To my readers: This is the fifth installment of the series relating my adventures with Diane. The story got away from me while writing it, so I've broken it into three parts rather than have it be one very long story. The remaining parts are already written and should be out shortly. Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy this segment.
For several days I savored the wonderful memories of the romantic night Diane and I had spent together, the scent and feel of her pushing into my daily thoughts. My concentration was shot; I'd be deep into work or at a meeting and suddenly the vision of her atop me, my cock buried in her as she rode me, would sweep away any thought of work. I was clearly becoming obsessed with this woman, even though I had no idea if she could commit to me completely. The optimist in me argued that I could bind her to me with enough affection and romantic loving-making. The pessimist in me told me that she would always need sex with an edge, beyond what I could give her, even though it implied risk. Perhaps because it implied risk!
We hadn't seen much of each other in those few days. I was away on a business trip, so we were limited to suggestive text messages, semi-erotic emails and occasional phone conversations. I tried to convey how much I missed her without seeming needy. For her part, she expressed affection, but the tone didn't seem to have the same depth as my feelings.
My happy outlook sagged when I noticed a major meeting on my calendar, set for two days later. The meeting was with our largest customer and involved a sales/marketing presentation aimed at building even more business with them. I was attending as part of a general show of interest and respect by our company. I had a relatively small role to play but would be able to watch the dance between our salesmen and the customer's purchasing group. I knew the head buyer by reputation; he was an older man - mid 50's - and said to be a blunt and brutal negotiator. As head of sales, Mike seemed to deal with him as well as anyone, which made me wonder if the wheels of commerce had been greased somehow. That thought led me to another that alarmed me - what if Mike were willing to use Diane to gain an edge? It was certain that she would be at the meeting, so anything was possible.
There wasn't a lot I could do about it, and I wasn't sure Diane would listen to me even if I tried. In any event, I wasn't going to return from my trip until late on the night before the meeting, so I had no time to discuss it with her. And it wasn't a conversation I wanted to have via email or over the phone - misunderstandings were too easy in person, much less remotely.
I went to the office early on the morning of the meeting, hoping to catch up with Diane before everyone else got to work. Unfortunately, a quick pass by her office showed she wasn't in yet. Nothing more to do but get some coffee and catch up on work while I waited for her to arrive. I sent her a quick text:
"Let me know when you get to your office, I've missed you!"
Diane replied about thirty minutes later. "Here now but give me 15; have to get organized for this morning's meeting."
Between the thirty-minute delay and fifteen minutes she was asking for, we were down to fifteen minutes before the meeting started. The brief time, combined with the fact that the office was now full, defeated my hope to have a meaningful conversation. I was sensitive to the fact that if I spent too much time with her, office wags would begin to wonder, and we didn't need that. But stopping by for a few quick words about a meeting we were both going to shouldn't arouse suspicion.
After waiting the fifteen minutes I gathered up my materials for the meeting and walked down the hall to Diane's office. As expected, everyone was at work along the way, which meant we had zero privacy. I would have to find some discreet way to say what I needed to. Reaching the door to her office I leaned in.
"Ready for the big meeting?" I asked lightly. Diane was still at her desk, arranging her materials.
"Of course," she answered with a sweet smile. "Have you ever seen me unprepared?"
"Never, but I do have one thing to review with you if you have a minute." Having said that I went into the office and closed the door behind me.
"You don't mind if I go over how much I've missed you, do you." I asked her.
"Of course not," she told me. "I'm glad to hear that; I've missed you too. I wish the time and place allowed me to show you how much."
Hearing that lifted my mood tremendously. "It's all I can do to not come around this desk and kiss you." I told her. "But as you say, not the time or the place. Can we talk about the meeting for a minute?"
"I'd rather not," Diane answered quickly. "I'm sure I know what you're going to say - be careful, don't let them do anything. Right?"
"Well, yes," I told her.
Diane sighed a bit. "I know you worry because you care, but I can handle Mike. I'll be fine. If it makes you feel better, I stopped by the conference room on my way in and set up the conferencing video just like the other day. You can watch after you leave the meeting - just in case there is trouble. But there won't be."
"Forgetting the beating you took last week?" I asked her, regretting the question as soon as I asked it. Her face clouded with signs of anger.
"Mike surprised me then, I'll admit," she replied curtly. "But now I know his limits. I'm sorry, I don't have time to talk about this anymore. The meeting starts in five minutes and I have to set up my presentation."
"Of course," I said as lightly as I could. "I'll see you there."
As she stood I noted that she was dressed very nicely in a black silk blouse and grey skirt. The blouse flattered her figure, accentuating her full breasts while slimming down to her trim waistline. The skirt was cut a little above her knees and, combined with her 3-inch-high heels, made her legs look endless. The flattering outfit was out of character - Diane usually dressed down to mask her figure.
"You look fantastic," I blurted out, struck by the total effect.
"Why, thank you," Diane replied, smiling at me and cheerful again. "I always like to look good for you. I appreciate the compliment."
I, who usually noticed nothing, found myself atypically perceptive when it came to this woman. For instance, I noticed that she always had her nails and hair done perfectly around me, which I took as a special compliment. I liked to think she dressed to please me as well, but right now I was wondering if Mike had directed her attire. I concluded that would be an awkward question - better to go with the program at this point.
I opened her door, intending to hold it for her, but decided better optics were to just exit with some innocuous remark. I knew how quickly rumors could start for the smallest hint of a relationship; at least for now we had to avoid that if we could.
I went by my office to check on emails; seeing nothing important I headed to the meeting. By the time I arrived the cast of characters was complete. There were two people there from the customer: Jim (Jimmy), the VP of purchasing and Steve, one of his managers. Our side had an assortment of folks. Like me, some were window dressing, with the main sales effort headed by Mike and two of his sales managers, Tom and Mark. Jordan, the head of marketing, was there with several marketing managers including Diane.
Introductions were made, business cards exchanged, and the marketing presentations begun with the aim of justifying more of our items in Jimmy's stores. He was pretty quiet through the first few presentations. Steve asked most of the questions while Jimmy seemed content to just listen, though he did seem impatient. I watched the group as the meeting went on; the marketing people were professional and sharp, while the sales group was more laid back. It was probably my imagination, but I thought both they and Jimmy were looking at Diane far more often than anyone else even though she hadn't presented yet.
