It was a typical day at the office, meeting after meeting keeping me away from my desk, and the opportunity to deal with all of the daily grind that inevitably builds up. I watched with envy as one by one my colleagues left for the night.
I was growing tired of sitting in an empty office, watching the day turn to night, returning to my flat just to sleep before waking to start another day dealing with an ever increasing workload. My mood wasn't helped by the presence of Amanda, the office secretary. At least when I was alone I could loosen my tie, plug in my iPod and find what little escape I could. With the presence of one of our secretaries I'd have to maintain an air of professionalism.
Not only that, but Amanda was a distraction. I'd catch a scent of her perfume every time she passed my desk, making the trip from her work station to the printer and back. The whir of the printer acting as an alarm to her inevitable appearance. It was an involuntary act to look up every time she turned the corner, watching her walk towards me, then glancing as she walked away, my eyes travelling from the black high heels that encased her feet up to her head where she wore her hair in a bun.
Amanda was a similar age to me, and although she only joined the company recently, she had already proven herself invaluable. She always managed to look attractive and sexy, without ever crossing the line to inappropriate. Something a lot of the younger secretaries, men and women, could learn from her. Today was no exception, wearing a simple white blouse, black skirt and what I assumed were tights Amanda sashayed towards my desk again.
"We've got to stop meeting like this" she joked as she passed by the end of my desk.
I just smiled at her, pretending to be engrossed in my work. As she walked away my eyes followed, just before turning the corner to return to her desk, Amanda glanced over her shoulder and caught my eye. Before I could avert my gaze, she smiled and disappeared from view.
Damn, why did I think I could behave so differently just because we were alone? She must walk past my desk a hundred times a day, and I would never be so obvious as to stare after her. What would she think of me now?
The familiar sound of the printer added to my anguish, she was on her way back. I've never been so interested in finishing a presentation as I was then. I scrutinised every slide as if my life depended on it, praying that Amanda would grab her printout and leave.
It took all my effort not to look up as I heard her familiar footsteps come towards me. I let out a barely audible gasp of relief as she passed me to the printer without a word.
"Were you checking me out?" Amanda asked.
Just my luck, I'd have to be caught looking at the one woman who would do something about it, I could just imagine the call from HR now. Before I could answer, or even turn round to face her, Amanda let out a small chuckle and walking past me she squeezed my shoulder. "Don't worry, it's a compliment" she said.
I couldn't believe my ears, did she just say that? I quickly glanced up and admired the way she carried herself but not wanting to chance my luck I looked away before she caught me again.
There was no chance of me ever finishing my presentation tonight. I didn't know Amanda that well, but had never seen her flirt with anyone. My mind was playing tricks on me, what did it all mean? Did she like me, was she teasing me for her own amusement or for a more meaningful reason?
I needed to clear my head, and try to refocus my mind, so grabbed my mug and headed to the kitchen. Amanda's desk was on my way, this would give me the chance to show her that I was completely unphased. As I approached her desk, I wasn't sure what to think, her chair was empty. She must have left for the evening.
Trying not to feel too disappointed I walked into the kitchen, and almost dropped the mug. Amanda had her back to me and was bent forward at the waist retrieving something from the bottom of the fridge. Her black skirt had ridden up the backs of her thighs, and revealed that my earlier assumption was wrong. She wasn't wearing tights, she was wearing stockings, and I was sure I caught a glimpse of suspenders.
Before I could say anything or leave, Amanda straightened and turned round with a bottle of milk in her hand.
"I heard you coming and assumed you needed a coffee like me." She handed me the milk, and walking back to her desk called over her shoulder, "I take mine black thanks."
Not for the first time that night, my mind was awash with confused thoughts. If she heard me heading to the kitchen, she must have known I would see her bent forward like that. She was teasing me there was no doubt. But I wasn't sure how to react, should I feel flattered that such an attractive woman felt this way, angry that she was toying with me like this, or simply put it down to a woman indulging in some harmless flirting to put a bit of fun in an otherwise boring day.
I decided to act like nothing had happened, made us both our drinks and left to return to my desk via Amanda's. As I walked towards her she swivelled in her chair. Amanda crossed her legs, giving me another glimpse of the tops of her stockings. She was enjoying teasing me, but I was determined not to let her win this game.
"Here's your coffee. Enjoy and don't work too late" I said, leaving her drink on her desk .I couldn't help but smile to myself as I walked away, a strange element of role reversal. I was curious to know if she was watching me as I had her, but pride prevented me from looking back.
I threw myself down into my chair and allowed myself a couple of minutes replaying the image of Amanda bent over the fridge and crossing her legs. It's a sad state of affairs when a woman flirting with you can make your day. But it had put a spring in my step so to speak and I returned to my work with a zest I previously thought lost. I was so caught up with my work, I didn't hear the printer whir or Amanda approach. It wasn't until my nose caught the feint hint of perfume that I looked up. What is it about a smell that can be so distinct and distracting? I leaned back in my chair, and as Amanda approached with yet another printout in hand I met her eyes.
"How was the coffee?" I inquired.
"Hot and wet" she replied. This time there was no cheeky laugh, only the twinkle of mischief in her eyes gave away the fact she knew fine well what she was saying.
In for a penny in for a pound I thought. "I'm good at making them hot and wet."
At hearing this Amanda approached my desk, and leaning with the backs of her thighs against the edge she raised her eyebrows "Really?"
"You have no idea"
I couldn't keep up this charade much longer, despite appearing confident, if not arrogant, inside I was churning. Amanda must think I am a right idiot.
"I bet you're just like every other guy, all talk."
I couldn't believe this, not only had Amanda teased me earlier with her flashes, but here she was laughing at me and mocking me.
"Well you'll never know" was my rather unwitty retort.
"Just as I thought, all talk" and with that Amanda turned to return to her desk.
I have no idea what came over me, but something inside me refused to let her walk away thinking I was all talk. In a blur of movement I shot out of my chair and grabbed Amanda's arms, pinning them to her sides. Standing behind her, my mouth millimetres from her ear I whispered "I've watched you in your tight skirt, flashing your stockings and trying to tease me all night, and you then try to mock me. I'm going to show you 'All talk'."
Amanda tried to free her arms "Let go of me, I was just having some fun."
"It's too late for that" I pushed Amanda forward trapping her between a desk and me.
"Please, just let me go and we'll forget this whole thing" she pleaded.
"No chance, it's just me and you in the office. I can use you in whatever way I choose, and no-one but me will ever know about."
As I said this, I heard a sharp intake of breath, was Amanda's resistance real, or was she playing along in the hope I would keep to my word?
"Please, don't do this" she almost whispered.
I released her arms from my grip, and took a slight step back, Amanda relaxed slightly, mistakenly thinking I was letting her go.
