I was at one of my industry's larger annual conventions. As head of operations for the company and a featured speaker, I was well known and was constantly being stopped and engaged in conversation.
At one point during the conference, I had to step out to help my leadership team deal with a potentially damaging event back at the main operations center. I was completely in my element. My team settled quickly, responding to their leader who knew his shit, who remained calm in the face of adversity. Once I'd listened to the issues and their proposed solutions, I asked the senior most of my leadership team which solution she recommended and why. This not only gave her skin in the game, but also the clear message that I valued her views and opinions and gave her the chance to lead in front of the larger operations group.
There was one point where all had dropped off but my senior leader. She thanked me for being able to break free, listen to the issues and their proposed solutions and for openly showing the confidence in her in front of the larger team. I made a comment "sometimes leading is more than just knowing when to get out of the way, sometimes it means letting someone else take the lead" (that was maybe 20 min in).
When I hung up, I turned to go back in and there was a younger guy (maybe 10, maybe 15 years my junior), he asked if I meant what I said about leadership. I was a bit pissed he'd eavesdropped but found myself answering "yes I do" almost reflexively.
He simply said "good to know you know how to follow when appropriate" and walked away.
Later in the day was my presentation (there were federal judges, heads of legal departments, CEOs and their accompanying crowd of support staff).
As my presentation drew to a close and shifted to Q&A, the younger guy from earlier stood up in the back and asked "You talk about how to build and lead a world class operations team, what would you say is the key leadership quality needed for such a team?"
I don't why I did it but I used the same statement as before. He smiled knowingly (I just thought because I'd already said it, but found out later it was because he knew then I would submit). He asked how I knew when to follow. I answered "when a superior idea presents itself, a good leader doesn't argue against it, instead embraces it."
Lots of nods and yeahs and that's right from the audience...and to this day I think only he noticed my blush. I felt somehow exposed in that moment, didn't know why, didn't know I was already at one level becoming aware of the chase and that I was the prey.
After the presentation was over and I was gathering my things, I saw the man again as he left. Our gazes met and he held mine...I felt my face flush again and lowered my gaze. I heard his chuckle and saw him turn and leave.
Later that evening most attendees had gone because it was the last day of the conference (only a small contingent stayed behind due to morning flights the next day).
I'd finished up, had dinner, not changing out of my suit but loosening my tie. I went to the bar to have a drink and check if any clients or perspective clients had happened to stay behind. None were there and I sat and ordered a knob creek double neat. As the bartender stepped away, the gentleman from earlier sat down next to me at the bar and commented "interesting and I bet fitting choice in bourbons"
My instant blush told him he had hit the mark. I understood his insinuation immediately and wanted to respond and put him in his place but my mind was at a loss...and I felt my body respond in an embarrassing way...I could feel my cock filling...not full on hard but clearly making me aware of my arousal response kicking in...which heightened my blush.
"I take it you are aware that you are blushing. Are you aware enough to know why? Be assured, I am."
Before I could answer, the bartender returned with my drink and his (though I'd never heard him order). Once the bartender left, the gentleman picked up his drink and slid the napkin over to me saying I needed it.
I felt my body both relax and remain on edge at his departure and wondered just what the fuck was really going on. I though he was coming on to me but he continued walking away so that I wasn't sure...and for the first time in my life, found myself wondering and wishing he hadn't walked away. I tried to shake it off and distract myself by looking around for an available looking woman. A few minutes passed and I went to use the napkin. When I picked it up, there was a room key with a sticky note attached. "Come to My room, 739, I will answer the questions you've been having since we met"
My hands started shaking a bit, i felt like my face was on fire and that everyone could see that I was turned on thinking of a man...thinking of what it meant to be invited to his room, of what it likely meant if I used the key.