Author's note: This is a slight revision of Business and Pleasure: Part II, posted on July 19, 2003. After nearly a year's hiatus from the story, I have decided to return to it, fix up the place a little β cleaning up any grammar and inconsistency mistakes it may have had β and hopefully finishing it. Or at least adding to it. So enjoy, if you haven't already, and write me, even if you have already. It's your feedback that helped me return, and it's your feedback that will help me continue.
Part II: The Hammond Account
The lines between business and pleasure continue to blur.
Chapter 1
Leah knew something was going on between Mrs. Giuliani and Mr. Carter. Three weeks had passed since the restructuring process, and in that time, the two had taken a few too many long "lunch meetings," and at least three times a week, the new Italian boss had called Kevin in for an "emergency planning meeting," asking Leah to hold her calls.
Leah might have been blonde, but she certainly wasn't stupid. The idea that the two of them were carrying on an affair in the office didn't sit well with the 24-year-old. She had known Kevin for several years now, ever since she started here, and had always liked him. He possessed all the upstanding qualities that she found attractive and appealing in a man: he was genuine, kind, hard-working, and loving. If he wasn't married, she would have pursued him herself.
It didn't help matters that she knew Kevin's pretty wife. They weren't good friends, but they worked out at the same gym, and Leah had eaten dinner at the Carters on more than one occasion. When Mrs. Giuliani first started working here, Leah had let it slip that she knew Karen. The stunning Italian hadn't said anything at the time, but it was one of the first things to come up after the fateful business trip to Atlanta.
"You said that you knew Mrs. Carter?" the Italian asked, off-handedly.
"Yes, a little. She works out at my gym. We bump into each other from time to time."
The olive-skinned woman nodded. "Interesting. What kind of woman is she?"
"Karen? She's a very friendly woman. Pretty, too. She always greets me with a smile, and I always feel very comfortable around her." She doesn't intimidate me like you do, the blonde almost added, biting her tongue.
"I see..." Adrianna said, lost in thought. How could she phrase this without sounding suspicious? "I've been talking to Kevin and... I'm a little concerned about his home life. How do I say this?" she hesitated, playing off the language barrier that didn't really exist. "Has Karen been hanging around with anyone more than normal at the gym? Another man, perhaps?" She had to see if her suspicions β the same ones she planted in Kevin's head over the weekend β were founded.
Leah thought a moment, then shook her head. "No, no more than usual." This was the first time that Leah began to suspect something more than a business relationship between the Kevin and her boss, and because at the time it seemed ludicrous, she took the question at face value. "Actually, she's begun to work with a new personal trainer more often. Guy named... Joe. Younger guy. Very fit."
Adrianna nodded.
"Why? Do you think Karen's having an affair? That's pretty crazy. I've seen Kevin and her together. If you saw them, you'd know how impossible that would be."
Still in thought, the brunette nodded, then shook her head, smiling. "Yes. You are probably right. Forget I asked."
Two weeks later, Leah thought back to that conversation and wondered if maybe her shrewd boss was up to something. She always liked to think the best of people, but she couldn't trust this woman.
Chapter 2
This has to stop
, Kevin thought once again as he entered Adrianna's office, locking the door. This affair had gone on long enough, he reasoned, and it was tearing his life apart. Not only did he dread coming to work, but he dreaded going home. And because of all the doubt swimming around in his head, he couldn't even find comfort in Karen's arms, too busy was he wondering if she was taking her own comfort in another.
Adrianna was in the shower room when he came in, dumping himself in the couch against the wall. It had been two weeks since the weekend in Atlanta. At first, Kevin tried to fool himself into thinking that what happened there was a one-time thing. The two were far from home, away from their own lovers, and sought comfort in one another's arms. It was a thing of passion. That was all.
But Monday morning, Adrianna had called Kevin in for an "emergency meeting," which turned into an hour long romp on her wide desk. Kevin couldn't help himself. Adrianna was like a wet dream come to life. No man could resist her.
He returned home to Karen, exhausted both mentally and physically. When she wanted to fool around, he gave her the "I'm too tired tonight," line and wandered to bed. The next night was the same. After that, she hadn't asked again.
But now, things had to stop. Fucking Adrianna was some of the best sex he'd ever had in his life, and possibly ever would have, but morality was finally catching up with him.
He heard the door open and close and looked up. Adrianna stood before him in the door frame, posing.
Adrianna was leaning casually against the doorframe. She held one hand behind the long, dark waves of her hair, resting on her elbow. The other hand sat on her cocked hip, emphasizing her already luxurious curves. She was nude save for buff silk stockings held up by a rich-looking cream garter belt, matching high heels, and a golden pendant necklace that dangled just above her full breasts. Kevin's eyes wandered her body, his resolve shattering at the presence of her deep and flawless complexion and the dark satin sheen of her exposed skin. They traced up the long lengths of her shapely legs, her fit thighs, her pronounced hips. Her entire body was the color of creamy mocha: from her soft, flat stomach to the prominent globes of her breasts to the shaven skin around her stylized bush. In Kevin's mind, she was perfection incarnate.
How could he refuse this living goddess?
"I... I..." he stuttered as she began to saunter her way across the room, her breasts bouncing just enough to cause Kevin to gulp, feeling how dry his throat was.