A Conference With Brandy

I'm a 47 year old man. A couple of years ago when this happened, I'd been married to an amazing woman for sixteen years. She is wonderful, and I treasure every day with her, but... Her sex drive had totally disappeared. I was working out every day, keeping myself looking good. Well, as good as possible -- I'm not claiming to be an adonis or anything, but I did get an occasional smile from a woman while out and about, you know?

So I was horny as all blue-balled hell. I tried not to let it affect me too much, but I'd earn a gentle joke about 'the grumpy Dave' every now and then from my wife. I'd laugh, and tell her I love her, and then... Well, for a while I'd make some excuse for being irritable. Worried about a project at work, saw a news story that aggravated me, that sort of thing. Then, as the sexless months went by, I got more frustrated, and more direct. "Sorry babe, I'm just horny from sharing my life with a stunning woman."

"Ugh, I'm sorry."

"Well gorgeous, we could do something about it you know..."

And she was gorgeous. Is gorgeous. That's the thing, I was totally sincere. My wife still makes me catch my breath on a regular basis. She is a hottie. I see other guys check her out all the time. Once a guy realized I caught him, blushed, and raised his eyebrows. It's funny how simple gestures can convey so much. "Sorry dude, but can you really blame me?" No, I can't. But fucking hell did I wish I was getting what he imagined I was getting from my beautiful wife.

She knew I was going crazy. She even hinted that she would understand if I found some extramarital relief. Despite my frustration, I couldn't bring myself to seek it out. I didn't want to become that guy.

This had been the sexual status when I got sent to Las Vegas for a national conference. I enjoy Las Vegas. I'm not a hookers and blackjack kind of guy at all, I just enjoy the sights and the food and the energy. So I was looking forward to it. I asked my wife if she wanted to go, but she had a dentist appointment she couldn't miss. She'd already rescheduled twice, and each time meant months of delay. "Next time I'll go with you baby!"

At that time, I worked for a pretty big company. We were distributed all over the nation. I was the only one attending from my local office. We'd just merged with a rival which was almost as big as we were, so there were going to be a lot of new faces. I'd been to these before, so I knew what to expect. Meetings, mandatory social events, and a bit of down time to wander.

"Prepare the cabin for landing."

"The shuttle bus is about to depart"

"After checking in, guests are invited to choose from the selection of horny, beautiful, open-minded women in the club level."

Okay, that last one was my imagination. Think what it would do for hotel occupancy though.

The first day was registration, an afternoon opening session composed of pie-in-the-sky speeches and vacuous cheerleading. An hour's break, and then a cocktail mixer. I'd like to mix some tail with my cock. Yes, I was obvious dumb joke horny. Everything was sexual. But that's not too unusual in Vegas. Or for a sex-starved adult human male, actually.

We were actually supposed to dress up a bit for the first social. The conference events were business casual, but some genius had decided that the social events should be black tie affairs. Sure, who doesn't love more suitcases to lug around? The only perk of that policy was the ladies. Some of them put in a LOT of effort. Heels, fancy stockings, curled hair, and so on. A big company is going to have some stunners, and let me tell you, some of them made the trip worthwhile. And there were the new faces to meet and greet.

I showed up a couple of minutes late. Even with the new faces, I didn't think there'd be enough window shopping to fill the whole time. I got a Balvenie Doublewood from the well-stocked bar -- another Las Vegas perk -- and started a lap of the large ballroom.

There were the usual clusters of men and women talking shop. The serious types who were all about work every day of the week, every hour of the day. Sorry, life's too short. Way too short. Then there were the serious drinkers. From the empties on the table, some might have been on their second or third drink already. We all have our vices I suppose. Then there were the flirty groups. Most of the women dressed to the nines were here. Some were straight out of a James Bond movie. More cleavage. Tighter dresses. Fins to the left, fins to the right. Great window shopping, but also a fast track to a reputation, and sometimes those reputations weren't even earned. They'd follow you though. Might cost you some opportunities. It might also open them up, but with those kinds of managers disappointing them isn't fun. "Oh, I'm not your type huh? Not sexy enough? Enjoy the kind of assignments and raises you've got coming." If you think some lawsuits and training sessions are going to stop women and men from being women and men, well, you've had a different life from me.

So I floated, watching the faces, spotting new ones wandering like me. Some were on a mission to the bar or the bathroom, some were just arriving or leaving, some it wasn't very clear. Which probably meant they were doing about what I was doing. Putting in their time and being seen, while trying not to get too bored.

The truly bored ones were seated around the edge of the room. Few of those were dressed to the nines, the way the flirty women were.

But one was. She was medium height. Medium brown hair, that hung below her shoulders. How far below, I couldn't see. What I could see was wavy and shiny though, and it framed her face beautifully. Ah, her face. Nice skin just starting to show some experience (personally I like that), high cheekbones, a graceful arc to her jawline. Her makeup was perfect. Her eyes were framed by liner and mascara, with just a touch of color around the outer end of the eyeliner. Elegant with a bit of 'I'm not just going to do what the other supermodels do' to it, for spice. Her lipstick was a shade of red that was bold and distinctive without crossing over into slutty. Oh well, nobody's perfect.

Her dress was fitted without being painted on. It was a bold blue color, with a neckline that showed she had curves, but wasn't going to flaunt them. The diamond solitaire necklace said she wasn't going to be ashamed of her curves either, particularly the cleavage that was implied just below the lacy edge. Even her seated posture couldn't hide her slender waist. The legs that emerged from the hem of her dress were encased in stockings woven into a sophisticated floral pattern. Her satin blue shoes matched the dress, with dainty straps above her ankles.

Wow. I may have actually done a double take. What on earth was she doing sitting on the sidelines? Why dress like that if you're just here to check the block? All that effort, but no socializing? Maybe she was waiting for someone. No, she's nowhere near the entrances. I doubt she's watching for anyone.

I kept going, and on my second lap of the room she hadn't moved. She was still sipping the same glass of wine, because there was just a bit less than before. I saw a guy go up to her and try to get her talking. I vaguely knew him, middle management climber. Nice enough guy. She smiled politely, doing a superb job of being polite without being too inviting. He was on his way in minutes, looking for someone more receptive.

I didn't think she'd noticed me the first time around, but a few seconds after mister middle management wandered off, a waitress backed into me. She had just delivered a round of drinks, so her tray was almost empty. She knocked the drink out of my hand. One of the glasses that had been on her tray flew in front of me. I grabbed for it, and played a few rounds of 'can I save it' volleyball before it bounced just out of reach and crashed to the floor. My arm waving had caught several people's attention. When the show ended in failure, there was a round of applause for my effort. I gave a big, theatrical bow, and heard a laugh from over by the wall. I glanced, and I had indeed earned a laugh from Miss Red Lipstick. Honestly that made my night. And I'd definitely been seen, so after shooting her a quick smile and completing the necessary niceties with the waitress, I took a leisurely route back to the elevators. Done for the day.

Nothing out of the ordinary happened until the lunch break the next day. I needed some eyedrops from my room, so I got on the crowded elevator. I was thinking about what I'd have time to grab for lunch, ignoring the population decline as people got off. Then I heard a feminine voice behind me.

"The brandy snifter volleyball team has been trying to reach you, don't you read the conference bulletin board?"

"No way, I made my reservation late and got a non-reading room. I have to get strangers to read the conference schedule for me. Can you tell me what lunch spots have pictures on the menus?"

She laughed. I knew that laugh. I turned around, and there she was, Miss Red Lipstick. Holy cow, I was alone with her in an elevator! And she was holding out her hand!

"Sorry, I just graze the snack tables at intermission and use a high protein toothpaste. I'm Veronica, from Tallahassee."

"Andy, from Saginaw." "- And I'd like to give you some high-protein toothpaste -- " I thought, fortunately without saying it. Wow, where did that come from? Did she realize what a suggestive image that could be?

"Hello? Still with me, Andy from Saginaw?"

"Sorry. Got lost in thought for a second there. Unfamiliar territory and all that."

She laughed again. Either I'm funnier than I thought, or she's desperate for entertainment.

"Well pleased to meet you Andy. I'm sure I'll see you around the conference." She extended her hand, and we shook hands in perfectly professional fashion.

"- Wait, did her eyes flick down? What would -- was she looking for a wedding ring? No way. That can't be it. Dang, why didn't I look for a wedding ring? Because I compulsively follow the rules, that's why -- "

The elevator dinged.

"Here's my floor. See you around."

"See you around!" I said as she headed down the hall. This was the first time I'd seen her standing, and wow, she had a great figure. Enough curves to make it clear she was a woman, but they were gentle and elegant and just an amazing package.

"- Was she wearing a wedding ring? Too late, she's too far away to -- well, she turned the corner anyway. Like it matters. Still, getting noticed by the likes of her is pretty cool. --"

I retrieved my eye drops. Yep, pretty cool. I headed back to the conference.

At the end of the day's events, there was the usual scrum to get out of the conference and into Las Vegas. I saw a hand, and it was Veronica waving at me. I started moving her way, but she smiled, winked, and disappeared. Hmm. Oh well, guess she was just being friendly. Another night of people watching and maybe a drink or two.

The high point of the next day was a tour of our Las Vegas branch. I know, what a high point. Be still my beating heart. They'd arranged busses, and I grabbed a window seat for the half hour drive. I was staring out the window watching the traffic for cool cars when I felt someone sit down next to me.

"Hey Veronica, fancy meeting you here!"

"I heard they're going to have cookies, so I figured what the hell."

She sat down beside me, and we talked the whole way to the tour. Meaningless, light hearted stuff. But I was loving it, even if I did spot a wedding ring. I was making a connection -- any connection -- with a beautiful woman. It felt fantastic, and I think she was enjoying it just as much. I don't remember a darned thing from the tour. We didn't really stick together, but I was just too distracted to pay attention. If you want employees to really be engaged, don't let them get horny. Why can't HR departments figure that out? Probably because HR is the worst part of the company. They're too busy screwing each other to do their jobs.

But I digress.

When it was time to get back on the bus, somehow Veronica arranged to be right in front of me in the line for the bus. Well look at that. I did look at that as her tight little ass climbed into the bus. The ride back was very different, like she'd decided to let the walls come down a bit.

"So you came to the conference alone?"

"Yep, my wife isn't too interested in events like this. She isn't interested at all. How about you, are you here alone?"

"Yessir, no husband, no office mates, just me."

"These get boring, don't they. Is this your first conference?"

"First one since the merger. But I've been to several. They are always boring. It's just a question of how much -- almost all, or mostly boring. I once snuck away for an afternoon at an art museum, but that's the high point of all the conferences I've been to."

"Hell, sometimes the boring bleeds over to getting home. For weeks or months, even."

Veronica gave me a serious, searching look. "Me too."

Fuck it. I decided to go for it.

"Listen, can I tell you something?"

"Okay."

"You looked stunning the other night. Absolutely stunning. Straight out of a glamour magazine. I would absolutely love it if you let me take you to dinner. Just dinner. I just want to strut around with you next to me for a while, making everyone else jealous."

"And why would they be jealous?"

"Because I'd be escorting the most beautiful woman in Las Vegas."

"Oh, are you an escort? How much am I supposed to pay for this privilege?"

It popped out before I could think. "I would love to be your escort. You wouldn't pay a dime!"

The implication hung in the air for a moment, then Veronica gave me a little smile.

"Just dinner?"

"Just dinner. Maybe a drink or two at a bar afterward if you feel like it."

"And you want me to wear the dress I wore the other night?"

"The exact same outfit, from the hair to the necklace to the dress, the stockings, and the shoes."

"Look who's getting picky all of a sudden."

"I'm sure you'll look stunning in anything you choose to wear, but I'm thinking fancy restaurant. Is that a good enough excuse?"

"Tonight?"

"No time like the present. Unless I can't get reservations."

"Tell you what, you get reservations tonight somewhere fancy, and I'll wear that outfit. Otherwise it's whatever I want to wear, tomorrow night."

"Deal."

We exchanged numbers, which was kind of a thrill for me all on its own.

When we got to the hotel, she headed to her room and I headed off to find reservations. My first several attempts were unsuccessful. But I was not going to let this opportunity pass. A Benjamin to the concierge got me reservations at a place he said would be perfect. Expensive, but very high quality and a dark, romantic atmosphere.

I texted her and asked her to meet me at the rideshare area at 6:30. She said that gave her just enough time.

I was down there, ready to go at 6:20. She strutted into view at 6:25. Heads turned. Conversations paused. Women put their hands over their mouths to talk to their friends. Holy shit. This was already the best convention ever. Even if all we did was have dinner. Completely honest? I don't know what I wanted at this point. How far would I take this? Just dinner and the company of a beautiful woman was amazing. This was more excitement than I had felt in a long time. And the adventure, the ambiguity of not really defining what was going on actually added to the excitement. If she was willing to go all the way, would it be worth the guilt? Would I just dive in and ride it out? Well, gotta at least take her to dinner as promised!

"You look lovely, mademoiselle!"

"Why thank you sir, it's so nice to hear that!"

"So, shall we away?"

"We shall."

"It's Chinese, I hope that's okay. Late notice, I had to hustle to find something."

"Hustle? Why?"

"Because as much as I'd enjoy taking you to dinner any night, getting to see you in that dress again was very motivating."

"Flatterer."

"Gloriously glamorous girl."

"You're laying it on thick, aren't you?"

"Maybe. Listen, I'm just going to be frank here. This is a dream come true, and I intend to flatter and pamper you all night. I'm not a 'hang back and pretend I'm so aloof' kind of guy. What you see is what you get, and I'm getting to spend an evening with a movie star gorgeous woman who also has a great sense of humor. I'm going to enjoy this and won't pretend otherwise, I guess is what I'm babbling about."

"You are so sweet." She gave me a peck on the cheek. "Thanks for being honest with me."

I got us a car and off we went. We didn't talk much in the car. I think we were nervous about what to say with the driver listening. So when we got close I asked her to hang on and not jump right out. She did, and I went around and opened the door for her, giving her a hand to help her out of the car. That earned me a smile that lit up the evening.

We were seated at a table in a private corner of the restaurant. The concierge had delivered -- it was very romantic. We ordered drinks, but Veronica didn't seem to be interested in appetizers. We got quiet again until the waiter brought our drinks. I decided to really break the ice.

"To a wonderful date with a gorgeous woman."

"Oh, you -- thank you!"

She took a big swig of her drink.

"I'm so glad you accepted my offer. This is the first time I've asked a woman out on a date at a conference."

"Really?" She gave me a piercing look, intently studying my reaction. I raised my right hand.

"I swear to Scotch. I've been wanting a bit of adventure, something to make me feel alive again, for some time. And I'm not kidding, the sight of you in that dress was like something out of a classy film noir scene. Can you tell I'm pretending I'm a detective on retainer for the Rockefellers? You look amazing. I'm probably saying too much."

"No. You aren't. I can relate. I've been feeling so... stagnant lately. Your invitation was a bolt from the blue.

"So tell me, what were you thinking about while you got ready."

"Well, since we're laying it all out there, I started by making sure every detail was just like the other night. It was really flattering to have made such an impression. And then... I was wondering where this might go."

"Where do you want it to go?"

"I'm not sure. Really."

"Well I'm already having fun. Just walking through the restaurant with you was a privilege. What can I do to make this special for you?"

"You're already doing it. I'm nervous, but this is great. Oh, here comes the waiter -- have you decided?"

"Not even close. The menu isn't nearly as much fun to look at."

"Well you'd better force yourself my friend."

So I did. We chose our food, and ordered, then we heard some guy at a nearby table say something about Picasso. That got us going on art. Which bled over into medieval history, and the evening finally took off. The food was great. We finished, skipped dessert, and decided to walk the casino a bit. It was great, strutting around with Veronica at my side. Soon she was actually on my arm, which of course was even better.

We wandered the casino, watching people get upset or excited or just sit there, pushing a button. Not my idea of fun, but to each their own. We headed back through the shops, and soon came to a bar. Another round of drinks, and we were window shopping, discussing how she'd look in the various dresses and shoes. I had some opinions there, but the purses, well I just smiled and nodded. But I really enjoyed it when she grabbed my arm to pull me toward something she'd spotted and wanted a closer look at. She was really comfortable with me by now. I kept wondering where this was going.

We were finished another round of drinks when she started showing signs that the heels were taking their toll.