My mouth watered as he walked into the hallway from the elevator. I had eaten lunch just one hour before, but I was hungry. Not for food, but what this guy could do to me.
He was six feet tall, and older than my twenty four years, yet handsome, probably over forty. My blond hair didn't match his peppered black hair. There was a presence about him I could not explain. His trim body looked good in his collared shirt and his ass fit well in those jeans he was currently wearing. I felt excited until I saw my boss step out of the elevator behind him.
Unconsciously, I stood. I never understood why I did this when I talked to her. It just felt like I was slacking when I was sitting around her. She was the President's administrative assistant, and she held power over all of us admins under her. Not an unattractive woman, and she always dressed extremely well. Today, she seemed distracted as she chatted with David.
Their voices got loud enough for me to hear a conversation that had started probably on a different floor.
"I don't want to find a replacement for her - she works well on her floor. All the second line managers like her."
David raised his hand as if to swat a fly. "Things are starting to change, Diane, and I need my project to advance. To hell with their 'likes' - if this contract doesn't sell, all of them will be in the unemployment line."
I felt like they could be talking about me and it made me nervous. I didn't want to lose my job now - yesterday it just got interesting.
David stopped in front of me, smiled, and asked me directly. "How did you sleep?"
Diane looked at both of us, then begged David, "Please, David, she has worked there for three years, and it will take me months to train someone new."
"Fine." I said quickly. This was it. I felt like I was getting fired, only there was no security guard in sight. I guess they didn't consider me much of a physical risk. I felt like crying, and I knew I wouldn't try to fight anyone.
His Southern European face went into a grimace as he turned from me back to Diane. I could see his chest inflate under his blue shirt. Was this how it starts?
"Look, she has talent. This company needs it, and you..." He pointed a finger at her. "You are the best I ever met when placed in a difficult situation. Get her on that plane tomorrow. Hold her hand on the plane if you have to, but this level of negotiating requires her skillset."
"She's a fucking slut." Diane said softly.
Before my eyes, David grabbed Diane by her designer styled hair and forced her head to the table in a split second. I stepped back at the sound of her head hitting my desk with a thud. He held her there and loomed over her.
"You will never disrespect your daughter in my presence again. Unlike these snowflakes you work with, I will kick your ass before anyone could stop me. "
"I am sorry David!" She cried.
I was in shock and turned on at the same time. This guy was crazy and - I thought suddenly - dangerous.
I picked up the phone receiver and started to dial security. Diane stopped my hand from pushing the buttons. "No, Linda, it's ok."
"Let her call." David said seriously.
"Please David, I will do as you ask. I am so sorry."
He let up on her hair and her head rose slowly off my desk. I could see tears in her eyes. Was she hurt? What kind of guy does this? Diane's hair was in disarray and her mascara had run down her right cheek.
He turned and started walking back to the elevator.
"Quick, go with him. I'll cover your desk," she begged.
I looked at her in horror.
Did she not know? I felt like I was a slut now, chasing after him in a rush. I got in the elevator as the doors were about to close, but I had made it.
I looked at him. He was staring at the wall of the elevator away from me. No floor was pushed, so from my own experience this car would stay here until it was called to another floor. The dark wood interior felt confining. Yet, this same elevator had us kissing in it yesterday. My face blushed.
He turned and his eyes widened. He was surprised to see me. He didn't say anything as he touched the button for his floor. The car moved.
He whisked past me and I followed him. Diane's assistant was sitting there in her normal spot. Talking on the phone, which was how I always saw her. She waved to me, and smiled. I smiled back, but I felt dirty.
We walked passed the big double doors and into the same room we were yesterday.
He locked the door behind us. He sat on the couch, not talking. The awkward pause made me talk first.
"She thinks her own daughter is a slut?" I asked, at least five feet away from him.
"She may be, but it pisses me off when a mother refers to their kid that way. I don't want to play today. Why don't you just go back to your desk?"
My heart ached for him, but I had so little information and I fucking couldn't stop the questions.
"I will, eventually. Who, who is her daughter?"
He sighed. "Third floor, receptionist like you, I guess."
I knew of her, but rarely ever saw her. She reminded me of Diane in some ways, but the few times I talked to her she was quite charming. She had dark black hair and probably was two years younger than me. I was instantly jealous of whatever plans he had for her. I didn't know Diane was related to her, but it seemed surreal.
I decided to drop it.
"Why did you come see me today?" I asked.