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After that, he doesn’t ask about Fernando anymore. Our conversation continues, as does our good energy.
At seven o’clock, we decide to go back to Barcelona. Eric again gives me the keys to the Lotus, and I’m thrilled to drive, enjoying every moment.
When we get back to the hotel that night, Eric orders dinner in my room, and then, for hours, we make savage love.
20
Our weekend ends, and on Monday, a plane takes us to Guipúzcoa. Amanda’s short and distant with me, in contrast to how she is with Eric. It really bothers me the way she tries to make sure he doesn’t pay attention to me. And yet, it always turns out badly for her. As the boss, Eric is constantly seeking me out, and it drives Amanda out of her mind. We go from meeting to meeting, and after Guipúzcoa, we’re off to Asturias.
During the day, Eric and I work side by side as boss and admin; and at night, we play and enjoy each other. His inclination toward experimentation is innate, and every time we’re alone, he drives me mad with his fantasies, with his way of touching and taking me. He loves to watch when I masturbate with the vibrator he gave me, a whim of his I’m more than happy to indulge. He makes me feel such lust that I want to go back to that swingers’ club and do everything again. When I confess this to him, he laughs aloud, and when he penetrates me, he fantasizes that it’s another man and he’s only watching, which makes me crazy.
On Wednesday, when we get to Orense, we go straight to a meeting. On the way, Eric talks to a certain Marta on the phone, and he gets pissed about something. The day gets twisted, and he ends up bitching about the branch director’s lack of professionalism. The director hasn’t prepared any of the things we’ve requested, and Eric doesn’t take it well. I try to mediate so we can relax and get on with the meeting, but Eric tells me to be quiet.
On the way back, Eric is in a sinister mood. Amanda sneers at me with superiority, and I’m so annoyed, I could bite somebody’s head off. When we get to the hotel, Eric asks Amanda to step out of the car so he can talk to me privately. She exits, and he gives me a look that shatters me into a million pieces.
“Let this be the last time you speak at a meeting without my having specifically addressed you,” he says.
I understand his anger. He’s right, and though I’m bothered by the scolding, I want to apologize, but he won’t let me.
“In the end, Amanda may be right. Your presence here may be unnecessary.”
The facts that he mentions that woman and that he talks about me to her enrage me.
“I could give three shits what that imbecile has to say.”
“But maybe I do,” he snarls.
He rubs his eyes and touches his face. He doesn’t look good. His cell buzzes. Eric glances at it and cuts off the call.
“You don’t look very good,” I say in an attempt to soften the moment. “Do you have a headache?”
Without answering, Eric stares at me, hard.
“Good night, Judith. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Is he firing me?
With what little dignity I have left, I open the car door and step out. Amanda is just a few feet from me, but I’d rather not deal with her. I go straight to my room.
The next morning is Thursday, and when the alarm clock goes off at seven thirty, I resist. I want to sleep some more. Between groans, I get up and head for the shower. I need the water to awaken my body. After the shower, I open my suitcase and pull out a pair of panties. I put them on and think I’m going to have to ask Eric to give me back the ones he took or I’m not going to have any reserves. My anger has faded. I’m sure that his has too and we have a terrific day ahead of us. I open the closet and pull out a blue suit with a skirt and an open-collar shirt. I want to be sexy today so he’ll want to come back to the hotel right away.
At eight, hotel staff knocks on my room door, and two seconds later, a very nice cart is rolled in with my breakfast. I make myself a cup of coffee and enjoy a mini sandwich.
My cell buzzes. There’s a text message. Eric:Eight thirty in the lobby.
Not even a simpleGood morning, sweetness, orJude, or whatever.
But without a minute to spare, and longing to see him, I grab my briefcase. I pack my cell and the documents we’ll need today and close it. We’re off to another branch office in Asturias today, and I hope it turns out better than yesterday.
In the lobby, I see Eric leaning on a desk. He looks impressive with his light-gray suit and white shirt. I see that his beautiful hair is still wet from the shower, and I shiver. I would have loved to shower with him.
Two women walking by turn to look at him. Typical. I walk up to him in my heels and around his broad back as he concentrates on reading the paper.
“Good morning,” I say in a sweet voice.
Eric doesn’t take his eyes off the newspaper.
“Good morning, Miss Flores.”