Bolts of lightning flashed repeatedly throughout the night sky. The storm had been brewing all day and began to unleash its fury some time during the night.
Kira awoke with a start and shivered as she pulled the queen-sized feather duvet up and under her chin. With widened eyes she looked towards her bedroom window and watched as the rain pelted hard against its pane. The wind howled and the thunder boomed as if Nature was admonishing her for her recent move to this foreboding metropolis.
Kira grew up in the deep south and by the time she was in her early 20's, she'd left its sleepy little confines and moved to Detroit. Detroit was not perhaps the most glamorous of cities but it still offered night life and fantastic shopping. She had seen many thunderstorms in her lifetime but nothing compared to this violent force of nature. Its wrath seemed to be only directed at her. Perhaps it was a sign that she was not welcome, but then again, maybe it meant something completely different.
She shivered as her bedroom grew chilly. She rolled out of her 4-poster bed towards the little space heater on the floor. When the heater didn't work, probably due to no power, she slipped back between the sheets. She grabbed another blanket, nestled into it, and cuddled her favorite plush toy kitten. She had the plush kitten, a gift from Santa, from the time she was a little girl and it was her most treasured possession. Sheer exhaustion over took her and she fell into a deep slumber.
Kira woke early and while the rain continued to pour, the thunder and lighting had long since passed. She put the coffee pot on and logged into her computer. Her morning routine thus far had been surfing the sites of CNN, the Weather Channel, and the local paper from home. While she sipped her coffee, the phone rang.
The caller introduced himself as Nathan Jones, Ship's Master of the Detroit Paddlewheel Company, which sailed up and down the Detroit River. He stated that he had reviewed her application for the position of secretary and wished to invite her to an interview the next morning. Kira accepted with alacrity and thanked him for calling.
She leaned back in her chair and smiled softly, "Detroit Paddlewheel Company? Oh yes, now I remember applying there. It's that huge boat which docks at Marine Plaza and has the most wonderful view of Windsor from across the river. The Party Paddlewheel, as it's affectionately called by the locals."
It has been a tough first year in Detroit for Kira as far as all jobs went. She worked in a small shopping mall café, was a cashier for Kroger's, worked concession at Comerica Park, and tended bar at Hockey Town. While the pay was not too bad, nonetheless she wanted something a little more substantial. She enjoyed working with the public and she knew working on a paddlewheel would be a wonderful yet unique opportunity for her.
She rushed to her closet and carefully chose what she would wear to her interview.
Kira had been blessed with beautiful chestnut hair, highlighted with gold, which trailed down her back. Her sapphire blue eyes sparkled when she was happy and content. Her body was termed voluptuous with curves in all the right places, and she had no trouble making a man's head turn with her walk and swaying hips. Her breasts were firm and pert which added interest to her 5'2" frame. Even at 28, her ass was her best feature.
She never married. She wanted to find a man who knew more than talk about old Chevy pickups, cotton farming, and how to spit watermelon seeds from 10 yards away. She wanted a man who was a bit older, maybe owned his own home, and spent weekends enjoying the arts.
Previously living in the small hick town of Pleasantville, it was far from pleasant. The mundane life of a small town only added to the boredom and loneliness Kira had known during her 27 years of living there. She was determined to start a new life, and soon garnered enough finances to leave that two-bit town.
That night, as she lay in her 4-poster bed, Kira's thoughts dwelled on the voice of Nathan Jones. It was soft and very articulate. Clearly he was a man who was well-learned and extremely intelligent. She bit her lower lip and decided that she needed to tone down her rather flirty ways if she hoped to gain this employment opportunity. Quickly her thoughts went back to his soft voice and she drifted off to sleep.
Kira awoke the next morning to a beautiful sunrise. She glanced at her bedside alarm clock, which showed six-thirty.
After she showered and dressed, she applied her make-up. Not overly done but enough to look very professional. She chose a navy blue dress with a large white collar which had little anchors on each side. Her shoes were simple low white heels.
By eight-thirty, she was out the door and on her way. Traffic seemed a bit less rushed this morning, and she viewed this as a sign of luck.
Kira parked her black mini Austin then walked along the street to Marine Plaza. She stood for a moment and gazed at the magnificent paddlewheel moored along the Detroit River. A surge of excitement rushed through her as she quickly boarded the paddlewheel and to perhaps her new job.
She was greeted by William who introduced himself as the First Mate. William asked her to wait while he went to announce her arrival to Master Jones. While waiting, Kira nervously straightened out her dress, smoothed her hair, and constantly gazed around the ship.
William returned then escorted her to Master Jones's quarters. A man stood with his back to them, and looked out the portal window. He thanked William then asked him to close the door behind him. Kira stood with trembling legs and remained respectfully quiet. He turned around slowly.
Nathan Jones looked professionally nautical in his naval attire. He was very tall and lean, had coal black hair with a touch of graying at the temples, and a neatly trimmed goatee which completed his very distinguished look. His ice-blue eyes shimmered when he smiled. He was 43 years old, divorced, and had no children. Kira instantly termed him as handsome.
"Good morning, Kira. It is indeed a pleasure to meet you." he smiled warmly as they shook hands. "And may I say, you certainly have chosen the perfect dress for your interview."
He smiled inwardly and thought of how considerate she was to take time and select an appropriate outfit to please him. It was apparent to him that she was mindful, and respected anyone who crossed her path.
Kira blushed deeply and thanked him for granting her an interview. Nathan smiled back and revealed that he only received one application and that it was hers. Then he chuckled and stated that perhaps others did not appreciate the Detroit River in the same way he did.
Nathan began to interview Kira, and most questions were general in nature. Each question brought forth more confidence between them and put them both at ease. He looked at her and tried to think of other questions to ask, just to keep her in his office and in his company.
"Kira is such a pretty name. Is there any significance to your name?"
Kira replied softly, "When my mother was in her early 20's, she was fascinated by cultures of women around the world. After she graduated from University with a PhD in Sociology, she opened her own practice. For a short while, until she was established, she only counseled female patients. One, an older woman, was named Kira. Over time Kira became my mother's most fascinating study, and when I was born, I was named after her."
Nathan smiled then asked her other questions about herself.
"You have written here that you have six years of experience as a secretary which is more than really is required. Are you at all familiar with ships or navigational equipment?"
Kira bit her bottom lip then softly admitted that she knew very little. To try and put herself at ease, she replied, "Growing up in northern Louisiana, we didn't live near large bodies of water, therefore, I know little naval activity."
She hesitated, then quipped innocently, "but I can truthfully tell you about experience with my navel activity."
It took a few moments before Nathan figured out the pun of her quip. He laughed uproariously and quipped back, "and just what type of navel activity experience do you have, Kira?"
She grinned impishly and countered, "I have a belly button piercing with a dangling diamond attached. I can't show you right now because I'd have to lift up my dress, and that would never do."
Nathan laughed again then told her that was not necessary. Inwardly, he desperately wanted to see her bare skin. To see her lift up her dress while his eyes feasted and hungered for her hard taut nipples.
His cock began to swell inside his uniform, and, with little success, could not ignore it. He quickly sat behind his desk as he continued with the interview.
"I would like to invite you to join me in my employ and be my personal assistant, Kira. If you feel you need time to consider my offer, please do so. I respectfully wish to say that you would be a delightful addition to my crew." then he added laughingly with a small wink, "and never will I make you walk the plank for any reason."
Kira burst out into laughter, then became serious. She would be honored to accept his offer of employment and would be ready to start immediately.
They shook hands and he said she may start tomorrow if she wished. Her big smile reflected the happiness she had been looking for, at least in his eyes.
"Tomorrow when you begin your first day, you will be given a task by me. In fact, each day will begin with a task by me, and these tasks must be completed by the day's end or when I see a need for extending the allotted time. Also, you may wear anything you wish, but within reason."
He continued.
"At times I have passengers in my quarters to discuss issues pertaining to their service, so it would not be appropriate to wear jeans or tank tops when on duty."
She nodded enthusiastically but said nothing. This man before her definitely knew what he wanted and how to run his vessel. She would never be the one to upset his apple cart.
Her mind already raced with thoughts of what clothes she would put away, and which ones she would wear for work. She thanked him again for his generous offer of employment, then walked out of his quarters.
Nathan watched as she left. Her hips swayed softly as her navy dressed playfully caressed her upper thighs. He stroked his goatee and regarded her with a bit more interest. He returned to his chair and sat down.
"Hmmm she seems willing to please. I wonder..."
Kira arrived promptly at 8am. She wore a white cotton sundress with navy blue polka dots, and a red belt cinched around her waist. Strappy white sandals completed her outfit. She was greeted on the deck by William who smiled and said that Master Jones was waiting for her in his office.
She thanked him. She knocked on the heavy mahogany door. The deep but now familiar voice told her to enter.
