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I feel my cheeks burning and a high fever of desire whenever he takes control. But it enrages me too. He knows it. He takes my hand and pulls me to him.
“As soon as the meeting is over, I want you nude at the hotel. For the moment, I’m keeping your tanga.”
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“No way. Give it back.”
“No.”
“Eric, please. I can’t be without my tanga.”
He stands up. He smiles slyly and shrugs.
“Sure you can.”
He fixes my skirt. Then he pushes me toward the door, insistently.
“C’mon. Tell them to come in. This is an important meeting.”
I let out a long breath to calm my nerves, then walk resolutely toward the door. But before opening it, I turn back to face him.
“You’re going to pay for this,” I tell him.
Eric is unmoved.
A minute later, the meeting picks up where it left off, and everything goes back to normal. Everything except that I’m naked under my skirt.
18
The meeting goes longer than expected, and we don’t adjourn until eight thirty that evening. Eric’s face is utterly serious. To my amusement, Amanda turns out to be a real ballbuster who puts obstacles in everyone’s path.
At day’s end, we get into the limo, with Amanda. During the ride, Eric takes refuge behind a mask of hostility I don’t like at all. He asks me for several documents that he and Amanda look over as they talk.
When we get to the hotel, I just want to run to my room and get naked, as Eric has requested. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. Eric and me. Eric on top of me. Eric taking me. But my desire soon drowns in a well.
“Miss Flores, would you like to dine with Amanda and me?”
That stops me cold. That question really should have been phrased, “Amanda, would you like to dine with Miss Flores and me?”
My anger sits in my belly. I’m burning inside. But this time, my fire has nothing to do with desire. I feel that woman’s eyes on me. Deep down, I know she’s as resentful as I am about having to share Eric’s company.
“Thank you for the invitation, Mr.Zimmerman,” I respond, not willing to give in to him this time, “but I have other plans.”
As expected, Eric’s face betrays his surprise. From the way he’s looking at me, I can tell he was expecting any answer but that. But that’s what he gets for being so clever. I say good night and leave. I feel Eric’s gaze on my back, but I keep going. Who’s the boss here, huh? When I get to the elevator and the doors finally close, I let out a sigh of relief. But when I get to my room, I scream with frustration.
Irritated even by the air in the room, I head for the bathroom. I consider a bath but end up taking a shower. I don’t want to think about Eric. I get out of the shower and dry my hair. The hotel phone rings. I don’t answer it. I open my cell. Three missed calls from my sister. I decide to call her back some other time and instead place a call to a friend in Barcelona. As expected, she’s delighted I’m in the city, and we make a date. I turn off my cell. No one’s going to mess with my fun, least of all Eric.
Eager to get out of the hotel as soon as possible, I put on a stylish, short dress and high-heeled sandals. It’s horrendously hot, and the light dress suits me perfectly. When I’m ready to go, I open the door carefully and check out the hallway. No one in sight, so I take off.
I’m amused with my own gumption, and when I get outside, I practically leap with joy. But that doesn’t last long. I’m suddenly aware I’ve cleared the path for that she-wolf, Amanda, and my bad mood returns.
I flag down a cab and tell him where I’m going. My friend Miriam is waiting there for me. When I arrive, I spot her right away. She’s looking beautiful, and we immediately embrace. Miriam and I have been friends our whole lives.
“My God, girl, you look amazing!” she exclaims.
After more kisses, more hugs, and lots of compliments, we lock arms and stroll toward the port. Miriam knows I like pizza, so we head for a restaurant she’s sure I will love. As we always do, we order everything, accompanied by gallons of Coke, and we yak for hours. At about two in the morning, I’m tired and want to go back to the hotel. We say good night and agree to call each other the next day.