough time to hire a replacement, but I am terminating your employment.”

Liam’s eyes widened behind his lenses, and he leaned forward in his chair, desperation creeping into his voice. “Please, Ms. Reynolds, I need this job. My dad will kill me if I lose this internship.”

Rikki allowed herself a slight grin as she bit back. “Your father should learn to raise a better son,” she told the fired man. “I suggest you use your last few days of employment here learning how to treat women properly.” With that final jab, she turned on her heel, leaving the gobsmacked man rue the moment he opened that email.

As the brunette walked past, she winked as Charisma, who returned a small, appreciative nod, her enhanced curves settling as she gathered her things to leave. Rikki continued towards the elevators as she looked ahead to a fantastic evening with her amazing fiancé.

❖

Rikki stood in front of her bedroom’s full-length mirror and smoothed the fabric of the high-end, long red dress over her hips. The material covered her torso and flowed down to her ankles with a flare at the end. It really gave her a red carpet feel, and it made her feel like a million dollars. Kyle had always loved her in red, and tonight she wanted to make him smile.

A car horn beeped outside her apartment window, and the editor grabbed her matching red clutch bag before heading to the door. She stepped into the hallway and locked up, her red 1-inch block heels clicking as she made her way to the elevator. She never understood why women torture themselves all night in painful high heels for the pleasing gazes of men. To her, they were the ultimate symbol of oppression, and she knew her fiancé loved her just the way she was.

The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, and Rikki stepped inside, pressing the button for the lobby. The ride down gave the brunette a moment to admire her reflection in the mirrored walls. The red dress hugged her slim waist and flared elegantly at the bottom, the fabric brushing against her legs with every subtle shift. Her dark hair fell in loose waves, framing her youthful face, while her lips curved into a satisfied smile. She had treated them to a light natural gloss, which still made them more eye-catching than she was usually comfortable with.

The doors slid open, and the woman walked through the lobby with confident strides, her handbag tucked under her arm. Kyle’s car idled at the curb, and she approached the passenger side, sliding into the seat with graceful ease. Kyle turned to her and leaned in for a lengthy kiss, his eyes lighting up as he took in the sight of her in her dress.

“You look stunning, babe,” he said, leaning in once again to catch another kiss. His hands rested on her thigh, the touch sending a soft, pleasant shiver down her spine.

Rikki pulled back with a grin and stared at her loving partner. Jake was tall and handsome, with muscle definition in all the right places. He had dark hair and stubble on the edge of his chin. He always dressed impeccably and kept his body in good shape. Even more attractive was his intelligence. He was the smartest man she knew, and the fact that he constantly fawned over her like a lovesick puppy and supported her feminist agenda made him a slam dunk. He was the perfect man in her eyes. “I’m looking forward to letting my hair down tonight. Lead the way,” she grinned as Jake pulled away.

Kyle shifted the car into gear and merged into the evening traffic, his hand returning to her thigh with a gentle squeeze. “I booked us a booth at Le Bernardin. I know how much you love their seafood.”

The brunette woman’s eyes widened as she turned her head toward her fiancé. “Le Bernardin?” she repeated. “There’s like a four-month waiting list for a table there. Are you sure you didn’t have this night planned all along?”

Kyle glanced at her with a knowing smirk. “My boss owed me a favor, and he already had reservations for tonight.” He casually patted her on the thigh as he continued to drive.

Rikki smiled as her phone vibrated in her bag. With Jake’s eyes on the road, the woman fished out her phone and opened the text message from an unknown number. Her eyes widened as she read the message: ‘YOU’LL PAY FOR WHAT YOU DONE YOU FEMINIST DYKE BITCH.’

The woman shuddered and instantly deleted the message. Scott Wolfman had doxxed her original phone number months ago, and she had had to change the number four times since. However, no matter how many times she switched numbers, his supporters kept finding a way to harass her. Just as she was about to put her phone away, another message appeared: ‘STUCK UP LEFTIE WHORE NEEDS AN ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT.’

Rikki groaned and switched her phone off, sliding it back in her purse and dropping the bag by her feet. Jake noticed the alarm in his woman’s eyes and asked her what was wrong. “Nothing,” she replied. “Just those assholes are at it again.”

Jake’s fists clenched against the steering wheel. “God damn it!” he exclaimed. “We have to go to the police, babe. What if it escalates?”

Rikki shook her dark-haired head. “Just leave it, babe, nothing’s going to happen. Those basement dwellers are all talk.”

Her fiancé wanted to continue the conversation, but he had seen that look in Rikki’s eyes before and knew when to cut an argument short. The drive passed in uncomfortable silence as the SUV made the ten-minute trip to the restaurant. Kyle stopped outside the entrance and got out of the vehicle. He opened Rikki’s door to escort her out before handing the keys to a valet. His hand settled on the small of Rikki’s back, guiding her inside with a warmth that made her pulse quicken.

The host treated them with a well-trained smile and led them through the dining room to a booth tucked away in the corner. Kyle pulled out her chair before settling across from his date, his gaze never leaving her face.

A waiter appeared with a bottle of vintage Bordeaux, pouring each of them a glass. Kyle raised his drink, his eyes locking on her with romantic intensity. “To all your many successes, and the many more to come.”

Rikki clinked her glass against his, the sound ringing softly. “And to our amazing wedding day and a lifetime together.”

They sipped the wine, savoring the expensive, refined taste before setting the glass down. She truly enjoyed the finer things in life. The waiter returned with a set of appetizers, placing them between the pair on the table. Rikki picked up her fork and took a bite, the rich creaminess melting in her mouth.

“Speaking of the wedding,” Kyle said after he swallowed his food. “Mom has invited my uncles from Germany. She’s even paying for them to fly over here.” He smiled as he looked at his future wife.

Rikki raised an eyebrow as she set her fork down. “I thought we agreed on a small-scale wedding,” she replied. “Are you sure you want to waste your allocation on an uncle you haven’t seen for almost a decade?”

Kyle lightly chuckled, taking another sip of wine. “Well, it wouldn’t hurt if we hired a bigger place, you know, we can afford it,” he countered. “If so many people want to share our big day with us, I don’t know why that would be a problem.”

The businesswoman tried to keep her composure and spoke through gritted teeth. “The problem is that we had already agreed on a more intimate setting,” she said firmly. “It’s not about the money. It’s about us sharing the day with our closest friends and family, and not some hangers-on.”

The tall man parted his lip to verbalize his point, but he saw the snappy look in his lover’s eyes. She was incredibly stubborn, but he had learned when a battle was worth fighting. “Okay, love,” he said, stabbing his foot gently on the plate. “A small gathering it is.”

Rikki felt a wave of satisfaction as Kyle relented, his willingness to prioritize her vision for their wedding reinforcing why she loved him so deeply. She took a final bite of the appetizer, the delicate flavors dancing on her tongue as she savored the experience.

The waiter returned to clear their plates as Kyle took his lover’s hand. “I ordered you the sea bass, since I know it’s your favorite here.”

The brunette nodded appreciatively, taking another sip of wine. “You know me too well,” she said, before pausing. She dabbed her lips with a napkin and placed it in front of her. Nature calls. “I need to head to the bathroom for a moment. I’ll be right back.”

Kyle stood as she did, his manner impeccable. “I’ll keep an eye out for our mains while you’re gone. Take your time.”

Rikki smiled at him and made her way through the dining room, the red dress swaying against her ankles with each step as she headed toward the hallway leading to the restrooms.

❖

The magazine editor casually pushed open the restroom door and stepped inside. The space was empty, the row of posh sinks gleaming under the soft lighting. She made her way to the mirror above a sink and set her clutch on the counter, pulling out a tube of her natural gloss to touch up her lips. One of the reasons she hated lip makeup so much was the constant need to ensure it hadn’t smudged.

Rikki uncapped the gloss and leaned closer to the glass, applying a thin layer that made her full lips shimmer just enough. The reflection staring back at her was confident, empowered, the woman who would have it all under control, even as everything crumbled around her. She capped the tube and dropped it back into her bag.

The woman turned toward one of the stalls and entered, locking the door behind her. She lifted the hem of her dress and relieved herself, enjoying the serene moment of the quiet around the room. That day’s stresses had begun to melt away. Those text messages, providing empty threats, dissipated in her mind.

She finished and flushed, smoothing her dress back down as she exited the stall. The sinks waited, and she moved to one, turning on the faucet to wash her hands. The warm water flowed over her fingers, and she reached for the soap, lathering her palms with the scented foam. Her reflection caught her eye again, and she paused momentarily, studying the confident woman in the red dress who stared back at her.

Suddenly, the calming moment on her own was shattered as she heard an unfamiliar, gruff, masculine voice echoing around her. “How about a little upgrade?” the voice chirped. Rikki shuddered, immediately glancing around the restroom for any sign of the intruder, but all the stalls were open and no one else was in the room.

Rikki’s heart stalled in her chest as she spun in a full circle, her eyes darting to every corner of the washroom. The voice had been clear, masculine, and close, yet the space remained empty. The editor pressed her wet hands against the counter, steadying herself as a wave of confusion washed over her. She told herself her mind must have been playing tricks on her. Perhaps the stress from those texts was catching up with her.

The brunette’s eyes widened as her right hand moved. That in itself wouldn’t have been cause for alarm, except for the fact that she had no control over the moment. Suddenly, her hand dove into her clutch bag and pulled out a tube of lipstick she did not recognize. The case was black and gold, expensive-looking but not a brand she had ever bought before. Rikki tried to drop it, to throw it away, but her fingers gripped it tightly. Panic began to surge through her body as her arm lifted the tube toward her lips.

The lipstick glided across her mouth in smooth, precise strokes, as if her appendage had a mind of its own and knew exactly what it was doing. It coated her full lips in bold fire-engine red. The color was vibrant and demanding, and it emphasized and enhanced the natural size she often tried to downplay. Rikki screamed inside her head, commanding her body to stop, but it ignored her completely. Her hand twisted the base for another layer, ensuring the red was thick and even.

Tears pricked at her eyes as she watched the transformation in the mirror. The woman staring back at her looked surreal, her lips now a focus point of seduction. Her hand discarded the rube and retrieved a clear gloss from the bag, another item she had never seen before. The applicator brushed over the red, sealing it with a high-shine finish that made her lips appear plump and irresistible.

The woman’s mind reeled with terror. She fought to wipe the makeup away, to scrub it off with her wet hands, but her body refused to open. Her fingers capped the gloss and dropped both tubes back into the clutch, zipping it shut with eerie precision. The moment her purse was closed, control flooded back to her limbs as suddenly as it had vanished, leaving the shocked woman trembling in front of the mirror.

Rikki touched her lips with shaking fingers, the color staying perfect without a single smudge. The bold red transformed her face, making her dress suddenly look far more provocative than it had earlier. The brunette leaned closer to the glass, her breath fogging the surface as she whispered to her reflection.

“What the fuck is going on?” she asked herself, her voice barely above a whisper.

Without warning, the previous voice returned, echoing around the room. “Looking good,” he mocked jovially. “I think it’s time we had a little fun.”

Before she could interpret the words, Rikki’s body lurched forward, her hands snatching her clutch bag as her legs carried her toward the door. Once again, the political editor had no control over her body. She fought against the actions with every ounce of her will, trying to plant her feet, to turn back to the sink and remove the sickening lipstick. Her muscles strained against the invisible force, but her block heels clicked forward effortlessly.

Rikki’s body grabbed the door handle and pushed it open, stepping into the hallway. The red dress swayed with each compelled step, the bold lips feeling foreign and wet on her face. What was happening to her, and why the hell couldn’t she control her actions? What was Kyle going to think when he saw her? Rikki screamed internally, begging her body to stop. Still, it marched on, carrying her away from the restroom and toward whatever came next.

❖

Rikki’s feet guided her out of the hallway and back into the luxury dining room of the French restaurant, her block heels clicking against the polished floor as she headed directly toward her booth. She fought every step, her mind screaming for her body to turn around, to run back to the restroom and scrub the bright red from her lips. She tried futilely to spare herself from the humiliation as the occasional patron turned their heads, giving the successful TikTok star the kind of attention she never wanted. Kyle sat at their table, his posture relaxed as he checked his phone, but his eyes lifted the moment she came into view.

The tall, dark-haired man’s eyebrow arched as he took in the sight of his fiancée’s mouth, the fire-engine red, glossy lips catching the light in a way that made them impossible to ignore. He had never seen her wear something so bold before, and the effect prompted an awkward shift in his pants. Kyle set his phone down and leaned in slightly, a mix of confusion and a list crossing his handsome features.

Rikki’s heart pounded at the sight of him, her perfect fiancé, waiting for her to return, only to be greeted by a provocative sight. The man opened his mouth, gobsmacked, as she approached, as if he was about to say something but wasn’t sure how. However, much to Rikki’s alarm, she didn’t stop at the booth. Her legs continued walking past, deeper into the restaurant.

The brunette felt Kyle’s confused gaze burning into her back as she continued forward, her body entirely out of her own control. The bar loomed ahead in the center of the large room, a polished mahogany curve lined with black stools. A handful of patrons sat scattered along it, nursing drinks and murmuring to themselves. The restaurant was conveniently located near the business district, where many men would frequent the bar section of the upscale establishment to unwind and relieve stress before heading home.

Rikki’s body zeroed in on an empty stool beside a heavyset man in a disheveled suit, his balding head catching the light as he nursed a whiskey. She slid onto the seat with a fluid grace she did not command, her red dress purposely riding up slightly to reveal a sliver of her lower thigh. The man turned, his beady eyes widening as he took in the sight of her bold lips and elegant figure.

The woman’s hand reached out and brushed his arm without invitation, her fingers lingering on the fabric of his sleeve. “What is your name, handsome?” she heard her own voice purr. Her eyes widened; she had no intention of speaking to this oaf, much less calling him ‘handsome,’ and yet, her body gave her no choice.

The man blinked, clearly startled by the attention from a woman like her. “T-Tommy,” he stammered, struggling to keep it together. He rarely got approached by women in his day-to-day life. “And you are?”

Rikki’s body leaned closer, her tongue seductively flowing over her glossy lips in a flirtatious gesture. “You can call me whatever you want tonight,” she heard herself whisper. “I could not help but notice you from across the room, and you look like a man who knows how to show a girl a good time.” The businesswoman wanted to vomit. She had no idea where those lines, or her behavior, had come from. She internally tried to fight the actions, but she constantly came out on the losing side.

Tommy’s initial shock melted into a smug grin, his hand sliding over to cover hers on his arm. “I do my best,” he replied. It was a lie. He barely ever spoke to women in a romantic context, but whatever the reason for her coming on to him was, he would have some fun with it. “What’s a pretty lady like you drinking?”

The political editor’s body settled more comfortably on the stool, pulling it closer to the man as her thigh brushed against the man’s leg. “Surprise me,” she said, invitingly. “I’m in the mood for something daring tonight.”

Tommy signaled the bartender with a wave of his thick hand, his confidence growing with each interaction. “Barman, two of whatever top-shelf whiskey you have back there,” he ordered, his eyes never leaving Rikki’s glossy lips. “Make hers a double.”

The bartender nodded and poured the drinks, sliding the glasses across the bar. Rikki’s unpainted fingers wrapped around the tumble, and she lifted the glass to her mouth. The brunette grimaced as the whiskey burned down her throat. She hated the taste of hard liquor and knew a couple of these would get her wasted. Nonetheless, her lips contorted into a satisfied smile.

Tommy watched her intently, his gaze lingering on the way her throat worked as she swallowed. “You are something else, doll,” he said, his voice taking on a sleazy tone. “Most women around here would not even touch a drink like that.”

Rikki’s body laughed, the sound light and teasing as she set the glass down. “Most women don’t know what they’re missing,” she replied teasingly, her hand sliding up his arm to rest on his shoulder. “And I like a man who can handle his liquor.”

The large man’s chest puffed out at the compliment, his free hand moving to her knee beneath the bar. “I can handle a lot more than that,” he said, his fingers squeezing gently. Most women would have run a million miles away by now, but this one seemed into it. “Tell me, what’s a woman like you doing sitting here with me?”

The brunette’s mind screamed in protest, her thoughts a frantic mix of disgust and fear. She wanted to slap his hand away and run back to Kyle, begging for forgiveness. However, her body leaned into the touch, her glossy lips parting in a sultry whisper. “I saw you and knew I had to have you,” she said seductively. “You look like you know how to take charge.” Take charge? Her words ran counter to everything she stood for, and she hated every moment of it.

Tommy’s eyes gleamed with newfound boldness as his grip tightened on her knee, softly stroking in slow circles across her dress-clad skin. “I love to take control and give a slut what she needs,” he said crudely. He figured if she didn’t run now, he’d be having his way with her tonight.

Before the woman could force a reply from her traitorous mouth, a familiar voice called out directly behind her. “Rikki, what the hell are you doing?” Kyle asked in an exasperated, disbelieving tone.

Rikki’s body swiveled on the stool to face him, her bright red lips circling into a dismissive sneer that made her stomach twitch. Kyle stood inches away from her, his tall frame rigid with tension, his eyes locked on her painted mouth and the stranger’s hand on her leg. The woman internally called out for her fiancé to save her, to explain what was going on with her body, but the complaints never left her mind.

“I am chatting with Tommy here,” Rikki heard herself say, her voice light and mocking. “He is so funny, Kyle. You should hear some of the things he says.”

Kyle’s brow furrowed deeper, his gaze flicking between her and Tommy. He knew something wasn’t right. “Are you feeling alright, babe? This isn’t you. Has this asshole drugged you or threatened you?” His voice rose to a level where a couple of the men at the bar glanced over.

The brunette’s heart shattered at the pain in her lover’s voice, her mind clawing for control to explain, to beg him to help her. But her body laughed cruelly as her hand slid higher up the fat man’s arm. “I will feel a lot better when Tommy’s cock is deep inside me,” she said, the words spilling out before she could stop them.

Her eyes widened in horror, and she clapped a hand over her mouth, a brief flicker of control running through her trembling body. “Kyle, please,” she forced out, her voice trembling with desperation. “I did not…”

However, before she could finish the sentence, the gruff voice echoed around her again. “Nice try, doll,” he told her mockingly.

Rikki’s hand dropped, and her body turned back to Tommy, leaning in so close her breath brushed his ear. “Ignore him,” she whispered, her lips grazing his skin. “He doesn’t know how to handle a woman like you do.” With that, she leaned further forward, puckering her bright red lips and planting them on the startled man’s lips, deeply kissing a total stranger in front of her own fiancé.

Kyle stepped closer, getting in the middle of the two and breaking up the kiss. “Rikki, stop this. What’s going on?” he pleaded. “You’re not yourself. We’re engaged, and you can’t go around doing shit like this.”

The woman in the red dress pulled back from the kiss, her glossy lips forming a cold smile that betrayed the agony she felt inside. “It’s over between us,” she said abruptly. “The wedding is off. I don’t want to be with you anymore, and I don’t want you in my sight!”

The tall man’s face paled as she shook his head. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. What did this freak have on his fiancée? Kyle wondered. His hand reached out to take Rikki’s arm. “Rikki, you don’t mean that. Let’s leave now, and we can sort this out in the car.”

Rikki’s mind begged for him to hold on, to pull her away from this nightmare, but her body twisted free from his grasp with a sharp jerk. Tommy stood up from his stool, his bulk moving between the pair as he swatted Kyle’s arm away with a meaty hand.

“You heard the lady,” the large man growled, his voice carrying a threatening tone. “She’s done with you. Now back off before I get the cops involved.”

Kyle stared at Tommy, then back at Rikki, his eyes searching for any sign of distress in the woman he loved. The restaurant had gone quiet, patrons watching the scene with wide eyes as though they were witnessing a real-life soap opera. He parted his lips to continue his attempt to convince the woman, but the eyes on them stopped him short. Kyle backed away, his face a mask of devastation as he turned and stormed out of the restaurant.

Rikki’s mind screamed after him, her heart shattering into pieces as her perfect man left her alone with the stranger. Despite her mental torture, Rikki’s body turned back toward the meaty man, her arm looping through Tommy’s as she brushed herself against his side. “You’re my hero,” she cooed, her glossy lips brushing his cheek flirtatiously.

Tommy grinned down at her, his hand sliding to the small of her back before resting on her ass. “How about we get out of here? My place is just a short cab ride away.”

Rikki’s body nodded eagerly. “Mmm, I’d love that, Tommy,” she heard herself say, still unable to grapple control back from the invisible force dictating her actions. As Tommy led her out, Rikki’s mind screamed for someone to help her. Still, she appeared happily compliant as the patrons stared and whispered about the pair amongst themselves, openly judging them as the couple left the restaurant.

❖

The following morning, Rikki woke with a pounding headache that throbbed behind her eyes. She lay naked beneath a set of unfamiliar sheets, the fabric soft against her skin. Her body ached in places she did not want to acknowledge, and the scent of stale whiskey and sweat clung to the environment around her. Her red dress from the night before lay discarded on the floor, and her wedge heels sat neatly beside the door.

She sat up slowly, clutching the sheet to her chest as fragments of memory flooded back. Kyle’s devastated face flashed in her mind, followed by Tommy’s leering grin and the feel of his hands on her body. Rikki’s stomach churned with nausea, not just from the hangover but from the realization of what she had done. She had ended her engagement, humiliated the man she loved, and slept with a stranger, all while her body acted against her will.

The bed beside her was empty; the indentation in the pillow was the only sign that the fat stranger had been there. Rikki swung her legs over the edge of the mattress, her bare feet touching the cold hardwood. She had no idea where in the city she was, but she needed to get out of there. She walked over to the crumpled dress and picked it up from the floor before sliding it over her naked body. She couldn’t find her underwear, so this would have to do.

Rikki spotted her clutch on a nearby nightstand and grabbed it, her fingers fumbling as she checked for her phone. It was still turned off from the night before, but she knew she needed to get out of here before she could start putting her life back together.

She slipped her feet into the wedge heels and hurried to the bedroom door, pushing it open to reveal a spacious, but messy, living room. Empty beer cans littered the coffee table, and takeout boxes overflowed from a trash bin. Tommy sat at his dining table, sipping from a mug, his paunch straining against an off-white t-shirt. There was a second steaming mug beside him as he looked up, his small eyes lighting up as he watched the woman enter the room.

“Good morning, gorgeous,” the man said, his voice thick with lust as he set his mug down. “I made you some coffee. Figured you would need it before we go for round two.”

Rikki’s skin crawled at his words, the memory of her body responding to him making her want to retch. She clutched her bag tighter as she forced her legs to carry her toward the front door, no sign of the lack of control she demonstrated last night. “Go fuck yourself,” she snapped defiantly. She felt sick at the thought of what she had done the previous night, how she screamed for more, and she had no intention of doing anything like that again.

Tommy’s face twisted in confusion and anger as he pushed back from the table. “What the hell is your problem?” he snapped. “Last night you couldn’t get enough of me, and now you act like you don’t want to know me. Were you really that drunk?”

The woman reached for the door and yanked it open, not stopping to give him an opportunity to stop her. “You are a creep,” she shot back, stepping into the corridor without looking behind her. “Stay the hell away from me.”

She slammed the door shut and hurried down the hallway, her heels unsteady on the worn carpet as she searched for the exit. The building felt foreign and oppressive, and she felt dirty navigating it in last night’s attire. She eventually found the exit and hailed a cab. She needed to go home, shower away the shame, get to work, and repair her relationship.

❖

Rikki made it into her office and closed the door behind her with a firm click. Despite the feeling of every eye being on her, no one appeared to know about last night’s activities, and her reputation seemed to be safe for now. She had caught a cab ride home from Tommy’s apartment, the ride a blur of self-loathing and confusion. The shower had been scalding, an attempt to wash away the filth of the night, but the memory clung to her skin like the red lipstick had to her lips. She had dressed in a fresh light blue suit, her face freshly made up in neutral colors, a return to the woman she knew. Rushing to work had been her only plan, a way to return herself to a sense of normalcy while she figured out how to reach Kyle.

The businesswoman dropped her bag on the desk and sank into her chair, her fingers already reaching for her phone. She attempted to call her fiancé again, pressing the device to her ear as it rang. Voicemail picked up immediately, and she threw the handset on the table. She had tried to call him seven times this morning, in addition to the dozen texts, but he had so far refused to answer.

Rikki stared at the phone as her chest pounded with frustration. She needed to hear her lover’s voice, to explain the inexplicable. She had no control over her actions the night before; it was as if a demon had possessed her or a puppetmaster controlled her strings. She couldn’t explain it in a way that made sense, but she needed Kyle to answer the damn phone so she could at least try.

A sudden voice broke the silence, the same gruff baritone from the restaurant. “Don’t waste your time on that loser, Rikki,” he taunted. “I’ll help you find a new boyfriend, one more suited to your tastes.”

The brunette bolted upright, her eyes scanning around the empty office. “Who are you?” she demanded, her voice laced with panic. “Where are you? Show yourself!”

The voice chuckled, a low rumble that seemed to vibrate inside her skull. “I’m right here, doll, in that pretty little head of yours. There’s no need to look around. You can call me Viz.” He explained jovially. “Only you can hear me, and that gives us a special connection. Think of me as your guardian angel of sorts.”

Rikki shook her head. “Guardian angel?” she repeated furiously. “You fucked up my life. Kyle won’t return my calls, and it’s all because of you. Get out of my head!”

Viz’s laughter echoed in her mind, rich and unconcerned. “That beta waste of space?” the voice mocked. “That worthless excuse for a boy only held you back. We will find you a nice man, one who knows how to take care of you. But first, I think this tight body of yours needs to test the market a little.”

“What are you talk- No!” Rikki’s eyes widened as her body rose of its own accord mid-sentence, her legs carrying her toward the door. She fought against the movement, trying to sit back down and anchor herself, but her muscles ignored every internal command. Her hand turned the knob and opened the door, stepping into the open office area where her staff worked at their desks.

The woman’s body moved with purpose through the bullpen, her suit hugging her curves as her heels clicked against the carpeted floor. She scanned the room, her eyes locking on a solemn Liam at his desk, the intern she had fired yesterday. He sat hunched over his keyboard, staring aimlessly at his monitor as he no doubt wallowed in the fatal mistake he had made the day prior. Rikki’s mind screamed for her to stop, to turn back to the office and lock the door, but her legs carried her straight to him. She had no need or want to talk to the misogynistic nerd, and yet her body wouldn’t stop until she reached his station.

Rikki perched on the edge of Liam’s desk, her legs crossing in a way that made her pale blue skirt ride up her thighs. She leaned forward slightly, and her face contorted into a sultry smile. Liam looked up from his screen and jumped, terrified that the woman was back to pour fuel on the fire. “Hey there, Liam,” the political editor found herself chirping. “How are you doing this morning?”

“Uhm, is that a joke, Ms. Reynolds?” he stuttered, not sure how to take the feminist’s posture. “You fired me last night. How do you think my day’s going?”

The editor’s body giggled, the sound light and teasing as her hand reached out to grasp his tie. It was a sound she would never have chosen to make, and it made her want to vomit. The woman tugged his tie gently, pulling the startled and confused man closer while her other hand absently rested on his knee. Inside, Rikki’s mind recoiled in horror, screaming for her body to stop this madness. She had fired this boy for good reason, and now she was flirting with him like she was some desperate secretary.

“Hmm, I might be willing to reconsider your termination,” Rikki heard herself say. “If you can pass a little performance review.” Her face grinned and winked suggestively at the young man.

Liam’s eyes widened. He had no idea what trick this feminist was trying to pull, but he was sure it would land him in jail when all was said and done. Nonetheless, curiosity got the better of him. “P-Performance review?” he stuttered.

The brunette’s body leaned in even closer, her breath warm against his ear as he fingers toyed with the knot in his tie. “I have a sudden craving for something big and hard,” she whispered seductively, her mind screaming in vain. “Show me what you can do with that joystick of yours, and your job might be safe after all.”

The intern swallowed hard, his gaze darting around the office to see if anyone else was witnessing this bizarre turn of events. Despite the room being busy, everyone was enthralled in their own work and didn’t appear to notice their boss seducing an intern. “You are serious?” he asked quietly. “This isn’t some kind of setup?”

The woman found herself sighing as she dropped the man’s tie. She hopped off his desk and took one step away from him. Had she won? Had she successfully fought the abstract being controlling her actions? “If you’re not interested, I’m not going to force you,” her mouth said of its own accord. “You may as well start packing your things up now.”

“Wait!” the fired worker said a little too loudly, and Rikki found herself stopping in her tracks. “I accept the offer,” he said in a statement that made the woman’s heart sink. If he was getting fired anyway, he didn’t exactly have much to lose by playing along, Liam thought to himself.

Rikki’s body turned back to the intern with a wide smile, her hand grasping his wrist as she pulled him from the chair. She led the young man toward her office, her hips swaying invitingly with each step as her mind continued to protest. The door closed behind them, and she pressed the button to blacken the windows, sealing the pair in privacy. Liam stood there with shallow breaths, watching his boss with excitement.

The brunette’s body guided the man backwards and gently pushed him into her chair, her fingers trailing down his chest before she knelt between his legs. There was only one man in the world she had ever been in this position with before, and even then, she had only given Kyle a blowjob twice. Her hands moved of their own accord as they worked his belt open with practiced ease, then the button and zipper of his pants. She pulled them down along with his boxes, the intern’s impressive cock springing free, already half-hard from the unexpected turn of events.

Her subtly glossed lips parted, and she took him into her mouth, her tongue twirling around the tip in teasing circles. Rikki cried out as she tasted the man on her tongue, his precum savored by her taste buds. Liam groaned, his hands gripping the armrests of his boss’s chair as she bobbed her head, taking him deeper with each motion. The warmth of her mouth enveloped him, her lips sliding along his length with a steady rhythm that made his hips buck involuntarily.

Rikki worked him expertly, her hand twisting in sync with her mouth as she sucked harder. Her tongue pressed against the underside of his member, tracing the vein as she hollowed her cheeks for added suction. Liam’s breathing grew heavier, his fingers tangling in her dark waves as he guided her pace. Rikki’s mind recoiled in horror, but her body continued to suck, determined to bring the man to the edge.

The pressure built quickly, and eventually it was too much for the young man. His moans filled the office as Rikki’s body took him to the brink. Her lips tightened around his cock, her hand pumping faster as she felt him throb against her tongue. With a final groan, Liam came, shooting hot spurts of his seed down his boss’s mouth. Rikki reeled in the humiliation. It tasted disgusting; perhaps the worst taste she had ever been subjected to. Regardless, her body swallowed every drop, her throat working as she milked him dry until there was no more semen left to deliver.

Rikki pulled back slowly, her lips glistening as she licked them clean. “Your job is safe for now,” she found herself saying in a satisfying tone. Safe? He was an asshole, and she fired him for a reason. “Get back to work,” she demanded.

Liam panted, his face flushed as he tucked himself away. The young man couldn’t believe his luck. “Thank you, Ms. Reynolds, for everything.”

The intern stood with his boss still on her knees and approached the door. “Liam,” Rikki’s voice called out as she turned her head. The man paused momentarily. “Let’s keep this our little secret for now. There’s no need for anyone else to find out.”

The young man nodded quickly, his eyes still wide in disbelief at what had just happened to him. “You have my word,” he promised as he slipped out of the office and closed the door behind him.

Rikki stood up from her knees, her body finally under her own control again, and she stumbled back against the desk in shock. Her hands flew to her mouth, feeling the faint, disgusting slickness of her junior worker’s seed left behind, and she gagged at the memory of what she had just done. She had fired Liam for good reason, and now she had knelt before him like some desperate whore, taking him into her mouth against her will. She clenched her fists as she stared at the blackened windows, the office beyond oblivious to the violation that had just occurred.

The editor stepped up to a mirror on the wall, her reflection showing a woman unraveling at the seams. Her light blue suit was slightly disheveled from the act, her neutral makeup smudged slightly as a single tear threatened to run her mascara. “Are you happy now?” she asked the empty room, her voice breaking as she addressed the anonymous voice that had tormented her.

Her hand moved toward her face without permission, suddenly holding the black and gold trimmed lipstick casing from the night before. “What the-?” she said before she puckered her lips. She watched in the mirror as the bold fire-engine red color coated her mouth in a thick layer. Her hand twisted for a second, ensuring the coat was perfect and eye-catching.

The gloss applicator followed, sealing the red with a high-shine finish that made her lips look plump and irresistible once more. Rikki’s mind screamed in protest, but her body completed the task at hand, capping the tubes and dropping them to the floor.

As the woman stared in disbelief, Viz’s voice returned in a sadistic tone. “The fun has only just begun, princess.”

Rikki stared at her reflection in horror, the bright red lips a symbol of the control she had lost. The woman in the mirror no longer felt like the confident editor who fought for women’s rights, but a puppet dancing to an unseen master’s tune. She has no idea how that voice had gotten inside her head, or how he was able to control her actions, but she knew she needed to find the answers before this escalated any further.

End of Chapter One