"Hey! Thanks Tara! Though I'd have liked you here" and a husky feminine voice on the other end replied, "I'd have loved to but you know it's not possible now. Enjoy!" and she hung up.
My fortieth - two days away. Tara was sending me a 'gift'. Since the last 5 years we'd known each other, she would either present herself or send a gift on my birthday. She was a darling and one of my closest associates and took great care of me. She wasn't gorgeous, more plain Jane in looks, short and dark, but had a fantastic body. Well toned. Not skinny yet not an ounce of fat anywhere, just enough to hold on to and play with. Just perfect. She knew how to package herself well and keep her men happy.
The next day I returned late morning after my meetings to see my 'gift' waiting for me at the deck outside my condo. Seated on the pool chair reading a book, earphones plugged in. Straight hair, tied in a pony. Glasses. Dusky. Petite, not skinny. Wearing a simple light knitted grayish-blue dress and black heels. Formal. Neat. She looked up and saw me. She removed the earphones and glasses and stood up with a big smile, extending her hand. Charming, cute, I thought, smiling back and took her hand in mine. Very soft - I thought. "Annie", a soft sweet voice, "Tara madam sent me." A pause. "The reception guy told me to wait here." A moment of silence..
"I'm so sorry, I totally forgot. Hope you weren't waiting too long?" She replied squirming, "A couple of hours. I need to use the loo please!" "Door's always open. Go right in and left." She hurried in. I took her bags in. She took her time to come out. She stepped out of the loo with a big sigh. She looked at me again, a wide smile as she walked towards me. She had removed her pony, her thick wavy hair bounced on her shoulders with every stride. She was probably 5'6-5'7, but in heels an inch or so taller than me. Slender. Clear face with prominent cheekbones. Big eyes. Nice luscious lips. Her pearly whites showed proudly when she smiled! Her breasts seemed firm and perky. She gave me a more than friendly hug. "Happy Birthday!" she whispered in my ear. I returned the hug, "Tomorrow darling! But thanks!," and I planted a kiss on her cheek. She smelt good. Definitely a charmer I thought. She seemed familiar, I tried to recollect how.
I took her hand and led her to the couch near the screen, sitting facing each other, my hand on her knee. "Okay.. Annie.. lovely of you to come over. I'd love to know you.. well. hmmm and before that.. How hungry are you? Let me order you something?"
"Very hungry actually Sir! Had a very early flight.. only a coffee on the flight a few hours back. I'm OK with anything actually," she replied. I called guest services and ordered food even as she continued talking. "I'm from Delhi actually. Stephens graduate."
"hmmm..! I thought you didn't look or sound like a typical Delhite," I interjected. "Oh, actually I am from the South; I grew up all over the country and the last seven years in Delhi," she replied. "How do you know Tara?" I asked.