I needed a house. I hate sales people--unless, of course, Iâm doing the selling.
Iâd taken a new job, moved across country and was juggling my time between the demands of a new boss and the need for a place to live. The wife stayed behind to continue her job until she could join me. I donât like the games realtorsâ play. So, I wouldnât sign their agreements without crossing out some parts and had at least three of them looking at houses for me. I made sure they all knew it. I was considering some very upscale neighborhoods and the price tags (and commissions) were out of sight.
One of the realtors was Kathleen. I estimated her at age 40, with beautifully kept dark hair. She stood about 5â4.â I estimated 125 pounds. Then there was her eyes--not just blueâchina blueâsteel blueâsky blue, I never could tell. They seemed to change with the situation.
On the negative side she was married. She and her husband owned the agency, which I learned had only 5 sales people. However, they probably did quite well as the agency concentrated only on the high-end houses. She drove me around town in the biggest Buick I had ever seen. She always looked so coolly business-like in her well-tailored pants suits carrying her little briefcase. Her black hair shone and her blue eyes constantly assessed meâthe mark of a good sales person, always watching always thinking, trying to peer into my brain to gain her advantage. I know. Iâm in sales also. I got all kinds of ideas, but unfortunately she not only had a big car, she also had that big diamond on her finger. I told myself to calm down and concentrate on the house. After all, there are a lot of beautiful women, and one should not mix money and getting laid.
After two weeks of looking, I had it down to two houses. As luck would have it, one was Kathleenâs listing. I really liked both houses. I also convinced myself that I really did like her house because it was a good deal and not because of her. (And I think that is true) I took a Friday off, determined to make a decision. I looked at the first house in the morning, and then met Kathleen after lunch. She was good. She didnât bug me, as she knew by now that I was as familiar as she with the house. I roamed, and she stayed in the den.
Upstairs, I made up my mind to take it. The house still had the previous ownerâs furniture as they had to move quickly. I had the price I wanted so there was nothing to do but walk down stairs and sign. Kathleen and I sparred for days. She made all the classic moves to close, and I deftly parried. I admired her style. She was good, so subtle in her sales techniques, yet effective. But what the hell I thought. I might want to try one more offer. A couple of thousand more wouldnât hurt. Besides itâs fun, and I held all the cards. Iâd made sure she knew that Iâd been with the other realtor that morning. Plus, I knew I wanted the house. She could not know for sure. As I came down the stairs, she was sitting on a custom-made bar stool looking through a window at the pool. She turned and looked into my eyes as always, trying to see if she had a deal--light blue they were--the gaze steady. I put on my best, perplexed look. âI donât know,â I said shaking my head.
I could imagine the little calculator wheels turning in her head. I waited. Her move. Sheâd soon give me an opening, then Iâd name a new âfinalâ price. Sheâd excuse herself to phone to the owners with the new offer. I love the game. âWait here,â she said her eyes narrowed as she went out to the car.
Ten minutes later she was back. She had a bottle of wine in hand. âSorry itâs a little warm from the car, but we need to talk. Open this. Itâs Friday and youâre my last appointment.â I poured into two crystal stems from the ownerâs cabinet. It was an excellent Pinot Noir. âLetâs go upstairs,â she said, her eyes now a darker indeterminate shade. â I think there are a few features you may have missed.â I admired her ass as we went up the stairs. How did she maintain that beautiful crease in the pants? Mine seemed to be so wrinkled. Then there were those small, heeled shoes peaking from the cuffs. So small, so exquisiteâŚno no, I cautioned myselfâŚthis is businessâŚmoney not sex.
Straight to the bedroom. The long golden ray of the late afternoon sun streamed through the wooden blinds casting her trim little body in sharp relief. Highlights danced in her hair. She crossed to the window, and fixing me with her now china blue eyes turned the mechanism that made them close.
â I suppose youâve noticed the beautiful view from here?â