The Elevator
The lights blinked out and the elevator stopped. The emergency light did not come on. She was alone in the dark with a man. He had gotten on with her at the regular place. It was strange that she did not recognize him because everyone on the tenth floor worked for the same finance company.
His calm voice intruded on her thoughts. "Don't worry, they'll fix it or get us out soon."
She responded automatically, "Thank you for saying that. I hope you are right. "Do you work for?" - she named her employer.
The voice was deep and very calm, "I am being recruited. They are looking for an operations chief. I have some experience along that line, but on the other coast."
The voice was nearer and his hand touched her shoulder, which was trembling.
"You shouldn't be afraid. Come here and let me hold you. There are people to fix broken elevators."
Held firmly in his arms, she still trembled. Worries about men raping women in this situation filled her head. He slid down the wall of the elevator, taking her with him. On the floor, she was in his lap and thought perhaps he wasn't a predator.
"Just relax against me and let the emergency people do their work." She did that and felt better.
"I'm an operations person. I might end up working with or for you."
She added, "If you take the job, that is."
His lips were soft against the side of her face. "You are kind to say that. Is this a good company to work for? Would I like it?"
She wondered how she would know that, but answered, "I'm pretty new, just hired in June after college graduation. But so far, the people have been great and the pay is pretty good."
Now his tongue was licking her ear and she began to worry. "Maybe you shouldn't be doing that," she said.
The tongue disappeared but a hand found her chest in the dark and fingers explored what they could of her breast, which was still covered by a blouse and bra. In a strange way, it was comforting. Here she was in the dark in the arms of a guy she might work for. It was almost like a school makeout session, except she didn't know him and it wasn't the back seat of a car.
"Just out of school, is that right? What about a boyfriend?"
She thought that was pretty personal but responded, "He got commissioned at graduation and is in flight training. I won't see him for months."
The deep voice made a heavy comment, "Maybe the romance is over, driven out by work and life after school?"