Page 49 of Ms. V's Hot Girl Summer

Orlando’s words floated confidently above the commotion of our group. And his eyes searched mine for something, something I was desperately afraid to give him.

“Oh.”

“Yup. Oh. Thank you.” He bent, and his soft lips kissed my forehead.

Jesus, Bendito Alabao! How was I supposed to wait until later to jump on this man? How was I supposed to keep my emotions in check the whole night? I had all the answers but didn’t want to say them aloud. Not yet, not when the night was young, and our group was lively and joy filled every cell of my body.

After all the hellos, Orlando settled me on his lap, the music vibrating between the two of us, elevating my awareness of him. Every breath he took, every time I slid on his lap, and he settled me again, the hardness building below. I let it all flow. The fete grew in crowd and noise as the night progressed, and the drinks flowed on our table. Tonight, I wanted to be with him, skin to skin, nothing but our sweat between us. I didn’t want doubts or tomorrow to intercede.

“I want you inside me tonight.” I bent over and whispered in his ear. His soft earlobe tempted me, and Ms. V took over, my tongue giving him a lick. The groan I received in return was all I needed.

“Is that you, Trinidad??” A loud voice startled me out of my interlude with a very hard Orlando who settled me firmly over his dick so that his erection would not be visible. The woman in front of me looked very familiar with a long blond wig, and a dress that exposed more than it covered, her abundant curves in perfect display.

“Girl, is me, Milton’s coworker! I thought you’d be in the Poconos with them crew that is always trying to kiss the bosses’ asses! Y’all separated?”

Under me, everything went still. Inside of me, everything exploded in pure chaos.

This was one of Milton’s coworkers, Roxanna. I’d met her during their holiday party last year, and we’d hit it off, keeping each other company while Milton mingled with the leadership and left me on my own.

“Oh hey, girl, hey.” I stiffened on top of Orlando, mirroring his stillness. His friends gaped at us; their stares so intense I had to shut down the heat coming off them.

“So, this is your new man?” she asked excitedly. Milton had told me after leaving me on my own for two hours not to chat too much with Roxanna because she was a gossip. It was only a matter of time before this got to Milton in New York. The lack of sudden air and the absence of the flapping in my stomach kept me rooted in place, uncertain of how to proceed.

“Girl, don’t you worry, Milton is a whole bore. This looks more like you! I mean, sure, he always talks about you in the office and stuff, but you probably saw through it, it’s all about status with that one…” Roxanna chattered without requiring any involvement from me. Thank God, because every word she said settled in the pit of my stomach until I wanted to rush out and get some air. And I was already outside.

Get a grip, Trinidad!

“Sorry, girl, my boyfriend is looking for me, but I hope to see you tomorrow! What band are y’all with?”

“Oh, we are with Power by Four.” Grace came to my rescue, clearly reading my discomfort.

“Oh! Great! I’m in the green section! See you tomorrow!” Roxanna floated away just as she’d come, leaving chaos and destruction behind her.

“Are you okay—” Orlando hadn’t finished his sentence, and my legs sprang into action, getting up from the only place I wanted to be but knew I couldn’t indulge in.

“I…listen, I’m getting tired.” I grinned, hoping he would allow me this little lie, this one lie, so I could escape and deal with all the turmoil inside.

“Trinidad, let me take you home.” He stood up, not allowing me the space I needed.

“No, you should stay with your friends. I can catch a ride back to the rental. I will meet you there.”

Orlando’s concern seeped into my veins, not letting me close him off completely. For once, my protective walls failed me, the same as they did with my ex-husband. Somehow, my feelings were entangled with his, and I couldn’t figure out where my unease started or finished.

“No, that is not safe; I’ll take you.”

“Orlando, please… I… I’ll wait up for you. We will talk. Let me just…let me just go for now,” I pleaded, my pride bruised at how much this man could get me to concede.

“I…fuck. Okay. But please call me with you arrive. And I’ll give you an hour. An hour, Trinidad. Okay?” I nodded, knowing he wanted it. I had to figure myself out before the hour, dreading it would not be enough time.

TWENTY-ONE

Orlando

An hour to wait to talk to Trinidad felt too long. The vibe of the night disintegrated with her departure, all my worries flooding in behind. I hadn’t told Trinidad about my feelings because her readiness to speak on these topics seemed tepid at best. For me to open up and be vulnerable the way I’d practiced this weekend, I needed to feel secure. That security that surrounded us yesterday in the fun house deserted me, and everything loomed uncertain.

The music blasted in my ears, my heart and head hurting, as I sat next to my friends. Should I go to her now and ask for a talk? No, she’d been adamant about needing time; encroaching on her way of getting her head straight was an asshole move.

“You are overthinking things right now.” Grace’s warm whisper shook me out of my dark thoughts.

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