The Hoodie

I didn't knock. I just opened the door to his study and walked in. The air smelled of coffee, paper, and frustration. David was sitting at his desk, his fingers hovering over the keyboard, but there wasn't a single word on the screen. He hadn't typed anything the whole time.

He looked up—and his eyes widened when he saw me.

I stood barefoot in the doorway, naked except for my hoodie. The one I'd had for years. Old and baggy. It was just long enough to cover everything below the waist. But only just.

His gaze darted down. Then back up again.

“Can we talk?” I demanded.

He didn't answer right away. Leaned back in his chair. Defensive. Cautious. But he didn't say no.

I wouldn't have accepted a no anyway.

So I walked across the room. Not quickly. Not slowly. Just fast enough that David could see the curve of my hips flash left or right with each step, depending on which foot I put down first. I sprawled out in the leather chair across from him. Pulled my knees up, tucked them under the fabric. The hoodie stretched, the old, worn-out zipper opening reluctantly. The hood slipped off one shoulder. Not completely. Nothing indecent was visible yet. I didn't pull it back into place.

He tried to look back at his screen.

He tried.

“Lisa is exhausting,” I said casually.

That caught his attention. He shot me an annoyed look. “She's... a little... special.”

I smiled bitterly. “She likes to provoke people. Especially you.”

He didn't answer. I tilted my head. “She's just playing with you. You know that, right?”

“I'm not playing her game,” he said. Too quickly, as if he had rehearsed the answer beforehand.

I let silence seep between our words.

Then: “But you're not playing with me either.”

His head jerked up. His eyes were now fixed on me. Focused. Alarmed. Good. I wanted him to look at me. I leaned forward, far enough that my hoodie shifted and David could see inside.

“She thinks you're suppressing your feelings,” I said. “I think you're just afraid. Afraid of me?”

His jaw tensed. He stood up abruptly. Pushed his chair back. Turned around and looked out the window. I let him. I stood up too. Walked to the door. I paused on the threshold.

“The leather was cold. I'd better pull on some panties.”

Then I went out.