It all started one morning when I was running late for work.
I overslept, ran out of hot water after my daughter took a much-too-long shower, and then my hairdryer died.
I considered calling in sick to work, this was definitely not the way to start a Monday. But I had an important meeting with a potential client at noon. So I made the best of it, managed to pull my hair into a neat-enough pile on top of my head, dabbed on some lipstick and headed out the door.
I'm one of those people who multi-tasks, even when it gets other drivers mad. Yes, that's me emailing on my Blackberry as I drive down the highway. I was sending a message to my co-workers to let them know I was running late but on my way, when I glanced to my right and saw a very attractive man looking at me and smiling.
I smiled, put down the Blackberry and tried to turn my attention to the road. But that smile was too nice, I had to look again. This time he gave me a little wave and another big smile, then pointed ahead to the long line of traffic on my side of the tolls, so I slowed down to get behind him to move to a shorter line.
As I slowed to pay the toll, the toll-taker handed me a business card.
"The gentleman in the car in front of you already paid for you, and he asked me to give you his business card," he said. "Let me know if it works out," he teased.
I glanced at the business card and smiled, he worked for the company I was pitching this afternoon. In fact, I was pretty sure he'd be attending the meeting, I recognized his name from the list of people copied on the emails.
By now I had lost him, his car was among the throng of commuters somewhere in front of me. So when I got into the office, I logged onto my computer and sent him an email:
Good morning David,
Thank you for paying my toll this morning, it was a nice way to start my day.
I look forward to seeing you at noon in our offices on Federal Street.
Best, Rachel
Within two minutes, my cell phone rang, but I didn't recognize the number. "Hello, this is Rachel."
"What are the odds, really?" David said.
I laughed, knowing it was him without ever having heard his voice before, our little flirtation continuing over the phone.
"Slim to none, I'd say. I recognized your name as soon a the toll guy gave your card to me."
"And you couldn't email me from the road? Come on Rachel, I know you have a Blackberry, remember I watched you this morning as you were typing away while driving about 75."
"Oh, so you want everything right away, do you?"
"No, that's not it, I like to take my time, not into anything for a quick hit. I was just dying to hear your voice."
"And now you hear it."
"And I like it."
"Listen, David, I have to run to a meeting. But I'll see you in a couple of hours?"
"You bet you will."
I headed to the ladies room, and noticed my cheeks were a bit flushed. Was he suggesting something on the phone, or is my mind just in the gutter? I really felt like he was hinting at a little tryst, and I was pretty turned on at the idea. But then I remembered that I had only seen him briefly driving next to me. He could be really short, or really fat ... I needed to focus on my meetings and getting this new client. The last thing I needed to do was fuck this up, literally. But I still couldn't help but wonder what the meeting would be like.
David and his colleagues arrived in my office shortly before noon to meet with my team. Although I had prepared the proposal, my boss was giving the presentation, which was fine with me. We all exchanged pleasantries and business cards, many of us meeting for the first time, and took our seats around the rectangular conference room table.
He wasn't short, and he wasn't fat. David entered the room in an impeccably tailored suit, even more handsome than he appeared while driving next to me. A little more than 6 feet tall, with wavy dark hair and brown eyes and a devilish smile, he held my hand a little longer than most, and told me how happy he was to finally meet me.
He took the seat across from me, and we exchanged glances throughout the presentation. I'm not sure if anyone else could feel the tension, but it seemed palpable. I could feel myself growing flush again, and couldn't concentrate on anything my boss was saying. Fortunately, since I had written the proposal, I could answer any questions they may have. But I still hoped they didn't have any for me, it was all I could do to not crawl across the table and sit in David's lap. All I could think about was kissing him, running my fingers through his hair, taking off his jacket, feeling his hands firmly on my back and hips.
"David, do you have any questions?" his boss asked him.
"What? Um, no, it all sounds great, thanks," he stammered, then glanced at me as if to say Shit, I have no idea what they've been saying.
Everyone stood, shaking hands once more and they said they'd be in touch with us soon. David lingered, wanting us to be the last to leave the room, and placed his hand on the small of my back as we left the conference room.
