Chapter 2: The drive home
Later that day he came over to my office and we chatted about work before he said he was ready to leave whenever I was. He made some comments about going to the beach, taking a walk, doing whatever, before heading home. I wasn't sure if he was serious or not, so I just giggled and said I just wanted to finish a couple of things before leaving, despite really wanting to go to the beach!
Afterwards we were heading in the same direction, and even in heels I walk faster than him, as I like to remind him.
"Actually, someone mentioned that to me today."
"Mentioned what exactly?"
"You walk with quite a swing when you wear those."
"Wow. Well I really hope it is just when I wear these, I consciously try not to waddle my fat arse when I walk normally."
"It was meant as a compliment, you need to learn how to take one. And it's not fat." I blushed and went to meet up with a colleague to chat about work.
***
Half an hour or so later, I knocked on his door and was greeted with his childish grin as per usual, and told him I'd be about ten minutes. We met up outside my office building; I waited in the sun while he walked over with his long, slow stride, grin from ear to ear β always the grin! He offered to carry some of my stuff, and took my laptop bag and gym bag in his hands, quite the gentleman.
I took my heels off to drive, and he made yet another comment about my short legs, which I dismissed. I must say I enjoyed being in the driver seat. It felt like a rare moment of power in this relationship that is usually dominated by him as he is the senior, both in age and position. I liked the reversal, but that's not to say I don't like the normal balance of power.
We discussed our days; his was less productive than mine, which surprised me as he's always so busy. We made small talk about the music and other drivers, with a couple of comfortable silences in between. We changed subject again onto movies and I mentioned that I had seen Marvel Monopoly in a couple of shops. As he is a boardgame geek, he quickly dismissed Monopoly as a "shit game" and said I need to come over and see his games sometime and be shown real boardgames. I didn't know what to say there so I left it hanging in the air, as I wasn't sure if it was a real offer. I want to see his games and even learn to play some but I didn't want to jump on the offer too keenly. After all, he is married with children... and my supervisor! But I would be lying if I said I didn't want to see what would happen playing boardgames alone with him.
"You're pretty good company, I think I need you in the car more often. My car though. More comfortable and I'd be driving."
Before we knew it we were pulling off the highway. I took a wrong turn (thanks to his lack of direction) and went bright red, which he took pleasure in pointing out. We made it to his place in one piece and I pulled up outside his house. No car was in the driveway.
"Aahh no wife or kids, house to myself for a bit."
"That's a nice surprise!"
I left the motor running but put the car in neutral with the handbrake on.
He turned to me and said, sincerely, "Well, thankyou".
"Not a problem" I said, smiling.
There was a moment of nothing, where no-one was willing to say any more. I sort of wanted to take him up on his original offer but I waited to see if it was still on the table.
He moved to get out of the car, but just as he went to open the door, he turned and said "I really want to show you some of my boardgames. We don't have to play any if you don't want to. And you don't have to stay for long".
Before I had even had time to form the sentence in my head, I replied, "Ok, that actually sounds really good". So I turned the car off and we got out.
He let me walk up the stairs ahead of him β I'm not sure if this was out of politeness or if he wanted to catch sight of my arse "swinging". Either way, I didn't mind. We walked in and he offered me a drink as I took in the sights of his family home. It was modern and spacious, but with a few toys and things strewn over the floor. One wall had a handful of photos on it, mainly of family. On holidays, picnics, themeparks, etc. I was interrupted by him handing me a glass.
"The only things I've ever seen you drink are water, coffee and wine, so here's some water. I don't have any coffee up to your standards but you can have a wine if you'd like."
"I'm right with water now thanks," I said with a giggle.
"Let me know if you change your mind, I wouldn't mind one."
"Sure."
"Well, why don't I give you the grand tour, and it can culminate on the board games room," he suggested.
"You have a whole room for them?!" I exclaimed.
"It's the rumpus room, so it's not strictly for the games, but that's where they're kept."
He guided me around the house: the usual suspects; kitchen and dining, living, which we started in, kids' bedroom, their bedroom, and finally the rumpus room. He opened the cupboard and my eyes widened. Boardgame after boardgame lined the shelves in what appeared to be alphabetical order. I started laughing uncontrollably.
"What's so funny?"
"They're so organised!" I settled myself as he looked upset that he'd shown me, "I don't know why I'm so surprised, I'm really impressed. I think I've said before, I didn't realise so many games existed."
"Yes, well, it's much more than Monopoly and Scrabble. I'm sorry you're not more organised," he retorted.
"Yes, well, working on that." I continued to peruse the games. I could feel him watching me, he seemed on edge so I asked him if he had a favourite. He gave me a spiel about the different categories β competitive, collaborative, etc, and other criteria he has for deciding his favourite β length to play, elements of strategy vs luck, games design. It was sort of going in one ear and out the other because all I was thinking about was how much I liked the sound of his voice. I loved listening to him talk about things he loves. I even like listening to him talk about our work β he has a knack for explaining the background, significance and direction to anybody that will listen. Then I started staring at is lips, wide and full, wondering what they would feel like on my lips, neck, breasts...
"Well, I might head off then," I said suddenly.
"Oh, you don't want to play one?" He looked genuinely upset that I had cut our afternoon short.
"Aaahh maybe not today, another time though?"
"Yeah, sure," he said, dejected.
"Ok, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Yeah, see ya." And I walked out, hopped in my car and drove off.
I had to get out of there β I don't think I trusted myself, despite being in a relationship of my own. But what did I think was going to happen? Fantasising about his lips is one thing, but acting on my desires is another β there's far too much at stake. Was I hoping for something to happen? Hmmm maybe. Did I want our hands to brush as we moved pieces on the board, and then jerk them away awkwardly? Part of me did. But so clichΓ©! Did I want to lean over the board and let him see my cleavage? A little bit.
For the third time that day, my mind wandered off and I played out a scenario in my head.
I am perusing the games, seeing if I recognise any of the names, pulling out a few to read the back. I can feel him looking at me the whole time but I pretend to not realise. I look up on the top shelf and I see one I think I might like, so I stand on my tip toes to reach for it.
"Want some help, shorty?"
"Ah, yeah, that might be good actually, haha."
He strolls over, with a slightly devious look in his eye. He stands really close to me and instead of picking it off the shelf, he picks me up to let me reach it. He puts me back down as he starts telling me about the game, saying it's a good choice. I pretend I'm reading the back of it, but I can barely hear him over my heart beating frantically. Did that really just happen? That was the most physical contact we've ever had. I can feel a wave of heat rush all over me.
"So, ahh, you can read German?"