Page 28 of Some Like It Hot

She gives a little laugh, but shakes her head in disbelief. She reaches up and pulls the hat from her head, tossing it onto the coffee table. “Simon, you’re a rich, good looking, charming, intelligent, amazing guy. You could have anyone. There is no way that one kiss with me was that life altering.” She bends and unstraps her shoes, kicking them off to the side as she asks, “What is really going on? Is it that you just want something you think you can’t have? Or you just want to have a fling while you’re here in Chicago?”

I step toward her, my toe kicking a box that rattles, but I don’t even look down. “It’s chemistry, love. I’m not trying to explain it. I don’t need to. It’s one of life’s fun mysteries. I just want to enjoy it. I’ll admit after you left, I was worried, and curious, about what caused your quick exit. But yes, I was intrigued by you. I wanted you. The chance to get to know you better, to finally have you if I can, won’t leave me alone now that I’ve found you again.”

She narrows her eyes. “I think maybe you’re a little crazy.”

“I’ve been called worse.”

She spreads her arms and looks around the room. “Okay, well, this is it. This is the real me. If you’re not crazy now, I’ll drive you there soon enough.”

I look around her apartment. Before this, she was the only thing in the room that mattered. Now I take in details.

It’s cluttered. Her coffee table is piled high with catalogs and papers, a plastic container of bright beads, another with multi-colored gemstones. There are dresses spread out on nearly every piece of furniture, and there are shoes lying all over the floor. Scarves and necklaces dangle from lamps. More scarves and belts and gloves are draped over the back of chairs. There’s nowhere to sit on her couch save one empty cushion. The others have pillows piled high with dresses, stockings, and shawls draped over them.

Behind the sofa, the room opens into what would typically be a dining area. There is a table there, but it holds three different sewing machines, various tools, including scissors, tape measures, and the like.

There are more reams of fabric stacked at the end. Bolts of fabric are propped in one corner and more dresses on hangers are suspended from the chandelier over the table. Every single chair has what looks to be catalogs or more fabric on them.

The walls are covered with sketches and photos, pinned and taped up.

To the left is an island that separates the dining area from the kitchen. It, too, is covered with books, catalogs, material, shoes, bags, and other accessories.

I look down and see that the box I kicked is full of what looks to be jewelry. Pieces of varying sizes and colors fill the plastic tub.

Finally, my eyes meet Elise’s again. “What are you trying to tell me?”

“My apartment always looks like this.”

“What is all of this?”

“I design dresses. I make them. I also model them. I compete in pinup model contests.”

I had no idea. That’s so interesting. So unique. “That’s amazing.”

“You think so?”

“Of course. Love, you’re a knockout and obviously passionate and talented. Show me your designs.”

“What?” She laughs. “No.”

“Yes. Elise, I insist.”

“Well, you can’t insist. You’re not my boss anymore.”

I give her a grin. “Hmm… you might like my bossy side.”

I see her eyes widen. “Oh?”

I chuckle. “You have no idea how many times I thought about summoning you to my office, ordering you to bend over my desk, and fucking you until you screamed my name so loud the entire upper floor could hear you.”

Her breath catches. “Geez, Simon.” She puts her hand on her chest. “You can’t just be sweet and charming one minute and then dirty and hot the next without any warning.”

I grin at her. “Oh, but I can. You’ll have to get used to it, I guess.”

She bites her lower lip, then says, “We’ll see if you stick around.”

I look around her apartment. “Does all of this bother you? Do you want me to hire you a cleaning service or get you an assistant?”

She looks surprised for a moment. Then she shakes her head. “No. I’m fine. It bothers other people.”

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