Business or Pleasure

[_precious_1__]

Julia

“Julia, let's talk about that large shopping center financing deal you mentioned before. I've been thinking about how we can help you...”

There was no mistaking the look in Steve’s eyes as he mouthed ‘save me’. I was actually kind of afraid the guy he was talking to… rather listening to had noticed.

“That would really help me out Steve. I’ve got to go grab my briefcase so I can give you the details.”

Steve nearly tipped the table over he got up so fast. I had to stifle a laugh. We both said goodbye to the man he’d been talking to, turned and walked quickly toward the exit.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

CEO Thor

.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

CEO Thor

I had selected a very nice Chardonnay from a small boutique winery located in the foothills 'uphill' from Sacramento. I knew the winery....I was becoming more impressed with this hotel - right down to the wine cooler, it displayed an attention to detail that I admired.

"Your speech tonight was wonderful, Thor. Just what the people of the company needed to hear, I believe. I am sorry your secretary made such a scene before everything started though. Had I know she was indeed coming, I'd have warned you ahead of time." As I walked toward Alexa, I noticed her very fine legs...'Business Thor. It is not your style to use your position to seduce.' I had found that power and wealth were powerful aphrodasiacs - much like politicians experience, I suspect.

"She is going to be replaced, Alexa....she just does not know that yet. She borders on incompetent, and I cannot tolerate that. Further, she seems to forget what her job level is. I must apologize for her bahavior toward you." As I spoke, I handed Alexa her glass and clinked mine against it. "To steal a line from a political convention, Happy days." After we sipped, I put my hand on her elbow and steered her to the sumptuous sofa. I put my glass on the coffee table and said, "Now Alexa, to business. I want to ask you a question, and you don't have to answer right away." Even though I said that, I admired people who were decisive, and hoped that she would respond - up or down - on the spot.

 

[darrenfate]

STEVE


In a loud voice with one meaning for all the onlookers and another for Julia, Steve spoke as they walked away-

You know Julia, I'm very excited to work with you. I can't wait to review everything that you have. So show me what you've got and I'll take charge of this personally...

Julia had come through for him in the clutch! He followed her out leaving his work colleague literally open mouthed at the sudden turn of events. Steve was smitten. Smart, capable, gorgeous and fast on her feet? Irresistable. She led him out the exit and as they turned the corner, Steve touched her shoulder and stopped her, laughing out loud. Standing a little too close for just business , smiling he said:

You are good Julia very good! Thinking on your feet like that. Perfectly done. Ok so, now I am in your debt. What can I do to repay your kindness? Ask me for anything...

 

[TexasAngel28]

Alexa

I want to ask you a question, and you don't have to answer right away." I smiled and set my glass down on the coffee table as well, leaning back somewhat, crossing one leg over the other as I waited for this question he would pose to me. I knew whatever the question I would answer him almost immediately. It was never a good idea to keep people like him waiting.

 

[_precious_1__]

Julia

Outside of the banquet room the two of us giggled like school kids who had pulled something over on the principal. I was laughing so hard I put my hand on Steve’s shoulder to keep from falling over. Then Steve straightened, standing very close, smiled down into my upturned face.

“You are good Julia, very good! Thinking on your feet like that. Perfectly done. Ok so, now I am in your debt. What can I do to repay your kindness? Ask me for anything...”

I suppose I had squandered this offer once before, but even though I was attracted to this man, it just wasn’t my style to make the first move.

“Well, this might sound like a strange request, but will you dance with me? The lounge has a dance floor, and the singer from earlier was really good.”

The thought of having his arms around me, with me leaning against his chest, the smell of his cologne…. Made me flush just a little. He was a little longer than I was comfortable with in giving his answer. ‘Oh god,’ I thought, ‘that wasn’t what he meant’. I flushed again, but this time with embarrassment. I looked up at him, waiting for an answer.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

CEO Thor

I looked her straight in the eyes, paused for a long moment, and asked, "Would you like to be promoted to Vice President?"

I watched the emotions play over her face and then said, 'Your bosses boss is retiring soon. Your boss does not have the drive nor ability to take over. I have heard of your work and now have seen - first hand - how effective you are."
Then I leaned back and waited.............

 

[TexasAngel28]

Alexa

I was shocked at his question. Surely there were others who had more training and more motivation than I did, but there, he'd just said he'd seen first hand what I was capable of doing. Taking the position would mean a better pay raise, a better office and I'd be working with Thor on a day to day basis. How could I pass up such an offer? I smiled and nodded slightly.

"I can't thank you enough for having such faith in my abilities to offer me such a promotion. I can't think of anything I would like more than becoming Vice President. I assure you, you will have nothing to worry about in our department from here on out." Again I smiled and waited. What now? If this was all he'd wanted, perhaps I should go and let him get his sleep. It was approaching 10:30pm now and I knew his breakfast meeting was at 7:45am the next day, but I didn't want to seem ungrateful either. I would stay and, for the moment, wait until he seeemed ready for me to leave.

"When would you like me to start in this new position?" I asked curiously.

 

[darrenfate]

STEVE

Steve paused before giving his answer, very close to leaning forward and kissing Julia. But he had made one faux paux that evening with her, and he was sure she wouldn't forgive him another. Then he said"

"Julia, that's an excellent idea. I'd love to dance with you. I ballroom dance every chance I get. You are a woman of many nice surprises."

Steve thought to himself, there is no better way to get close to a woman than dancing. For the hundreth time in his life, Steve thanked his college friends into making him take those classes. It had served him very well in both his professional and his private life. Steve was a good dancer, well versed in dancing ranging from waltzes to the tango.

With a huge smile on his face, Steve took Julia by the hand and led her back to the lounge, the music getting louder and more inviting the closer they got. Steve was happy with the little things, and took great pleasure in simply holding her warm hand ...

 

[Thor's Hammer]

CEO Thor

'Alexa, I like your style. The incumbent will retire on February 28th. Will March 1st give you enough time to wrap up your current assignment?"

As I waited for her answer, I watched her eyes. She was a damned attractive young woman. However, I never hooked things like promotions to any personal relationships....I did not have to do that to have all the 'companionship' I desired. I pressed a stud on the remote - and the music from the lounge softly surrounded us - as was everthing else, the hotel had outdone itself in the quality of the system,.

 

[_precious_1__]

Julia

"Julia, that's an excellent idea. I'd love to dance with you. I ballroom dance every chance I get. You are a woman of many nice surprises."

My heart nearly leapt out of my throat when his soft warm lips descended upon mine. As he led me back into the lounge my head was swimming. Perhaps I had one glass of wine too many with dinner. The lounge had heated up now, there were quite a few people laughing, drinking and smoking. I am not a smoker, and it bothered me just a little. We found a table close to the dance floor so I could deposit my purse and suit jacket. Beneath the sleeveless silk silver sheath was much more feminine.

We sat down at the table to wait for the next song to begin, and shortly the waitress sashayed over to take our order. Steve, in a very gentlemanly manner deferred to me to make my order first. Despite my better judgment I ordered a Cosmopolitan. Steve ordered and the waitress continued her rounds taking orders.

I was fidgeting, waiting for the song to end. ‘Get a hold of yourself Julia,’ I thought. Why am I so nervous? But the kiss had shook me to the core.

The waitress quickly returned with our drinks. Steve asked her to start a tab, and I took a long drink from my Cosmopolitan. I hoped I was displaying a more calm collected image outside then I was feeling inside. I turned my attention to the dance floor. There were about half a dozen couples out on the floor. One couple was downright professional, most just kind of swayed there, and inevitably one couple was dirty dancing in the corner, despite the fact that it was inappropriate for song “Sentimental Journey” that was being played.

I looked over at Steve, smirking, and jerked my head in the direction of the dirty dancers. Steve just shook his head and laughed. It took the edge off a little, and began to feel more comfortable. We chit chatted a little, sipping our drinks and talking about our lives. I didn’t realize Steve had worked for Mellon before. I had applied there right out of college, but their management training session was full.

Finally, the song ended, and the pianist began to play “It Had to be You.” One of my favorites. I looked over at Steve in anticipation.

 

[darrenfate]

STEVE

Steve took the cue, this was the perfect song to dance to. He could just hear Frank Sinatra crooning out the words in his mind as they made their way to the floor. It was still pretty empty. The floor square in shape about 40 feet by 40 feet, and the dark wood squares were laid down in contrasting mosaics.

Steve held out his left hand, and rested his right in the small of Julia's back. He smiled and said, let's start off simply yet elegantly. With that, he led her into the classic box step. Julia glided after him, and Steve could see that she was good, in fact very good.

While the music may have been It Had to be You Steve felt more like I Only Have Eyes for You since he locked his gaze on the sparkle and vibrancy of Julia's eyes. Gradually they did variations on the steps, feeling their way as dance partners. This was wonderful, Steve was totally entranced by her as he began to whisper the words to the song ...

It must have been, that something lovers call fate
Kept me saying: "I have to wait"
I saw them all, just couldn't fall - 'til we met

...It had to be you

 

[_precious_1__]

Julia

“It must have been, that something lovers call fate
Kept me saying: "I have to wait"
I saw them all, just couldn't fall - 'til we met

...It had to be you”

His whispered song sent shivers down my spine. This was exactly the kind of thing I am a sucker for. Lost in his eyes, his song, it was as if we were the only two people in the room. I felt as though we were transported back into a film you would expect to see the Rat Pack in.

He danced gracefully, and was a strong leader. He made the transitions easy for her when he twirled her as they spun about the floor. Okay, maybe they weren’t Fred and Ginger, but they certainly looked good together, she noted as she caught their reflection in a bank of mirrors on one of the walls.

 

[darrenfate]

STEVE

As they swayed to the music, Steve felt himself close to Julia the woman not Julia the peer. At the end of the song, he softly kissed her and they stood there on the dance floor motionless as the music stopped lost in their kiss.

Looking up finally, he saw that they were the only ones on left on the floor. Steve was asked by the grinning band leader if they had a request. Without hesitation Steve answered yes. How about Fly me to the Moon . he whispered to Julia -

"Why stop a good thing? "

As the band struck up the tune, Julia melted in his arms as they swayed to the beat. Her head felt so perfect on his shoulder, he was a very lucky man. They floated back and forth, enjoying this frozen moment in time...

Fly me to the moon
And let me play among the stars
Let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars
In other words
Hold my hand
In other words, darling kiss me....

 

[TexasAngel28]

Alexa

'Alexa, I like your style. The incumbent will retire on February 28th. Will March 1st give you enough time to wrap up your current assignment?"

As music filled the room, I thought for a moment then smiled as I caught him looking at me. "Yes, that will be plenty of time to finish up what I'm working on at the moment. I'll arrive early that morning in order to get my office in order so that doing so won't interfere with any situations that need to be handled that day." I picked up my glass and finished the wine that was in there before setting it down on the table and looking to him once more. A part of me wanted to stay around but I figured he might want some time to himself, but the music was relaxing. I leaned back on the couch once more and smiled softly. "Thor, I really do appreciate you giving me the chance to prove myself worthy of more responsibility where the company is concerned..." There was a look on his face that seemed curious to me, almost as if there was something more he wanted to say or ask...

 

[Thor's Hammer]

CEO Thor

Fly me to the moon
And let me play among the stars
Let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars
In other words
Hold my hand
In other words, darling kiss me....

The music floated from the speakers artfully hidden about the suite. I stood, and looked down at Alexa. "I am most pleased you have accepted, Alexa. We will talk back at the office and draw up a contract. You will be pleased, I am sure."

"Now, I am no longer the CEO and you are not a bank employee. I never mix personal and social matters, but, tonight....the music..." . I paused, and then continued. "Would you like to dance? This music always touches me inside and I love to dance..." I waited, looking down at her - our eyes were locked together.

 

[TexasAngel28]

Alexa

I smiled as the song played over the speakers. I'd loved this song since I'd first heard it as a child. Tony Bennet always had great songs. I stood, my gaze still locked with his and nodded slowly.

"I would love to dance, Thor," I answered quietly. So, business was done, I could put that away. For now, it was just myself and Thor, two everyday people, enjoying each other's company and a dance to a song by one of the greatest singers of all time... This was something I could get use to if ever given the chance...

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Thor (CEO - off duty)

"I would love to dance, Thor", she said. I smiled and my heart skipped a beat. 'Just like a teenager,' I thought. I slipped my suit jacket off, unknotted my tie, and placed them both casually on the sofa. I held out a hand to Alexa, as the voice of Tony Bennett wove his magic in the suite. Whenever I hear him sing, I am reminded of San Francisco - the City by the Bay.

 

[TexasAngel28]

Alexa

I watched him remove his jacket and tie and set both on the sofa. I removed the jacket that went to the suit I'd been wearing and did the same, then took his hand and proceeded to dance with him slowly in the suite, just in front of the picture window where the full moon actually shone through. It could not have been more perfect, unless the lighting were just a tad lower. Tony Bennett's music ended, sadly enough, but was picked up quiet readily by Frank Sinatra singing Someone to Watch Over Me. I smiled to myself again as we continued to dance...

Although he may not be the man some
girls think of as handsome
To my heart he carries the key
Won't you tell him please to put on some speed
Follow my lead, oh, how I need
Someone to watch over me

 

[_precious_1__]

Julia

We danced and danced, slow and close, as though we'd been doing it our whole lives. Steve would murmur the words of the songs in my ear, as though he’d been the one to write them, and he’d done it just for me. I melted into his arms as if I were made to be there. We danced until we were the last two in the lounge. The band had been kind to us, but now it was obviously time for the two of us to depart.

Steve thanked the band leader and slipped him some money by way of a more practical thank you. I picked up my jacket and my purse, Steve picked up his suit jacket that he had shed some time earlier. We walked slowly out of the lounge, arm in arm, my head leaning against his shoulder.

As we reached the lobby he punched the elevator button. “Let me walk you to your room Julia, which floor?” His head leaned over mine as I rested it on his shoulder.

I looked up at him with eyes as big as the moon, “Ten.” Was all I said. I couldn’t explain it, but I felt very safe with this man. He escorted me into the elevator and as the doors closed, he lifted my head to his, and his lips fell upon mine in a slow, deep, sensual kiss that shot from the top of my head to the tip of my toes.

As the elevator doors opened on the tenth floor, Steve again escorted me. At this point I would have followed him anywhere. We almost passed my room.

“Oh, this one is it, ten-O-seven.” I pulled the key card out of my purse, and after three failed attempts, Steve gently took it from my hand.

”May I?” He asked, then deftly swiped the card and the green light came on, opening the door.

”Thank you.” I said, standing at the threshold to the room.

”Goodnight Julia.” He took my in his arms and kissed me again, tenderly, but passionately. He broke the kiss then his eyes lingered on mine for a moment. He swept a stray hair back from my face. ”I’ll see you in the morning.” And he turned to leave.

”Wouldn’t you like to come in?” I asked.

 

[darrenfate]

STEVE

While the evening had started with a less than auspicious beginning, it had just gotten better and better as the night went on. Steve loved to dance, and he had so few opportunities that he made the most of Julia's willingness to "trip the light fantastic". Julia was a wonderful partner, both to dance with and to kiss.

As she struggled with the room key, Steve thought that he should really leave. The night had been so special he didn't want to make it awkward in any way here at the end. The memory of this evening would linger for a long time just as it was. Steve opened the door and kissed Julia, a sweet romantic type of kiss.

Goodnight, Julia followed by I'll see you in the morning

They shared one more lingering kiss, then Steve heard Julia's words and his heart leaped.

Wouldn't you like to come in? to which he replied simply

Yes, I would like that very much then more softly he said

Thank you Julia .

Julia smiled at him and taking Steve's hand pushed open the door leading him inside. She kicked off her shoes and then turned back to face him. She put her arms around his neck and melted into his arms in another kiss. This kiss was more wanton, hinting at the fires that burned deep within...

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Thor (CEO - off duty)

After the singer (what a lovely voice) finished singing Frank Sinatra's 'Someone to watch over me' (how I loved ol' blue eyes singing), soft instrumental music wafted from the speakers. I realized that the last set of the evening had just finished. We swayed slowly in front of the window to the light of a full moon. Since the moonlight was so bright, I had killed the suite lights between tunes.

As we had danced, our bodies had moved closer and closer together. We seemed to fit like tailor-made clothes. Her soft curves seemed to flow around my body. When the strains of 'Stranger on the Shore ' (an instrumental version by Mr. Akerbilk) flowed from the speaker, I got a lump in my throat. It reminded me of another dance, when I was very, very young.

I released Alexa's hand and put both of mine on her back, pulling her gently closer. Halfway through the piece as we moved slowly, she lifted her head and looked me straight in the eyes. I bent my head - my lips were inches from hers - and said, "Alexa, your are very beautiful," I paused, at a rare loss for words...........

 

[TexasAngel28]

Alexa

The darkness in the suite, save for the moon which shone through the window, had made for a perfect evening. The music sung by Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra had set the mood, and now the instrumental I knew I would never get out of my head as long as I lived...I lost my thought as I looked up at Thor.

"Alexa, your are very beautiful,"

Had he really just said that? I smiled softly up at him, I may have even blushed, I wasn't sure, though my cheeks suddenly felt warm.

"Thank you," I said quietly. "But you are not alone in such thoughts. I believe I can certainly say you are very handsom yourself." Again I smiled, but could not break my gaze from his. "And a wonderful dancer as well. I haven't enjoyed a dance so much in quite some time..." But there was more...and it wasn't just the dancing I was enjoying... "I haven't enjoyed being alone with a man in a long time as much as I've enjoyed being with you this evening." Wait, had I just said that?! I'd only meant to think it... I lowered my gaze, just waiting to see what he would have to say next, even though we kept moving to the music...

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Thor (CEO - off duty)

"I haven't enjoyed being alone with a man in a long time as much as I've enjoyed being with you this evening."

Her words seemed to flow into my very soul. It was very soon...but there was more here than just the possibility of a casual liason.

I curled my fingers and cupped her chin....stepping back a few millimeters. I bent my head and kissed her full on the lips. The energy was palpable.....I could feel emotions....and heavens knows what else.....coursing through my veins.

 

[TexasAngel28]

Alexa

The kiss surprised me but I welcomed it. The feel of his fingers against my chin, their softness...this too I welcomed. I left my hands where they were, just against his back, but stepped a little closer. As the kiss broke, I smiled softly, but something caught my eye. I turned to look out the window and saw snow slowly falling outside. What could be better...I thought to myself before looking back up at him. He looked to me as if wondering...

"Please, you don't have to stop..." I said quietly, then instead of waiting for him to say or do anything more, I leaned up and kissed him, one hand coming from his back to the side of his face, drawing him closer to me and more into the kiss... The music played on...and what I was beginning to feel was the beginning of a stirring I had not felt in many years.