* * Friday * *
The phone screamed. Fuck! Already? It was only a minute ago I'd fallen asleep. I reached for the damn thing and hung it up. I turned. Sheri's greens focused and she smiled. I leaned over and kissed her.
"It was pitifully short but did you sleep well Ma'am?" Phew, I remembered.
"Yes I did. I slept the sleep of the dead as they say. Whatever you did to me last night I slept well." A warm glow spread through me.
"Julia we need to get started here. Put coffee on for us; we need to talk." I got it started while Sheri went to the bathroom. The four cup maker was quick; I had coffee poured when she came out.
"How do you take yours Ma'am?"
"Two Equals and one sugar." I brought it and sat at the round table. I was mildly uncomfortable in my nudity but it seemed not to bother her so I hid it. Sheri sipped as she thought.
"Julia, we have time for breakfast. Bring me the menu; I'll look it over while you're in the bathroom." I never hesitated. I brought it to her and went to the bathroom. I heard her talking. Ordering breakfast for us both? Hmm. I finished and came back. Sheri was sipping, staring idly off into space. I joined her.
"I kept it simple. Scrambled, bacon, toasted rye with butter." I nodded. "It will be delivered at 8 am. So, quickly, before we shower and dress -- when we're working, we're professional. You're the boss and I'm the intern. Clean and simple. We'll have dinner in the hotel tonight. If there are people who ask to join you, you'll tell them we have an agenda to go through and need to be left to ourselves. We'll speak more of this at that time. Any questions?"
"No Ma'am." There was no hesitation in her voice or carriage, simply a quiet confidence that spoke of authority.
I hesitated a moment before asking, "Is everything set for today?"
Her eyes blazed, "Yes of course!" All righty then.
Sheri stood, leaned over and kissed me so goddamn tenderly I wanted to melt. I opened my mouth to her; her tongue darted and teased. She pulled away, touched my cheek softly, her eyes warm, and turned to her room. As quick as the kiss was, that's how quickly I was wet. My god. I heard the shower run. I sipped my coffee and looked at the clock -- 7:15. I sighed, stood, and went to my purse for my makeup. Finding the bag, I placed it on the sink and turned to the shower. I ran the water hot. As I floated through the shower my mind raced. Sheri could turn it off an on in an instant. Curt and soft, cold and tender. Smirk. A taller, younger me. I had to put "me" back on today after being shattered last night. Could I? Yesterday there was only me; now there is her me and my work me. Last night was a blur of sexual ecstasy. Blip on the radar? Glimpse into my future? I swear to God I didn't know. I shuddered, turned off the water, grabbed a towel, and dried as I looked into the mirror, wondering who I was. She smirked at my confusion.
Dressed and made up, the executive me sat at the table with Sheri as we ate. We talked about the day; went over my opening remarks. She would be nearby at all times. Sheri and Linda had choreographed the day to the tiniest detail. She was cool and confident. Her boss was a wreck. Sheri saw it in me, reached and took my hand. She brought it to her lips and kissed it. I wanted her so badly; it shook me to my core.
"Julia! Stop this
now
. Our future depends on this coming off as planned. Don't go all girly on me and blow it." Ice!
She was right of course. I leaned in and kissed her. "Thank you Ma'am. That helped me immensely. I'll be fine."
"I know."
We finished, downed the last of our coffee, picked up our respective portfolios, notebooks, and purses and headed out the door to the elevator, the ballroom, and the rest of my life.
When it came time to give my remarks, Sheri squeezed my hand as the speaker, a District Manager from the most profitable region in the world, finished up. Her eyes were warm; I smiled my thanks, stood and took the podium. I opened the notebook and began. No problem! I was on stage, the boss lady, in my element. I killed it. The applause washed over me.
I went back to the table. I leaned over to her and whispered, "I didn't wear panties, Ma'am." Sheri's eyes flashed hot for just a moment. She smiled brightly and nodded. Gotcha! The dominant can only take what the submissive gives. Last night I had given her everything. Today I was my 'me.' I think I can do this.
The day went on. During lunch, people stopped by the table to congratulate me on my opening remarks and on how smoothly the day was running.
I introduced Sheri. "Sheri is interning with me this semester. She and Linda planned for weeks to make this conference work for all of us. She's got a bright future ahead of her."
My 'seal of approval' gave Sheri cachet she wouldn't otherwise have had. I noticed as the day went on people gravitated to her with questions, comments, and requests. I noticed, amused, that there were more than a few lingering touches on her arm; every one of the women was noted. She was completely professional and coldly dismissive. Sheri's prey was already in her possession; no others were of interest.
I gave a lengthy "State of the Company" address just as lunch finished while people were still alert. Oh, I should mention, there were people, dressed in hotel uniforms, who were keeping track of who was and wasn't present. Included in emails I received after the meeting were notes of "he and she", "she and she", and "he and he" who appeared to and/or did leave with each other. All filed away safely. Just another form of industrial espionage. The expense was buried deep in ledgers no one would pay attention to. It's business darling, relax.