Conflict of Interests

As promised, Linda came to collect her shoes. I passed the box over the counter. ”There you go”

“You’ve put them in a box?”

“And repaired... free of cost.” It was the least I could do because I had been wanking incessantly about them. “Please, take them.”

“No I insist... Tell me what I can do in return.”

“No no, it’s fine. You just keep coming in here and spending your money.”

“Well, thank you very much.”

I smiled and tapped my fingers against my counter. “My pleasure.”

“You know... we could go out sometime.”

My heart exploded. “Yes.”

“On a double date, me and Jack and you and your partner... I'm sure you've been keeping one secret from me.”

"No. There's no one." I hung my head and stared at my brown moccasins. “I’m a long-term bachelor.”

“Really? How come you’re not married, Tom?”

“I never recovered from a broken heart when I was twenty.”

“But that's like twen...”

I glared at Linda. “Easy, Linda... fifteen years ago. I’ve had brief encounters, but nothing serious.”

“Right. But still, you have to move on. Surely?”

“I plan to, just need to find the right woman... What about you?”

“Me?”

“I mean, your relationship. You’ve been engaged for how long..?”

“I know... five years.” Linda glanced at the floor. “He gets angry every time I mention the wedding.”

“Oh.”

“I’ve just sort of accepted the fact we are together... I mean, a wedding is just a materialistic thing anyway. Never mind the expense.”

“Not a very womanly thing to say. I thought every girl dreamt of getting married. Plus they don’t have to be super plush, anyway.” I couldn’t believe I was doing my best to marry off the woman I love. “Just a simple service can rubber stamp your relationship.”

“I did dream of marriage once.”

“I’m a man, and I know men would avoid marriage their whole life if they could. You just need to put that beautiful foot down hard, and get him to make his commitment official.”

“You know what Tom, you’re right.”

I sighed. “I am.”

“I’m going to turn the screw on Jack tonight.”

“Talk about turning the screw. Did you manage to stop him going to Vegas with his friends?”

“Yes... for now.”

I smiled and nodded. “Good.”

~

Saturdays were always an early start. I had sleepwalked my way from the car park and pulled the keys from my pocket on the quiet high street which still hadn't been cleaned from the late night revellers. The sun had barely lifted from the sleepy horizon when I pulled up the security shutters of the shop. A familiar voice rung in my ears. “Tom...”

“Linda?”

Lind looked shit as she stepped out of her car. Her eyeliner was strewn over her chocolate skin. “Sorry, Tom... I’ve been sat in the car waiting for you to open.”

“Linda, you look terrible, what’s wrong?”

“I didn’t know where else to go.”

“Don’t worry.” My heart bled. I could tell that Linda was rocking on the verge of the next set of tears. “Hang on. Let me open up. You can tell me over a morning coffee.”

In the stockroom, Linda sat on the old two-seater that I had brought from home. I use it to sleep on when I have late night stock checks. Huddled around her steaming mug, she tearfully confessed, “I listened to what you said last night.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Jack told me he didn’t love me enough to marry.”

“What an idiot.”

“We then fought, destroying half the furniture.”

My shoulders slumped as I felt guilty. “I bet that’s the last time you listen to my advice.”

“The worst thing, though... The bastard didn’t even seem too bothered when I kicked him out.”

“How is that even possible? You’re the most beautiful creature to walk this planet.”

“Be quiet...” Linda raised a faint smile. “What are you on about?”

“The man is a fool.”

Linda kicked her feet up and down in frustration, then wailed like an upset teenager. “Oh, Tom. What have I done?”

“Now, now.”

“I’ve ruined everything.”

“No you haven’t.” I sat beside Linda and could smell the **** on her clothes. “Now you just have to wait.”

“Huh?”

“If he loves you, he’ll realise his mistake and come running back.”

Linda rested her head on my shoulder. I suddenly felt my cock swell. “I’m so tired.”

“Just go home and sleep off your woes. I’m sure you’ll feel better when you wake up.”

“But I don’t want to go back to my empty house.”

“Parents.. relatives, friends?” Fucking hell, here I am doing my best to ruin my chances of getting some sympathy sex. I really need to learn to shut up.

“No. I don’t want to be bombarded with questions.”

I thankfully got my act together. “You can sleep in here. I’ll put the heating on and warm the place up. When you wake up, you can think with a clear head.”

“That would be great.” Linda turned to face me, then wrapped her arms around me. Her tits were smothering me, and I just about managed to hold back from giving her tits a lick from my tongue. “It’s sad... but you’re my best friend, Tom. ”

“I wouldn’t call befriending me sad.”

“But you sell me shoes... It’s conflict of interest.”

“Hardly”

“You’re taking advantage.” I felt ready to burst as she squeezed me tight and giggled. “I own more shoes than you.”

“I don’t **** you to buy any of my shoes.”

“I come here for you... Tom.” Linda pecked me on the cheek. Despite the coffee, I winced as her breath smelled like a drinks cabinet. She then slumped back onto the couch. The bell suddenly rang.

“That must be a customer... I have to go.”

“Fine.” Linda rested on the couch as I covered her with my tweed blanket. “Keep them away from my shoes, Tom.”

“I will.”

I felt extra special having Linda sleeping in my shop. The sordid possibilities seemed endless. Behind my counter I went about serving my customers with a smile. But my mind was elsewhere... in the stockroom with my sexy black woman.

Under the lip of the counter sat my flat screen security monitor. Most days the screen is split on the three cameras that cover the shop floor, entrance and fire exit. But today I had the screen dedicated to the stockroom. I manipulated the camera so it focused on my ethnic Barbie. Despite feeling guilty that I was invading Linda’s privacy, the thrill excited me.

The electric heater must have heated the stockroom nicely as Linda had peeled back the blanket. Suddenly she spread her legs... I couldn’t believe my luck. Toggling the joystick, I zoomed in on her nylon covered crotch. The HD camera could pick up the different textures including the panty liner under her knickers. I felt in need of wank. But my shop was full of customers.

Gift wrapping a pair of shoes, I noticed movement on the screen. Linda pulled her top over her head and let tits hang in her flimsy bra. I took the money from the customer then sat back down. Linda’s coffee tits rested like small hillocks on a flat plane. I watched in awe as they gently raised and sank due to her rhythmic breathing.

Lunch hour arrived and I closed the shop. I was looking forward to rubbing one out behind the counter, but I noticed on the monitor that Linda was awake and fully dressed. So I excitedly knocked on the door and entered.

“Slept well, Linda?”

“Yes thanks. I had to turn down the heater though.”

“Sorry... I think that thing is to blame for global warming... and my soaring energy bill. Anyway, how are you feeling? Better?”

“No.” Linda glanced down at her phone. “Jack is still ignoring my calls and texts.”

“Just leave it. Let him come to you.”

“I don’t think he is, I saw on Facebook that he has checked into the airport.”

“Maybe he is just trying to cheer himself up.”

“According to his status update...” Linda bit her lip. “He’s jetting to Vegas with his boys.”

“Bastard.”

“I’m hungry... always feel hungry when I’m angry.”

“Really?” I opened my mini fridge and handed Linda a sandwich. “Salmon salad? I bought it this morning.”

“Don’t you mind?”

“I wouldn’t be offering if I did.”

“It’s over, Tom.” Linda broke down while unwrapping the sandwich. “Nine years, over just like that.”

“You don’t know it’s truly over.”

“I bet he’s shagging a dirty hooker right now.”

“Don’t say that.”

“I know him well.”

I thought I would strike while Linda was at her lowest ebb. “So, where are you off to tonight, then?”

“Trying to get rid of me already?”

“No... No. I promise. Just thought, you know.”

“Janet, my best friend is on a month long honeymoon.”

I felt my luck had definitely turned positive. “Oh...”

“And I really don’t want to see my parents because they love Jack like a son. I know, one way or another, they will blame me.”

“If you don’t want to be alone... Then stay with me.”

“I was hoping you would offer... Great.”

Fucking awesome more like. I felt like dancing and wanking at the same time. “Yes... I’ll look after you. In fact I’ll treat you like a queen.”