Lust

The lamps give off a dim, dull light; only the glow of the laptop on our faces is visible, creating a calm and comforting atmosphere.

I move a little closer to Sam. My dress shrinks so much that it almost reaches my underwear, but I don't notice.

I explain computer concepts that I learned on my own and prepare an Excel spreadsheet so that he can understand. My throat feels dry from talking so much.

He seems to understand everything, but there is a contained nervousness that is noticeable in his gaze. His pupils dilate slightly, and every so often his fingers tense on the desk, as if measuring his own strength.

His eyes scan the huge window, covered by curtains. The full moon shines outside, and I notice that something in him seems to react to that light: his skin looks smoother, his breathing more controlled... and the tension in his muscles is impossible to ignore.

"Sam... Sam."

"Yes... yes... I understood everything perfectly!"

"Sam... is something wrong?" You look like you want to escape through the window," I ask, rolling my eyes at his face as I point to the screen.

"What time is it?"

"Ten past ten."

He sighs deeply, as if waiting for something. His pupils are still dilated and his dark gaze seems to capture every detail of the room, including mine, while still containing an instinct that seems wild.

"Would you like me to get you something to drink?"

"I don't know... maybe another soda," I hesitate, taking the last sip.

"No... I mean some wine. It's very light, we still have a couple of hours," he interrupts me, looking at his watch, which I didn't even know he was wearing.

"It's just... I don't drink alcohol," I mumble, crossing my arms.

"Sorry if it's too much for you... but it's on me! Come on."

"Well... okay, just a little, okay?"

He disappears behind the curtains again. With every passing second, I get more and more entangled in this situation: from a simple Excel class at work, I end up here, drinking with a guy I just met... who, to top it all off, is my boss.

"Here you go!"

Sam hands me a glass of honey-coloured wine with an intoxicating aroma, but his hand trembles slightly and a flash of madness crosses his face. His gaze wanders over my bare thighs, lingering on the corner of my blue underwear.

"Sam... are you okay?" The moon is driving you crazy... heh," I smile, taking a sip that warms me to the stomach.

Sam reacts with both anger and shyness. He trembles and his pupils remain black.

"I'm sorry... tonight... I'm fine! I'm fine!" he slurs, his tongue tangled and his gaze sharp.

By the second glass, Sam is so close that I can analyse every detail of his face. A mischievous and very sexy smile appears on his lips as he stares at me, until I feel a slight tingle of discomfort.

"How about we play a game?" he asks, somewhat recklessly.

His words sound distant, his face slightly blurred. A pleasant joy runs through me: the wine seems to be taking effect.

"Yes... sure."

"I'll ask you three questions, you ask me three questions... and if anyone thinks they shouldn't answer, they take off a piece of clothing. At the end... there will be a surprise!" he celebrates, tilting his head with a distant look in his eyes.

A strange heat runs through my body. It's not because of the drink, it's because of something else... something I can't control. It's an indecent proposal and, obviously, I should say no.

"Yes, of course," I reply, my throat dry despite the wine.

"I'll start... OK?" he squeals, with an almost eerie joy in his voice. "Do you have a boyfriend?"

"No," I reply, rolling my eyes.

"Mmm... very easy... are you a virgin?"

A tingling sensation eats away at my chest and my heart races. I stand up.

"I only have two pieces of clothing: my dress and my knickers," my voice sounds fuzzy, and I can't think clearly.

"Aren't you wearing a bra, Estela?" he asks me cheekily.

"No... this dress has padding, I don't need it..." but I don't want to answer.

Sam's eyes light up, watching my every move. Subtly, I notice a bulge in his crotch. He surreptitiously places his hand over it, trying to distract me.

"Let's change the rules! This time I'll take it off myself," he blurts out suddenly.

"What are you going to take off?" I ask without thinking.

"My clothes, Estela... my clothes."

Sam stands up and takes off his jumper. I can see more tattoos on his chest, defined muscles and some scars. Sweat runs down his neck, forming a trail to his abdomen. My eyes follow it, getting lost in his navel.

A dampness runs through my body; I feel the floor move with every beat of my heart. My mouth is dry.

"Last question, Estela... do you like me?"

An ace up his sleeve, very clever.

I grab the hem of my dress, pull it down far enough, and take off my knickers.

"Here's my piece!" I shout, almost, with my knickers between my fingers. 

Sam's eyes seem to glow. He clears his throat and sits down, placing a cushion over his crotch and running his hands through his hair.

"Now... you," he orders me, sweat forming a second skin on his body.

"All right, Sam... do you have a girlfriend?"

"No!" he smiles maliciously.

"Okay... do you like me?"

Sam stands up again. He looks at me as if nothing else exists in the world and takes off his trousers. 

Now I can clearly see his underwear completely raised, sweat soaking his belly, and his stalking eyes seem to corner me, as if I were prey.

"One last thing, Sam... what would you do if I took off my dress?"

Silence fills the room. His bulge looks like it's about to explode. With a defiant look and a calm tone, he replies:

"Fuck you until you pass out!"

My eyes get lost in his. My chest feels like it's going to explode, my hands are shaking.

"Twelve... Estela, you have to go," he suddenly interrupts, looking around.

"What? Now? Why?"

Sam is acting strange. He gets dressed quickly, trembling, and seems to push me out of the flat. I get dressed in a hurry, watching him hesitantly.

"I'll call you a taxi. Wait downstairs," he orders, turning off his laptop.

His eyes are even stranger than before; his hair looks more dishevelled and his lips are dry. He almost pushes me out and slams the door shut.

It's unbelievable... I don't understand anything. Guilt stirs my soul and shakes every fibre

of my being. I shouldn't have accepted such a proposal. I'm a calm person, very sane... and I don't know what I was thinking.