My name is Ana and I was born and raised in County Donegal, Ireland. I'm 33 now, but I was only 19 when I came to the United States. I wanted more freedom, opportunity, and the chance to be the kind of woman I wanted to be, not just a wife and mother.
I work as a Sales Director for a major hotel chain. My hotel is in Missouri and I have to travel quite often to attend conferences and meetings held by the founder of our chain. They are informative, but boring beyond description.
I love to travel but seeing only the insides of airports, taxicabs, and hotel rooms has become a real stress for me. I love to explore the cities I visit and for the past five years I haven't had the time to even visit the most popular of tourist sites because of my tight time frames. I am usually in and out of the city within two days.
A little over four months ago I sat staring at another conference package from my boss thinking, 'I can't do this.' I didn't want to spend another two to three days in a city where all I saw were hotel room walls. I was burned out and ready to walk away from a job I'd been at for over 12 years.
My boss noticed my reluctance to confirm my travel arrangements and called me into his office. I did not hold back when he asked what the problem was. I told him how tired I was of traveling so much and not having any time to breathe, how I hated how rushed it was to go to these conferences for him.
For a moment I thought he would order me to go or lose my job. Imagine my surprise when he told me that those were the same reasons he hated to go to them himself. He asked me where this one was to be held and I told him Wichita, Kansas. I then asked him if he would possibly attend this one himself. He said no, but that he thought he could work something out so that I could have some time off before the conference.
I went back to my own office a little lighter on my feet than before. Some time off would be great. In fact, I couldn't remember the last time that I'd taken a vacation. It would be nice to have time to myself. I did some paperwork and helped set up a meeting room for the next day before my boss got back to me. He offered me nine days off, not including my regular weekend off, if I would agree to attend. I agreed enthusiastically.
At eight o'clock Friday night I clocked out and rushed home, eager to begin my vacation. I'd decided at some point during the week to head for Kansas on Sunday and do some exploring before the conference. I would have a whole week to see the sites, act like a tourist and just be lazy in a place where no one knew who I was. I could do and be anything, anyone. I felt free for the first time in far too long.
I packed like a woman who was going to Maui and not Wichita, Kansas. It had been so long since I'd had the opportunity to dress like a woman and not a business person that I went a little overboard. I packed ever scrap of satin, lace, and silk that I owned. I didn't know where I'd wear them but I was determined to take them anyway. I ended up with two very large suitcases full of clothes but I didn't care what anyone would think. I was going on vacation and even if it was just Kansas, I was determined to have some fun and do whatever I pleased.
I set out on my road trip at nine am on Sunday. The traffic was light despite the beautiful summer day, and I rolled down the windows on my car and let the summer wind blow away all the stress in my body. I took breaks whenever I pleased, ate junk food I hadn't touched in years and sang with the radio at the top of my lungs. I flirted with a trucker somewhere outside of Columbia, Missouri, blowing him kisses then laughing when he blew his horn in response. I felt like a teenager again, off on a new and exciting adventure.
I stopped at several roadside sites, reading different historical facts about Missouri and then Kansas, once I crossed the border. I'd booked a room in a smaller area near Wichita called El Dorado and it was pretty late by the time I rolled into the small bed and breakfast type place I'd found on the internet. It was a charming farmhouse and I fell in love with it on the spot. The owner was pleasant despite the hour of my arrival and she told me that there were plenty of good places still open for a meal if I was hungry. I chose a 24 hour diner and had one of the best, and probably most unhealthy, meals I'd ever eaten. Full, sleepy and happy, I returned to my room and promptly fell into a deep sleep.
The next day I left early, the owner's hearty breakfast still warm in my tummy. I drove the forty miles to Wichita and set out to explore the city and what it had to offer. It was a good sized place with all the amenities that any city would offer. I stopped in at an internet coffee house for a cup and a chance to hook up my laptop and check my email. I wish I hadn't. Ben, my boss, had sent me a message that the conference had been moved up and that I would have to attend the very next day.
Reluctantly, I returned to my pretty little farmhouse room and repacked my bags. I didn't want to leave but the conference coordinators had rooms booked for all the attendees and it was required that you stay as part of the package. I hated deals like this, as it felt as if all control for my life was governed by strangers who would never know me. Still, I didn't know how late the conference would run as it had been cut down to one full day from two and I wouldn't want to drive the forty miles back to El Dorado late at night alone.
I was glad I'd made that choice. Still, it bothered me that some of my precious time would be marred by the interruption of the conference. I just wasn't ready to let go of my free spirited feeling to attend some boring talks, even if it was only for one day.
Out of spite, I wore some of Freddie's best under my severe business skirt and jacket, even wearing a garter belt and silk stockings, something I had never worn before in my life. I liked the feeling it gave me and added a higher heel than I would normally wear. I felt more in control, more free than I had at the other conferences, more like a woman and not just another worker bee. I was surprised at how sexy the feel of silk was on my thighs as I walked. I had a naughty little secret. To look at me you'd never know that under my black suit was silk lingerie in the darkest of greens.
That little secret and the feelings it provoked actually helped me throughout the boredom of the day. It moved fast but it was still the same old junk. Projections for the upcoming year, sales fluctuations, areas that needed improvement, awards for certain employees and franchises, and of course the closing speech by the President of the corporation. He released us and a giant sigh of relief seemed to fill the room.
Several of us attending had been coming to these things together for years. I wouldn't say we were friends, but we were good acquaintances that got together for a meal and drinks at the end of every conference. Usually I make it an early night, choosing to hit the bed instead of bar hopping, but tonight I was feeling wild and decided to head out with the group for a little fun.
We hit a popular night spot, one the desk clerk at the hotel had recommended and found a good table where we could see the people on the dance floor. The drinks were strong and expensive but good. Now, most people think that since I'm Irish I should be able to drink the biggest man under the table, but that's not the case with me. I have a low tolerance for alcohol and usually don't drink more than one pint of beer or ale in an evening out. However, that night I decided to have a margarita, something I'd wanted to try for some time. The drink hit me hard but it was too good and I finished off the rather large cocktail.
We went from bar to bar on that block, ending up at a rather dark, loud place where the band was live and punk. You might look at me and see classical music lover, but I was raised in a place where British punk music ruled. I was enjoying the band, and another tequila drink when I noticed that somehow I'd lost my group.
Normally, I would have panicked and headed straight for the door and the first cab back to the hotel. That night, being a bit tipsy, I just shrugged and found a seat near the stage, settling in to watch the band finish it's final set.
Another band replaced the first around midnight and they were even better than the first. There was a niggling voice at the back of my brain telling me that with the way I was dressed and with my age, I just didn't fit in but I kicked it hard and it shut up. Who cared that I was at least ten years older than most of the youngsters there? No one knew me here and they would probably never see me again, would never remember an older redhead in a business suit sitting amongst them.
The new band on stage was much more energetic than the last, jumping around and really burning the place up. The bass player seemed to have captured everyone's attention, understandably considering his good looks and shirtless chest covered in sweat. Ok, he captured my attention too. I couldn't look away, even when he seemed to look stare straight at me. I merely smiled tipsily, and focused my attention on his lightly furred chest.
He had the body of a boxer, wiry, ropy muscles, long fingers, brown hair that fell over his eyes quite often, and lean hips. When he turned I couldn't help but notice a tight bum that filled out his jeans quite nicely. I'm sure that had I not been more than a little drunk I would have blushed at my open appraisal of a total stranger but at that point I didn't much care. I crossed my legs and the feel of silk on silk was another jolt to my system. Between the bass player's hot body and the naughty lingerie lovingly cupping my most feminine parts, I was getting pretty turned on.
Before I knew it the band had finished their set and the bar was about to close for the night. I checked my watch and noticed that it was almost one am. I had to get out of there and find a way home, since I'd been so rudely ditched by my business acquaintances. I was sober enough to realize that a woman walking alone wouldn't be the smartest alternative so I found a payphone and called for a taxi to take me the eight blocks back to the hotel.
I decided to wait outside and have a cigarette, something I indulge in whenever I please. Bad for my health I know but I like the tang of good tobacco on my tongue. I heard noises coming from the side alley of the bar but I didn't go investigate. I was tired and a little miffed at being ditched and I leaned my head back, eyes closed at the first good drag of Turkish gold tobacco. All the stress and anger seemed to drain from me, leaving only the languorous feeling of my body.
I guess I drifted off because I woke with a start when the cigarette burned into my fingers. I dropped it, cursing lightly, and looked around. The bar was locked up tight and there was no one out on the street. No sign of a taxi either. Cursing again, I moved off the wall, and started to walk back towards the direction of the hotel. I talked to myself as I walked, cursing anyone and everyone I could think of for getting me into this situation, but mostly I cursed my own stupidity for not paying more attention.
I reached the alley where I'd heard the noises earlier and for some reason I looked down the dark area, wondering what it was I'd heard. A man stood near a truck, loading what looked like equipment into the bed. I must've made some noise because he looked my direction and I noticed the bass player from earlier. He stood under a dim light, but I'd memorized that body, that face, and there was no doubt it was him.
He raised a hand, a wave of sorts I guess, and I quickly waved back, trying to make my feet move my body away. His shout stopped what little movement I had made. "Hey! Red! Where'd your friends go?"
I turned slightly and took two steps into the alley but no further. I was still a good fifty feet from the man, and I could turn and run quickly if I needed to. I wasn't that drunk or that stupid. I knew to go closer would be putting myself in all sorts of possible danger. His remark both startled me and amused me. "How do you know I came with anyone? Or that they left?"
His laugh was sexy and contagious, echoing down the alley towards me. "I saw you when you came in. It's hard to miss five people in business suits walking into this dive."
I laughed myself, amused that he'd had the nerve to be so bold with a complete stranger. "I guess it would be. I liked the music so I stayed, any crime in that?"
The man moved closer, stepping further into the light, near the front of the truck. "So, you liked our music huh Red? Somehow you don't look the type to enjoy what we play."
