It was one of those Thursdays when the entire office is so busy that everyone is submerged in a sea of deadlines. Workers weaved in and out of cubicles like a school of fish, scattering and gathering in an unspoken fluster of activity leading them towards the inevitable and cathartic end to the workweek. I had immersed myself in the task of writing out the latest quarterly travel reports and a rapid knock on the wall of my space jolted me back to reality as a messenger walked up to me with a small and slender package in tow.
"You Anna Traymor?" says the invader of my space with a wink.
"Yes, I am." I push my glasses up and look him square in the eye. This kid is way out of his league.
"Sign here. Date here. Initial here." He blurts out along with that annoying sound of smacking gum.
I quickly picked up the pen fastened to the clipboard, signed off and sent him on his way. I nonchalantly ducked back down into my cubicle away from prying eyes and untied the striped packing twine around the parcel, curious of its contents. I peel away the brown paper wrapping to reveal a black envelope attached to a red box. On the envelope in gold ink is a small flame. This is your mark, as I love it and know it well. The thin pink flame shaped scar embossed on my inner thigh forever marks me as yours.
I stand up and look straight to your windowed office. You're not there. Panicked, I frantically search for you in the sea of faces. I know you're watching me, but from where? I know I will pay for this later, but I must see those eyes of yours.
Pierce me, conquer me, but for Christ's sake don't deny me!
I feel the throb of lust and that familiar clench below my navel as I open the envelope to reveal the note inside:
You look stressed.
You have three minutes to prepare.