We settled in the suite and unpacked. Dennis ordered dinner complete with a nice bottle of Napa Cabernet. We sat and chatted the evening away and finished off the bottle. We shared some life histories and a little too much of our personal lives. By that time I had decided he was an extremely attractive man, inside and out, that I was sexually attracted to him, and most importantly I could screw up the great job I had if I was stupid. I was unsure about what was going to happen next so I took control, and kissed his cheek good night. He grabbed my arm to stop me.
"We need to talk." It wasn't a request.
"About what?" I asked.
"You and me. Listen, you are the best thing that ever happened to this company and especially my place in it. I have grown entirely dependent on you. You are smart, efficient, great with the staff and the customers, you anticipate everything. Don't take this wrong but sometimes I have a problem thinking about you in a way that is much different than during the work day. Maybe it's the wine but I wanted to tell you how incredibly fond of you I am and how indecently attracted to you I am. There I've said it. If you are not in the same place I am I understand and nothing more will ever be said or done. Your place and job are secure either way."
I was floored so I had to trust my instincts.
"Dennis did you just hit on me? Well that's a silly question. Of course you did. Considering the alcohol I am not sure what to say right now. Can I think about how I feel and what my response will be for a while and we can talk again. I am a little overwhelmed, flattered, and considering the current arrangements, obviously vulnerable. I have to consider Peter and Mandy as well as our working relationship. I hope that is not a discouraging answer. It isn't a no, because I am attracted to you. It isn't a yes because I would need to deal with the other effects. I hope you understand."
We were looking at each other pretty intensely. At that moment I could have fallen into his arms and pleaded with him to make love to me. But...
I went to my room and closed the door. I masturbated in the bathroom with my toy and all I could think of was Dennis. I got ready for bed in my little pajama top and got under the covers. Sleep did not come. All I could think about was Dennis and the things I wanted to do to him and had never done with Peter, and all I would demand from him.
About 2:30 I came to a decision. Without anything more than my pajama top on I went to his room and slowly opened the door. I learned something immediately - he slept in the nude. In the ambient light I looked at his muscular body, the shape of his hip and leg sticking out from the sheet, and his nicely haired chest above. All I wanted to do was carefully slide into the king bed with him and fall asleep with the knowledge that whatever we decided would be fine. I chickened out and returned to my room.
The alarm came too soon and I decided it had been a good idea to stay in my room. As it was a work day I put on jeans and a company polo. I must admit I looked pretty hot.
When I came to the kitchenette for coffee Dennis was already there and dressed in jeans and a similar polo.
"I must admit you look a lot better than I do in this outfit."
I dodged it. "What's for breakfast?"
"I thought we could go downstairs and eat in the restaurant like real people and then go off to the conference center. Bring all our stuff."
I gathered up all the papers for the setup and my laptop and off we went.
After breakfast we walked over to the conference center and located our booth. Our boxes were already stacked there. I did a quick inventory from my checklist and happily everything had arrived. We spent the morning working together to sort out the booth and all the signage. About 1:00 the rest of the gang arrived. I took Paul aside and told him about the sleeping arrangements and, being the dirty old man that he is, he made some smarmy remark.
I ignored him as I always did, after I punched his arm pretty hard.
We broke for lunch and they all went to check in and met us at the café for lunch. The afternoon was spent finishing the setup.
The conference was a success for us. We managed to land some new business and solidify some older relationships for the future. Paul and Dennis kept their distance like good boys. We were all extremely up about the results and shared a great dinner Friday evening to celebrate. Late Saturday morning we all packed up the booth, arranged for the shipping, and got everyone off to the airport making some excuse about flying out later. I checked us out and they pulled up the rental car which the bellman loaded for us. I thanked the manager for his hospitality and told him how much we enjoyed the stay.
Dennis got behind the wheel and we were off. I must say I was a little anxious. Here I was with the guy I had sexual fantasies about and we were 1500 miles from home. Not only that, but I must have trusted him - I hadn't even considered where we were going to sleep for the next two nights.
We drove down I-95 to Miami and picked up the Dixie Highway (US 1) in Coral Gables. All the way Dennis was pointing out local sites. We passed through Palmetto, Princeton and Florida City and what was once Homestead.
"Where are we going?"