Emily knew that her boss had always had a thing for her. The way his eyes lingered on her curves when he thought she wasn't looking, the sly smiles whenever he got a chance to pass by her desk, the flirtatious comments, even though they were harmless, sent shivers down her spine every time.
She was young, barely 22 and had just started out in this company a few months ago, eager to please. He was older, 40 if she wasn't mistaken, married with two teenage daughters from what she had heard. But he was attractive, there was no denying that. Dark brown hair, blue eyes and a rugged jawline made him look like the man you'd want to run into at an airport bar for a drink after a long flight. Emily's best friend warned her about getting involved with men in positions of power, told her not to be foolish, that he would take advantage.
"Be careful," she said one day as they were grabbing lunch together "If he ever asks you out to dinner I swear I'll beat the crap outta him."
Emily dismissed it. She wasn't even sure if she'd want his attention but she certainly wouldn't refuse a free meal. But now, in this moment as she sat at her desk in the dimly lit office waiting for the clock to strike five and his departure time, she felt different.
She heard the door to the office open behind her and froze when he approached from the back. He was holding a folder of papers and stopped before her, leaning forward slightly so that the light hit him just right on his face in the shadows. His eyes were locked on hers as he set them down but didn't say anything for what felt like an eternity. Emily swallowed hard, hoping she hadn't done something wrong. He cleared his throat. "It's time to go home."
"Yes sir," was all she said, trying not to sound out of breath.
"Is everything alright?" His hand rested on the back of her chair as he stared down at her for a moment too long before moving away. "You seem nervous."
"No I'm fine..." Her eyes darted to the door then back to him and realized what she had done. She stood up awkwardly, fumbling with her purse and keys until he put his hand on her arm and gently turned her around.
"I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." He said it softly as if they were alone in the room when they weren't. "Here let me walk you out."
Emily followed quietly, not looking back at him but couldn't help wondering what was going through his mind.
Outside she took a deep breath and walked ahead of him to her car without speaking until they reached it and then stopped. He waited as she unlocked the door before stepping inside for one last look. "I'm glad we talked today."
"Yes sir." She said, already backing out of the parking spot when he came up behind her.
"Emily..."
She turned around quickly. "Do you want to go grab a drink sometime?"
Her heart skipped a beat and it took her a second to respond. Was this really happening?
"I was thinking tonight would be good for me actually. I'm free." He leaned back against the car door beside hers, his eyes never leaving hers as he waited.
"Tonight sounds perfect."
He reached into his suit jacket and produced an address. "My place then?"
She nodded and took it. There were no names on there just a building number and apartment but she knew which one it was. He'd given her the same address when they had talked about their first meeting over lunch.
"See you at 7." he said as Emily drove off, not believing that this was really going to happen after all these months of tension and flirtation. She couldn't wait for tonight. The whole ride home she wondered what he'd want her to wear.
Her hands trembled as she changed out of the business suit into a black lace bra, matching underwear and a short red dress before getting ready. She reached his house and rang the doorbell at 7 on the dot.
"Wow," was all he said when he opened it for him. She had no idea what to say so she just smiled nervously.
The living room was dimly lit but Emily could make out a few modern paintings on the walls as well as a small kitchen. He turned off the lamp and closed all of the blinds so that it felt like they were completely alone. "Make yourself comfortable."
"Where are we going?"
"To the bedroom, I don't have much time." he said with an impish grin before taking her hand.
She followed him down a hallway until they stopped in front of a closed door and then his hands were on the small of her back as he pressed it open. She saw his bed and the dark room beyond. He let go of her to turn on some lamps and walked over to the mini bar instead. A bottle of wine appeared but she shook her head when he offered. "Just a glass of water for me."