Unconventional
It's the busiest time of the year in the advertising business. Katherine didn't have time for this. The CEO called earlier and informed her that someone backed out at the last minute and that she had to represent the company's legal summary at the convention in Atlantic City. She thought she'd reached a position in the company where she didn't have to attend these conventions anymore. To make it worse, she had to travel with a man she didn't even know.
What kind of name is that? First name? Last name? Good grief, she thought. She searched for and found his name in the online employee roster. Evidently, he's a vice president from an entirely different division: someone named Spencer Wilson. Katherine didn't want to travel with a man she hadn't even seen before. So, she headed up to the fifteenth floor. She showed her badge to the receptionist and asked about Wilson's office location. The receptionist informed Mr. Wilson that Katherine, from the legal department, was on her way to see him.
Katherine walked down the hallway, looking for the door with his name on it. She knocked. He said to come in. Mr. Wilson stood up as she entered the room and extended his hand for a handshake Katherine introduced herself, stating that she was the last-minute substitution for John who was ill. She wanted to coordinate their itineraries so they could travel together and discuss their responsibilities during the convention. Wilson hesitated for the shortest moment, never taking his eyes off of Katherine.
There was something different about her. He couldn't quite put his finger on exactly what it was. He took her hand. His grip was firm, but also warm. He looked into her eyes as he grasped her wrist with his other hand. It was more of a caress than a handshake. Katherine seemed at a loss for words, while he held her captive. She was drawn to Mr. Wilson, immediately. It was easy to understand why.
He was impeccably dressed and well groomed. His chiseled features framed his face, but the almost imperceptible laugh lines at the corners of his eyes softened his appearance. His eyes were the calmest blueish green. He smiled slightly and introduced himself. "Good morning, Ms. Edwards. I don't think we have met before. It's a large organization. But I'm sure I would have remembered if we had." He continued to envelop her hand with both of his, so when he withdrew, he traced a finger along the inside of her wrist. The feeling was electric for both of them.
"My name is Wilson, Spencer Wilson," he said as he guided her to the chair in front of his desk. He sat in the matching chair directly opposite, their knees almost touching. "I understand we are traveling together to Atlantic City for the convention tomorrow." His voice was soft, as he spoke in a soothing baritone which she found disarming and at the same time reassuring. She was already in trouble, her heartbeat quickening from his touch and the sound of his voice. Katherine had to get a grip.
The hem of her business suit rose up well above her knees as she sat facing him. She was suddenly self-conscious of her appearance and wished that she had stopped at the ladies' room on the way to his office to freshen up before meeting him. Most men would have stolen a look at her legs by now, but his eyes remained locked on hers. Spencer had much more self-control than she had at the moment.
"I understand that you are in our legal Department," he said. "Yes, I handle contracts for the company," Katherine replied. She couldn't explain the feeling, but for some reason she wanted to impress him. Before she could say another word, he said, "Since Atlantic City isn't that far from here, I booked a limo for us. I assume your address is up to date in the corporate directory. I'll pick you up at 8:00am. Please be ready," he said, as he rose from his chair. He took her hand again and led her to the door. As she was about to leave, he leaned in and whispered something in her ear. She could feel her face flush as she turned and walked back to her office, trying to sort through what just happened.
Katherine was a bit flushed from Mr. Wilson's whisper and was also a little infuriated with him. What did he just say to me? Yes, he's handsome, well dressed, confident and a smooth talker and single, which is a dangerous combination. She was attracted to him, as a purely natural response to the eye candy that he was: perfect hair, piercing eyes, impressive attire, commanding voice, firm grip. My gosh, he'd make any woman's pulse quicken, at least until she came to her senses. But, why would he say such a thing after their first meeting? Clearly, he's used to getting what he wants.
And he'd even assumed that the arrangements that he'd made would be OK with her. The audacity of the man! She'd have to be on her A-game for the next few days, to avoid any hint of impropriety with Mr. Wilson. As promised, the limousine, carrying Mr. Wilson, arrived at Katherine's townhome promptly at 8:00 a.m. To her surprise, Spencer jumped out of the car and opened the car door for Katherine and said, "Good morning, Katherine, you look fantastic, today. That color suites you." Katherine was a bit taken aback and for a moment was at a loss for words. So, she said, "Good morning, Spencer. Thank you, " and stepped into the car. He smiled and slid into the seat beside her, because he could feel the underlying highly charged energy that was flowing between them.
She and Spencer hadn't discussed the day's activities the afternoon before when they'd met in his office. They'd have to discuss the details during the limo drive to Atlantic City.
Katherine couldn't get past her irritation at what Spencer had whispered to her. So, she decided to confront him with it. She turned to him and said "why did say that to me yesterday as I left your office? Why did you say, 'I want to KNOW you?' What did you mean by that?", she demanded, sure in her own mind that he had used the phrase in the biblical sense. He looked into her eyes with that mesmerizing gaze again. There was the slightest smile on his face when he said, "But, my dear I didn't say that. I just said I wanted to get to know you. I find you to be very interesting and quite attractive."
There was that charm again. She should have felt offended all over again, both at his use of the word 'dear' and his insistence that he had not said what she damn well knew that he said. But there was something about the way he looked at her that disarmed her. She decided to cloak herself in her professional demeanor and change the subject.
"What's on the agenda today? I understand that I am to give an overview of the company's legal liabilities." "Yes, that's correct," he replied." But I'm afraid we have to move your presentation to day two. I've taken the liberty of booking a suite for us." She sat back in her seat and said in protest, "But I didn't pack anything for an overnight stay." "No worries, Katherine", he said. There are shops in the lobby of the hotel where I am sure you can find whatever you need. You can just charge it to your company account." Once again, he was making decisions that affected Katherine, without asking her.
The rest of the ride to Atlantic City was mostly in silence. As they sat side by side, she felt the warmth of his leg against her thigh. She could have edged away, but didn't. There was something about this man that was drawing her to him. Despite his seeming arrogance and presumptiveness, she found herself attracted to him. It had been more than a year since she had broken up with Eric and had not felt the touch of a man during that time. She could feel those familiar urges rising inside her now.
Katherine attended the convention most of the day. But, because her presentation wasn't on the day's agenda, she decided to purchase a few things from the shops in the hotel, take a relaxing bath and search for an establishment in Atlantic City that she'd heard of but never visited. She and Eric had discussed visiting this club but never had the chance. They had joined a Lifestyle Club a few miles from home and had attended a few special events, as a couple. He always accompanied her, making her feel safe and protected. Now, with her being alone, the lines and boundaries seem to have blurred in her mind, somewhat. Would she want to simply be the voyeur? Or would she feel less rigid and uninhibited?