"That's it! I have to go take a walk and clear my head before I rip someone else's right off their neck. Don't call me, don't text me, don't email me. I will be the one contacting you once I've calmed down."
This was how I left things at my branch office when I angrily stormed out at 9PM. I was on the verge of losing the biggest client I had ever scored, all because of the idiot my partner, Doug, had hired, and up until now, was refusing to fire. When things turned even further south on Monday, I had hopped on the first flight to New York to try and salvage the relationship. It looked like I was going to have to do more than my usual amount of bargaining and sucking up. I was glad I always had a bag packed at the office, ready for such emergency trips.
I looked up as this last thought crossed my mind, realizing that I had no idea where I was. When I exited the building, had I turned left or right? Where the hell was I? Pulling out my phone, I checked my coordinates. Good lord, was I ever off! Completely wrong direction. I shook my head to wipe the slate clean, like clearing the screen of an Etch-A-Sketch, figuring I would continue walking a while to reorient myself.
As I retraced my steps, I encountered a man, whom at first sight, took my breath away. He walked with a bit of a swagger and was incredibly gorgeous, his dark eyes seeming to bore straight into my core. Our gazes locked and our heads swiveled as our paths crossed. Once I had passed him, I must have unconsciously mumbled something under my breath, which was still loud enough for him to hear. I heard him take a few brisk steps behind me, trying to catch up.
"Is everything okay?" he inquired.
"No," I replied, considering simply telling him that I was lost, and could he kindly help me to find my way back? But this guy had me thinking thoughts I shouldn't be having with an 8AM meeting scheduled for the next morning.
"Anything I can help you with?" he pursued further, seeming to read my mind.
There's no possible way he's serious, I told myself. But I decided to call his bluff.
I stopped in my tracks and turned to face him, assuming my sexiest attitude, by cocking my head, placing one hand on my hip and smiling as seductively as I could, but I'm sure I was only coming off as looking more ridiculous than anything.
"You really want to help me?" It was almost a challenge.
"I wouldn't have offered if I didn't have the intention to."
Maybe he was exactly the diversion that I needed right now. At that moment, I realized I was slightly taller than he was. Granted, I was wearing 4" heels, but I didn't want to seem too intimidating. I bent my knees and slouched a bit to better compliment his height, reaching out to stroke below the tight knot of his silk tie.
"In that case, what are you doing for the rest of the night?'
No doubt he was taken off guard by my question, even though he probably got propositioned all the time, considering his good looks, just not on a random street corner.
He placed one hand on my waist, bringing us closer, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial level.
"Why don't you tell me what I'll be doing for the rest of the night?"
Despite the humid evening air, goosebumps broke out on the surface of my skin. I suppressed a shiver as I laid it all out on the table.
"Come to my hotel room for a drink and we can discuss the options, or better yet, come to my hotel room and I'll show you, your choice..."
For a while he just looked at me, either waiting for me to start laughing and say I was just kidding, or contemplating running the other way. I held his gaze, determined to see this through to whatever outcome.
It was when he nodded once and grabbed my hand that I knew I had reeled him in. We headed back in the direction where we had first met.
"Where's your hotel?"
"A few blocks away. Care to clue me in on your decision?"
"I'm not sure yet. But I know I'll take you up on something. Let's catch a cab."
"You're not sure what you want to do, yet you want to get there faster?" I teased. I'm pretty sure he had already made up his mind but was just toying with me.
"It will force my decision. By the way, what's your name?"
"Names aren't necessary."
He stopped and turned, facing me.
"Come on, what's your name?" he repeated.
"You don't need it, so I'm not going to divulge it. Is that going to be a problem?" I said, using my height to emphasize an authoritative stance. I had been told on many occasions that I could be quite intimidating when I fixed my eyes on someone and didn't glance away. It had worked in many business negotiations, would it work here, too? I was determined to find out.
"Okay, no name, for now. You'll change your mind," he said resignedly, but with a hint of confidence.
"Don't count on it."
He leaned in so close, I could feel his lips against my ear.
"I guarantee you that by the time we're done, you will have told me your name."
He retreated slightly, but was still close enough that the slightest movement would cause our lips to make contact.
"Let's go." he broke the trance and we started walking.
As we arrived at the corner, several taxis zoomed by until we hailed one. I entered first, sliding to the opposite end of the seat, until he motioned me to sidle closer. He took my hand, turning the palm upwards, stroking it lightly with his thumb. It was such a long time since I had been touched by a man, that even this slightest gesture had an intense effect on me. Noticing my reaction, he leaned towards me and whispered,
"You just made up my mind for me. We're heading straight to your room."
For the rest of the commute, I had to apply incredible restraint in not throwing myself at him, instead taking the time to observe him each time we passed under the streetlights.
"How much farther"? he asked, and I was pleased to see that he was just as eager as I felt.
"Almost there."
As we arrived at the door of my room, I pulled out my key, but he took it out of my hand and unlocked the door, holding it open for me. As I walked through, he grabbed my waist from behind and pulled me against him. I couldn't help the moan that escaped my lips then. He had just discovered one of my weaknesses. As the door closed behind us, I wondered how many more he would find before this night was over.
On the other hand, I considered breaking free, saying this was so very unlike me, but who I was kidding? It wasn't my habit to always do this kind of thing, but it certainly wasn't the first time, either.
I felt I would collapse, made the more pronounced when he raised one hand up to my neck, brushing my hair back.
"Take off your shoes."
I complied, now making me a couple of inches shorter than him.
"Let me warm you up," he offered, mistaking my goosebumps as being cold due to the air conditioned room, but I certainly wasn't going to correct him now.
He pushed the collar of my blouse to the side and started kissing my shoulder. I had to reach out to brace myself against the wall as I sucked in a sharp intake of breath. With my other hand, I grabbed onto his coat. I flung my head back and to the side, allowing complete access, feeling his tongue working its way up my neck. I felt him smile as he pulled me as close as two people, still fully clothed, could get to each other. I grabbed the back of his head, tangling my fingers through his hair.
Then he stopped and stepped back and I almost buckled from the sudden loss of support. He placed a hand on my shoulder and turned me so I could face him, backing me against the wall, leaning in to kiss me.