I went home and spent several nervous hours trying to remain calm despite the butterflies which were bouncing around inside me. Several times I had to convince my wife that nothing was wrong, so clearly I was not handling the events of the day very well.
What little sleep I had was punctuated by periods of staring at the roof, trying to calm my overactive mind. I had dozens of thoughts travelling through my head. How would my relationship with Sara change? How uncomfortable would the workplace be?
The longer I went without sleep, the crazier the questions became. What if my wife found out? What if Sara told everyone? Could I even go back to work?
Eventually I was woken by the 6:30 alarm. It was Friday morning and time to get up. I briefly thought about turning over and going back to sleep, but the reality was it would only be worse if I then had the weekend to stew over the whole thing.
I needed to get up, go to work and see how things were going to be with Sara.
There would be no wearing hose under my trousers today though.
Often Sara gets to work before me, but on this day I was so full of nervous energy that I left home early and arrived before she did. I sat at my desk, booted the PC, checked my emails and tried desperately to follow normal daily routine in an attempt to calm my nerves.
Sitting at my desk I can usually hear when people come down the long hall. However to see who's coming I have to turn to my left to look down the hall.
While reading an email newsletter I heard someone coming down the hall. My heart started to jump out of my chest, but I kept reading. The footsteps got louder and I recognized the steps. It was Sara coming and I took a quick peek to confirm.
She was as usual walking with headphones on, lost in her music, and when passing my desk she said Good Morning. I didn't have the balls to look at her as she walked past, but from the quick peek earlier I could see she was dressed in a shortish skirt with coloured tights.
I managed a 'Morning' reply, but that was the last interaction we had for a while.
I kept busy at my desk, doing anything and everything to avoid getting up and crossing paths with her. This was proving to be very awkward for me. I couldn't see myself ever coming to work hosed ever again.
"So Dave, can you help me with this stupid program again....I cant get the report to generate the right data." Sara appeared to be ready to get straight back to work, so taking her lead, I got up, walked over and sat on the seat next to her.
"What's going on, computer not working as it should?"
"Well I haven't had coffee yet, so it could be me, but I cannot get the correct data to display on the report. It tells me "no data selected".
"I see. Well what dates are you running the report for?"
Sara showed me the date fields, and I immediately saw the problem. "You are trying to report on last weeks figures, but I haven't uploaded that data yet."
"Oh," she said. "Usually you have this done by Thursday afternoon...."
It came out like a question. Like she was asking what happened yesterday which prevented the usual workflow.
I had completely overlooked this usual task yesterday as I floundered in disbelief at being discovered.
Momentarily lost for words, I was saved when Sara placed a hand on my leg and said "Never mind, just tell me when you've done it and I'll try again."
She took her hand off quickly placed it on her mouse.
I jumped up far too quickly to hide the nervousness that her touch provoked in me, while letting out a quietish "OK".
Sitting back at my desk my thoughts wandered far from the actual work I was supposed to do. Was she feeling for hose when she touched me? She has always been a touchy feely kind of person, and I had always enjoyed the contact, but for the moment at least, the dynamic had changed.
Yesterday she was so forward. I still can't believe what she did with her hands.
I was totally confused. Initially I was petrified heading into work. My secret was now out with Sara and the embarrassment was almost paralyzing me. Yet the day came and went without a mention of what had happened. I didn't know how to broach the subject with her, and she didn't seem to be interested in it either.
We went about our work as if it never happened.
Our offices have an unusual setup. My office has a door which leads to a hallway and some open plan space, but you have to walk through my office to access Sara's. My office is the only way in or out of there.
The next week Sara suggested we meet in the back office for a half hour or so on Friday afternoon.
My adrenaline started to pump as I teased myself with all sorts of variations about what she may say or do.
Despite us being good mates at work, there was no way I was going to wear any hose that week - perhaps not ever again - such was my confusion and fear about what Sara might do or say.
......
Friday rolled around, and like most days at work Sara looked stunning. She wore a thigh length dress and light tan pantyhose with a pair of low heels.
4:15 came around and almost all of the department had gone. Most workers started early to finish at 4pm, so it was just Sara and I left.
I had the most crazy butterflies as I made my way into the back office where she was sitting at her desk.
Hearing me come in, she softly said "Shut the door".
I shut the door behind me, and leaned back against it.
Nervously I started with 'What a week, hey'.
Sara looked up and gave me a short polite smile. 'Dave we need to talk I think. Don't you agree?'
And with that, the moment had arrived. Our relationship was about to change because of a chance discovery the previous week.
Before I could think of a response, she continued.
"How long have we worked together Dave, 10 years?"
"um, almost" I stuttered.
"And for how long of those 10 years have you been wearing pantyhose. And more to the point, given how I dress, how long have you been secretly drooling over my legs?"
Wow, I thought. Is this actually happening. I couldn't respond. I mean, there had been many many days when I watched her come into work and thought how super sexy she looked. And many days where I couldn't help but sneak a peek at her nylon covered legs.
My throat was dry. I couldn't get a word out if I tried.
"Well," I stammered.
'Uh uh.' She raised a finger 'Don't answer that'
Sara stared at me with a serious look which suggested I was in some serious trouble.
"From here on Dave, we are going to have a couple of rules in the office for you to follow.
Firstly we are going to meet weekly on Fridays at 4:15pm, right here. Just you and me."
'Um, ok' is all I could get out.
Sara maintained the serious look for a short while and then let loose a big grin from ear to ear.
At that instant it dawned upon me - Sara was fucking with me.