She had an infectious grin; that was the first thing. Impish; it kind of reminded me of Jack Nicholson. But there the resemblance stopped. She was petite, about 5'3, damned if she was over 105 pounds. Dark hair cut to frame her face. Small, swimmer's body. She had a six-pack (she showed me). Deep brown eyes.
It was hard to see her as a girl because of the gender-neutral hats, t-shirts and khaki pants we had to wear at the restaurant I managed. It was also hard to see her as a girl because she was my eighteen-year old employee, and although I was no old man at 22, I still had my standards. No favoritism, no harassing the female employees, hands off, all business. I think that's why she liked me so much. She wanted to see if I would crack.
She had gone through infatuations with the other two managers already, but one was engaged and the other quickly began to bother her, I guess because it was too easy. He was instantly all over her. So I guess she saw me as a challenge.
Now, I'm no perfect physical specimen. I could stand to lose about fifteen or twenty pounds. But I carry myself well and dress well, and I'm told I have a quiet confidence that women find attractive. And I'll admit I have a pretty handsome face.
What Danielle started doing was touching me all the time. Not just patting me on the shoulder. Pressing her body up against mine. Like a hug, but more like she was holding me. I would be leaning against a counter and she would come up to me and wrap her arms around me, pressing her lovely breasts against my chest. I would always protest and gently disengage myself, but I think she knew I liked it.
Once I was in the back of the store washing dishes (to try to get everyone out on time) and she kept splashing me with water. I got angry and told her that if she didn't stop, I would throw her into the water. She splashed me again, and I grabbed her, picked her up, and started to put her in. She screamed and begged me to put her down, so I did. I don't think she was used to a guy doing what he said he was going to do.
I knew she was just a kid, and I tried to stay away from her. I really did. But one night I just cracked. She had been touching me all night, teasing me, and I was hard as blue steel. I had to have this girl, tonight. So when we started closing, I asked her to hang around for a little while.
"Are you trying to get me alone?" she teased.
"Yes," I told her.
She laughed as though I were kidding.