Consensual - Emphasis on "sensual"
As she settled into her window seat, Selah felt the familiar pangs of desire begin to seep into her consciousness. While this happened frequently of late, the timing was inconvenient, and sitting in wet panties for the duration of the flight an unpleasant notion. She quietly shook the thoughts away, and as her mind re-focused, discovered why her mind had begun to drift. Her fingers were running over the edge of the envelope in her purse.
The envelope.
The invitation.
It had arrived on her desk without warning. Instantly recognizing the handwriting, she quickly placed it in her top desk drawer. Later, when her co-workers were gone for the day, she closed her office door, and opened it. Inside was a neatly handwritten note:
"The pleasure of your company is requested for an evening that will delight the senses. Saturday, the Seventeenth of December at ten o'clock. Your room. My attire is at your discretion. No RSVP required - merely answer the knock at your door. Or not."
The following day, she found Brian alone in the mail room. "So, do you believe in sprites?"
He replied without turning around, "Um, maybe?"
"Well, lately I have been finding things in my office, and I think it's the work of a mischievous elf, or sprite, or something."
Brian turned to face her, his face now sprite-like. "Now that
is
interesting. Maybe you should call security. Or Ghostbusters."
"Maybe I will. Hey, quick question for you since you are a lot older than me. I've been invited to a few fancy gatherings and weddings, and the invitations I've received usually specify the attire. You know, like 'black tie'. So, what, in all of your considerable experience, do you think 'attire at your discretion' means?"
Brian's eyes glimmered a little more. "Well, I would say, in 'all of my considerable experience' that would mean that the attire is left up to whoever has been granted decision-making authority. Or is it 'whomever'? I can never keep that straight."
"Well, not to be the grammar police, but you had it right, it's whoever."
"Thanks for that. I'll sleep better tonight. Good luck with that sprite problem."
After an uneventful flight, Selah arrived at her hotel, unpacked, changed, and made her way to the convention center to pick up her conference materials. She was pleased to note that the opening reception was at the hotel and included drink tickets.
She arrived halfway through the reception, and chose a flattering but conservative tea-length dress. From the attention she received from the men in the room, she could tell that her choice was appropriate. While she had become accustomed to their stares, Selah had never truly felt that she was as gorgeous as she had been told. She saw Brian from across the room, enjoying what seemed to be a lively conversation with a few of their co-workers. She enjoyed watching him with his guard down, oblivious to her gaze. Few ever saw him like this, and fewer still knew he was the poster boy for "still waters run deep". She soon joined the group, and they continued the friendly banter until the reception concluded. When they moved to the hotel bar, Brian excused himself, citing a lingering headache, while Selah stayed for a nightcap.
Selah's heart rate steadily climbed as the clock made its way to ten. She jumped when she heard the knock, not because it was unexpected, but due to where it originated.
The door to the adjoining room.
"Hello?"
"Hello Selah" replied the familiar impishly-tinged voice.
She opened the door to find Brian standing directly in front of her holding a gift bag.
"What the hell? How did you manage this?"
"It was a little too easy, actually. I told the concierge I was surprising you for your birthday. So...surprise."
