The distant cloud tops glow pink, orange, and dusky red under the waning moments of a beautiful April sunset. Sunsets are glorious viewed from 35,000 feet. I roll my head back onto the soft, first-class headrest and close my eyes as I replay the meeting in my mind for the 10th time. “Marci, of the seven firms we interviewed, your presentation was, without doubt, the most outstanding,” the Division President smiled when he had spoken. “My colleagues and I are really pleased to tell you that you have just won your firm a three-year, $14 million contract, and they owe it all to you. Congratulations!”
‘Wow, a $14 million contract over three years,’ I smile to myself behind closed eyelids. ‘Not only will that guarantee me a six-figure bonus but this contract makes me a shoe-in to win “top producer” honors. Finally, all the work…the public speaking courses, the aerobics classes four times each week, the late hours talking with customers has paid off!’ I am so exhilarated!
“Excuse me?” intones a low, husky voice over my shoulder. My eyes flash open and I quickly turn to see who had spoken. “Were you speaking to someone in particular?” the smooth bass voice inquires again. Slightly embarrassed, I look up into a chiseled face perfectly matched to that voice, my neck starting to redden. “I thought I heard a rather convincing, ‘Yessssss!’ passing your beautiful lips.”
He breaks into a wide grin of perfect, white teeth, surrounded by full lips and deep creases slanting from the base of his nose to the corners of his mouth. About 40, I’d guess, with thick dark hair accented by a touch of gray at each temple. Is this guy for real? Or is he part of a dream. My mind races analyzing the possibilities. No, I’m not asleep, but did I speak out loud? I must have accidentally let out a hint of the triumph I was savoring. Where did he come from?
I sit up, now fully awake and aware of my senses, senses that seem to be filling with his masculinity. He must be a flight attendant who was offering me something to drink while my eyes were closed. I glance downward, expecting to see a gray, striped airline uniform. Surprised, I find only supple, black Bally loafers topped by perfectly creased navy trousers with crisp pleats fitted snugly around a trim waist. I quiver sensing this man’s taut body so close to me.
“I must have been talking to myself,” I begin slowly. “I am returning from a successful business meeting and was replaying it in my head. I guess I must have been a bit enthusiastic.” “That’s okay,” he grins back. “I
like
enthusiastic.” His dark brown eyes twinkle. “I actually came up here with a proposition.” My eyebrows arch slightly. “Oh?” Again I can feel my blood pulsing, only this time not in my neck but lower. “And what brings you to first class to propose to me?” Now my eyes twinkle.
Without missing a beat, he replies, “Hi, I’m William Prince, call me Bill” stretching his hand toward me. I grasp it fully and firmly. I want him to know I am a pro, no pushover, who just landed a major contract. “Marci. Marci …..,” I hesitate, wondering whether I should let this stranger know my last name or too much else about me. After all I just met him. “Hi, Marci,” he jumps in sensing my fleeting caution. “I actually came up here to ask you a few questions. You see, this is my airline. At least, it was mine when I started it two years ago. Now the public owns it. I just hold 40%.”