"Lane – I'm so sorry but this doesn't feel...oh, I don't know what I'm feeling. I feel like an utter fool. It's just that I wanted to..." In the ambient external light of the darkened hotel room, I saw Lois draw up the bed sheeting to cover her nudity, and I had to stop for a moment to quickly reflect on the situation.
Lois and I had worked together for over a decade when I became her boss in a large retail complex. She was my Assistant Manager, and I couldn't ask for a more capable and independent second in command. She ran the day-to-day operations with extreme competency and assertiveness, freeing me to focus on the more important managerial concerns of the complex. Although I wasn't initially attracted to her, I came to admire Lois for more than her professional attributes as we put in the long hours together.
Lois had a comely Japanese face with almond-shaped eyes, a cute button nose, and a sensuous mouth. Her black shoulder-length hair contrasted sharply with her creamy white skin. However, what really caught my eye was Lois' five-foot-eight pear-shaped body. As a secret small-tits-big-butt kind of guy, I discretely admired her small breasts, generous booty, and long shapely legs, and readily admit that kinky fantasies involving Lois flittered through my head throughout the workday.
At fifty-five, I was twelve years older than Lois and would be the first to admit that I wasn't exactly a stunning catch. While I was just a bit taller than her, my once trim physique had become a bit hefty (bordering on obese) due to long working hours, a lot of junk food, too much booze, and no exercise. Although I had a layback persona, I had no problems making the difficult decisions based on years of hard cold administrative experience and a knack of getting others to do what I wanted.
As we worked so closely with each other, we talked about our problems and especially those of our marital lives. For me, family life consisted of a distant wife and a troublesome daughter who was an adult but acted like a teenager. My love life was dismal due to a lack of sex with a thin stick-figure wife who doted on our spoiled child but not on me. I began looking forward to coming to work and was reluctant to leave it mainly because of Lois' knack of anticipating my needs and constantly pleasing me. I found myself gradually being drawn to my Assistant Manager.
What I didn't know was that Lois had come to feel the same way about me. She often complained that her home life left much to be desired, "You know, Lane, having been raised with a traditional Japanese wife mentality really sucks. It's ingrained in me to constantly toil for my bratty sons and a domineering husband who treat me as an unappreciated 'house slave.'
"Do you remember the time when I had some female problems? You'd think my family would care and help me at home because I was in constant pain. But no...after a full day of work, I was expected to cook dinner, pick up the house, and do other household chores without any help from my unappreciative family. And when I found that I needed a hysterectomy, were they there to comfort and support me? Not my husband or kids – no – you were the only one who cared. I don't know what I would have done without you, Lane."
Our growing attraction, however, didn't crystalize until we had a rare opportunity to attend a national retail conference in another state. I was surprised at how Lois eagerly made all of the arrangements, and as we flew to our destination, I couldn't help but notice how relaxed Lois became with each mile away from her family. Checking into our respective rooms in the rather posh conference hotel, we agreed that to freshen up and then have cocktails and a light dinner at the hotel upscale restaurant.
I was stunned when Lois joined me later clad in a black button-down dress that molded to her form and fell several inches above her knees. With her makeup a bit more pronounced and her hair was pinned back to expose her ears and long neck, Lois exuded a certain sensuality that was totally contrary to her normal sensible practicality.
I ususally am the one who imbibes with meals and was surprised when Lois who was a teetotaler, ordered a Long Island Iced Tea, a potent drink that even I avoided. Without hesitation she took a long sip and then another, prompting me to ask what was going on.
"Do you know, Lane, that this is the real first drink I've had in years. It's the first 'me-time' that I've had in over a decade. This is the first time when I haven't heard ''Lois, get me this' or 'Mommy...do this...do that.' Do you know what it's like after a full day at work and home to have my hubby get 'amorous' and whine about me not taking care of his needs? The problem is that when the son-of-a-bitch is done, he just rolls off and falls immediately to sleep, leaving me hot, sweaty, and – unfulfilled."
By this time, Lois had finished her drink and had ordered her another. When I cautioned her to slow down, Lois stammered, "Lane, I'm always so controlled – so prim and proper. Well, maybe I just want...for once...to be selfish and to cut loose and be free."
After taking a deep sip, Lois looked at me with tears brimming her eyes and sadly said, "Lane, the only time I feel that I can be the person that I want to be is when I'm with you. You don't make any demands of me and showed more concern for me then I get from my so-called loved ones. Hell, Lance's only concern after my hysterectomy was how soon we could have 'boom-boom' as he so disgustingly put it. I don't know what I would do without you being there for me. Ooh, shoots, I'm kind of talking too much, aren't I? Am I making a complete fool of myself?"
"Lois – I love the 'new' you. I just don't want you puking your guts out for the rest of tonight. Slow down, enjoy your drink. It won't run away. Relax, savor the moment, and by the way, being with me."
Then in recalling her spousal rant, I had to chuckle to myself, "Well – since we're airing our dirty marital linen, I've got to say that at least you have some kind of sex life. My wife and I haven't been 'hot and heavy' in years."
When Lois asked as to why, I simply shrugged. I then sheepishly admitted that the last time I tried to get it up with my wife that I was unable to "perform." I then frankly admitted that it really didn't matter since I really didn't care. My wife and I just accepted our mutual non-sexuality and let our marriage evolve into one of companionship and abstinence."
There was an odd glint in Lois's almond-shaped eyes that I couldn't quite place at the time and didn't give it much thought.
As the evening passed, Lois became increasing inebriated and I had to pay the bill to get her out of the restaurant before she barfed or made a fool of herself. With Lois draped over my shoulder, we staggered to the elevator and then to her room door. As I fumbled through Lois's purse for her pass card, Lois leaned heavily on me. "Lane, for the first time in my life, I feel really relaxed...just myself. What would I do without you?" Lois slurred as she brought her face intimately close to mine. "I love you...more than you can imagine."
