Fading Scars

Chapter 9 - Seduction and Surprises

I don't know at what point he let me go. I continued to feel him with my eyes closed. When the elevator opened, Sarah was waiting for us. She caught us red-handed. He was assured of himself as if he always grabbed defenseless girls in the elevator, and I was extremely embarrassed by the situation. It's difficult to resist him; I would have told Sarah. She looked old enough to be my mother, so I kept quiet.

He grabbed my hand, and we walked into the apartment. Sarah informed us that dinner was served. We had already had dinner in that elevator. And what a dinner... He thanked her for the dinner and dragged me to the kitchen counter.

'I don't want you to faint.'

I gave a slight laugh. He looked at me in amazement. Would this be the first time he heard me laugh heartily?

Fainting? That would've been in the elevator. He gave me a more serious look, so I sat at the counter  to eat the divine salad that Sarah had prepared. A salad in the middle of the night, that's what I needed.

I chewed in silence, occasionally catching him watching me, wordless. But the desire in his eyes was as clear as day. After finishing, I got up and carried my plate to the sink. The way I moved in that dress was still amusing him.

'Leave it; I'll get it washed.'

Well, I had forgotten that there were people for everything, and there wouldn't be anyone to wash the dishes?

'No problem. I wash, you dry.'

He gave me a look like someone who'd never dried a plate before. He walked over, handed me the plate, and I passed him my already-washed plate along with a cloth. He dried it, put it away, and did the same for the other plate and our cutlery.

'Did you see? You didn't lose your arm.'

I talked to him like a teenager.

'Look at her; turns out I'm not the only bossy one around.'

I was having fun. I went back to the counter, kicked off my shoes—I couldn't walk in those sandals anymore. Grabbed my glass of wine and took a savory sip. This one had a sweet taste; it was green wine. Hmm, I liked it!

He also took a sip of his, then went to the sofa and sat down casually.

It was way past one in the morning, and we continued into the night. I stayed at the counter; he gestured for me to come closer.

I reached the couch, and he pulled me onto his lap.

'You're going to need someone to help you with this dress.'

Oops... it was true. What a bummer! I hadn't remembered. But I didn't show weakness.

'I'm sure you have someone who can help me.'

He flashed a charming smile.

'I don't know; I don't remember anyone who can do it. I didn't hire anyone... I'm going to ask for a Terms of Reference now. I'm looking for someone who can take off my ...' And he stopped, leaving an air of mystery.

'your?' I encouraged him to continue. What would I become of him? 

'Babe.'

'...your babe's dress? Are you going to put this on ToR?'

He was still amused. He wanted me to ask. And I asked because there was no way to take off the dress without help. Although beautiful, it shouldn't be comfortable to sleep wrapped in Swarovski crystals.

'Can you please help me with the dress, Mr. Reed?'

I said it as formally as possible, but it still sounded like an invitation with ulterior motives, third and fourth intentions.