Mia felt unreservedly sexy. Her short, turquoise chiffon dress clung to her curves and whispered provocatively as she walked. She'd let her hair down and some strappy sandals lent a welcome extra two inches to her otherwise average height. It may have been just an office Christmas party but the wine flowed freely and the DJ had everyone in a relaxed, social mood.
It was the kind of night when anything could happen, if one was bold enough. Six months without so much as a date was far too long. But first, she had to duck upstairs to fetch a cardigan. The summer evening air was still warm enough for a sheen of sweat to glisten on her exposed cleavage but she knew it would cool quickly now the sun had set.
The office was deserted. The lights were off but enough moonlight came in the windows to find her way easily enough. She swiped her card to gain access to the open-plan area where she worked and was surprised to see a desk light on in the far corner. It was James.
"Aren't you coming down for the party?" she asked when she got closer.
James looked up from his screen. "Soon," he said distractedly. "I'm just warming up with some porn first".
Mia raised an eyebrow but knew better than to take anything James said seriously. She walked over to her own cubicle and grabbed the cardigan draped over her chair.
"Nice dress," said James from behind her.
Mia turned around to see he had swivelled in his chair to casually appraise her. Something in his gaze made her feel self-conscious and a little under-dressed. She held her cardigan tightly to her chest.
"Did it not come in floral print?" he asked.
"I don't always wear florals!" she retorted, shyness forgotten.
"If you say so," he said mildly. "Are you still trying to seduce that poor accountant?"
James had teased Mia incessantly about Stanley ever since she mentioned she thought he was good looking. "Maybe," she replied non-committally. Then she sighed. "Even if I was, it would do me no good. He hasn't even noticed me tonight."
James frowned sympathetically. "I told you, you need to be more obvious with your flirting. No-one can tell the difference between your business face and your flirty face."
"I am being obvious. I'm not even wearing underwear at the moment!" Mia suddenly blushed as she realised what she had revealed. James would probably never let her live it down.
"Well. Aren't you a naughty girl," he said in surprise. "Did you bend over for him?"
"Yes. Several times," she said grumpily. "He didn't even look."
"Huh." James frowned again and thought for a moment. "Maybe you were doing it wrong. Show me what you did."
Mia hesitated for a moment. But James was impossible to offend or embarrass so why should she care what he thought of her? At least he could be relied upon to give his honest (if blunt) opinion. She sauntered over to the desk beside his and stood side-on to him. Then she leaned over and rested her elbows on the desk, flicked her long hair back and gave him a provocative stare.
"Oh, yes," he murmured appreciatively. "That's a good amount of butt-cheek right there."
Mia started to feel hot under his intense gaze.
"You lack some finesse, of course," James continued. "But that's endearing, really."
"It's not like I've had much practice at this," she objected.
"Of course not. That's why I said 'endearing'". He leaned back in his chair and admired the view some more.
Mia glanced curiously at his computer screen, which was filled with numbers and charts. "That doesn't look like porn!"
"Oops, you got me," James admitted. "Please don't tell anyone I'm working late -- I have a reputation to maintain, you know."
Mia rolled her eyes and didn't deign to reply.
"I think I know what your problem with Stanley is, anyway."
"You do?"
"Yes. He's probably afraid you'll complain about sexual harassment if he makes a move."
Mia stood up and put her hands on her hips indignantly. "That's ridiculous! I have never complained about sexual harassment."
"You're always threatening to complain to HR about me," James said pointedly.
"That's for being annoying. I wouldn't report a guy for hitting on me unless I'd specifically told him he was unwelcome."
"Hmm." James gave her a calculating look. "Are you saying that if I put my hand up your skirt right now, you wouldn't complain?"