Dinner was small talk, eating. I gave her some of the stress from my day, told her about a report that had come down from corporate, the kind that usually got someone fired. I told her about how I got chewed out, about how distribution was off track for several units of our new seeders and I, as head of distribution, was expected to take responsibility for it even thought it was supply that had not informed my division that they were ready to ship weeks ago…

I learned how her day went at the nursery. Several informative sessions with clients explaining the different plants her company offered and the best variety for the customer’s situation. Sally was an honest saleswoman, though, if you could even call her a saleswoman. She sold plants, yes, but never anything she felt the customer didn’t need. It was that quality that drew me to her in the first place, her honesty and sincereness. Sally would never take advantage of someone just to make a buck.

The thought alone of her talking so genuinely with her customers brought a smile to my face. I grinned at her and gave her a wink as she described an awful woman in heels and fur that had come in to chew out the manager about a bougainvillea bereft of blooms. Her story dissolved into a brief fit of giggles until I put my serious face back on, urging her to continue.

……

It was a good dinner, and good conversation. Sally seemed to be relaxing finally, opening back up, displaying her usual bubbly nature. Appetites had been satiated, conversation had carried on. A quiet lull descended upon the two of us as one table candle guttered in the last of its wax. I picked up my glass and swirled the last of the Cabernet, contemplating its burgundy colour, deciding… It was time.

“I want you to move in.” I said suddenly, glancing across the table at Sally. The declaration clearly caught her off guard. She stared at me in shock for a moment before regaining her composure. Dabbing at the marinara at the corner of her mouth. She folded her napkin with precision, studiously inspecting something on the table I couldn’t see.

“S-Señora, I… I…” Her lips moved without sound as she struggled with her thoughts, “I don’t know what to say, I-”

“Say yes.” I interrupted. As much as I wanted it to be a command, our relationship wasn’t like that. I wouldn’t force her into something like this. But I dared hope she would. There was much about her life I had control over, but this was something outside of our contract. But… I loved her… I loved her like I’d never loved anyone before. I wanted her. She was mine already in so many ways, but now… I wanted her closer, in one last, final way.

“I… Can we… Señora, can we discuss it more… Later? When I’ve had some time to think…” She finished, absently swirling her glass of wine. I frowned at it, still mostly full. The food was now gone and I’d refilled my own glass once already, but she’d hardly touched hers.

I forced a smile. “Of course, mi Moscota…” The silence was suddenly awkward and I didn’t like it. I’d hoped she’d say yes. I’d hoped she would have jumped at the chance to spend more time with me. Frowning, I decided to change the subject. “I yet have more for you tonight.” I said, unperturbed as I stood quickly, my chair legs screeching across the tile. I expected her to perk up at the mysteries of the evening as she usually did, but she seemed to remain, stewing in whatever bothersome thoughts that were swirling in her mind tonight.

“Moscota. Come.” I reverted to my usual commanding tone and barked the order as I strode from the room, quickly placing the wine bottle under my arm and grabbing our glasses as I went. I didn’t waste a glance back, but I could hear by the scuff of her chair and the quick steps of her heels that Sally, to her credit, had snapped out of whatever brainstorm she was caught in long enough to follow my orders.

I sat in my usual spot on the couch as I turned on the entertainment system. Movie time. Sally walked briskly to her spot next to me on the floor, kneeling quickly by the armrest. She assumed her position, kneeling on the floor to the side and just forward of the sofa, and waited, alert for any further command. I reached out and pet her hair, a half smile pulling at my lips.

“Sally…” I said softly, patting the spot on the sofa next to me. “Not tonight.” She turned to me, surprised, and my brow furrowed when I saw her expression. I’d expected gratefulness at sitting next to me, happiness at sharing my space, adore even… What I saw instead was worry and anxiety. She rose, climbing onto the couch while I crinkled my nose at yet another disturbing reaction I’d received from her tonight.

Sally folded her legs underneath her as she took the spot next to me on the couch, stiff and erect. Unsettled, I took her by the shoulders, gently pulling her against me as I leaned into the armrest. I stroked her silken hair, turning to kiss her temple before I shifted lower, letting my hands massage her velvety arms until her body relaxed into mine.

“Sally.” I spoke her name softly, waiting for an answer as I caressed her skin with the tips of my fingers. I tickled and teased, letting my affection show clearly as I clicked the play button on the remote. Sabrina came to life on my big screen. The classics may be outdated, but Sally and I loved them anyways, plucking the romance from the aged and often misogynistic stories. “Sally…” I prompted again in the silence as we watched.

“Sandra…”

What a brat… She’d taken her time to respond, making me wait, making me chase her… I’d completely fallen for it and I wondered if perhaps she was lost in her mind again, or perhaps considering something. Regardless, I shivered at the sound of my name on her lips, something I rarely got to hear. Our relationship was Master and Pet, Moscota. When she addressed me, it was by Señora or not at all. To me, she was mi Moscota or Sally. But tonight was different… And I suddenly felt that she was on the same wavelength as I was, that all my planning was coming into alignment ever so perfectly.

“I love you.” I whispered against her ear before kissing her cheek. “Don’t make me wait this time…” I threatened playfully, pulling her chin back so I could kiss her sweet lips. The rose-colored adornment had worn through dinner and I was sure my own had as well. I thumbed her lips between kisses, struggling to keep myself from doing more just yet. I wanted this to be long and slow, a languid exchange of our love.

“Sandra.” She whispered against my lips and I shivered again.

“Yes Sally?” I wanted to hear the words. I craved hearing them from her.

“I… I love you too.”

© O.L. Vale 2022