I was stranded! And I couldn't believe my luck. The entire morning had been rush rush rush...and here I stand beside a man who had already rubbed me the wrong way on several occasions, yet he was still practically a stranger. Yes, I had seen him at other meetings throughout the past few months, and with each encounter I came away feeling that I would dearly love to get him alone one day and tell him exactly what I thought of him. Well, needless to say that old proverb of "Be careful what you wish for" popped into my mind, for here I stood with the most arrogant...and the most good looking man I had ever had the misfortune to run across.
It had been raining as I parked my car and ran into the fifteen-story building. The meeting was to start promptly at nine-o'clock. I nearly dropped my briefcase and my whole week of preparations to present. I panicked as I grabbed it and dashed into the building literally running across the lobby to catch the elevator. I felt like a drowned rat as I breathed a sigh of relief knowing that I would make it in time.
The elevator was crowded and seemed to crawl through each floor slower than what I remembered from this building...one, two, three...and finally stopping at the sixth floor leaving just me and one other person. I looked over and couldn't believe it was 'him'! 'Of all the luck' I thought to myself. It would have to be the one person I could not stand. As usual he had an arrogant air and I could feel myself bristling as a cat arching it's back. He acted as though I were not even there.
Suddenly, as the doors closed and the elevator started to move on its way up to the ninth floor....it jerked several times and finally stopped....no movement now at all. I know the sheer horror must have shown on my face. My eyes widened as I looked over at him. I could see the sudden alarm on his face as well
I hated elevators to begin with, actually I hated any type of confinement. I have always been this way and now I could feel myself shaking as I leaned against the metal wall and held onto the rail. He watched me and then spoke. His tone surprised me for he was not the egotistical and usual disgusting person as in the previous meetings. He showed genuine concern.
"I'm sure this is temporary. Things like this happen all the time." He tried to smile but it didn't quite reach through my fear.
"Ummmm do...do you think we should use the phone...you know...to call for help?"
He continued to smile and said, "Yes, that's a good idea."
I held my briefcase even closer to me as if it could somehow save me from this situation. Instinctively I backed away from his closeness, although there really was not far to go in the confines of an elevator. He smiled at my discomfort of his nearness. I couldn't help but think...'If you only knew how I felt about you.' He was once again the 'take charge' guy as he attempted several times to use the phone that hung securely on the wall in the box. But for some reason it was not working. He tried and tried and slammed it down with a few expletives about "damn equipment".
He turned to look at me and calmed down a bit. "Guess we'll have to wait to be rescued."
I nodded at him and as he reached out to take my briefcase, I could feel myself physically shaking with tears threatening.
"My name is Lance," he said pointing to the top of the elevator..."Just like the name of this broken down piece of shit. I know I've seen you at meetings before but we've not been properly introduced." He smiled and suddenly he seemed like a totally different person than he did standing before an entire room of people expressing his opinions.
Although I couldn't quite smile, I took his extended hand... which was so strong and warm.
"Hi back...I'm Elaine."
He set my briefcase down beside of his and he could still see the fear and my discomfort.
"Afraid of elevators...or is it me?"
I was stunned at his question making me even more aware that he knew I had found him quite offensive in the past.
"I, ummm I...." What was wrong with me? I couldn't even seem to talk to the man. His effect on me was different from the past...or was it? For I had always found him attractive but then, I had never been quite 'this' close to him either. He had the most gorgeous looking eyes that made me want to melt. Yes, the elevator situation definitely had unnerved me, but not nearly as much as being this close to a man that I abhorred only to realize that the 'fine line' between not liking and liking someone had been so thin. I was attracted to him and never would admit it to myself.
When I looked back up into his eyes, it was if he could tell all the emotions that were going on within my head. His smile said a lot. What I didn't realize was that he too found me quite attractive...and he was looking at my trembling lips now. I would start to speak, and then stop. He took a step closer to me and reached out to hold me. I welcomed his arms for I was scared, but now, as he held me....everything felt 'right'. And I realized that the only real thing to be afraid of ....was myself....my feelings and what he brought out in me. My heart was beating faster and faster. I was still shaking, but not from fear. Did he know 'why' I was so nervous?
His arms continued to hold me and then I felt his hand rubbing up and down my back making me relax and welcome his touch. I had my eyes closed as I leaned against him never realizing that he was watching me in the reflective metal as he soothed and comforted me. He pulled me with him as he took several steps backward and leaned against the wall. I did not see his face ...but his hands began to move up and down my back...moving to my hips. I moved slightly as one hand began to play with my hair. Did I moan? Or was it my imagination?
