The months passed quickly. Narcissa had been with the firm for nearly 6 months. Months of enjoyable work, great deals, fantastic times shared. Jack and Narcissa were pretty inseparable at work, usually found in one or the other's office. After work, they often went to dinner, continuing the conversation from the office, planning even bigger accomplishments. At first, there was talk, but as time passed and their behavior continued to be above reproach, everyone lost interest in them.
As often happened with work mates, even their weekends were taken up with some sort of business deal or corporate restructuring. When Jack remembered his initial fantasies of being with Narcissa, he tried not to dwell on them. She was his friend, his companion. They worked, ate, and laughed together. Jack reminded himself regularly that he was a lucky man. He enjoyed and respected his coworker. They were very compatible. Any time he found himself thinking of her out-of-control glossy curls or her delicious scent, he sublimated the thought with memories of their victorious new business merger.
One thing they didn't do was relax together. Neither had seen the other happily at play, with nothing more to worry about than the condiments for a great grilled burger or what time the game would start. Then the memos began appearing about the annual 4th of July party. The company had a gorgeous beach house, used for visiting executives and for this one yearly event. It was far from the corporate world, far from the high rise, windowed offices, far from the decorum that structured their everyday world. It was the one time each year that everyone could just relax and play, enjoy being fit and healthy. The executives were invited for the weekend, the lower echelon was invited just for the holiday itself.
It almost went without saying that Jack and Narcissa would drive out together. They did most things together. This year the 4th was on Saturday, giving them a reason for a nice long weekend of fun and games. All the executives had decided to include Friday in the holiday, and most of them were driving out sometime Friday morning. Jack drove Narcissa home after work on Thursday, promising to be there early the next day, so they could get a head start on the traffic. This would be his first extended executive party, but he had heard just how much fun they could be.
He liked that Narcissa wasn't a typical woman. If she said she would be ready at 7AM, then she was ready. No silly games about doing one more thing, not being quite packed, or running a bit late. She was there when she said she would be. Friday morning was no exception. As he drove up, she walked out of her apartment building, one compact suitcase brought out by the doorman. She looked fresh and happy, relaxed in a way he hadn't seen before.
She walked..floated... toward his car. She was dressed in a very pretty peach sundress, fitted in the top, full and swishy from the waist down. The tiny straps did nothing to conceal her very tanned and toned shoulders and arms. And her legs, Jack's particular favorite, were bare, her small feet in strappy white summer sandals. He didn't think she wore makeup, but he could have sworn she was the prettiest, freshest woman he had ever seen. As she settled in the seat, her signature scent filled the air and his head, reminding him briefly of his fantasies about kisses and soft touches.
Then they began to speak about the newest merger, the one with that company in Barcelona, and he forgot he was sitting beside a woman who could make his heart pound. He was with Narcissa, his pal and co-worker, and her femininity didn't enter into it. As they sped to the coast, the conversation continued easily. The scenery changed, the terrain became hilly and green, fewer homes, fewer everything. Even the air changed, grew moister and denser, fresher and cleaner. Every year, Jack was amazed by the difference a few hours made. He was particularly amazed that this year, he was in the elite group who were invited for the whole weekend. It was Narcissa who made it possible.
He pulled into a little parking lot, inviting her into a small family diner for lunch. For some reason, he wanted to delay their arrival as long as possible, wanted this dazzling woman all to himself for a little longer. After lunch, they began the last part of the journey. Narcissa was happy to sit beside him quietly, sharing a comfortable silence. While Narcissa watched the greenery flash by, Jack once again wondered about nicknames for her. Nothing seemed appropriate. Everything he thought of seemed dull and overused. She was definitely a Narcissa, born to the name, deserving of it. He was still musing on this as he reached the entrance to the company house.
Turning into the bumpy lane, he slowed his car, wanting her first sight of the estate to be impressive. They drove along, through the overgrown greens and swaying weeds, seemingly landlocked. Then, suddenly, the beautiful house came into view, and with it, long stretches of vast ocean. It always took his breath away, the beauty of it, so incredibly impossible. He stopped the car and stepped out, going to the passenger side and opening the door for Narcissa. The air was lush and heavy, the breeze redolent with salty freshness. She looked around happily, anticipation making her nearly laugh out loud. "This is going to be so much fun, Jack. I feel like a kid on summer vacation. I'm so glad we are going to share this weekend!"
Finally, reluctantly, they got back into the car and headed toward the house. Driving seemed so silly, with the huge open spaces to run and play all around them. They soon pulled into the front drive, and climbed from the car once more. A few other executives came out to greet them, but it was early and they were very nearly the first. They carried the bags to their rooms, which were on opposite sides of the long hallway. Agreeing to meet downstairs to go exploring, they separated to change into more appropriate clothing.
Jack and Narcissa spent most of their time together in business garb. So this morning, seeing her in the sundress had pleased him, but when she came back downstairs, she took his breath away. She had changed into snug denim shorts and a baby blue sleeveless shirt, which buttoned down the front and tied under her very shapely breasts. Her bare tummy was also nicely tanned and toned, looking golden and warm and very touchable.
Her legs were the epitome of beauty. Jack had always been a leg man, but if he hadn't been, he would have changed preferences just for her legs. They were short, shapely, absolutely gorgeous. As always, her clothes looked tailored for her, the shorts fitting her perfectly, hugging her tight ass, emphasizing her slim thighs. Everything about her was perfect. She looked classy and very fetching at the same time. She had changed into sneakers, anticipating a nice, long hike on the beach. Jack happily complied. The other guys were not interested in exploring. They had poured themselves some nice cool drinks and settled on the huge porch, enjoying the breeze and talking business. As they walked away, Narcissa turned to Jack, touching his arm to get his attention. "Let's not talk business this entire weekend, please, Jack. I want this to be a true vacation, not an extended business day. Promise me that we will only talk about ourselves and our lives, no foreign problems or deals," she asked earnestly.
Jack quickly and happily agreed. Walking beside her, he did not feel like a pal anymore, he did not see her as a whiz at foreign affairs. He saw a beautiful, intelligent woman and all his fantasies were rushing at him.
They climbed over the dunes, moving close to the huge waves that swept the shore. They removed their shoes and ran into the surf, laughing like children. The sun was warm, the breeze was brisk, and Narcissa's laughter was like a balm on his soul. Jack could imagine spending every day of his life with her, sharing a home and children and a love others would envy. She was everything he had ever wanted, ever dreamed of. But as much as he wanted to tell Narcissa of his feelings, he knew it would end their wonderful friendship, would make them both uncomfortable. He didn't want to risk it. He decided that he would remain her friend, even if it meant eventually watching her fall in love with someone else.
They played on the beach for hours. Walking with her, talking with her, these were things he craved. They found shells, made sand castles, chased each other into the cool water. Then they found a huge rock and climbed onto it, sitting close together and watching the sunset, filling the sky with incredible colors. All afternoon, they had shared memories of childhood vacations, childhood dreams. He felt incredibly close to her today. Now they sat together, enjoying the beauty of the oncoming night. When Narcissa shivered in the dusk, Jack slipped his arm around her, pulling her close to share his warmth, inhaling her singular scent and happily feeling he could now die a happy man. Too soon, they decided to return to the beach house and dinner. It had been a active afternoon and they were both starving.
As they approached the house, the aroma of grilling steaks filled the air. They both moved faster, hurrying now, anxious for a good meal with friends. As they entered the house, they found the cooking was nearly complete. They went up to their rooms to clean up and change for dinner. Jack was ready first and headed downstairs, entering the kitchen in time to cut up the salad. Everyone else had been drinking most of the afternoon and the mood was very light and happy. Conversation flowed, everyone relaxed and mellow. Jack knew the moment Narcissa entered the room. The talk stopped and everyone stared.
She was wearing a summery white dress, long and flowing. She looked like an angel, a very tanned and healthy one. Her skin glowed, her cheeks were slightly pink, her curls askew. Her scent, her delicious scent, filled the room, rivaling the aroma of a great dinner being served. Jack couldn't help watching her, wanting her. She began to help with dinner, fitting in with everyone, friendly and wonderful.
