Inspired by Sue Grafton's alphabetical series.
"Thank you!"
The applause washed over her like a wave and Juliet Norse kept smiling until her cheeks hurt and her lips trembled. The 2004 company conference was over and she was elated. Everything had gone perfectly. Seven months of planning and preparation had gone into the four-day meeting and now, it was over. Tom Martin, the chief executive officer, strode on stage and gave her a firm hug.
"That was fantastic, Juliet! Best you've ever done!"
"Thanks, Tom!"
"Time for vacation, eh?"
"You know it!"
Tom moved away, swallowed by the congratulatory crowd and Juliet remained on-stage, waiting for the technical crew to remove the DLP projector and secure her laptop. As soon as they were done, she could leave and return to the hotel. The rest of the staff would be heading to the reception but she would be skipping it. She was so frazzled that she wanted to leave now. Don and his IT crew began unhooking cables and she made sure that Don knew to give her laptop to Tom.
That's it. I'm free!
Juliet went through the motions as exhaustion threatened to claim her. Her bags were already packed and she left a note for Tom. She nodded off in the shuttle ride to the airport and awoke energized and ready for a wonderful trip to Bali.
"Oh, no!" On the airport's tote board, large yellow letters proclaimed that her flight had been delayed. "You've got to be kidding!"
"Sucks, doesn't it?"
He was very tall, Juliet noted as she turned toward the voice. His blond-hair was in a short buzzcut and he wore camouflage clothing and a warm smile.
"Yours, too?"
He pointed to a flight that was heading to Milwaukee, also delayed. "I hate it when they do that."
"Me, too." Juliet huffed. "I rushed to get here."
"You and how many others." His gaze swept across her, making her blush to the ends of her ears. "You seem a bit overdressed for the airport."
"I always come dressed to kill." She gave him a mock stern look, then broke into laughter. It felt so good to laugh. "I'm kidding. I just came from a business conference."
"Ah, I see."
"I should ask about
your
choice of clothing." She moved a little closer. "Or have you come dressed to kill, too?"
His voice was deep, his dark blue eyes hypnotizing. "I always come... " The pause made the breath catch in her throat. "Dressed to kill."
"I bet you do." Juliet smiled.
He held out his hand, a seductive sparkle in his eye. "I'm Richard."
"Juliet."
"Well, fair Juliet, would you like to join me for a drink?"
"Might as well. We've got plenty of time to kill."
* * * * *
Richard was most probably the sexiest man she'd ever met. His body exuded health and vitality and his swagger suggested an earthy masculinity that made her pussy wet. Over drinks, he explained that he was in the service and had just returned from a prolonged stay overseas. He was heading to Milwaukee for a little R&R with family.
"Family? Are you married?"
He took a long sip of his Dewar's and soda. "Does it matter?"