I shuffled the papers on the Clockmaster’s desk. I neatened the pile gently and then proceeded to start sweeping the floors. THe clockmaster had gone to the factory to meet a client that could help him set up another trade route, this one into the next country.

Since the clocktower was running well, I was taking the time to clean up the rooms in the clocktower. The last one was the Clockmaster’s; I rarely went up to his room even now. If we wanted to spend time with each other, we spent it either in my room or the sitting room.

As I cleaned, I heard the door slam a few floors below over the the gears. I stopped mid-sweep, and called out “Sky are you home?” The sound of metal being hit made me realize the deal had gone sour. Angry footsteps pounded up the stairs, and I bit my lip.

HE paused for a moment when he saw me standing there, but then he just threw his bag to the side along with his hat. “Idiots! It’s like I’m talking to a wall and the ceiling!” He snapped in response to my silent question. I fell onto his couch, running his hand through his short black hair. “Idiots” he muttered.

I sat down next to him, resting a hand on his leg. “Are you alright?” “No I’m not alright.” he muttered. I gently rubbed his leg. Suddenly he lunged at me hugging me tightly, his head in the crook of my neck. “I positively hate people.”

“That’s why I stay to the Clocktower. It’s safe; no people” He snickered slightly at my response. “The two of us hating the people together…” “Romantic, right?” I said, giggling. He smiled and brushed a piece of hair behind my ear and nodding. “Very.” He agreed. As he looked into my eyes, I saw the same thing in his eyes…. The same thing I saw that night in the storage room.

“I-I had better continue cleaning.” I stuttered slightly jumping upward. Sky stayed sitting watching me. I moved over the bed and began to pull off the blankets, intending to straighten the sheets. As I crawled onto the bed to tuck the sheet in the corner when I felt him come up behind me, pressing me to him.

I didn’t question it this time and instead let him caress me. “Perfect” I heard him mutter, pulling me so my butt was in the air. I bit my lip again as he pulled away from me. “Strip. Now.” He said quietly but clearly as I stood up. I shook my head.
“No…. It’s to cold.” I feigned a slight shiver. That was a mistake. Putting a hand to my throat, he squeezed slightly. “Strip now, I said.” He purred. I managed a nod and as he pulled his away I gagged slightly. I hesitated before reaching for the clasps on my corset as he sat on the couch, lounging slightly.

His eyes followed my hands as I undid each of the four silver clasps, then let it drop to the floor.