The plane landed softly on the runway. As we pulled to the gate I made a few last notes in my Blackberry regarding everything I need to accomplish during my week in New York City. It was going to be a very busy trip. My company sent me here to set up a new distribution center and I had already done a lot to make this new place a success.
After the seatbelt sign was turned off, the plane came alive as everyone tried to crowd the aisle at once. Overhead doors were banging, bags were being pulled every which way. I stayed in my seat; there was no rush to join the masses pressing towards the door.
After fifteen or so minutes, the aisle was mostly clear and I stood up. My legs were grateful to be moving again after the 4 hour flight. I grabbed my carry on, slung my handbag onto my shoulder and made my way to the front of the plane. I still had plenty of time to get my luggage, find a cab and make my way to the hotel.
Next came a completely hellish ride through the city in a taxi driven by someone with a death wish. I was never so happy to get out of a moving vehicle before in my life. I paid the fare; the tip I gave the driver was more for sparing my life than anything else. As I walked into the double glass doors of my home for the week, my cell phone rang. Probably someone from work making sure I arrived okay. I smiled when I saw the number on the display. Scott Harris was one of my favorite clients and I had given him my number in case there was ever a problem with one of his orders when I wasn't in the office.
"Hiya babe, what's up?" I asked as I made my way through the lobby. Scott and I have become more than just work contacts and had evolved to playful flirting over the phone and by email. He had a sexy voice and I always got turned on whenever he called.
"I just called the office and someone told me you were in New York. Why didn't you tell me?" I hadn't had a chance to call him. Once I found out I would be making the trip things got very busy and he hadn't called to place any new orders.
"Maybe I wanted to surprise you." Like a good Southern Belle, I tried to play coy and charming with him. I actually had planned to just show up at his office and see what happened. We had never met face to face. I told him the purpose for the trip and gave him a brief rundown of my plans.
"Do you have time for drinks or dinner?" he asked, sounding a little eager. Actually dinner tonight sounded great. I promised to call him in an hour after I had time to check in and unpack. I hated living out of a suitcase, so I wanted to hang up my clothes and get settled.
As promised, I called his office an hour later. I was beginning to get excited and a little nervous about meeting him in person. Our conversations always left me wanting more. I knew he was slightly older than me, which didn't bother me in the least. I have always been more comfortable with older men. We agreed to meet in the bar in the lobby of the hotel for a drink at 6:30 that night. We had long since told each other the basics of what we looked like. I would be looking for a well built man in a navy blue sweater and khakis with brown hair and green eyes.
I had an hour to kill before we would meet so I fired up my computer and double checked my agenda for the next day. After making a few calls to check on other details, I changed into the nicest thing I brought on the trip, a simple navy blue dress. I was not one to buy into the hype of the quintessential little black dress. Most of my time this week would be walking through a warehouse so I didn't need much more than pullovers, pants and comfortable shoes. I brought the dress on the off chance I needed it. Okay, I packed it in case I carried through with my plan to meet Scott.
After a final touch up of my hair and makeup, I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs. The butterflies were working overtime as the elevator descended to the lobby. I took one last deep breath as the doors opened. The bar was on the far side of the hotel. My shoes clacked across the tile as I walked through the lobby. I stood in the doorway and scanned the room. At a table to the left I saw a very handsome man sitting alone with a drink.
Another deep breath or two later, I made my way to where he sat. "Scott?" I said almost meekly when I stopped at his table. All I could think in that second was "Oh my, I hope this is him." The man before me was even sexier than I had pictured.
"Tracy? Hi." His eyes locked with mine for what seemed like an eternity but was likely only seconds. "Wow," now it was his turn to whisper.
"It's great to finally meet you." Did we both just say that simultaneously? He stood up and leaned in to brush my cheek with his lips. I caught a hint of his cologne; it was intoxicating. He motioned for me to sit beside him and waved to get the server's attention. Although I wanted something stronger to calm my nerves, I ordered a glass of zinfandel.
While waiting for my drink, I studied him. His eyes drank me in as well. A smile spread across his face. "I can't believe we are finally face to face" he said. My glass was set in front of me as I nodded in agreement. I brought it to my lips and took a slow slip. Although we had talked a lot in recent months, we both seemed to be at a loss for words.
"I am sorry I didn't call when I found out I would be in the city." I explained that I had planned to stop by his office to meet face to face. No pressure, if nothing clicked, it would be a simple business meeting. He chuckled at the thought of me showing up at his office to surprise him. Knowing him as I did, I was sure he was picturing a scenario with me showing up in a trench coat and not much else. It was my turn to laugh at that image.
"What is so funny?" he asked. I told him what I was thinking and he laughed. "Maybe." A classic Scott response when I could tell his thoughts were more than PG rated. The sexual tension was beginning to fill the space between us. The conversation turned lighter as we both sipped our drinks. The topic of dinner was brought up and he asked if I would like to go to a great steak house he knew, Peter Luger's, in Brooklyn. It sounded like a great idea so he made a call and requested a table for a little later that evening.