This is a work of fiction, none of the people are real. Everyone engaged in sexual activity is an adult over 18-years of age.
Cindy Thompson was trying desperately to control her heartrate and breathing. The 34-year-old wife and mother of twins was in a crisis of her own making, and she was terrified there was no way out...
The Story;
Cindy had met and fallen in love with Rick Thomas their junior year of college. He was fun, energetic, and made her laugh like nobody else. He thought of fun ways to surprise her and always seemed to know how to best show her he cared. Sometimes they would just take long walks on Sunday afternoon or sneak into one of the empty classroom buildings on campus where they would just sit, talking for hours. He was handsome and kind, which in college was a rare combination. Her parents loved him, and first sight and his family were smitten with her as well. Rick's sister Kathy once said, only half-jokingly, "If he ever breaks up with you, we're sure going to miss him."
By the middle of their last semester Rick landed an entry level job with major investment firm on the west coast. Cindy had earned a degree in education and began looking for teaching jobs in Orange County, close to Rick's assignment in Anaheim. She was hired by a local school district to teach 7th grade math. To celebrate their mutual new employment Rick took her out to a special dinner in San Clemente, overlooking the Pacific. Right before dessert he got down on one knee and asked for her hand in marriage. As per Rick, the ring was gorgeous, just under two carats and set in the gold band that was his paternal grandmother's. Cindy cried tears of joy, violently embraced Rick with all her might while whispering in his ear, "Yes, yes, forever yes" as the patrons around them exploded into applause.
Fast forward 9 years. Cindy was 32 and the mother of twins, Michael, and Sara. They were 6 years old. Cindy was still teaching but growing tired of the low pay and long hours. While she loved some aspects of the job, being away from her family and putting up with idiot parents convinced her, enough was enough. Both she and Rick were very good with finances so Cindy could step away from her teaching job even if it took her a year to land on her feet. It only took five months and it happened by random chance.
Cindy had kept in touch with her best friend in college, Kelly. They met their freshman year and immediately hit it off. They ended up being roommates all four years. After graduation they lived together during Cindy's 9-month engagement to Rick. If Cindy was fun-loving and adventurous, Kelly was a hurricane! It would be tough to say Kelly took risks, because Kelly didn't seem to know the meaning of the word. Along with her free-spirit, Kelly was absent any sense of planning or long-term thinking. She enjoyed the moment and rarely if ever thought, "maybe I should stop and consider how this could turn out." Without any, "look before you leap" DNA Kelly had led them on many an adventure. Fortunately for Kelly, she had Cindy to balance her and look out for her. More than once, Cindy had dragged Kelly away from potential disaster. Kelly's anger would flair up in the moment and later she would thank Cindy for being the friend she loved and needed.
So, it was one of these occasions that Cindy was on hand to pull Kelly's ass out of the fire if need be and, as it turned out, inadvertently set her career on a new course. It was late January when Kelly called Cindy and asked her to be her "date" to a wedding in three weeks. Kelly's boss was getting married in Napa and she had been invited to the festivities. She was excited to party and see what adventure may ensue (including sexual) but she had grown up emotionally and realized it would be better if her wingman was by her side.
"This will be so much fun Cindy," Kelly said, pleading with her pal, "Lots of wine, dancing, and a gaggle good-looking young professionals!"
"Married with twins' sis." (Cindy's nickname for Kelly) "So much fun for whom?"
"Oh, don't be a prude girl," Kelly retorted, "Let that gorgeous blond hair of yours down a bit. Some fun away from Rick and the kids may put a little spring in your step!"
"Rick puts plenty of spring in my step, thank you sis. How about I bring him along?"
"Sorry girlfriend, but the invitation says guest not guests," Kelly replied wondering why her friend couldn't be just a little looser every once and a while.
Cindy finished their chat by promising to check with Rick and get back with her. Later that evening, after the kids were down Cindy broached the subject with her husband. His response didn't surprise her. "You better go and keep an eye on her Cinderella." (His pet name for her.) "I'm sure it will be fun. Maybe you can swing by Frogs Leap and pick up a case of their 16 cab for us." When she asked about the kids Rick replied, "I've been wanting to see mom and dad. It's been 4 months since our last visit so I'm sure they'll jump at the chance for a long weekend with their grandkids. Go take care of your pal and enjoy a 'twin-free' weekend babe." She marveled at how she married such a good natured and generous man. (Not to mention hot!) About 10 minutes later she was expressing her appreciation in a very amorous manner! She fucked his brains out off and on for the better part of an hour.
Three weeks later a somewhat frustrated Cindy sat at a table in one of the nicer wineries Napa. She watched Kelly dance with one of the groomsmen who was probably about 8 years younger. As Cindy kept an eye on her rambunctious friend, she chatted with one of the bride's cousins. They were comparing notes about weddings and observed that this one had started late and was generally disorganized. Sally, the cousin, noted offhand, "Somebody could make a killing if they were a great event coordinator!" That got Cindy to thinking as she also contemplated how to pry Kelly away from her 22-year-old dance partner, who clearly wanted to do more than the salsa!
It took about 6 months to set up but Cindy was finally embarking on her new career with her own event planning business, We Plan, You Play. She was by nature an organizer. Her lesson plans and classroom execution were always impeccable so the transfer to weddings, reunions, business meetings and any other gatherings was seamless. She studied several good companies, researched the shit out of what it took to find the right niche and launched into her newfound passion with relentless drive. Two years in, she was thriving on smaller weddings, especially destination weddings along California's beautiful coast. It was then she met Bennett Davis.
Bennett was the owner / operator of three high end boutique hotels, all of which were perfect for destination weddings. Sand Diego, Santa Barbara and the Monterey Peninsula were each home to one of his properties and he had done quite well for himself. He worked hard, had an amazing staff who he paid well and from whom he demanded excellence. He had leveraged everything he had (and then some truth be told) when he was 26 to purchase a rundown 90-year-old mansion in Santa Barbara. He had just enough money and big enough balls to open it on time and barely under budget. His first two years were spent working 100 plus hours, 7 days per week. He almost failed simply because word of mouth, even when complementary, traveled painfully slow. However, by year three he broke even and in his fourth year the profits began to come in. Three years later he opened in San Diego and in another two years the gem in Monterey became a reality.
14 years in he still took his business seriously, worked long and hard hours but was also known to enjoy a good time, especially if it included fine wines, dancing and the opposite sex. Davis was, what women who knew him well described as a "CBNA", confirmed bachelor - not an asshole. He treated people with fairness and honesty even when letting potential female suiters know he was not looking for a long-term relationship. At 40 he was comfortable in his own skin and very much at ease with the life he had built for himself.
And so it was about 16 months prior to Cindy's moment of crisis that Davis Bennet and his head of staff Lori Templeton were meandering through the L.A. Convention Center on South Figueroa attending a gathering of service providers in the hospitality industry. At the end of the third isle, having spotted nothing of real interest yet, they came across Cindy Thomas and her We Plan, You Pay display. Bennett would later tell Cindy privately, he was impressed by her presentation, but it was her bright blue eyes that hinted at a deeply mischievous personality that grabbed his attention. She would later admit (only to him) that she did a very, very subtle double-take when she spotted him because in her words he was "gorgeous but didn't look like a prick." They struck up a conversation that lasted 45 minutes. It was professional but the connection was instantaneous.
He asked tough questions: What was her track record? Who were the key people on her staff? How did she interreact with the property leadership team? What was her worst event and why? Best and why? How did she determine overhead and profit margins? He also managed to toss in a few casual but slightly personal questions. What is your favorite wine? Can you dance worth a flip? Beach or mountains? He noticed her wedding ring, but he was just enjoying a bit of friendly banter while determining if this was someone with whom he wanted to do business.
For her part, she responded enthusiastically to his questions. She could tell he knew his business but didn't seem to take himself too seriously. She also enjoyed the more personal approach he took.
"Pinot Noir, only Willamette Valley and preferably 2014. In particular, Evening Land La Source from Eola-Amity Hills"
