The next morning Marsha rises early and meets her friends for breakfast. Her oldest friend gently scolds her for disappearing the night before.
'Where did you get to last night?' she queries.
'Oh I just wanted to get an early night,' Marsha tries to cover up.
'But didn't you leave the bar with that Carl?' her friend insists.
'Oh, well yes but we just had a dance and then I left him.'
'Hmm, well I hope you did. Anyway, what are you doing today?'
Marsha explains that she wants to attend one or two of the morning sessions, but after lunch she may take a walk to the beach.
'You didn't come here to sunbathe,' her friend scolds again.
'Just a little walk, I won't be long.' Her friend isn't completely satisfied with this but Marsha manages to change the subject and they talk about other things.
The morning sessions pass slowly. There are presentations on treatment techniques and on restorative filling materials. The only one of any real interest to Marsha is a presentation on UV curing adhesives for dental veneers. This form of reconstructive procedure is becoming increasingly popular, not least because of the ridiculous American make-over programmes that people see on satellite TV.
By lunchtime Marsha is ready for her walk. As she heads out she notices the exhibitors' room and decides to have a quick look around. There are all the usual displays and vendors and Marsha is slowly browsing the stands when she spots Carl standing by his company's stand. He is sideways-on to her and so doesn't see her. Marsha hesitates and considers whether to approach or to run and hide. She doesn't know if she can face meeting him. But she tells herself not to be so foolish, she can't spend the whole time avoiding him and so she decides it's better to get it over with now. Besides, he will have to be nice to her here in front of his customers.
As Marsha approaches, Carl turns towards her and immediately their eyes meet. Almost instantly she feels herself locked into the traction beam of his gaze. It's as if he is drawing her to him.
'Hi,' he says in his deep, soft voice, 'I missed you when you left last night.'
'Yes, I'm sorry, I had to...,' but Marsha doesn't know how to finish.
'Really, it's OK. I understand.'
'You do?' Marsha is a little surprised.
'Come here,' Carl gently takes her elbow and moves her back onto the stand away from the small group of people. They are in front of a display with their backs to the room and Carl continues, 'I'm sorry if I was too forward last night. It's just, well I find you very attractive and I thought you liked me too. I'm sorry I misunderstood.
Marsha can hardly believe how gracious he is being. 'He's apologising to me!' she thinks to herself, 'It was me who ran out on him.' Out loud she reassures him that she is sorry too. It wasn't his fault. But things are a little complicated.
'I know. You don't want to be unfaithful to your husband,' Carl offers, 'I understand, and I think you are a good wife. He's a lucky man.'
Shyly Marsha admits that he's right and that she shouldn't have gone to his room with him. But then she confesses that she does like him too, and that part of her wanted to kiss him, even though she knows it's wrong.
Carl laughs gently at this and they talk for a while. Then Carl announces, 'Look, my company is hosting a private party tonight in the penthouse suite. To show there are no hard feelings I'd love for you to come.' Marsha looks unsure and Carl adds quickly, 'There will be a lot of people there, you'll be safe from any unwanted advances from me,' he smiles and Marsha is reassured.
'Yes. I'd love to come.'
'Wonderful, around nine then?'
'Nine, OK, see you then,' Marsha leaves and as she does so she looks back. Carl is watching her and he waves and smiles. Marsha thinks he really is very handsome.
Marsha spends the afternoon walking and sitting by the beach. Her thoughts keep returning to Carl, his eyes and his sensuous voice. She is definitely looking forward to being with him again tonight. And she tells herself it will be good not to have the temptation of being alone with him.
Marsha is sitting in a café on the edge of the beach. She is alone at her table but there are people all around. She smiles to herself and starts to imagine a similar scene at the party. Carl would be at her table with her. They would be talking and sitting close. Carl would be telling her how beautiful and sexy she looks. His hand would rest on her thigh. She would admit that she finds him to be very attractive and he would move his hand to her knee. She would feel the heat of his palm through the sheer nylon of her stockings. It would make her gasp a little.
Noticing her reaction Carl would ask, 'You like my touch, don't you?'
'Yes,' Marsha would reply in almost a whisper.
'You liked it when I touched you last night, didn't you?'
'Yes'
'I'm going to do it again, now, here. And you can't complain or make a fuss or all these people will know what I'm doing and they will think you are wicked.'
Carl's hand would then move up her thigh, slipping under her skirt and on up past the tops of her stockings. When his hand makes contact with the skin of her inner thigh, Marsha would start and gasp. Carl would stop and gently pinch her flesh making her whimper in pain and desire.