The awards dinner had been a quiet affair. The meal was a step above the typical rubber chicken that seemed to be a trademark for these events, and despite overcooked vegetables, the desserts were appealing and tasty. After the tables had been cleared, an announcement came over the PA that a quartet would be playing music and the dance floor would be open.
I had left my wife at home for the night. Even though spouses were welcome, she had no desire for an evening of speeches and food that was only passing. So I attended alone, hoping I might see someone I knew. The purpose of the evening was to thank the volunteers for a successful event that had been smoothly run on a limited budget. This had required hundreds of workers in a variety of venues, but the banquet was to honor those in charge. I had volunteered to run one of the sporting events, and even though it had been a success, I breathed a sigh of relief that it was over.
As the tables and dance floor were cleared, people began mingling freely, after-dinner drinks in hand. It was then I noticed someone I thought to be a former co-worker, Kate, looking as though she was lost. Crossing the room toward her, I made eye contact with her and her demeanor changed to a smile.
"I was wondering if there was anyone here I knew," she said.
"My God. I haven't seen you in ages. How have you been? You look great! Were you here for the dinner?"
"Oh, I just arrived. I wasn't going to attend, but then I thought 'What the hell' and decided to pick up my volunteer pin and have a drink. I was bored at home. I just moved back and have a new job...one that I like."
Kate and I had a bit of history. We had worked together in the same department for several years before she transferred to a different employer. When I was first hired, she took me under her wing whenever I had questions, and we developed a close friendship. Kate was a single mom with two kids, now teenagers. She had been divorced for several years—since before I knew her--and occasionally she dated men outside our mutual circle, none of whom I knew well and none who seemed to be right for her. She was attractive enough, but I think she was also picky about whom she dated.
Kate had her kids young, and despite approaching middle age, she had retained her youthful vigor and looks. She was petite, probably only 5'3" but had a nice figure even though she covered it up with conservative clothing. Her red hair and green eyes insinuated a hint of devilry, however.
Work had put us together on many occasions, and over time we learned much of one another. We shared frustrations with our work, and I tried to be a shoulder to lean on when she needed it. Occasionally she divulged other frustrations as well, and once after venting to me in my office about a variety of petty issues, she burst out with "Maybe I just need a good fucking. But I doubt that's going to happen anytime soon."
Kate had always been a perfect lady around me, occasionally letting her hair down with a slightly racy joke, but I had never heard her use coarse language--or even swear for that matter. I smiled awkwardly at her comment, but thankfully I was seated behind my desk because I had an instant hard-on. And from that moment, I tended to look at Kate a bit differently.
I had previously noticed that Kate sported a couple of nice, perky breasts even though she usually minimized them by the way she dressed. On rare occasions, it became obvious that she sported a nice set. As casual Fridays became more common, she would sometimes wear designer t-shirts that showed off those assets. One hot summer Friday when the air conditioning was blowing full blast, her prominent nipple display turned more than a few heads from the staff, both male and female. Her breasts became the hot topic at the water cooler.
Our relationship gradually developed into what I considered innocent flirting, and eventually something more. At one point after she had left for her new job, we found ourselves at the same Superbowl party, each unaccompanied. My wife hated football and Kate was still single, so we ended up sitting next to one another and catching up on our lives as the revelry and drinking typical of those events ensued. The game was a bit of a blowout, and early in the fourth quarter, she asked if I might give her a ride home when I was ready to go. She had been dropped off by her son and it would be easier if I gave her a lift since it was on the way.
"Sure, no problem." We were both a bit tipsy from a couple of hours of drinking, but I felt good enough to drive. "Let's go now. The game is all but over."
We thanked the hosts and left even though others decided to stick it out for the finale. Once in my car, she seemed to be smiling nervously, and I asked if something was wrong.
"Not really, it's just that I've missed all of you guys. My new job isn't near as much fun and the people there are pretty cold. I wish I had stayed with the old crew."
We chatted about her new position and in short order, we arrived at her condo. I parked in a visitor's space.
"Would you like to come in for a few minutes?" Her smile was warm and affectionate.
I looked at my watch out of habit. "Sure, I'm in no hurry. Been a while since I've been here." I had helped Kate install some book shelves when she bought the condo, but I had never really been invited in socially.
I followed Kate in and up the stairs to her living room in the split-level design. It had been freshly painted and she had purchased new furniture including a comfortable-looking love seat where she directed me. "Sit down and tell me what you've been doing that's fun." She joined me and I leaned back, still feeling no pain from the party, and joked about the terrible game we had both just witnessed as well as a few work stories. I tried to look her in the eyes, but her cashmere sweater only accented her perky boobs, and Kate's erect posture made them appear bigger than I remembered.
Laughing at one of my stupid comments, she leaned back, her globes jiggling with her laughter, and turned to face me. I sensed something I might regret was about to happen because her smiling face was now just inches from mine, and then suddenly she leaned over and kissed me on the mouth.
"I'm so glad to see you again. It's been too long," she said as if the kiss was supposed to be a sisterly peck, but then she placed her hand lightly on my knee. A pregnant moment followed, and I leaned over and returned her kiss awkwardly.
