Fling to Ring

His Secret Identity

The smell of men's cologne and coffee filled my living room. I opened my eyes to see that I was not in my bedroom, but in my living room. Disoriented, I looked around to see my clothes on the floor, next to a pair of men's dress shoes. I forgot all about Eric sleeping in my house and jumped off the couch with a blanket wrapped around my body. This was embarrassing. I didn't intend for this to become a one-night stand. Panicking, I ran into my room and threw on some clothes before going back into the living room. When I got back out into the living room, Eric was bringing in two cups of hot coffee and picking up the blankets that made their way onto the floor from last night. I blushed and couldn't say anything.

"I didn't run away." He chuckled, like that was supposed to make me feel better.

"I'm sorry." This caught him off guard, spitting some of his coffee back into his cup mid drink. "I mean, I'm sorry that this happened, not sorry about you. That's not what I meant, it's just I meant that I wasn't trying to hook up with you. Not that your ugly, you're not! In fact, you're quite handsome and attractive, but me...I'm not attractive. I mean I-" He came up to me and kissed me on the lips to stop my nonsense.

"You are beautiful." He held me in an embrace that made me tingle again.

"That's not what I mean. It's that this was my first-" He shushed me with his finger until his eyes widened upon realization of what I was saying. His eyes slowly calmed, and he looked down at me and apologized.

"No no no, you're fine! Don't worry, I just...I just don't know how to deal with it. This wasn't a mistake...I don't think. Please don't think this was a mistake!" I began to panic again, but Eric calmed me down by hugging me a bit tighter.

"I don't think of this as a mistake." He reassured me and handed me my cup of coffee. I was still confused because I wasn't sure whether this constituted us as a couple after hooking up for one night. I mean all of it happened because of our desires, right? But from what I know already, I wouldn't mind dating him. He is attractive, and he is caring. I shook my head trying to clear my head. I looked outside and sighed, while trying to think about this whole situation. Was this an awkward conversation to have with someone whom you just slept with? I wish I could talk to Sandra. Wait.

"What time is it?" he looked puzzled.

"Uh..7:53 am," he glanced at his watch. I screamed in surprise. "What's wrong?"

"I was supposed to be at work by 8..." I sat down in frustration as I held my head in my hands. I could technically call off, but given the work load I would have the next day, I would rather go to work late.

"Can you go in late? Where do you work?" He seemed concerned for a one-night stand kinda guy.

"Brooke and Bell Realty. It's the property management office ten blocks from here. My boss is going to kill me." I sighed in defeat, knowing that either consequence would be an uncomfortable one. "Last time I came in late, he gave me an extra workload because 'I should always be prepared to work no matter what the circumstances.'" I added with extra quotations as I explained to Eric the situation I may be entering in if I show up late today.

"Have you filed your weekly client list to your supervisor and filled out your survey reports of properties on the listings?" He asked me these questions as if he worked there himself. Did he work there himself?

"Yes, and yes...how do you know that's what I do?" He looked away and then laughed.

"My bad, a buddy of mine works there and he tells me about his workload like you did to me. I assumed that's what you did too." That makes sense. For a second, I thought Eric was a real creeper. "I actually know someone who works above your supervisor, so go in as late as you want. I will make sure your workload is as light as ever today, besides they owe me a favor." Eric has been honest with me so far, so I felt that I should trust him on this at least for today. Besides, my mind did not even want to think about work.