Copyright 2007 Duelduet all publication rights reserved. All characters are over the age of 18.
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Every once in a while I don't know who I am. Self-doubt creeps in, seeps in the cracks of the person I have built myself into. It erodes those beliefs that are the foundation of who I am. Yes, I am good. Yes, I am yours. Yes, yes, yes. But, maybe I am too easy. Maybe I should be like all those other women out there; striving and straining to be as good as a man, not needing anyone. Do I give myself of free will? Or is it because I'm not good enough to stand on my own? I hate myself for these thoughts, for the need for approval, the need for reassurance. The constant testing of you, and myself.
I haven't worn any under things today. At all. A small tease, and well, today I'm scattered and unsure. I want to feel unfettered. Our lunch over, small glances to you from time to time tell me that you know what I've done, and that you know that I know that you know. But I must wait for your reaction. You remind me of a tiger, only the tip of your tail barely twitching as you wait for the right moment to strike. Suddenly I regret playing this little game. I should know better. If I want your attention, I should just ask for it. I am ashamed and busy myself with the dishes, cleaning up.
Packing the cooler I notice you getting up. The feeling of "wait" has changed, is more charged. I quickly look away, turning back to the cooler. I feel sudden warmth as you move behind me; the strength of your arms surrounds me.
"Daddy?" I want to talk, to understand why I feel like this, why I need this. The words don't come. Instead my breath comes quick and light; your hands are on my breasts and I can't help but react - still -- here? Now?
"Not here, someone will see!"
There's no one around, but any minute there could be. You ignore me, pinching my nipples. I am angry. Bastard. Anytime, anywhere, it doesn't matter, does it? What the hell am I, a blowup doll, for chrissakes? A toy -- a plaything. I know what I'm good for.
"James! No! Not here!" My voice is a hiss, venomous with my thoughts. Ineffectively I try batting your hands away, and you growl at me. Animal. I know that tone, and still, I fight, knowing I am making you angry. Good. I have my own mind, my own wants, and my own needs. I tear away from you, and turning to you I see the surprise in your face. Didn't think I would fight you, did I? Suddenly, the expression on your face turns thunderous.
Oh, shit.
All you've ever asked is for my love, my devotion. My respect for who you are, a man,
the
man -- the One who has done everything to see to my comfort, my needs, my desires. The One who frees me from the grind of modern-day insanity. Frees me from worry, from indecision, from second-guessing, from longing for something better, never having enough. The One who cherishes me, nurtures me, the one who arouses the wild, the passionate, the primal. And this is the way I treat you. I am ashamed, suddenly, turning to flee. Your hand catches in the diaphanous material of my dress, shredding, in tatters, like my self-esteem. I run, as much from myself as you. But you follow, hot on my heels. Why? I don't know, but that you do spurs me on. Your determined pursuit reminds me that I am worth something; there must be something for you not to let me get away. I run faster -- feeling -- wild; wanting to shed these feelings, these barriers to my happiness.
And then I am fleeing through the trees, darting back and forth; branches catch at my dress, tearing it away. You're close now; I imagine your breath on my neck, like that of a wolf, hungry for prey. My senses are heightened; I am becoming more of me, more of now, less of the creature chained to society, the bonds of time and civility and responsibility.
"Girl! This is enough!"
I feel your fingers on my shoulder and more of my dress falls away, my yolk of shame falling with it, and now it is only the chase, the exhilaration of the hunt.
I hear your curse; my frown of concentration is lifted as I slip again from your grasp. I laugh -- I am a wild thing, boundless, free, you can never catch me -- I dodge and weave - the trees are my home, my refuge, my territory, I am the wind through them.