Cracked Ice - Part 10

“CRACKED ICE” by Leora Tozer © 2014 - Part 10 

The morning went by quickly. I typed quite a few answers for Leo’s letters. He briefly checked them over and signed them. I was able to get a lot done before the mail went out mid-morning. 

After a brief lunch outside with my book, I felt newly focused and energized. I was able to start on a few templates, which I planned on sharing with them for additions and approvals. As I was typing the second template, Henry popped his head out of his office and asked with a grin, “So, you’re answering those without me?” 

“I thought I’d quote your movie lines to create the answers,” I teased back, smiling at him. “When you have time, I can show you what I have done so far and how it would work,” I continued. 

He looked around the office and asked, “So where are my lazy brothers?” 

“I don’t know where your lazy brothers are,” I answered, “but Art and Leo were in for at least an hour, and now are gone for lunch. Don’t you need lunch?” 

“I had lunch. Come in with those letters.” Henry directed. 

I brought in the templates, a couple of fan letters, a notebook, and pen with hope my plan would work for this project. 

I entered the office. Henry shut the door and went to sit down at his desk. I sat on the chair across the desk from him. He moved the notebook and pen he had in front of him into the right desk drawer. 

He read the first letter template and then I showed him the letter and where I would need a few answers. 

He looked at me and stated, “This isn’t working at all.” 

I wasn’t surprised that he might not approve, but was shocked that he did so quickly. I answered, “I know it won’t work for all letters, but if it would help with even 20%...” 

“No, that’s not what I meant,” he said. 

“What’s not working?” I asked, slightly confused. 

“This seating arrangement,” he responded in a flirtatious way. “It’s difficult to work on this when you’re all the way over there.” 

“I can move the chair,” I said, standing up. 

He reached out and lightly held my hand. 

“Don’t you realize when a man is trying to get closer to you.” 

“But men don’t make passes at a girl wearing glasses,” I retorted. 

He asked, “What if it’s a boy in glasses?” 

He held my hand with a gentle, but steady grip; I looked at him from across the desk. There was a definite look I hadn’t seen him give me before. I felt a slight butterfly tremor flow through me. I took a small breath in and asked, “So, where should I sit?” 

"Where do you think?” he asked softly. 

We couldn’t seem to break our eye contact. It’s nature; the chemical interaction between a man and a woman attracted to each other. Ever since the kiss yesterday, I wanted to find some reason to touch him. My body swayed slightly at the thought of sitting on his lap. 

I moved around the desk while he kept claim of my hand. When I sat on his lap, he let go of my hand. My head was turned so my right ear was near his mouth. I could barely breathe; he whispered, “Now you’re right where you belong.” 

I gave a small nod in agreement. As I sat there, I felt an odd sense of relief; relief that I wasn’t ignoring my own feelings. A whole new emotion flooded my senses into overdrive. The sexual energy could have lit the whole room, even though no words were being exchanged. 

“So, you wanted to show me the letters?” Henry asked. 

I picked up the first template and a couple of letters. I read it out loud while he slowly caressed my back. 

“You seem tense. I should find a way to relax you,” he teased. 

Feeling his breath on my neck was sending waves of longing through my whole body. As his fingertips explored my neck, stomach and sides of my waist through my dress, I felt myself ache with a deep desire I hadn’t experienced in a long time. 

After reading a letter, I leaned back onto his shoulder. 

“Whatcha thinking about, honey?” Henry asked. 

I smiled and leaned in to softly kiss his neck, as I caressed his chest through his white cotton shirt. 

I felt jangled up, and knew I needed to leave the office soon. I intuitively knew he was a man who felt he should be in control. However, my attraction was stronger than I realized. I knew I had to control myself from going further. If a woman was too forward, I felt certain it would be an automatic turn-off for him. 

I was vibrating like a tuning fork and trying to decide how I could get up and leave. Fortunately, I heard Leo and Art’s voices when they entered the outer office. I could hear Art say, “I’ll need to ask Henry about that.” 

I quickly stood up, grabbed the letters from the desk, and took two steps from the desk. Art opened Henry’s office door. 

“Didn’t you learn how knock?” Henry grumbled to his brother. 

Art replied with a smile, “Knocking’s only needed for bathrooms and bedrooms.” 

“I was just leaving. Thank you for going over these letters with me,” I stated. I walked out of the office and closed the door behind me. 

I sat the letters on the desk and walked down the hall to the bathroom. I splashed cool water on my face to try to calm my reeling mind. After drying my face, I realized I needed to go outside for fresh air and a short walk. 

I can’t believe myself. I’ve never ever done something like this while at work. 

I’m walking outside lost in thought, and suddenly felt my soul being hugged by another soul. I had already walked around the building at least three or four times when someone tapped my elbow. “Hey, you alright?” Art asked kindly. 

“Oh, I’m fine,” I answered. He started walking next to me. 

“Most fine folks don’t walk laps around buildings.” “I just needed some fresh air to think,” I replied. 

He nodded, “Henry can cause most people to run for the hills from time to time. But, overall, he’s good.” 

“I wasn’t upset by anything he said. He seems so serious at times,” I replied in a concerned way. 

“He worries,” Art stated, “so the rest of us don’t have to. He’d worry even if we did.” 

I nodded, “Some folks feel like they have to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders.” 

We stopped walking. Art looked around quickly to see if anyone else was outside. When he saw no one around, he commented, “Those are the people who should enjoy life when they can. Henry has no peace at home.” 

“It’s strange how right and wrong seemed so clear cut when I was young. Why is that?” I asked. 

Art smiled, “We all knew so much less as kids. What’s right for most? Things unknown don’t necessarily cause troubles.” 

I touched his arm and smiled, “Thank you for your wisdom.” He smiled back and whispered, “Don’t forget, 10pm.” 

I didn’t realize where we had stopped to talk. Henry had watched through his office window while Art and I had this confidential talk. Henry could only see the body language, of me touching Art’s arm, not realizing that it was in the spirit of friendship.




To be continued...