Maybe, Baby

Fifteen

"Dolores. Good you came in, come quick to introduce you to someone." As soon as I passed in front of the study, Mr. Westbrook called me in.

"Yes," I said, taking a peek in. I didn't like what I saw. A young woman was standing very close to him. His arm was even around her shoulders. It was like a slap in the face.

"This is Sherry Knight."

And dressed like a cherry, she was, maybe making an homage to her name. The red pantsuit with the white silk blouse, yes, a cherry indeed. I didn't like her just from just looking at her. There was an effort to her looks, not like me and my wild loosened hair and daisy duke shorts.

"Hello." I wanted to go in, but as always, grass-stained feet with grass from playing in the garden.

"Hi." Her voice was sultry, and I saw her smirk as she took in how I looked. What can I do? I'm nineteen, and I'm at home. What was her excuse for looking so sour all of a sudden?

"Sherry is an intern and she will work with me at the office." So? If she is working at the office, why is she suddenly here? First that Grace woman, now this chick with a fruit name. "Sherry this is Dolores, she is handling my personal things from home, anything you need to know about me, do not hesitate to call or email her." Why was she introduced with last name and all while all I had was my stupid name?

A nod, just a single nod from her, was the response I got. I bit my tongue and walked out without saying a word, and there was no point in staying there any longer. I left them alone to continue their little meeting and returned to what I was doing, enjoying the afternoon sun while reading. Now that school was back and I could take morning classes, I usually worked on the backyard tables or the grass. He never went there, to the back of the house. Also, he went back to the main offices to work now. On odd occasions, he stayed or came early. We never shared anything but calls, emails, and post-it notes. I worked with Sandra just fine, we had a good dynamic, and after meeting the woman, I didn't hesitate to call to say hello. We were a team, and now this Sherry was coming to ruin it all.

I couldn't help but feel jealous of that girl. She was now to be long hours in his presence.

"You could have been nicer."

I looked over my shoulder to the standing figure behind me. Mr. Westbrook had followed me and looked so out of place with his expensive suit and fancy shoes. I turned back around, rolling my eyes at him.

"I said hi," I started saying. "There was no need to bring her here."

"What was that?" He had lowered himself and sat next to me. The soft fabric of his pants brushed the exposed skin of my legs. I could have moved away, but then why should I? I wanted it to feel him close.

"Why is she working with you?" I almost didn't say it, but then why stop myself, why stop my words from speaking aloud what I thought about all this.

"She's the daughter of a friend." There was amusement in his voice. I even turned to see him smile down at me. "I did it as a favor. I thought you would get along with her."

"You thought wrong," I whined.

"Why are you so mad Dolores?"

I hesitated. I didn't want to say. "I don't know."

"You don't want her working for me?"

"No."

"Should I turn her away?"

I didn't want to answer that question. I want her to disappear and never come back. I know it was childish, like some brat that feared that her favorite toy was about to be taken away by another girl. I sat down and turned to him. The answer was there. With my attitude, it was obvious what I wanted. She to disappear. I almost said it, "No."

"Then what should I do?

"I don't know." A mere whisper. I leaned towards him, letting my head rest on his chest. This was the first time I deliberately touched him in some way. I felt the rise and fall of his breathing. Was it so wrong to think like this? To feel like he was mine and mine only. It made no sense. I didn't expect him to return this possessiveness, this yearning inside. He was mine.

"I will do whatever you want me to do." There was truth in his words. There was also his hand carefully finding its way under my wild hair, rising higher and higher until it reached my neck. Lazy circles and caresses rose all kinds of shivers and goosebumps all over my skin. It made me want to rub myself around him as a cat would do. I looked up, and there he was, looking all glorious, and I moved slowly, waiting for him to try to stop me. I crawled over him, trapping his long legs under me. I used his jacket to pull myself closer to him, as close as it was possible, mashing my body his front and then wrapping my limbs around him. I had trapped him, I had him at my mercy, and he let me.

He let me claw his clothes. He let me rumple his hair and touch him. I never tried to kiss him. I was afraid that my heart would start beating faster and finally stop. It would be an excellent way to go with him.

I pressed my cheek into his neck and breathed him in, deep into my lungs. God, I wanted him so much. I didn't even understand why but just the fear of some other woman with him made me do this.

"Dolores." I felt his voice inside his chest, so I placed my palm right in the middle, feeling the strong heart under skin and bones. "Baby, you have to get up."

"I don't want to," I said, complaining.

"I have to go."

"You told me you'd do whatever I wanted."

"This is not what I meant." He pulled me back enough to look deep into my eyes. "I was talking about Sherry."

I reacted to the sound of her name. I moved away quickly, feeling cold all of a sudden. He didn't want me, and he didn't even saw me as a woman. I was a fool even to try. "I was being silly. I don't want you to do anything."

"Dolores-."

"I'm fine." I snapped.

I didn't even dare to look back. I just sat there waiting for him to leave. He wanted to go and get away from me, so I just sat there until I couldn't feel him around me until I was all alone. I had been a fool to think that he would reciprocate to my feelings. I had been a fool to speak up and say what I felt, but then again, it was what he had told me to do, to speak my mind. To say to him what was wrong. Bringing her here was wrong.