As long as you like

6

The next morning, I woke up to a knock on the door. I opened it to find Minnie standing there smiling. She had two coffees and a bakery bag, "I've waited long enough. Let's hear about last night!" She squealed, pushing her way inside and setting down her things before kicking off her shoes and settling on the couch.

I grabbed a coffee and plucked a donut from the bag and plopped down next to her. "Well," I started. I chuckled, remembering last nights activities. "I found out what he meant when he can't we can't be friends." Minnie perked up in excitement. I told her the details of the restaurant, the wine, the conversation. Then, I got to the juicy stuff.

"And then?" Minnie was practically on the edge of her seat.

"And then, he dropped me off, kissed me at the door and told me he'd call today." I shrugged. "Nothing yet. But I just woke up. I assume he's already at work." Minnie looked confused. "What?" I asked.

"Nothing." She looked away for a moment then back at me. "So, he didn't try to have sex with you?" I shook my head. "And he got you off, but didn't ask for reciprocity?" I shrugged again. "Arabella, this man sounds like a dream."

"Yes, but-" I cut myself off. "He called me Little Girl. He said I was 'such a good girl'. And it kinda turned me on more. Shouldn't that weird me out?" I looked at her curiously.

"Not necessarily. He is older than you. Maybe it's just his way of letting you know the age difference doesn't bother him." Minnie explained. "Sounds like he's the kind who gets off on getting you off. It's kinda sexy"!

I nodded. "It was very sexy. And I really want to see him again. Mins, something about him is so confusing but intriguing. The way he told me to look at him was so..." I gestured with my hands circles on each side of my head. "Usually I hate being told what to do, but I loved it from him."

Minnie wiggled her brows at me "Ahhhh. I see what's going on here!" She pointed at me. "You wanna be his little bitch!" I scoffed at her. Yeah, right. As if I, with my issues with authority, would ever want to be a man's "bitch".

"Yeah," I said defensively. "And you'll never get a date looking like that." I waved my hand over her to emphasize how absurd the notion was. Minnie rolled her eyes at me. "I don't know, Mins. I like him but I have this feeling that he's got some skeletons in his closet." I looked down at my hands.

"Yeah, but don't we all?" Minnie suggested.

After Minnie left our debriefing session, I set up my laptop and headset and buried myself in customer care calls. I decided, not only would it be a distraction, but that I should get some hours in this week. After a few hours of non stop calls, screaming men and women asking why they have to pay a deductible and one specifically annoying sob story to get out of a late fee, I clocked out and closed my laptop.

I stood to stretch and my phone fell out of my lap. When I picked it up, the screen lit. 2 new messages from Dean.

Dean: If I have to paint one more wall Sea Foam green, I'm going to cry.
Dean: Clocking out early, can I call around 7?

I looked at the time, 6:45 p.m.. I texted back quickly.

Arabella: Fine by me. I just clocked out, myself. Sorry for the late response.

I saw the three bubbles pop up immediately.

Dean: Something's are worth waiting for, Little Girl. I'll call you soon.

My heart thudded in my chest. There was that nickname again. Even reading it made my stomach tingle. I set my phone down and decided to lay in bed and watch TikTok while I waited. In the middle of a video about the best and worst hacks for getting permanent marker off your wall, my phone flashed with an incoming call. I let it ring twice before I answered.

"Hello?" I said into the phone, hoping my voice didn't shake too noticeably.

"Well, isn't that a voice that could turn my day around?" I heard is deep voice, even sexy over the phone. "How was your day?" He asked.

"My day was okay." I responded. "I got to deal with people who don't understand the word 'deductible' and Minnie stopped over this morning."

"Ooooh, girl talk!" He teased. "You tell her about me?" I could imagine the cocky smile he had spread on his lips. I rolled my eyes as if he could see me do it.

"Yes, I did." I huffed. "I told her about your nickname for me."

He chuckled into the phone and the sound made my chest tight. "Oh yeah? What'd she think about that?"

"She thinks I want to be your 'bitch'!" I laughed. "And I asked her 'What? With my issues with authority? Yeah right!'" I continued laughing.

"Yeah," his voice trailed. "I could tell about that authority thing. I could tell on first sight you were going to be a feisty one." He paused for a moment and I didn't speak. I felt he had something else to say. "I definitely like being in control. I'm sure you figured that out by now. But, it's hearing you, feeling the way you respond to me." He cleared his throat, "That's what I like. And if I can get you to do that while you do what I ask," I felt that tingle in my stomach again. "Then, I think you'll learn to respect authority."

"You know," I started to say, but I heard my voice tremble. "You know, I can't seem to figure you out, Dean." I heard him scoff. "No, seriously. But, we have a whole lot of learning to do about each other. I'd like to get to know you more." I said, stating it all honestly. I waited for his response.

"So get dressed," I heard his voice again finally. "I want to see you again. If that's okay with you."

I smiled and I think it reflected in my voice, "It's totally okay with me."

I heard his smile too "I'll be there in 20. Be ready." He hung up quickly. I jumped up to get ready. A pair of blue jeans and a band hoodie, hair up in a messy bun. Let's see how he thinks of me on a lazy day. I threw on some Converse shoes when he sent the text that he was here and raced outside.

When I got outside, he was waiting outside of his car. Plain back t-shirt and some dark blue jeans cling to him in a way that made me almost jealous. He smiled when he saw me and i suddenly felt very timid. He wasn't dressed up by any means, but he looked sexy. His colorful tattooed arms were folded across his chest. As I neared, he went to the passenger side to open my door.

"Hope you're hungry." He stated as he closed my door. I was, but I wasn't dressed for going out! I looked at him while he settled into the drivers seat.

"I'm not dressed for anything, though." I argued. He looked at me and placed his hand on my thigh. This made tingles grown in the spot he was touching.

"Don't worry." He grinned, reassuring. "Neither am I. But, I have an idea that I think will suit us both." I nodded. I listened to him talk about his day and the God awful color called sea foam green.