The hinges neglected to make a sound, letting me catch the woman on my doorstep unawares. She had her back to me, turned as she was to gaze at the setting sun. I couldn’t stop the gasp escaping my lips, my breath taken away as it usually was when I looked at her. I couldn’t help it. Never before had I met someone that made me ache for them the way she did. I felt a smoldering passion building inside me as I took her in. Sally was a full head shorter than I was, petite, even and toned. I could feel my excitement growing as I looked her up and down. It certainly didn’t hurt that she was dressed in a sheer red high-necked top underneath a dress made completely of straps. A black blazer hung folded over her arm. Glimpses of her red tinged skin flashed from between the black satin ribbon as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other, nervously fingering the silver ring in the black leather collar around her neck.

“Sally… Baby, you look…” With a surprised start, Sally turned to me, hand clutching the fright in her chest. Words failed me. I was sure I looked the fool with my slack jawed expression as I ogled her up and down. Sally laughed, countering with a shy smile, coyly twisting the corners of her mouth. Pulling a loose strand of blond hair back over her ear, she glanced up at me through hooded eyes before her gaze dropped lower down my body. I couldn’t help but grin as I watched her breath hitch in her throat. A flush bloomed across her cheeks, turning them a bright shade of crimson that nearly matched her sheer top.

“Señora…” She said breathlessly as I pulled her to me. Her body pressed to mine as I lifted her chin and quickly claimed her lips in a deep kiss. I clutched her ample bottom as my other hand rose up her back, seeking her bright locks of hair, grunting in disappointment at the ponytail she’d decided to wear. Foiled from combing my fingers through her hair, I curled my fingers around her throat, just under the bottom of her collar as I brushed my thumb along her collarbone.

“I missed you, mi Mascota…” I breathed against her rose-colored lips, before pulling away from her. I slid my hand down her arm, taking her hand in mine, and pulled her inside. “Get in here before I ravish you on the front stoop.” I grinned as I led her inside, shutting the door behind us.

“Let me take your jacket.” I took the black blazer from her arm and hung it on the hall tree, glancing into the mirror. Sally had barely come into the house, clearly hesitating. I turned with a flourish, smiling widely, and led her into the foyer, not allowing her the chance to falter again. “Are you hungry? I made your favorite for tonight.” I moved closer to her, taking her hands in mine, kissing the back of each in turn. “A special treat for mi Mascota.” As I was leaning in to kiss her again, the timer in the kitchen went off, heralding the promise of food. “Perfect timing. Mi Mascota…” I strode by her, making sure to grab a healthy handful of her rear as I went by, giving it a tight squeeze.

Sighing happily, I pulled the lasagna from the oven, setting it on the counter to cool. Wine came next as I popped a bottle of red. I’d already set the table with my best white linen. My Mother’s best white linen. It was fine dinning in all its resplendence: silver candlesticks, a vase of roses in the middle of the table, bread basked filled to bursting with Marta’s finest miniature pan de barra. Like little baguettes, they were delectable and cute all at once. I made a mental note to shower that wonderful woman with praise for all the help she’d given me setting up for tonight. All that was left was the serving of food. I usually had Sally serve meals in her usual role but tonight was special and I wanted her to remember it forever.

“Sally, come and sit down!” I called to her as I plated helpings of the lasagna and garlic bread. Ushering them to the table, I glanced at Sally, still standing in the foyer with her hands folded across her belly. I frowned, returning to the kitchen to retrieve the wine. Malbec, her favorite from a vineyard just to the north of here, not two hours away. I poured the both of us a healthy glass full and brought them to the table, Sally entering the dining room at the same time I did. The glasses wrinkled the tablecloth as I put them down and moved to pull out her chair, waiting for her to sit.

“Ahem… Mi Mascota…” I cautioned when she made no move to sit. She was staring at the table, her expression unreadable but clearly lost in thought.

“S-sorry… Sorry Señora…” She flashed me a chastened smile before quickly sitting in the offered chair. I did my best to ignore her absentmindedness, bending over her as I gently pulled her head back by the ponytail, my other hand cupped under her chin, and kissed her like Spiderman kissed Gwen before heading back around the table. I sat and adjusted, taking a sip of wine as placed my napkin in my lap. I stopped a moment and stared at Sally across the table, trying to decipher her mood.

Sally, normally bright and full of energy and life, tonight seemed distant and troubled. I swirled the wine in my glass as I mulled over her behavior. It wasn’t unlike her to pull the brat card from time to time and disregard my commands. But tonight was different, unlike her usual attitude, even when she was being a brat. Something was clearly bothering her, monopolizing her attention.

“You’re distracted.” I decided to bring up the obvious. I’d often found the direct approach was best. It wasn’t hard to see. From the moment she’d arrived on my doorstep, something had been amiss. As I thought about it, Sally was normally eager to see me, attentively waiting for me to answer the door and receive her, not lost in the sunset. A voice nagged at the back of my mind, whispering to me a secret in a language I couldn’t quite comprehend.

“I apologize Señora.” She shifted uneasily in her chair, smoothing unseen wrinkles in the ribbons of her dress over her stomach.

“Is there something bothering you?” It wasn’t like her to not explain. Sally and I had strict rules built on honesty and trust. Open communication was a bedrock of our relationship. On any other night I’d have jumped on her for it, but I reminded myself that tonight was supposed to be memorable. I didn’t want it marred by a misunderstanding and unnecessary discipline.

“No… I’m… I’m sorry Señora, I had a difficult customer at work today, that is all.” Her gaze rose to meet mine as her usual bright and cheery smile returned before bowing her head respectfully. “I apologize.” Whatever was going on, she was trying hard not to let it show, expertly masking her dark emotions.

“Look at me.” I commanded, leaning forward slightly.

“Yes Señora…” She murmured, locking gazes with me. Her liquid honey eyes shone in the candlelight, nearly glowing with the warmth of the flame…

She was lying. I could always tell when she was lying. But… I decided for the moment to leave it alone. I’d weed it out of her sooner or later. Right now dinner was on the table and I intended to enjoy it and my time with her. I stared at her for a minute more, a small smile quirking my lips. She returned it in kind, and I couldn’t help but feel the butterflies fluttering in my stomach once again. Despite the happiness building inside me as I stared at the woman I loved, some darker truth waited in the shadows. I tugged surreptitiously at the leather straps around the back of my neck, suddenly constricting around me, tighter than it had been. That voice in the back of my mind still whispered to me.

“Mi Moscota… Let’s eat! Before it gets cold and I have to punish you for wasting my hard work!”

© O.L. Vale 2022