Author's note: A spooky short tale just for Halloween.
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The company Halloween party. I hated it, but you scored big with the bosses for attending, assuming they even saw you. Three hundred staff were milling around the dim hotel ballroom as music thumped and boomed.
My costume was the same low-effort outfit as last year: vampire teeth and a high-collared cape, hair slicked into a widow's peak. I had just arrived, standing at the edge of the crowd, nodding and yelling pleasantries over the thumping music to coworkers as they passed.
If I could find Rachel from Finance, maybe I could hook up with her again. We shared a scorching one-nighter over a year ago, even though I was nowhere near her league.
Scanning the crowd, it seemed pirates and sexy witch costumes were still popular. Not much imagination in this crowd, but we were an insurance firm after all.
"You're here!" An adorable Tinkerbell smiled up at me. It took a moment to recognize who it was. "Cindy! Hi. Nice to see you."
Her huge eyes gleamed. She pulled me into an unexpected hug, laying her head against my chest. "I'm so happy to see you again, Richard. So happy."
I hugged back, feeling awkward.
Cindy worked in Records, organizing and delivering files. I suspected she had a thing for me: twenty-three people worked in Records, but every time I called down for a file, it was always Cindy who delivered it. Then she lingered like a needy puppy, awkward and shy, trying to make small talk, maybe even trying to flirt.
It was cute. And she was cute: short, with a sunny face splashed with freckles, ginger hair in a short pixie cut, nice boobs and an ass maybe a little large on her short frame from her wide hips. I might have gone for her but for her shyness and the relentless hassling I get from coworkers for dating a mere clerk.
Cindy released me and stood back, beaming.
"Like my costume?" She smiled and spun.
The Tinkerbell dress was vivid green, cut as though made from large leaves. It left her shoulders bare, exposing more freckles that trailed to the top of her boobs straining against the bustier of the dress. Arching behind were tall fairy wings attached at the waist that spread to reveal her bare back.
Cindy was adorable and sexy as hell. She practically glowed.
"You look gorgeous," I smiled. "That's a perfect costume for you, Cindy."
A blush appeared before she hid her face. "Thanks. I hoped you'd like it."
"Haven't seen you at the office for a while," I said, leaning down so she could hear me over the music.
"Oh, I've been around," she said. "Come with me? I really need a drink."
Cute as Cindy was, I wanted to schmooze the crowd, find make sure at least one of the company partners saw me, then leave, preferably with Rachel or one of the other girls I'd been hitting on at the office in tow.
Before I realized it, we were standing at the bar. The bartender fawned over my cute companion but ignored me. I didn't want a drink, anyway—I'd been feeling odd all night. Maybe a tainted hors d'oeuvre?
Cindy ordered two shooters and downed both immediately.
"Whoa, girl. You don't want to get hammered here. If you make a fool of yourself you could be out of a job."
She shrugged. "Liquid courage. Come dance?"
We had been seen together for too long. I didn't want anyone to talk, but Cindy pulled me onto the dance floor before I could refuse. What a surprise—she was sinuous and lively, holding my hands, eyes locked with mine, spinning, swirling, shaking her wings. When a ballad came on, she crushed against me, pulling my hands around her me like we were old lovers.
During the next up-tempo song she turned her back and ground against me. I held her hips, trying not to peer down her top at her lovely boobs. No seemed to be making of fun of us yet, so I busted out some of my own dirty dancing moves. Cindy laughed and danced along. We made a good pair.
What a change from the shy little mouse I knew. She was fun and sexy and I was getting aroused. Cindy must have noticed—she started grinding against my growing hardness. She reached a hand up to run her fingertips across the back of my neck, sending shivers through me.
In a moment I found us in the hall outside the ballroom, against a wall necking and pawing each other like teenagers. Though people walked by, Cindy guided my hand to one warm boob. She held me there, eyes closed and swaying as I massaged her.
"Cindy," I said, enjoying the feel of her, "I'm flattered, but I don't want to lead you on. We can't do this."
She popped open her eyes. "Sure we can. We're doing it right now."
I glanced at the passersby tactfully ignoring our display. I said, "I'm lead actuary for manufacturing and transport and, uh—"
"—and I'm only a clerk, right?"
"Well, yeah. Sorry."
She pulled my hand from her chest. "Richard, you're not really like that. I just know you're not. Everyone else on your floor treats me like garbage. You always talked to me. Joked with me. Put up with me even when I just stood in your door trying..."
I raised an eyebrow "Trying...?"
"Trying to ask you out. Trying not to kiss you. Trying not to jump you!"
She flushed then turned away.