I've always been attracted to the awkward young woman in accounting. And whenever we've worked together on a project, I've always enjoyed her company. After all, she is a lovely young woman -- genuine, sincere, intelligent, funny, sweet, although terribly shy. She is very soft spoken, keeps to herself, and as far as anyone knows, has never even had a boyfriend. She dresses casually but smartly, and she wears little or no makeup. Leather bracelets and bangles adorn her wrists and ankles, and she has an earthy way about her that I find appealing. But she so often comes late to work that her job is in jeopardy. As her boss, I must address the issue, and finally she is called to my office for a meeting.
"Please, come in," I say, motioning to the two chairs in front of my desk. She takes a seat as I close the door. I walk behind my desk and sit down to begin what is likely to be a difficult conversation.
I begin by stating the problem: "Last week we agreed that you wouldn't be late again. You told me that you understood that your job was on the line. But you've been late twice this week already. I'm afraid I have no choice but to let you go..."
"Oh, please" she says, "I can't afford to be out of work. I'll do anything to save my job. Anything at all."
I think for a moment, but all that comes to mind is the one thing I know I shouldn't ask. Yet I can't help myself.
"You'll do anything?" I ask.
"Yes, please," she replies, "I'll do anything, anything at all."
I get up and come around my desk to take the seat close to hers. I pull the chair a bit closer so that our knees are touching. I lay a hand on her knee and gently squeeze. I look right into her eyes and my heart races. She looks at me and her eyes widen as she finally understands my intention. "Oh, no!" she exclaims, "Not that. I never have; I don't think I could. Oh, no..."
I remove my hand from her knee but continue looking into her lovely brown eyes.
"I want to help you," I say, "but if I bend the rules for you, then I put myself at risk. So it's only right that you do something for me. And I really think this could be very nice for both of us, don't you think?"
Meekly she reconsiders this new possibility saying "Alright, I'll do whatever you say."
"That's wonderful," I reply. "Friday evening, then. I'll pick you up at 8:00."
The rest of the week passed in slow, delicious agony. I didn't mean to make her uncomfortable, but whenever saw her, I couldn't help gazing at her in anticipation. She would glance furtively at me then turn away, covering her mouth with her hand. The excitement continued to build throughout the week until Friday finally arrived.
"Are we still going on our date tonight?" I asked her as our workday neared its end.
"Yes," she replied. "I'll be ready at 8:00."
When I pick her up I am delighted to see how lovely she looks. She is wearing a modest sundress with simple floral designs; pale against the darkness of her lovely brown skin. She is wearing open-toed flats that reveal the cutest toes -- neatly kept with no polish. Her hair is cropped close, no more than half an inch, which frames her beautiful, unadorned, brown face.
"Wow! You look so lovely," I say.
She looks up at me and smiles. "Thank you," she says.
"Are you sure you want to come with me tonight?" I ask.
She nods and says softly, "Yes. Yes I do."
We walk a few paces to my car. I open the door for her and she gets in. Within a few minutes we are walking down the hall of a hotel, finding our room, opening the door, and going inside.
Once inside, I remove my shoes and turn the heat up. The room is large with a king size bed and a window that overlooks the downtown area.
