"Thanks for the invitation. Dinner Saturday at Jainie's sounds great. No, not seeing anyone right now, so I'll be coming alone. See you soon."
A smile came to her face as she read the email. She had girlishly plotted with her best friend Jainie to discover whether Alexander was available. Perhaps still dating the artist-model from the summer.
Time to go to work, she thought, as her attention turned quickly instead to what she would wear Saturday.
At 36, Alexander was only seven years her senior, but he seemed a class apart. Already a recognized star in international business. The product of prestigious education and exclusive patronage. A scholar's mind, a diplomat's presence. The disarming smile didn't hurt one bit, of course.
Six months with his office, Belle was one of a dozen aspiring interns. A natural beauty to be sure, but she carried herself more like a fresh-faced college student than the MBA candidate she was.
Their relationship had been nothing but professional. Saturday would be a change. How much of a change was the only question.
The dinner at Jainie's was cozy. With only seven guests, the conversation flowed comfortably along with the wine. As the evening began to wind down, Belle tended to the dishes with Jainie and Alexander idly chatting at the kitchen table behind her.
She had worn her dressiest slacks hoping to catch his gaze. The lines, though prim and proper, still accentuated her tight bottom and long legs nicely. An equally demure, yet fashionable, sweater completed the outfit.
As they bid their hosts goodbye, Alexander walked Belle to her car. Always the gentleman.
As they approached, Belle's building nervousness erupted unexpectedly into a bold move. Without a word, she turned and slid her hand over his flat stomach and around his muscled waist, making no mistake about the inviting embrace. Alexander leaned forward to meet her with a passionate kiss. Instantly pressing his firm body to hers.
The serene fall night masked the intensity of the moment. Hardly a lucid thought could she muster before she felt him spin her around and slide her slacks and underwear down over her ass in a swift move. All she could do was steady herself against the car. Then she felt him. Inside her. Taking her from behind. Filling her with a sensation she had never known. So full, so firm. How exquisite the pressure as she met his solid thrusts with her own excitement. Then it happened. The climax. A profound pleasure. With a low moan of contentment, she reached beneath and astonished herself with the feel of the copious wetness.
As she turned over, the coldness of the crisp, empty sheets brought her back. Withdrawing her hands from between her legs, she knew. She was past her innocent crush for Alexander. She wanted him. For real.
* * *
The several days after the dinner party were uneventful. Class, work, the usual.
Belle knew Alexander would be in Paris for business. Her thoughts drifted often to whether he would be thinking of her the way she had fantasized about him.
The day he returned to the office, Belle literally bumped into him as they crossed the lobby. But no charming greeting, no disarming smile. Hmm, what was the matter?
Back in her studio that evening, Belle sighed in disappointment about the reunion. For sure, she thought there had been a connection at the dinner. As she sank back into her desk chair trying to access her personal email for the first time in a week, it all became clear. Among the dozens of unread messages, one stood out.
"Belle, I know this may be forward particularly due to our work together. But I really enjoyed the time we spent at Jainie's and would like to ask you to dinner just us two."
Oh no! Belle was mortified. No wonder Alexander had given her the cold shoulder. He must have thought that she had rejected his overture.
The next day couldn't have arrived any sooner. Belle marched into Alexander's office, closed the door and declared, "You have no idea how much I hoped you would ask me out. My ISP was down, so I gave up checking my email, and so I . . . . Oh, never mind, I didn't see your email until last night."
A momentary silence, then Belle and Alexander laughed abruptly in unison. So much for acting nonchalant.
 
                             
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                                 
                                 
                                 
                                