A story inspired by and dedicated to the very sexy guy who makes my afternoons and lunchtimes so worthwhile
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Jane Lacey glanced at the clock on the dashboard, 6.02pm, she sighed heavily. It was about another 5 minutes journey to the address she was looking for, the property she was to assess for valuation. She would be 7 minutes late, meaning another highly fraught businessman to appease.
She groaned inwardly, these 6pm appointments were always the most difficult. In her many years as an estate agent, she had learnt that men who requested these late appointments where always so full of their own importance with a 'time is money' attitude. Their properties were nearly always seen as a great inconvenience β usually because they was the result of a messy divorce or a now empty parental home. They never seemed to attach any emotion to them and, furthermore, they expected her to assess the house with just a 2-minute glance, and then sell it within the week. In short, they were businessmen constantly used to getting their own way!
She turned into the road she was looking for, and quickly located the property. Another tell tale sign of the a typical businessman was parked on the drive β a sporty looking convertible - convincing her how predictable these appointments had become. Due to her lateness, she leapt from the car, grabbing her papers as she did so, almost before she turned the engine off. She opened the gate, and before she had started up the path, the door opened, "here we go!" she thought to herself, preparing for a tirade of time keeping comments. Deciding that attack was the best form of defence, she spoke quickly.
"Mr Richards? Jane Lacey β Colliers Estates β sorry I'm 5 minutes late there was an accident on the ring road".
She was at this time only able to see a silhouette outlined in the doorframe, but she approached the door with an out stretched hand. As she got much closer, the man took a step backwards into the property and for the first time she could see him. He smiled and reached out to shake her hand.
"Not a problem Ms Lacey, I have only just arrived myself, probably caught up in the same hold up." An unexpected warm smile. "Do come in..." a pause "... and thank you so much for agreeing to such a late appointment. It must be very inconvenient for you."
Jane Lacey almost gasped aloud in amazement βthis guy was different from the norm; a businessman who had apologised to her, made no adverse comment on her slightly late arrival, and to boot, she noted with some interest, he was very attractive. Something stirred inside her, a heightened sexual awareness. Suddenly he spoke again, freeing her from her momentary daydream.
" I expect you would like to get started, please feel free to wander around. Would you like a coffee?"
"Yes please Mr Richards" Jane replied, "White no sugar. Is it ok if I start upstairs?"
"Fine. And the name's Bill!" He grinned and moved towards the kitchen.
Jane quickly moved upstairs, making her notes, taking her measurements as she went. She felt quite unnerved, and yet not uneasy in his presence. In fact, she felt quite the opposite. There was something about this man that already had started to arouse her. She wanted to learn more about him, to look into those eyes, in fact at this moment she felt completely under his spell.
Most men she met were so selfish that she dismissed them immediately, but Bill Richards? Although they had only just met, she sensed he was different, she felt an instant attraction to him, not just his looks but his manner too.
She finished upstairs and returned to the lower rooms. Again she went around noting, measuring. She was just taking a final look in the lounge when, suddenly, she was aware of his presence in the room. She turned to find herself face to face with this extremely attractive man, his bearded face could not disguise the smile that was on his lips. A smile that seemed to reach up into his eyes, making them glint, almost mesmerising her.
"Your coffee, Mr Lacey", he said softly.
"Thank you, and it's Jane," she replied as she took the cup from him.
"Please; please sit down " Bill spoke again then paused" unless of coure you still have more to see?"
Jane moved to the sofa, "No I have taken all the details I need thank you," and sat down on the edge, tucking her legs beneath. She listened intently as he began to tell her the history of the house; his former family home. It had indeed belonged to his parents, and now it needed to be cleared and sold. Jane listened, taking in the basic details but some passed her by. This man fascinated her, he spoke with emotion about the house, and he was not the usual hardhearted creature she dealt with.
She did not want to rush this meeting; she wanted to be able to see him again. .....But how? Once she gave him the valuation that would be it. Even if he requested them to show prospective buyers around β he would not be there. Men like this were rare β Jane should know! ... She had looked for long enough.
"What do you think Jane?" Bills voice rang in her ears - she jumped inwardly β his voice breaking through her reverie. What had he asked her??????????......"Will it take long to sell?"
Jane shook herself "em ......No, I think it will probably sell quite quickly, the location helps, not to mention the character of the house". Jane's head was reeling; it would all be over in the next few minutes......unless? Jane, who up to this moment had always been the absolute in professionalism when it came to her career, could hardly believe the words that came from her own lips.
"The problem is getting the right valuation." She paused, "... this is such an unusual property, with many distinct features, that valuing it is not that easy." Jane hesitated slightly, "I wonder if I may consider it overnight and do some local searches for similar properties tomorrow? I could give you a call later tomorrow with a more accurate value?"
Jane could hardly believe she had said that, how incompetent she must appear; now he was bound to feel she had wasted his time.