Monday was a terminal buzz. A shock to the system. Fake smiles all around. Too much coffee, too many emails. More biting of the tongue.
Tuesday was the cleanup after Monday's catastrophic mess.
Wednesday was even more brutal. My boss was fighting with everyone, and the other women on the floor had to scramble to make amends with other departments. I began to feel my shoulders tighten, and I found myself grinding my teeth on the commute home.
Thursday was the final straw. It was as if nobody had learned anything the rest of the week, and we'd just consciously decided to go around in circles. It was about 4:30pm when my migraine hit, and I knew I had reached my limit. I slunk into my bosses office pinching my furrowed brow and mewed about 'not feeling well'.
Fuck this week, I had thought. Linda Samuels is taking Friday off.
I collected my purse and heavy winter jacket, surreptitiously making a beeline for the back stairs. I didn't feel like running into any coworkers, and explaining myself as they calculated in their head how much of a burden I'd just placed on them. The door swung closed behind me just as I spotted that gossip Jody Miller from the 7th floor. I felt relieved as my boots clunked down the stairs towards freedom. By the time I hit the street a second wind had taken hold, and I had a light bulb moment.
I was going to the gym before I went home!
Now, before you get any ideas about me as some sort of fitness freak, let me explain to you where my gym membership gets put to good use. Sauna, hot tub, steam room.
My membership was purchased with good intentions, but most days I barely got away from my desk for lunch. I couldn't buckle down and commit to a class or program - but man oh man, did I ever love stealing away for those "executive" gym sessions. It was a treat - and probably cheaper than a regular spa appointment.
I nestled my face into the thick collar of my jacket as I braved the harsh December wind, trying to speed up so I could get in and out before anyone from work ambled into Fitness Plus, where our office had been given a corporate discount on memberships. I bustled through the well lit lobby, swiping my card through the doors of the change room, and breathed in the humid, chlorine scented air.
Grabbing a towel, I walked to the far end of the women's change room and took a locker. Off came the winter jacket and boots into a heap, I stuffed them into the minuscule locker and looked around. In relative privacy i pulled my sweater off, and undid the belt on my skirt. As the fabric fell around my ankles, I stood up straight and caught a glimpse of my tiny body in a nearby mirror. My breasts were small, my butt petite and round. I was a simple young brunette in a nude bra and white cotton panties. It was weird how awkward I was about my body. There was a sexual thrill I'd always felt about exposing myself, but an unexplained shame in being seen - if that makes any sense. It had been awhile since I'd had a boyfriend, or sex - there was just so much other stuff I wanted to do before sharing my life with somebody I guess. Though none of that was being accomplished stuck in cubicle land bitching about promotions.
I stuck my chest out as I reached behind to unclasp my bra, leaning forward to pull off the straps and free myself. Without missing a beat, I thumbed my panties down over my thighs, and let them fall to the pile of clothes at my feet. I looked up again into the mirror and felt that ever familiar buzz crawl up my thighs. I watched the reflection as my thumb ran gently over the trimmed thatch of pubic hair spread across my mons. I inhaled and entertained thoughts before a distant clang of a locker brought me back to earth. I swaddled myself in a giant towel and, scampered through the labyrinth of massage rooms to get into the sauna. Sadly, when I got there, I was greeted by a sign and some yellow caution tape warning about renovations. Choosing the next best thing, I slipped into the steam room, immediately feeling my headache begin to lift.
I walked further into the blinding steam, slowly settling on the bench as my eyes tried to adjust. I took a deep breath of the scorching air, and melted against the tiled wall. Exhaling, I looked down at my feet and contemplated a pedicure before catching a movement across from me in the mist. First there was a toe, and a foot, then a finely muscled calf. The clouds of steam seemed to part as my eyes travelled upwards, unveiling this strangers body to me. By the time I found a face, and made eye contact I felt a deep blush across my body. The woman gave me a friendly smile and a nod, which I politely returned before looking away. Locker room etiquette carried on into the steam room I thought to myself, though as time passed I found my eyes darting back to the unknown woman's form.
Whether she appreciated my gaze, or was moving towards comfort - my curiosity was soon rewarded as her hand undid the knot holding her towel in place, and the terrycloth fell open.
My face centred and looked upon the sight in front of me. This woman was clearly a committed gym member. Her chest was full but tight, wide brown nipples standing at attention even in the heat. Her stomach knit into a criss cross of muscles, and her thighs looked to be thick, sinewy power. What kept my focus though was the dense mess of dark curls between her legs. Though trimmed, her pubes were an overwhelming presence on her manicured frame. I felt myself staring too long at her bush.
It was weird to me though, that her curls felt simultaneously masculine and feminine, and I as my body began to loosen in the heat, I found myself wondering what it would be like to... to taste her.
Almost as if on command, the stranger across from me began to slowly spread her legs. I nearly died as I watched her labia come into view. What could have been a simple, innocent moment was now becoming a gesture of sexual intent. When her hand moved to touch her lower lips, that intent became clearer.
