Aftermath

Finally sated, they straightened their clothes and walked back to the garage. Erica held Michael's arm but was unusually silent, staring at the ground in front of her. At the car she nodded a silent thanks and got in, sitting with her hands clasped in her lap.

"Are you alright?" Michael asked, getting a silent nod in return. On the drive home she stared out the passenger window, nibbling her thumb absently. He glanced at her from time to time and stroked he thigh, but she did not respond. He thought about talking to her, but decided against it, respecting her silence.

At his apartment they rode the elevator up in silence, her staring at the floor. He unlocked his door and gestured her in, and she passed in front of him, not looking at him.

"Erica, I see you're upset. I'm sorry if I'm the cause of that," he began.

"Oh shut up and sit down," she blurted, obviously fighting tears. "I need to talk." He nodded and sat on the couch. She wiped her eyes and sat on the floor before him, her hands in her lap, her mouth opening and closing several times as she decided on words.

Finally, she spoke, her voice quiet and unsteady. "You opened a door for me, Michael. I didn't know it, and I walked through it not really understanding. I knew I liked sex and you made me come, and you made me feel good. And then you made me feel wicked and naughty and that felt even better. But today..." her voice trailed off. He waited for her to continue.

"Today you made me feel like an animal. A crazed animal. I hated it and I loved it and I felt incredible. I felt powerless and powerful at the same time. I felt dirty and slutty and like I was nothing more than a walking cunt. Wanting to be fucked, wanting to fuck, willing to do anything and let you do anything to me."

"I don't quite know how I feel about myself. There's a part of me that's looking down and being very judgmental, and there's another part that craves the feeling I had today." She put her hand on his knee, looking up at him.

"I thought about it all the time we were driving, Michael, and I've come to the conclusion that I'm both parts, and I welcome both parts. I'm the dirty, horny slutty little animal that loves it when you fuck her in an alley, and I'm the gentle woman who loves it when we make love tenderly, warmly, kindly. Until today, I didn't think both could co-exist."

She gave a little choked sob, hugging him tight and burying her face in his chest. "They can. Oh God can they ever. Damn it Michael, I'm falling in love with you."

He lifted her chin and kissed her softly, holding her gently.