Cracked Ice - Part 9.5

“CRACKED ICE” by Leora Tozer © 2013 Part 9.5 {Week 2, Tuesday afternoon}

I felt as though a lot of work was completed this morning. Art and Leo left for lunch and for their usual afternoon pursuits. I ate a sandwich at my desk and went back to work. 

After having lunch at home, Henry was agitated. He appeared stressed out when he quickly breezed by my desk. 

After a couple of minutes, I walked over and softly knocked on his office door. “Do you want a cup of tea?” I asked. 

“No, thanks for asking,” Henry answered, looking a bit surprised. 

“Is there anything I can do to help?” I said. 

“Can you turn back time?” he asked. 

“Did you try turning your watch hands backwards? Or does your watch need winding?” I replied. 

“No, but maybe you need winding,” he remarked. 

“No, not today. Can we put that on the schedule for next Tuesday?” I joked. He still seemed out of sorts to me. “I know something that might help you,” I said. I went to my desk and found the Jergen’s lotion. 

I walked back into Henry’s office and closed the door. 

Henry had about 50 different scenes in his mind when he saw Leora enter the office with the hand lotion. He decided to wait and see what would happen. 

“Would you mind if I tried a de-stressing technique on you?” I asked. “I haven’t been trained in this, but a friend of mine had taken some classes and she used to practice on me.” 

Henry’s eyes lit up, “That would have been entertaining to see.” 

“Not the type of fun you’re imagining,” I shook my head with a slight smile. “I’ll be rubbing lotion on your shoulders. Do you want to take off your shirt?” I asked. 

“Maybe I should lock the door,” Henry said. 

“It’s not necessary,” I replied. 

“If I pull the shades, I’ll take off anything you ask,” Henry gave me a friendly leer. 

“I promise, I won’t ask you to take off anything else,” I stated. 

“A boy can dream, can’t he?” Henry asked. 

“Dream all you like. You’re lucky you’re getting a shoulder massage,” I replied. 

“Yeah, Leo was complaining. But you’re right, he’s never stressed,” Henry smiled. It was refreshing to see a dame not fall for Leo’s usual tricks. 

When Henry took off his jacket and shirt, he noticed me diverting my eyes. He started teasing me, “Now, don’t look.” 

I laughed. “Where would it be most comfortable for you to sit?” I asked. 

“Your lap,” he replied. 

“If you’re going to be difficult, I’ll just go home,” I retorted. 

As I feigned turning around, he grabbed my hand. “I think you like it.”

“Perhaps. But, I’m not used to it,” I admitted. I could get jangled up too easily around him. I made a conscious decision to be a healing source of comfort today. 

He sat down in his office chair. “I’m ready. Just don’t hurt me.” 

“I’m not here to hurt anyone,” I replied. 

Henry closed his eyes. I had a small bit of lotion on my fingertips. I pressed gently and massaged his forehead by starting in the middle of his forehead and moving my index fingers towards his temples. His eyes flickered open and looked at me with a studied wariness, as if he was not used to random acts of kindness from a woman. 

“I can stop if it hurts or you have discomfort. Just let me know,” I calmly stated. Reassured, Henry closed his eyes again. 

I applied lotion to his shoulder, starting with a gentle pressure, and gradually increased it. At first, Henry seemed guarded, but as I worked on his shoulders, I could feel the built-up stress melting away. 

Even though I was being as professional as possible, I felt such an electric energy build up between us. “Would it be more comfortable if you lie down on the couch?” I asked after a bit. 

His eyes opened and he looked at me with a quiet purpose. I knew what he was thinking of; his eyes gave it away. I looked at him carefully, my eyes attempting to hide my attraction to him. 

“Will you be my blanket?” he teased. 

I asked back, “Do I qualify as a comforter?” After a moment, I clarified, “You might be more comfortable lying on your stomach when I massage your lower back.” 

Henry stood up, and as he passed his office door, he stealthily locked it. I was preoccupied with getting the lotion and a small towel moved over to the small table near the couch. 

He lay down on the couch and looked up at me, “OK, do whatever you like with me. Just don’t tie me up in knots.” 

“You already have knots. I’m here to untie them.” I replied. 

I poured lotion on my hands and spread it on his back. I started on his shoulders again and finished working the stress out of his shoulders. As I moved down his back, I was able to release the stress from his back. When I finished, I carefully removed the excess lotion from his back with the small towel. 

I put my hand on his shoulder and said softly, “You can sit up if you like.” 

Henry raised himself up and sat on the couch. He seemed a bit reserved as he watched me grab the lotion bottle and take a step towards him. I sat down on the couch next to him. 

“There’s something else I’d like to try,” I said. 

I covered my left hand with lotion, and took hold of Henry’s right hand. Starting with his pinkie, I worked on each finger, surrounding it, and pulling it slightly to work out the stress. Henry just watched me as I concentrated on his hand. As I was wrapping my hand around his index finger, Henry slipped his hand from my grip. 

His hands touched my face, and raised it up, so I was looking directly into his eyes. He moved his face close; I moved closer to him, as his lips gently, tentatively touched mine. He held my chin and kissed me, first softly, then deeper. My lips responded in kind. It felt like we’ve kissed before, perhaps in a long ago dream. 

Before the kissing became too intense, Henry stopped and let go of my face. I felt flushed and excited as we both looked at each other a few moments. I stood up from the couch and walked to the door. I wanted to kiss him again, but I didn’t tell him. I unlocked the door, slipped out of the office, and walked down the hall, into the bathroom. 

I turned on the tap and splashed cool water on my face. I dried my face and stood straight up. As I became more aware of my body, I could feel a strange invisible pulling in my stomach. I closed my eyes a moment to meditate and attempt to figure out what this odd sensation could mean. 

After a few deep breaths, I knew I would need to sort my feelings out later away from the office. I went back to my desk, and sat in my chair. Still feeling jangled up, I found my next typing project and started typing. 

Henry’s door was closed. I didn’t know if I’d see him the rest of the day; it seemed so still. I typed two letters and after an hour, decided I was too distracted and should leave a bit early. I put away my stuff and walked to my Yellow Car stop, knowing I’d have a lot to mull over at home tonight.