Natalie sneaked up behind Matthew and wrapped her hands gently around his head, covering his eyes. “Guess who,” she said with a flirtation tone as she pressed her body against his back. A smile crept along Matthew’s lips, “I don’t know, but I’m going to call the police and report you for assault.”

Natalie pulled her hands away and slid her body around him, looking up into his eyes with a demure look. “You wouldn’t do that… would you?” She raised her hands to his chest as she spoke, walking her fingers up towards his face slowly with each word. Matthew looked at her, trying to stay serious as Natalie’s fingers bopped him on the tip of his nose.

She giggled and shied her eyes away as she spun away from him, her skirt spreading the fabric in a wide circle. Matthew couldn’t hold out any longer and chased after her, wrapping his arms around her waist, lifting her in the air and spinning her in the opposite direction. Her laughter increased as he squeezed her tightly; a low belly chuckle rising from Matthew.

Matthew set Natalie down, grabbing her left hand with his as he slipped his arms away from her belly. Natalie responded by raising her hand above her head and pivoting under his grip, spinning to face him again, a smile stretching from ear-to-ear. “You know, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were almost having fun. I thought that you didn’t have any time for that silly stuff,” challenged Natalie.

Matthew pulled their joined hands behind her back, tucking her arm into the small of her back and pulling her in closer to him. Matthew retorted, “It’s not my fault; I’ve been coerced.” He pulled her in tighter, wrapping his strong arms around her and commanding her attention. “Frankly, it’s your fault.”

“Well then, what’s the punishment for such dastardly deeds?”

Matthew relaxed his neck and leaned in closer, but in the distance he could hear a fire alarm going off, immediately capturing his attention. Natalie noticed the change in behaviour, but was held fast by his embrace. The tone got louder and louder, his grip relaxing as it increased.

Matthew inhaled quickly, springing up from the pillow. It took a second for him to get his bearings, but instinct swung out his left arm and slammed down on the snooze button; another day of boring and unfulfilling work. He rubbed his eyes and gave out a large yawn. “Fuck.”

This is part of a 30 day series of 2-3 minute short stories written for the 30 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, 2011. You can view all the stories in the Short Story A Day category.