The Changing Room

The booth was like an upright coffin.

Joseph squeezed in. The latch clicked, but it was mostly cosmetic.

Rosa backed up. Her heels hit the wall.

-He’ll hear us, she whispered.

-He’s spaced out. He doesn't care.

Rosa held the red bikini against her chest. It was a shield. A flimsy one.

Joseph reached out. He took the hanger. He tossed it onto the small bench.

-You’re crazy, she said.

-I’m inspired.

He stepped closer. There was nowhere to go. His chest brushed hers.

-We’re going to get caught, she said.

-Then be quiet.

He kissed her.

His hands found her waist and he spun her around.

Rosa pressed her palms against the wall. She looked at herself in the cracked mirror. Her eyes were wide.

Joseph’s hands were on her hips. He pulled her back against him.

She felt him. Hard. Impatient.

She reached down. She fumbled with the button of his jeans.

-Hurry, she breathed.

He shoved her sensible black skirt up. He pulled her panties aside.

He entered her. One thrust. Deep.

Rosa’s head fell back. She opened her mouth to scream.

Joseph’s hand clamped over her lips.

It muffled the sound.

The wall shook. The mirror rattled in its frame.

Rosa bit his hand.

She ground back against him.

Outside, the shop bell chimed. Voices. Laughter.

It made her hips move faster.

Joseph drove into her. Relentless.

Rosa’s vision blurred. The red bikini on the bench looked like a flag.

She came. It was a shudder that started in her toes and ended in her throat.

Joseph groaned against her neck. He held her tight, pinning her to the wall until the tremors stopped.

They stood there. Panting.

Joseph let go. He stepped back.

Rosa turned around. She leaned against the wall, legs shaking.

-We’re going to hell, she said.

Joseph zipped his jeans. He grinned.

He picked up the red bikini. He handed it to her.

-Put it on.

Rosa took it. She stripped off her clothes. She slid the red bottoms on. She tied the top.

She looked in the mirror.

She turned to Joseph.

-How do I look?

-Like trouble.

-Good.

She put her clothes back on over the suit.

Joseph unlocked the latch.

They walked out. The clerk didn't look up from his phone.

They paid for the detector.

They walked out into the sun.

Rosa felt the red bikini against her skin. It felt electric.

-The beach, Joseph said.

-The beach, she agreed.

She took his hand.