Brodie and Skye glanced at each other across the conference table and quickly looked away, for the third time. Once was an accident, twice could be forgiven as a mistake, but three times meant definite interest.
This trip was the culmination of a three month long flirtation that had begun as soon as Skye started with the firm. Young, bright and assertive, she had certainly made her mark professionally. Everyone at the office had been amazed when her boss, Brodie Mclean had asked her to accompany him to the meeting in Bermuda. It was the trip of a life time for most of the employees and, just in the door, Skye should have been bottom of the list. Still, thought Skye, she really had earned this opportunity, having poured her life and soul into the firm from the minute she stepped through the door.
She stole a fourth slightly-too-long glance at her boss as he gave the well prepared presentation to the group. He easily engaged their attention with his air of authority, easy manner and sense of humour. He was an impressive physical presence too; he was tall, with broad shoulders, dwarfing the other men at the table. Skye gave an almost inaudible sigh and tried to drag her attention back to note-taking and watching the reactions of the others to the pitch.
Brodie stole another glance at Skye and was, once again, almost put off his presentation. This time it was the lacy top of a silk stocking that had caught his eye and diverted his attention from the task at hand. This damned girl was ruining his pitch! He had his reservations about bringing her along on this excursion, worrying that he was letting his attraction towards her affect his professional judgement. She had worked very hard though, and her help with the presentation had been invaluable. The clients were lapping it up.
+++
As they walked out of the stuffy office and into the vibrant Bermuda streets, Brodie and Skye were elated. The allowed themselves a victory high five. Brodie felt as if he was walking on air, and Skye felt fit to burst with happiness. The pitch had gone well and now they could enjoy a little bit of luxury before heading home.
"Fancy a walk?" asked Brodie.
Skye, intoxicated by success, had other ideas.
"Fancy a drink?" she boldly proposed to her boss.
He smiled his easy, winning smile.
"Why not! A bit of fresh air first won't do us any harm though - why don't we walk back towards the hotel and get a drink near there."
They walked companionably through the streets, marvelling at the sparkling water in the harbour, the majestic sailing boats, brightly coloured birds and flowers, and the pastel houses with the white roofs that were omnipresent. After ten minutes of glorious sunshine, large black clouds appeared as if from nowhere and a stiff breeze picked up. Bermuda's infamously changeable weather was turning on them.
Skye gave an involuntary shiver in response to the squall. Her nipples hardened in response to the cold and with some embarrassment she realised that they were clearly visible beneath the thin material of her white blouse. This fact had not escaped Brodie, who felt a jolt of desire course through his body.
"Perhaps we'd better..."