“You’re right.” She sighs deeply and slumps in her chair. “I certainly have no room to talk when you actually do it. I’m worried about you. Ordering a guy around isn’t like you…at all. And let’s face it—you don’t know anything about this man.”
“When do we really know any guy?”
Carla shrugs, looking uncomfortable with my antagonistic question.
Carla glances at her watch. The time for her exercise class must be getting close. She fidgets in her chair, looking unsure at the silence. A part of me wants to let her sit and stew. So, I do.
Instead of jumping in to placate her feelings, I focus once more on the absolute rush that coursed through me last night against the damp brick. When I awoke today, I was able to ignore past fears and relive only the pleasure—the thrill of having a gorgeous man focused on my needs for a change. Reluctant to have the fantasy end, I laid in bed and relived the experience all over again, touching myself like Tony had the night before.
Getting dressed this morning, I felt like a new person. Perhaps starting the day with a massive orgasm helped. I picked my shortest skirt and even put on the red lipstick I bought for New Year’s two years ago. That night Rick hooked up with another woman on the dance floor, right in front of me. Arrogant prick. A month later, I heard he’d caught something from her. Serves him right. I bet Rick wouldn’t have done that to the new Heather of last night.
No sirree. Tony listened to her. I coasted on the satisfied air of our risqué encounter all the way to work. The reality of my life closed in when I stepped through the advertising firm’s doors and had to deal with my job. But for a little while, I felt like a woman in charge of her sexuality. And damned if I didn’t enjoy it.
Carla starts to gather her things like she’s about to leave. I was silent for too long in my own thoughts, but I haven’t told her everything about Tony yet. “I saw him again, earlier today.”
“What?!?” She flounces back in her seat, an eager look on her face. “How could you leave that part out? Dish, girlfriend. Did you call him right away or what?”
I smile at her enthusiasm, thrilled we’re on better ground again. “I ran into him, of all places, in the lobby of my building. Can you believe it? We may have been working a few dozen floors apart for years and never knew it.”
“Well, it is a damn big building with thousands of people coming and going each day.” She leans onto the table with her elbows, clearly hoping to hear more. “Did he spot you first? What did he say?”
“He stepped in front of me after I bought my afternoon latte.”
“Uh-huh, and?”
“He seemed nervous. Nothing like he was when he sat down at the bistro to meet me.”
Carla laughs loudly, drawing attention to us, and reaches for my arm. “I bet not! Certainly not after you ordered him to eat you out and then walked away, leaving him hanging!”
Several male heads turn our way. “Shh…” Warmth heats my cheeks and I resist the urge to fan myself. “What are you trying to do? Broadcast my exploits to the whole coffee shop?” My God, maybe I’ll think twice about telling her stuff next time, assuming there is a next time.
My friend sobers, instantly contrite. “I’m sorry, Heather. I got carried away. Lord knows I’ve never done anything so exciting.”
A surge of pride sings through me. If my parents were alive I’m sure neither of them would be patting me on the back for my behavior last night, but getting even a modicum of approval from Carla works wonders for my self-esteem.
I sit a little straighter and notice a man glancing at us over his iPad. I smile at him, embracing a boldness I’ve never had. He returns my smile and I feel a glow inside me at the attention. He could have overheard Carla and thinks I’m a bit of a slut, but I’m going to choose to ignore that possibility and bask in the simple joy of his response.
I relay the rest of our chance meeting, finishing with telling her about how I cupped his balls through his pants and then tossed out my invitation for the weekend.
“Wow! I’m not sure what to say. Normally, I’d be the one giving wild sexual advice, but you don’t seem to need it. Where has all this come from, Heather?”
I open my mouth to answer but nothing comes out. Do I tell her about the erotic novels I’ve been reading the past few months? We share everything, but she’s never been much of a reader and I didn’t think she’d share my new racy tastes. “I… uhh…”
“It sure as hell can’t be from your last lover, that two-timing prick, Jimmy.”