Can't Crush The Boss

It was prom hysteria; everyone was talking about it. The girls raged about the dresses, the guys and the rides. It was the pivotal event of every teenager's life, even at work all the prom themed movies were rented out. Speaking of work, I had a hunch some of the employees knew about Harry and I. We did our best to keep our relationship strictly professional but like love hounds, they picked up the scent of lust in the air.

I could feel Trisha boil in suspense as her patience ran low.

"Hmmm … do I have to beat it out of ya or are you gonna tell me already?!" she threatened.

"Umm, what are you talking about?"

"You are so in the first stages; glowing and smiling your pretty lil face off. C'mon it's me and I know Harry, he's doing the exact same thing. And when you're not looking, his eyes are glued to you. He's fallen hard." She informed me.

My heart trembled as I struggled to conceal my smile. I wondered what he was doing that very second. Could I ever be gutsy enough to just barge in his office and sneak a smooch, I'm sure he would love that.

"Are you coming to Marty's with us tonight?" Trisha continued.

I pulled on my shirt collar to reveal my sparkly black straps underneath.

"Yes, I came prepared," I winked at her.

"Oh no, we've corrupted you! Yesss!" She raised her hands in triumph.

Harry came out of his office and made his way towards the register to do his regular routine. I was a couple of feet away by the window, checking all the video cases. While counting he cleared his throat a couple of times. I wondered if it was on purpose.

"Chloe, can you help me for a second?" he asked in a serious tone.

"Sure, what do you need?"

I walked over and stood at a reasonable distance. He finished stacking a pile of dollar bills and handed it over to me.

"Can you count these please?"

I did as he said. Unpredictably, he slid his hand around the back of my waist to get a rubber band on the counter. Widening my eyes became a frequent habit now as he always kept me on my toes. His smirk of satisfaction had me paranoid looking around to see if Trisha saw anything.

"Don't worry she's in the back. I like that perfume you're wearing by the way," he said as he walked away and winked at me. So sly.

Later during the night a couple of Harry's groupies strolled in grazing the aisles, planning their next method of attack. One was bodacious enough to actually approach him upfront. So much, that I saw him take a step back. What I didn't expect was for them to leave frowning. I played it off like I hadn't seen a thing but I hoped to ask him later.

Then yes, it was closing time! Time to Cinderella myself up and experience the night. Once I left the bathroom I placed my bag on a chair to finish tucking in my clothes but someone's warm hand slithered around my waist and settled his head on my shoulder.

"Want to go in my car?" Harry suggested.

"What happened to keeping things a secret?"

"We're off the clock now, therefore I am no longer your boss," he stated and spun me around to take a good look. "You want to give this young man a heart attack before his time?" he sighed.

I didn't think I would impact him that much; I wore a shiny black shirt with thin straps that crisscrossed over my back, jeans and matching sandals. Whatever it was, I'm glad I wore it. After he locked the doors to the store we went to his car.

"You didn't change?" I questioned.

"I have my shirt in the back seat,” he replied. “Can you reach over for me please?"

I handed him a nice gray cottoned shirt, totally unprepared when he took off both his uniform and undershirt. I felt an internal volcanic eruption of frazzled nerves. I must have shown every red shade possible. I forced myself to look at my hands or out the window, alarmed when I heard him laugh.

"You can look now. Wow, did I make you feel that nervous?"

I shook my head but I truly didn't know how to react. I only had a mental picture now because this opportunity could not present itself again, or I'd be in trouble.

At the table the group did the normal beer rounds while Harry ordered me that tasty Apple Martini. I definitely felt like I had been adopted into this family. I had grown closer to Rachel and Jessica, eventually not minding their conversations but listening intently.

Harry and I would have these little staring competitions from across the table, needless to say I always lost. He made me laugh with or without words. There was something about his personality that attracted everyone. I still couldn't believe that he wanted to be with me.

"So are you guys dating or something?" Rachel assumed.

I was about to deny it when Harry reached over for my hand and cleared their doubts. They laughed cheerfully and began banging their beer bottles on the table.

"Well what are you doing?! Sit next to her already!" Trisha ordered.

When he got up, the gang scooted over so I could make room for him.

"That's better!" he said relaxed.

Somehow our dialogue shifted to prom stories, I didn't care as I was reminded who I was going with. I also heard the horror stories of things that actually happened after the party. I really hoped I wouldn't have one with Harry.

Oh Harry, he is the sweetest, it's true. I still feel like I haven't opened up as much as I should. A lot of times I doubt myself and my standards. I hear the girls at school share how far they’ve gone with their boyfriends or some random guy at a party. I feel like I'm years behind but who's right and wrong here?

I felt right about the boundaries we've set up. It didn’t mean that we couldn't have fun in simpler and safer ways. Though at times all it took was his touch to mess up my senses. Like when he holds my hand and his finger strokes the side of my thigh. It’s so hard to pretend like I'm listening when all my attention is pulling towards that sensation.

Fear and pleasure were always tied together when it came to Harry’s caresses. His hand was on my knee now but he was too busy talking to notice my unease. What I really wanted to do was release this tension he was building inside me … on him.

The Apple Martini effects return, my body was warm and fuzzy again. On top of the fact that I was giggling non-stop, I felt so carefree. Harry's strong arm was around me squeezing me towards him every time I laughed. He would whisper things like how cute my laugh was and how he loved seeing me smile. Each warm breath spoken against my ear sent an icy-hot chill across my skin.

"So I noticed your herd of stalkers came in tonight, what happened? They left pretty upset."

"Were you jealous? You can tell me," Harry had an overconfident grin.

I refused to answer and show any further interest.

"Well if you must know … one of them was about to ask me out but before she could finish, I cut her off and said that I was already seeing someone."

I sat up straight enough to be at the same eye level as him, granted I was already turned on by his little gestures throughout the night, he was producing something in me I felt alien to. He was about to lose at this staring contest because I no longer felt spineless.

Harry on the other hand had a hard time reading my thoughts, clueless to what I was plotting. I still didn't know, all I knew was I liked the tipsy feeling I had; I wanted to do something daring but not here with our friends.

"I'm real tired, would you mind taking me home now?" I said in a low tone.

Not thinking twice Harry stood up and helped me out of the booth. We said goodnight and carried on to the car. On the drive home, I was afraid my boldness would wear off before I had a chance to use it. While Harry probably thought I was too tired to talk, I was really imagining how the whole thing would play out.

Harry drove a nice black sports car, very comfortable and spacious. Now don't go thinking that I did something dirty … because I didn't. But I will however describe how these next few minutes made my night into a happy ending… a very hot ending.

"Are you okay? Do you still feel a little buzzed?" Harry asked concerned.

"Yeah I'm fine. Do you mind if I sit here for a minute?"

"Take all the time you need," he smiled affectionately as he pulled up to the sidewalk in front of my house.

I paused to soak in the ambience. The night was dark and cool; there was a minor trace of light from the lamppost that peered through the windows. The faint sound of soft rock coming from the radio added to the laid-back mood.

"Can I ask you what it is that you like about me?" I pried.

"Well … I think you’re very pretty and although reserved, I find your innocence to be somewhat challenging and desirable. I know that sounds bad but I've never been around girls like you. I felt like it was going to take a lot more than my looks to catch your attention. I'm not used to being on the other end, fixated over someone," he confessed.

"You're fixated?" I asked amazed. This confession caught me by surprise. I couldn't imagine him feeling that way.

"Like I said before, I haven't dated in a while. And from what you've shared with me, this is your first experience… in dating I mean."

I pressed my lips together to keep from smiling as I could tell we were both getting nervous.

"What I'm trying to say is … I like you a lot. More than a lot, I want you to know that I'm not playing games here. You have no need to feel the slightest bit of jealousy because I would never do something to provoke it," he promised.

He fixed his gaze upon me, all my insides turned to mush. My mind shouted just do it already and I obeyed, observing my body climb out of the seat. Sitting now on Harry's lap with my legs crossed to the side, I looked deep into his eyes. Stroking the back of his neck, I felt his soft short hair ruffle through my fingers. He carefully placed his hand on my thigh, it felt heavy like he was making sure not to move it. His other hand played with my hair also.

"I don't think this was a safe move," he smiled shyly.

It was my turn to initiate the kiss. With all the planning I did, it all came down to just following my heart and the silent feelings I wished to express to him. I began trailing kisses across his forehead, moving slowly without breaking contact. I then kissed his ear, his cheek and the tip of his nose. His eyes looked so peaceful closed; I kissed them both as well.

About to approach my final stop, I decided to playfully trace the rim of his mouth with my fingertip causing him to twitch and crack a smile. As a good sport he endured my pleasant torture.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" He murmured while peeking through one eye.

My response was another. I pushed down his chin, delicately forcing him to open his mouth so that I could land on his smooth and moist lips. He moaned momentarily.

The stars weren't the only ones shining that night.

Notes

Happy Easter everyone!