Whenever the topic of work comes up, the first question people like to ask is 'Do you like your job?'. For me, it had always been a difficult question to answer. I dreaded going to work everyday, but I dreaded most things, even things I willingly planned to do. Over the past year, I had developed a sort of grudging gratitude towards my job - it wasn't particularly interesting, or glamorous, or exciting, but it was... fine. And it did allow me certain luxuries.

My lunchtime reading was one such luxury. The office was in close proximity to one of the larger parks in the area, complete with winding paths, patches of forest, and a narrow stream of flowing water. My bench of choice overlooked this stream, and I was in luck today, because a spot of sun was breaking through the clouds and making the water sparkle.

Finally relaxed, and with a quick look around to make sure I was alone, I removed the book I was reading from my bag. It had a discreet enough cover, but to anyone who was at all into books, the title gave it away - A Tale of Felines and Felicity. It was about a young man, much like myself, who suddenly finds himself in a world full of cat-girls who are all, naturally, eager to mate with him. I had just reached the part where the main character had been captured by the cat-queen, and was about to be forcibly inducted into an ancient mating ritual. I settled into my bench, immersing myself in the story:

'And though Osaka-kun had never pleasured a woman before, the cat-queen squealed (and meowed) with pleasure, while she bounced on his massive-'

"Hey, whatcha reading?"

I nearly fell off the bench in shock.

Emilia was leaning over my shoulder, her eyes fixed on the page. I snapped the book closed, and tried to stuff it into my bag quickly, but the zipper got stuck, and I couldn't get it to open-

"Lawrence," she gasped, her eyes wide as she noted the book cover, "I didn't expect you to-"

"I just borrowed it from a friend, okay?" I said desperately, as the zip finally gave in and I slammed the book into my bag.

"Well... I did hear it was one of the top smut books that released last-"

"Smut?" I laughed like an idiot, blushing furiously, "Don't be silly, it's not smut -"

"But I just read that the cat-queen was bouncing on his massive-"

"Okay, okay, enough!" I pressed one finger to her lips, and her eyes widened in surprise again. Her lips were soft.. and a little wet.. her eyes were large and a light brown, reflecting the sun. I swallowed, "Keep your voice down, okay...?"

"Sorry," she whispered, as her pretty lips formed a mischievous smile. She took a seat next to me on the bench, long legs stretched out in front of her. Her skin looked good in the sun... bronze and smooth, as if she were an ancient statue.

"So, uh... why are you here, anyway?" I asked, eager to change the subject from my reading habits, "Didn't you go to the cafeteria?"

"Well, I did. But I couldn't stand it - it was so noisy, and I was surrounded by..." her thick, dark brows furrowed as she struggled to find the polite way of phrasing it.

"Horny men?" I offered, and she nodded.

"Not that I mind some attention. But a girl needs a break after a while."

"Yeah, I can imagine." I leaned back against the bench, "But I guess it's gonna be difficult to get a real break. I mean, you are one of the only women in the office. And you're also..." I paused, and she fixed her big brown eyes on me again.

"Also what?"

I hesitated, but now that she'd seen me reading smut, I doubted I could fall any lower in her eyes. So I took a deep breath and said, "Well, you're kinda beautiful."

I realised that sounded backhanded as I said it.

"As in, very beautiful. Stunning, really." I added hastily, and resisted the urge to run my eyes down her body to back up my claims.

Emilia laughed, "Oh come on, everyone says that."

"Because it's true?"

"Or because they think that's what I want to hear."

I considered this as a family of ducks waddled by, each moving in sync with each other. "And you don't?"

She crossed her arms, "Well, I just don't believe it. When they say that, what they're really saying is..." she placed her lips close to my ear, like a schoolgirl whispering a secret, "I want to fuck you."

A shiver ran down my spine, making my dick stir in my pants.

"Well..." I struggled to come up with a reply. Was this some kind of game she was playing? "...some might say that's still an enviable position to be in."

"Oh, of course. But as a girl who has... let's say... been around the block a few times..." she smiled wistfully, "it loses its charm. But tell me, Lawrence..." she shuffled closer to me, placing one hand on my thigh, her eyes burning into mine, "Do you really think I'm beautiful? Or do you just want to fuck me?"

I couldn't take it anymore... a noticeable bulge formed in my pants, my dick straining against the fabric. Her eyes ran down my body and settled on it - the corner of her mouth curled into a smirk.

Then she got to her feet, stretching, "We should really get back to it... see you in the office, Lawrence." she smiled, sweet as ever, all signs of that smirk gone. Then I was alone on the bench again - confused, hard, and turned on beyond belief.

What the fuck had just happened?

I grabbed my things and hurried to catch up with her.