Chapter 1 - Kate's Story
Lightning ripped across the sky as I ran to my car, a plastic bag covering my head to protect me from the huge, fat drops of rain that fell out of the prematurely dark sky. Hastily opening the door, I turned the key in the ignition but instead of the instant response, all I heard was a low droning sound coming from a truly dead engine. Cursing myself for probably leaving the lights switched on when I arrived for work early that morning, I sat there in disbelief, this latest problem the culmination of a day's misery.
The knock on the window made me jump and I stared at the tall figure of a man as he tried to shelter from the constant onslaught of the rain. I recognized Daniel Masters, one of the Directors of the company I worked for, and wound the window down.
"What's up?" he yelled as the wind continued to howl.
"Engine's dead," I shouted back and looked at him in dismay.
He ran around and dived into the passenger seat shaking drops of water from his dark hair. Daniel Masters was new to the company, an American who, if rumours were true, had been sent over from the headquarters in San Francisco to make half the workforce redundant. Here in the UK we were just not living up to the American ideal and I knew heads would roll.
"Is there anything I can do?" he asked as we both stared at each other. I was surprised he had ventured out of his company BMW to help and could only think he had been watching me from his office window.
"I think I left my lights on this morning. It was dark when I arrived."
"It's Kate, isn't it? How did you enjoy the conference?"
I was stunned. For a Director to remember my name was unheard of and I stuttered over my answer, feeling even more of a fool. "Um, it was OK. A bit long though."
Daniel laughed. "That's what I like about you lot. You speak your mind!"
I relaxed a bit and smiled back at him, noticing his good looks, his unruly dark hair and hazel eyes. He filled the passenger seat of my small car and I caught a faint tang of aftershave.
"Look, I'll give you a lift home if you want. I can't leave you here alone."
I hesitated. Normally I would have phoned my parents to come and pick me up but as they were on holiday, it would have been difficult.
"Or maybe get your husband or boyfriend to sort you out?"
"I'm not married - and I don't a have a boyfriend for that matter either." I smiled and felt a small twist of desire shoot through me. To say I hadn't noticed Daniel Masters before would be wrong. Most of the female staff were probably fantasising about him and although contact with him had been brief, we had exchanged a couple of glances as we passed in the corridors and there was certainly a level of interest on my part.
"Lock it up and sort it out tomorrow." His words were almost an order and I obeyed without thinking, following him to his BMW parked in the reserved spot just outside the main entrance to the building. He opened the passenger door for me and soon I was cocooned in warmth and comfort as we made our way out onto the main road that ran through the industrial estate.
"Where do you live?"
"Out in the country, I'm afraid. It's a bit of a trek."
Daniel smiled and put his foot down as we wound our way through the country lanes. "You live alone?"
I nodded. "Well, apart from my cat. I like it."
He looked at me and I wondered whether the other rumours were true. That his marriage was on the verge of a breakdown, his wife resentful at leaving the States and the move perhaps a step too far for both of them.
"Am I taking you far out of your way?"
"Yes, but don't worry. I couldn't leave you there and this weather looks like it's set in for the night."
I gazed out of the window as the hedges and fields rushed past and felt a small quiver of anticipation. It had been six months since I had been involved with anyone and I missed the closeness it brought. At 26 I was young and there was plenty of time, but the lack of a physical relationship was starting to worry me.
"Turn right here, and then it's the cottage on the left."
Daniel brought the car to a halt and turned off the engine. I looked at him and felt that twist again as he gazed back at me, a questioning look in his eyes. Was he expecting to be invited in for a drink?
"Glass of wine?" I asked, feeling an air of tension between us.
"That would be lovely." He smiled and I shivered with that delicious feeling of anticipation that seemed to be missing from my life just lately.
Unlocking the door, he followed me into my tiny cottage which was tidy and free from the usual clutter that seemed to fill every room.
"Be careful of the beams! They're a bit low!"
Daniel laughed as he ducked underneath them, his tall frame making my rooms seem suddenly a lot smaller.
"Is red OK?" I called out from the kitchen as I uncorked a bottle of Californian Zinfandel, pouring two large glasses in an effort to get him to stay longer.
I returned to the living room to find him engrossed in my bookshelves and handed him the glass.
"You have a nice place here, Kate. Very sweet."
I looked at him in case he was being sarcastic but his face was serious.
"It's been a long time since I lived alone. I miss that sometimes."
I looked at him in surprise. "I must say you're not as I imagined you would be."
He looked back at me and smiled. "Why's that?"
"Well, I just thought all the Directors were a bit remote, that's all."
He laughed. "Some of us can be. But I like the UK. I like the people."
"So you're glad you came here, then?"
He hesitated and I knew that some of the rumours had a basis in truth. "It's been great, but sometimes a bit hard..."
I looked at him as he went over to study a picture on the wall. "Some of my family have found it difficult to adjust."
"Well I can understand that. I'm sorry but I don't really know a lot about you, Daniel."
He turned to face me and I could almost sense his thoughts as he looked at me. "How long have you worked for Jefferson's?"
I had to think as he waited for an answer. "Oh heavens! About two years I think."
"And you enjoy it?"
I paused. The truth was I disliked it but the job paid well and was convenient. But I knew that soon I would probably no longer be needed. Now was the time to ask but I just couldn't. I suddenly realised that I didn't want to upset him or make him angry. He no longer seemed the enemy.
"It's OK," I answered and poured him some more wine from the bottle.
"Hey, steady on!" he laughed. "I've got to drive home!"
I laughed as well and the tension disappeared as the talk turned to safer subjects, our mutual interest in walking being one of them.
All too soon, Daniel's glass was empty and he stood up from where he had been lounging on my sofa. I felt a pang of regret as he made his way to the door. It would have been interesting if he had turned out to be one of those men who abused his position in the company and I wondered whether I would have given into his demands.
But he was a gentleman throughout and as we said goodnight, he gently brushed my cheek with his lips.
"That was great," he said and looked at me with concern. "How are you going to get to work tomorrow?"
"Oh, a neighbour will give me a lift, don't worry. They can then start the car with some jump leads."
I waved goodbye as he got into the car, a strange feeling of emptiness filling me as I closed the door and made my way back into the living room. Feeling restless I studied my bookshelves as well, wanting to see what he had seen and wondering what he had thought of me.
That night in bed, I awoke in the early hours and couldn't get back to sleep. I tried to recall all the times I had come into contact with Daniel but could only think of two or three. He was a bit older than me, I guessed. Fifteen to twenty years was a good estimate but the age gap didn't seem to matter. In his mid forties, he seemed to be in his prime and I shuddered at the thought of him being with me, his hard body next to mine as he explored me properly.
The sudden need for him overwhelmed me and I reached down to my wet vagina that was aching for his touch. Gently rubbing my fingers along the slit I felt the pleasure grow as his face appeared before me. I groaned and rubbed harder, my mind imagining him doing that to me before he entered me fully and filled me up. These thoughts continued to torture me as I slipped two fingers into my wet opening, my legs spreading wide in desire and need. With my left hand I rubbed my nipples, the reaction instant as I imagined him sucking and licking them. How would he feel, I wondered. And would he want me too?
My right hand returned to my swollen clitoris and I moaned again as I felt the orgasm grow and build within me. I needed a man and I realised I needed Daniel. I needed him deep inside me, his face next to mine as we groaned and called out each other's names. I rubbbed harder and harder, his face a permanent fixture in my mind as I neared that delicious feeling of release.
When it came I shuddered and shook as the feelings overwhelmed me. It was the sweetest sensation and I knew that the reality would be the same. Had I really detected that air of attraction between us? I could only hope so...
*
Of course, over the next few months I barely set eyes on him. The black BMW was missing from the car park and at times I believed he had disappeared for good. The season slowly changed from summer to autumn and I felt my usual sense of sadness at the passing of the warm weather. Daniel had been gone for two months now and I had almost forgotten our meeting when one morning, as I drove into the car park, the black BMW was back in its reserved spot.
I felt a tingle of anticipation as I parked my car and made my way up to the large open-plan office where my desk was situated. Today was a meeting day, when all the employees took part in workshops and small conferences. Dressing for the colder weather I had chosen a short skirt with opaque black tights and a pretty, tight jumper that emphasised my larger than average breasts. I knew I looked good and hoped that Daniel would be included in one of my groups to appreciate my appearance. My long dark hair had just been cut and a recent make-up lesson had been put to good use. There was no denying I felt wonderful and I bubbled with enthusiasm and well-being.
