Sweetness

by S Gonzalez

  After two hours we exit the restaurant and head home. This has been a long day and I for one am thoroughly exhausted. In the early evening, as we weave through traffic, the city comes to life. People are shopping, eating, walking with strollers, and just taking in the sights and sounds around them. God I love this city. I feel like Carrie Bradshaw in my cab while wearing designer clothes and hanging with my best friend.

  When we pull up to the building I see Gabe getting out of the car with Luke. He is on his phone standing off to the side of the entrance facing away from me. I hope to sneak by unnoticed. Wanda and Luke make eye contact and they both blush a pretty shade of pink. Luke gives her a shy smile and Wanda tells me she has some errands to run then hops back in the cab acting as if she wants to be anywhere but here right now. Luke frowns instantly and watches as the cab pulls away.

  “Don’t worry she likes you. In fact-“ I pause and look back to the street. “she must really like you to run away like that. She is usually so put together but when she saw you she sure left in a hurry. She’ll be back soon I’m sure. Talk to her then,” I assure him, while I pat his arm when I pass by.

  Luke nods but doesn’t look convinced. What the hell got into her? I duck into the building and try to avoid Gabe but he catches up to me at the elevator and joins me inside.

  “Mrs. Hill.” He nods politely.

  “Mr. Hernandez.” I mirror his nod.

  “How was your first day?”

  “It was fine, thank you. How was your day, sir?” “Fine,” he says coolly as the door opens to his

  floor. Before the doors close he turns back to catch one last glimpse of me; as if he is taking a mental picture or something. Just as the doors seal shut he flashes me a weird smile, like he knows something I don’t. Whatever that smile means, it shot straight to my hot spot. Again.

  How does me manage to do that? I close my eyes and his face flashes behind my eyelids. I hate that my body reacts when he is around. Perfect face, nice body, and shitty personality. Yup, that’s usually my recipe for hot and bothered if I recall. Shaking my head of the thought I make a mental note to try and avoid elevator contact with him in the future. It is almost as if it is not big enough for the two of us when we are alone in an elevator car.

  After showering I fetch my phone out of my purse. I see that I have a new email but decide to use my computer to retrieve it instead. After logging on I see that the email is from Dominic.

  ___________________________________________________

  From: Dominic Ross To: Emma Hill Subject: Old friends?

  And what did you tell your father?

  ___________________________________________________ From: Emma Hill

  To: Dominic Ross Subject: Old Friends?

  I confirmed to my father that we have known each other for many years and we are glorified friends. I told him that I have no intention in making our personal relationship an issue when it comes to business.

  Emma I hit send and begin looking over the request for proposal that I need to hand in tomorrow, for the Miami show. I can’t wait until the show in August. I am going to work very hard to prove to Gabe and my father that I can and will handle this job with integrity. Just as I was cleaning up the RFP a ding on my computer startles me from my concentration.

  ___________________________________________________

  From: Dominic Ross

  To: Emma Hill

  Subject: Glorified Friends???

  Ouch…bit cold don’t you think? Is that what we are? Glorified friends? Or was that just for your fathers benefit. I am happy to hear that you had a good first day. You working our tour is a good thing. I know you will make sure we get good exposure.

  Well Miss Hill, I will be heading to the stage now for the show. Business first. We wouldn’t want our personal life interfering with business.

  Dominic Ross No term of endearment and full name. Shit, I must’ve hurt his feelings. I didn’t mean it the way it came out. I was just trying to be honest and tell him what I told

  my father. I want to make this work. Long distance relationships are hard enough but ours is barely off the ground and we are so far apart. He doesn’t realize that I am doing this because I like him? I am going to do everything I can to be closer to him. I can’t honestly tell my father we are friends who fuck on occasion. ___________________________________________________ From: Emma Hill

  To: Dominic Ross

  Subject: Cold…Sorry

  You know what we are. I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. I am trying to be honest and tell you what I told my father. He doesn’t need to know the ins and outs of our daily lives, so to answer your question, yes it was for his benefit. We know better! I don’t think I could tell him we are friends with benefits without giving him a coronary. I hope you have a good show. I will contact you tomorrow. Nite.

  xoxo-Emma He won’t get off stage until late tonight. Hopefully he will understand where I am coming from so this doesn’t carry over until tomorrow. I hate that he is so far away. I miss him. I take a few minutes to look at the photos on my computer before finishing up with work. I try and settle into bed but thoughts of Dominic, and Gabe, and my father are getting the better of me. I leave the shades open and watch the city lights from my bed as a slowly drift off to restless sleep.

  DING!

  I lazily open my eyes to see the light illuminate on my phone. I look at the alarm clock reading 3:23 am. I grab my phone and see a text from Dominic.

  Dominic: Just saw your email. Yes, I know better. I’m glad he is not mad but damn it’s late. Maybe he thought I would see it in the morning. I suddenly get the urge to hear his voice. Since I’m awake I may as well call him.

  “Emma? What’s wrong?” His voice laced with concerned.

  “Nothing. I just got your text so I knew you were up. I wanted to hear your voice.” I yawn without opening my eyes.

  “Oh, I was worried about why you were calling so late. Why aren’t you sleeping?” He asks sounding relieved.

  “I sleeping. Your text woke me up. Usually I sleep right through any alerts on my phone. So you saw my email?”

  “Yeah.” He sighs. I can hear him settling into bed.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to come off the way it did. I just wanted you to know I talked to him.”

  “I understand. You’re right. He doesn’t need to know everything we do. I guess telling him we are glorified friends sounds better than fuck buddies.” He yawned deep trying to finish his sentence. “I’m sorry I woke you.”

  “I’m not. I love hearing your voice. No matter what time it is,” I yawn in return.

  “Go back to sleep, Sweetness,” he smiles through the phone. I am not ready to let him go yet. I miss him so much it hurts. If this is as close I can get to him for now, I’ll take it.

  “How was your show?”

  “It was great. Would have been better if you were here.” I can practically hear him grinning at his little confession. My heart melts into a sloppy puddle of goo.

  “28 days. I will see you in 28 days,” I giggle.

  “You’re counting?” He snorts. “Good. I can’t wait.”

  “And besides, you have all your groupies to keep you company until I get there.” I was half kidding but also weary of his response. I don’t want to hear about him with other girls but a part of me needs to know.

  “Emma! You know better then that. We talked about this. I have told you that that’s not my style so I don’t know if you are kidding or just insecure.” I can tell from his voice that I have his full attention. No trace of sleepiness that was there a second ago is present now.

  “Both.” I reply in a small voice.

  “Emma, you really have to stop thinking like that. You are going to drive yourself crazy,” his tone softened but the irritation was still there.

  How the hell do I stop thinking like at? I see the pictures on the internet, of all the woman that want a piece of him and the other guys. Temptation is around every co
rner. I can’t compete with that.

  “I know,” I let out an exasperated sigh and pull my arm over my face in shame. “I just miss you.”

  “I know. I miss you too. Go to sleep now. You have work in the morning and you need your sleep. I will text you tomorrow.”

  “Okay. Good night.”

  “Night Sweetness. Sweet dreams.”

  “Only because you’re in them,” I tease.

  “You keep talking like that and I am not going to be able to sleep with the hard on your giving me,” he groans.

  “Night Dom.” I rush the words out of my mouth not wanting a repeat of last night’s bathroom escapades.

  “Night, baby.” He breathes before hanging up.

  After two weeks of work , gym, sleep, I need a break. Wanda, Max, Mark and I decide to go to the beach for some fun. This is the first summer I have had to work and truth be told I am missing the lazy days of being a college student. It is a beautiful, Saturday morning and I desperately need some R&R. I throw on my blue and white, stripped bikini, a white tank top, short denim shorts and flip-flops. I throw some snacks drinks, towels, and lotion in a backpack and grab my IPod. Just as I finish, Wanda strolls in slipping her summer dress over her one-piece black bathing suit with the sides and back cut out.

  “Ready chica?”

  “Yup, let me grab my phone and tell Mark we will meet him downstairs.” When we hit the lobby Wanda searches for Luke but he isn’t there. They have gone out on two dates, officially, and she is certainly a smitten kitten. I think she times her arrivals and departures to match his schedule. He always gives her a goofy smile and her hips always seem to sway a little wider when he is around.

  As we step outside it feels like the sun just showed up on my stoop with a baseball bat and I owe him money. Fuck it’s hot out here.

  The boys are late as usual so we just loiter against the building trying to stay cool. Just as irritation kicks in I see Gabe running toward us dressed in blue running shorts and a white t-shirt soaked in sweat, clinging to his chest. Wanda and I look at him then give each other a “fuck yeah” look.

  “Damn,” Wanda mutters under her breath as she averts her eyes back to Gabe.

  Is he running is slow motion?

  He stops right before the front door and puts his hands on his knees to catch his breath. Needing to do something, other then gawk, I riffle through my bag for a bottle of water and walk toward him giving myself a silent plea not to fall on my face in the process.

  “You look hot,” I say, more breathy then I intend to as I hold out the water bottle to him. He looks up, shooting me a knowing smile as if he got the double meaning.

  Shit I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. I shove the bottle in his face without saying another word. I can feel my face getting warmer and it has nothing to do with the weather.

  “Sorry Mr. Hernandez, I…I…didn’t mean…” I stammer. He stands up straight and steps right in front of me, grabbing the bottle from my shaky hand. He is inches in front of me. I can hear his heavy breathing, and from the way he is gripping onto that water bottle I can tell he is straining not to touch me.

  He takes a sip of his water, his eye contact never breaks mine. I lose this staring contest as he reaches for the bottom of his shirt and lifts it to wipe the perspiration from his neck and face. My eyes glance downward toward his perfectly sculpted abs to the line where his happy trail disappears into his shorts.

  I try in vein to avert my eyes to the ground, hoping he didn’t catch me. But there is no way he missed it. Even though we have only been standing here for less than a minute it feels like an eternity because he is not saying anything. Just when I think he is finally going to put me out of my misery and walk away, he leans in close. Close enough so there is but a fraction of an inch between us but not close enough to be actually touching me. I can smell his sweet sweaty scent and my knees almost buckle.

  “I know what you meant Emma,” he whispers in my ear. My eyes suddenly dart up to meet his to find him smirking at me.

  What does he think I mean? Oh, God!

  While trying to figure out what to say he steps past me and walks into the building. Like a complete idiot I just there, speechless; No doubt with a stupid as shit look on my face. Damn it!

  “Damn Hill, what was that all about? It looked intense,” Wands queries as she steps into my line of sight searching for my eyes to meet hers.

  It felt intense. He has avoided me for the past two weeks and has only spoken to me when absolutely necessary. If Gabe doesn’t even like me as an employee, why is he…what is he doing…flirting? No clearly not. He was just reacting to my stupid comment. Right?

  “I don’t know. I said that he looked hot and he-“ Wanda laughed, more than amused by my confusion.

  “You told him he’s hot,” Wanda puts her hand on her hip. “Why Emma I do think there is hope for you yet girl.”

  “That’s not what I meant!” Well maybe it was my subconscious rearing her ugly head again, truth telling on me.

  “Oh no? You don’t think that fine piece of ass is hot? Shit, I do. Who wouldn’t? Tall, dark, and handsome usually doesn’t come with great body, tight ass, and fat bank account.”

  “Really Wanda. He is my boss and usually a huge douchlord. He is probably just playing with my head. I am sure I was being tested, again. Gabe Hernandez doesn’t do anything but push my buttons,” I reply to her, annoyed. Just as I was about to continue with my next phase of insults, Mark pulls up in my car and honks the horn. “Forget it. I just want to go to the beach.”

  I stomp off in the direction of the car like a kid taking a temper tantrum. I do not like Gabe Hernandez. Not like that anyway. He is my boss and nothing more. He is stubborn and irritating and, and, and just an all around ass.

  “Whatever Emma. Protest all you want but that man is getting under your skin. If you won’t let him, then point him in my direction because I would really enjoy him being under my skin,” she snickers as she bumps my shoulder with hers.

  “What about Luke?”

  “What about Luke. I like him but we went on two dates. We are hardly exclusive,” she lies. I can tell by the way she keeps peaking through the glass door just to try and steal a glance of him.

  “Whatever Wanda, lets go,” I snort back to her as we climb into the car.

  While lying in my blanket soaking up the rays of the sun, I can feel my whole body loosening up. I keep thinking that in two weeks I will be in Miami with Dominic. Relaxing and hanging out together...Gabe’s image pops into my head. Him whispering in my ear, “I know what you meant Emma”.

  Whoa. What the hell was that? My eyes dart open from behind my sunglasses.

  Refocusing, I imagine what it feels like to have Dominic hold me while we sleep in the same bed. Waking up in his arms. Gabe sweating, running towards me…

  “Shit…stop it Emma! He is your boss for fucks sake.” I chastise myself.

  Ugh…I need a distraction. I glance over and catch Max watching me. I flip over onto my stomach and his eyes flick towards the ocean. He may have his sunglasses on but I know he was watching me. I don’t need to see his eyes to feel them.

  “See something you like Mr. Reed.” I slap his leg and he smiles.

  “Yup. Can I lotion you up? Wouldn’t want you to burn.” I roll my eyes knowing he is more then willing to rub lotion on me any day of the week.

  “Sure.” I toss him the bottle and he lights up like a kid on Christmas.

  “Really?”

  “You don’t want to?” I look up at him from the top of my sunglasses and without thinking he is out of his chair and kneeling next to me.

  “No, no. I do. I am just surprised you are letting me.”

  Max climbs on my back straddling me so his legs are on either side of my thighs. He squirts the lotion into his hands and rubs them together before massaging lotion into my shoulders. His hands feel good as they kneed into my skin, working out the rest of my tension. I let out a small moan of appreciati
on.

  “Feel good?” He probes, clearly pleased with himself.

  “Yes, very soothing. Keep going.” I feel a small poke in my behind and my eyes dart open from behind my glasses. I immediately tense. Did he just get a hard on? He pushes his knees further off the ground then moves off of me so he is now sitting next to me. Max makes quick work of rubbing lotion on the rest of my back, then announces he is done before scrambling to his feet, mumbling something about being hot as he lightly jogs toward the water. Probably needing a cold shock to his groin. I laugh at the thought but immediately feel guilty as I watch him dive into the incoming waves. I know that given the opportunity Max would jump at the opportunity to push our friendship further. We have always been such good friends, I never wanted to jeopardize that. I think we both know if we tried and it didn’t work, we would be sorry we did. His friendship means the world to me. Maybe one day we could be more, who knows, but for now it’s not a risk I’m willing to take. Besides, at the moment I’m sort of taken.

  “Whatcha’ looking at?” Wanda says as she hands me a red cup filled with rum punch from the outside beach bar. I sit up with my legs crossed as I watch Mark and Max jumping into the waves trying to impress the girls who are standing close by giggling.

  “Just watching the boys being silly,” I snicker as I sip the refreshing fruity drink.

  “You sure you are not sitting hear daydreaming of Mr. Rock and Roll.” She looks at me through the top of her glasses, “or Mr. Hernandez?”

  “Wanda! Gabe-Mr. Hernandez is my boss. I am not thinking about him.”

  “If you say so. So thinking of the rock god himself, huh. How’s that working out for you? You’re leaving in what, 2 weeks?”

  “Yes, I can’t wait,” I sigh.

  “So what’s the deal? Dating? Or just sleeping together? This is very interesting you know. Usually you go on a date or two and get bored. But this guy has you moping around waiting for him. It’s all very intriguing.”

  “I know. I never cared enough about a guy before to get to know him. I have no point of reference when it comes to jealousy and these feelings of constantly missing him. It’s so strange that I feel this way. I mean, come on, we only had two nights together, then he left. I feel like I am reading more into this then it really is. He has told me he cares about me, and I him. But seriously, it’s all a little fast. What do you think?”