"As ready as I'll ever be," I reply. I review my notes once again, grab my file and head to the conference room.
"How was your weekend?" Mark asks.
"Fine. Went to the movies with Karen on Friday; had Judy and Mike over for dinner Saturday night. Nothing too exciting. You?"
"Went skiing. Took my nephews which was interesting and an experience I don't care to repeat until they're older," Mark chuckles. "I love being the favorite uncle, but it was a little overwhelming. May need to bring reinforcements next time."
I select my seat in the conference room, midway down the table across from the windows. I hate the weekly staff meeting, but Mark and I are presenting an idea for a customer segmentation campaign for a new client this morning, so at least I won't be bored during all of it. I pour my coffee; the rest of the team arrives, and the typical Monday morning banter ensues, mostly about sports since I work with a team of men, with the exception of Valerie. I can't stand Valerie, but I always smile and attempt polite conversation. She's never liked me, and I don't really know why. Her hostility toward me rolls off her in waves, so I turn to Rob, and listen in to his story about his son's football game and how his son single-handedly crushed the opposing team even though he's the kicker.
Jake, my boss and our CMO, arrives, and the team takes their seats. He greets us, dives into a discussion about where we stand with a few key clients, then Mark and I make our presentation. The team is excited about our ideas, and Jake gives us the green light.
I sit back down in my chair and gaze absently out the window as Jake continues on with the meeting. Rob and Jason make a presentation as well, then Valerie and Steve. My phone vibrates, and I welcome the distraction. Glancing down, I see I have an instant message from Paul, a guy I've been seeing off and on for a little over a month. He's persistent, funny, aggressive and loves to send me naughty instant messages, especially during work hours. I look around the table, and the team is either engaged with the presentation or staring absently at their tablets or the wall / window. I open the IM, and Paul has sent me a particularly wicked suggestion of what he wants to do to me on the desk in my office. His description is colorful, and I feel heat rise to my face as I read his message. I shift in my chair and cross my legs the other way. I catch Mark and Jason out of the corner of my eye as they shift as well. I look down and see the lace at the top of my stocking can be seen through the slit in my skirt. I like having sexy, feminine lingerie on underneath my business attire, so too bad if they can't deal. (Maybe that's why Valerie hates me. I don't think there's anything feminine about her.)
My phone vibrates again, and Paul has sent me another message continuing with his lascivious desires. I feel my breasts swell and my nipples harden under my silk blouse. My lips part as I breathe and read the rest of his messages. This man will be the death of me, or potentially my career. I turn the screen off, and place my phone back on the table. I chance a glance at Mark and Jason, and they both are shifting in their seats again, as is Steve. It can't have anything to do with me. Maybe they're just as restless as me and want this meeting to end.
The rest of the day passes in a blur as Mark and I set about fleshing out the meat of the campaign. We go to lunch as we often do. I like Mark's company. He's funny, smart, understands the business and is a good friend. We have fun together, and I like collaborating with people who help make the workday more enjoyable. He's pretty easy on the eyes, too, or so I've been told. I guess I never really noticed. He's tall, although I'm not sure of his exact height. 6'2" or 6'3" I think. He's fit, muscular from his disciplined exercise regimen (and why he's never late for work). He has dark hair with a touch of gray and piercing green eyes. He'd be my "type" if we didn't work together. I have a strict no-dating-men-I-work-with policy.
