It was a late Friday afternoon in mid-September in California. The sun was on the cusp of setting, the air smelled sweet just prior to the turning of leaves, and a sense of opportunity coursed through a local conference center. There, three law firms were hosting a networking event. The room is filled with lawyers of all kinds--from the young and aspiring to the confident and experienced, and of course the well-seasoned and close to retirement. Most people have a drink in hand. The firms settled on non-alcoholic champagne and mock-cocktails to serve as a reminder that this is a professional setting, no matter how informal.
Erik, a 33-year old litigator, strolls into the buzzing room looking for who to strike up a conversation with next. He had already greeted most of his colleagues, but now was searching for a younger group of lawyers to chat with. Erik had always had a soft spot in his heart for mentorship and fostering young attorneys. He spots a group of a half dozen men and two women. One of the women, Elizabeth, captures Erik's attention immediately. She is wearing a boat neck cream top, which compliments her olive skin that is peppered with what seems to be perfectly placed beauty marks.
The two women are teetering in their courtroom heels and looking around the room while talking between each other despite the several well-groomed men surrounding them who seem to want nothing more than their attention. Erik considers approaching the group -- Elizabeth and company -- figuring it might be fun to chat up the group. While his intentions are wholesome in that Erik wants to gain genuine relationships and help develop the attorneys, he knows deep down what was drawing him to the group was Elizabeth. He kept his composure from a distance, but couldn't help but to glance at her delicate features, like a subtle dimple that formed when she smiled on her left cheek, as well as her sensual curvy figure that could not be hidden under her conservative outfit.
Erik's and Elizabeth's eyes meet from across the room. A second feels like an hour. Their hearts begin to beat synchronously without each other knowing. Their desire becomes nearly untamable while they attempt to maintain their stature. While they look away from each other, neither can forget this brief electric moment.
Elizabeth tries to focus on something else instead of confronting the emotions that just caused a fluttering sensation blooming in her chest. She observes Christina shuffling side to side -- she chose heels that are apparently far too uncomfortable. They met the previous year during interviews at their current law firm. Elizabeth and Christina grew close quickly after deciding to rent an apartment together when they both landed jobs. It then dawned on the group that almost an hour had passed and neither of them have done the "networking" that the event was precisely organized for.
"I mean, maybe we should dare each other to go speak to a specific person. I can never turn down a dare," one of the men says in an obviously nervous tone, masked in a deeper voice in an attempt to seem confident.
Dumbfounded, Elizabeth notices a man walking towards them. Glancing behind to make sure, she's now certain he is. It was Erik. Her heart began beating faster and she began breathing deeper. She looks at Christina, eyes slightly widening to give her a sign, as Christina has her back towards the approaching man.
"Wha--" Christina starts to say, but it's too late. The man is now standing right behind her. Erik was not towering, but he was almost a foot taller than both Christina and Elizabeth. His well tailored suit, musky cologne, and willingness to join any group's conversation gave off an air of confidence that was notably absent in most other attendees. Sensing Erik's presence, the two turn to open the circle for him. With a warm smile, he introduces himself, shaking each of their hands as they do the same. Elizabeth is last. Their eyes lock, and she feels it--instant attraction as their hands touch. Elizabeth feels the warmth of his hands, gliding her fingers over his thick hands and well dilated veins.
She smiles while locking eyes with Erik, "I'm Elizabeth, nice to meet you." Erik's heart is in his throat -- just where he wants it.
After introductions, Erik's impression of them is confirmed when one of the men tells him that all are in their first year of practicing law. Conversation begins to flow, and Erik finds it difficult to maintain eye contact with the rest, as he finds himself drawn to Elizabeth, especially when she speaks. When she does, its as if the rest of the room is softly muted. The way her lips move when she talks, her subtle expressions, her beautiful smile -- he is really enjoying the moment.
After a couple of minutes, the men start to break away from the group and merge with another. Elizabeth and Christina remain with Erik as he describes his experience.
"For me, it is easy to enjoy--" Erik begins, but his phone interrupts him. He glances at the screen before answering briefly, promising to call back.
"Sorry, ladies, this is a call I was expecting and need to take. But we should exchange numbers to meet for lunch and continue this conversation." He glances between the two, his eyes landing on Elizabeth as she pulls out her phone to exchange details.
"If it isn't too soon, I can do tomorrow, but you'll let me know," he says with a smile, shaking their hands. Elizabeth feels a heightened spark when his hand meets hers. Erik then walks off, returning the phone call.
"What a pleasant and FINE man--rare combination, don't you think?" Christina says, never one to filter her attraction to men.
Elizabeth chuckles. "Sure," she replies, trying to hide the instant attraction she felt when their eyes first locked. Listening to him speak only amplified that attraction, lunch wouldn't hurt...right?
The following morning, 10am Elizabeth is caught by Christina staring at Erik's contact information. What Christina doesn't know is Elizabeth is having flashbacks of Erik's allure -- his sensual green eyes, warm veiny hands, charming smile...
"You okay?" asks Christina.
"Yeah, yeah, just thinking about whether to take Erik up on his offer to go to lunch," Elizabeth mumbles while still daydreaming.
"We should! He seems experienced and willing to help us glide through the friction of job hunting, don't you think?" Christina adds. Glides... Friction... Elizabeth's mind wanders more.
"Y- yes, I will text him."
Elizabeth's fingers are on fire as she hovers them over Erik's contact information. Why am I feeling this way, she wonders. She begins to type, taking a more formal approach to make a good impression.
"Good Morning, Elizabeth here from yesterday's networking event. Myself and Christina are still very much keen to have lunch, if the offer still stands."
Not too long after he responds.
"Yes."
His short message puts Elizabeth out of her comfort zone. She is not used to the direct and concise nature of Erik's texting. When juxtaposed with his confidence and handsome looks, this style of communication leaves Elizabeth both curious and desiring him even more than when the initial sparks flew at the networking event.
Erik takes a moment to think of where to go to lunch. He considers the professional setting in which he met Elizabeth and Christina, briefly. And then considers the allure that caused him to approach the women in the first place -- Elizabeth. Considering the spark that is causing his pursuit of the women, he suggests a restaurant dipped in sensuality and rolled in modern class. He texts Elizabeth again.
"Meet at Little Beast at 12:30pm."
Elizabeth screams internally.
"Looks like we're going on a date with Erik," Elizabeth exclaims to Christina half-jokingly.
Elizabeth spends fifteen minutes searching for the perfect outfit. Consciously, she aims to make a strong professional impression, but beneath the surface, she knows she wants to captivate him in every possible way. She finally decides on a white satin mock neck and a black pleated skirt, with matching black lace underwear hidden beneath. Christina begins to get dressed as well, but then realizes her slim selection of professional attire is not clean.
"You're going to have to go without me," says Christina.
Elizabeth's heart skips a beat, but she maintains her composure,
"I'll let you know how the lunch goes after."
Meanwhile, Erik gets ready as well. He slips on a tailored dark maroon suit that has a delicate lining of a lighter shade of red on the inside jacket. The inside pocket of his jacket has his name embroidered in a classy old English style font. He wears a cream button up under his jacket. As he gets dressed, he can't help but to think of Elizabeth's large breasts and supple ass, thinking of her slipping into something just for him for the lunch. A thought that he believes is wishful thinking, but is true in reality.
The clock strikes 12:15pm. Erik is early, as is usual for him. He stands outside Little Beast, which is a single story Victorian style house converted into a restaurant. It is dark forest green with black shutters surrounded by a wrap around patio dotted with tables and chairs. He stands against the restaurant, one foot up and against the building, with his hands in his pockets patiently waiting for his guests.
Elizabeth arrives, but Christina is nowhere to be found. Erik is relieved. He wanted nothing more but to have alone time with Elizabeth. Then, they lock eyes. It is as if a fire ignites within both of them. The simple sight of each other and mutual gaze makes the world melt around themselves.
"Hi, Elizabeth."
"Hello, Erik." They both pause for a couple seconds.
"Are you alone?" asks Erik.
