Mantis

8. Victor reaches for the wrong one

It turned out we had walked quite a distance from the car, and with the downpour that had started, even sprinting was too slow. The rain was pouring so heavily that by the time we reached the car, we were completely soaked.

I reached the BMW door first and quickly jumped inside. I immediately took off my wet jacket and peeled the soaked shirt off my body.

– It'll get warmer soon – Victor said, fiddling with the heating knob.

– Great – I said, relieved, and swiftly took off my wet shirt, then grabbed the buttons of my pants and began unfastening them one by one.

– What are you doing? – Victor suddenly asked, his voice a mix of shock and disbelief.

I looked up at him and met his wide–open chocolate eyes.

– I'm cold – I replied, struggling with the pant leg that clung even tighter to my body due to the moisture.

– And you think you'll be warmer if you undress? – His incredulous tone, combined with the shock on his face, made me burst out laughing.

– Well, obviously. You said it would get warmer soon, and wet clothes aren't exactly keeping me warm – I said, freeing my foot from the pant leg and tossing the pants aside.

In response, Victor quickly swallowed his saliva and widened his eyes even more, his gaze wandering over my black lace bodysuit with a pattern resembling frost on a window on chilly days. I noted with satisfaction that he liked what he saw, and the shock I inadvertently subjected him to made him unable to hide the sparks of admiration in his own eyes.

The little creature inside me made a satisfied cat–like expression from being scratched behind the ear. He liked me.

– Don't worry – I said amused, watching his horrified expression. – I won't take anything off anymore.

– It's not about that. I just... – He rubbed his neck and ran his hand through his short–cropped hair.

– Well, what is it? – I gave him a skeptical look. – You're not going to tell me you've never seen a woman in lingerie before, don't you?

I couldn't believe what was happening before my eyes. A guy who probably had his fair share of adventures in Warsaw was flustered at the sight of a piece of lace and exposed skin?

– Yes, I have seen, but... – He trailed off and rubbed his neck again, with a absent–minded smile on his face. – You caught me off guard.

Victor glanced to the side, and the silence between us was broken by the sound of a message arriving on his phone. He flinched and glanced at the screen, then sighed loudly.

– I have to go back – he muttered, lifting his tired gaze from the phone screen, devoid of the boyish joy and admiration that were there just a moment ago. – Do you want something to wear? I have some clothes to change into in the trunk. Look, maybe you'll find something for yourself. – He nodded towards the back of the car, indicating that I could handle it myself.

I dove into the back seats of the car and scanned the vast trunk. There was a lot in there. In search of something that looked like clothing, I stumbled upon a blanket, a bottle of water, a thick rope neatly coiled into a perfect figure–eight, and even an axe. I even started to wonder if I might accidentally come across a chemistry set or a burglar's toolkit if I rummaged a little longer.

– Are you managing in this mess, or do you need help? – Victor's voice reached me from the front of the car.

– Everything's okay – I called back, turning briefly in his direction, then returning to my search.