Page 166 of Tell Me What You Want

“Ready to drop.”

“My punishment has been too harsh?”

I smile and kiss him on the neck.

“Your punishments drive me mad.”

We both laugh.

“I really hope it hasn’t been too bad for you.”

“I would say ... wonderful.”

“Including Marisa and Mario?”

“Including them, yes.”

Eric kisses me on the tip of my nose.

“I love to see you enjoy yourself, love. Offering you is a great pleasure for me. It provokes a feeling I can’t explain and ...”

I touch my nose to his.

“In Germany, will we still play?”

My question takes him by surprise. It affirms what he’s been wanting to hear, and he hugs me so very happily, then drowns me in kisses.

“In Germany, I promise you whatever you want.”

60

The next morning, Eric and I arrive at the office separately. He’s very emotional because of my impending transfer to Germany, as am I. Luckily, I have clothes at his hotel, and I’m able to dress there and not go to the office with the same clothes from yesterday. I haven’t yet explained to him what happened with those women the other day and have now decided to keep it to myself. In fact, nothing happened, and if I tell him, he’s just going to get angry.

As we do every morning, Miguel and I go have our coffee before starting the workday. I’m in a good mood, and I decide to sit by the door. I know that Eric will be here any minute and he will search the place for me. Ten minutes later, the man with whom I’m completely in love comes through the door and looks for me. He then takes a seat across from me.

Miguel and I continue chatting while I sneak peeks at Eric having breakfast. The elegance with which he butters his croissant has me totally hypnotized. Our eyes meet a couple of times. I know he’s happy with my decision to go live with him in Germany, and I have to try really hard not to laugh like a fool.

When we finish, Miguel and I get up; Eric does the same. I see him leave, and when we get to the elevator, he’s waiting with his hands in his pockets and a very serious and inscrutable expression on his face.

“Good morning, Miss Flores, Mr.Morán.”

“Good morning, Mr.Zimmerman,” we say in unison.

The elevator doors open, and the three of us step inside. We push the button for the seventeenth floor. Suddenly, I feel Eric rubbing his knuckles against mine, and I smile. It is harder and harder to be together without touching.

When the doors open on our floor, the three of us step out, but Eric takes a different route than we do.

“Do you think the Iceman ever smiles?” whispers Miguel as soon as he sees Eric walking away.

“Ha! I don’t know.”

“What that guy needs is a good fuck.”

I crack up. If Miguel knew what I know, he would die. I decide to go along with him.

“I’m sure you’re totally right.”

That’s when we run into my supervisor.

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