Mark had worked hard for years. He had always aspired to hit the heights of being a partner in the firm with all the money and status that came with it but it had never happened. He had been a rising star who would trample over anyone without thinking to get to the top but since his marriage, his career had fizzled and he hadn't progressed. After 'enjoying' his years of being single, he had settled down and married Joanna. She was a kind-hearted woman and the two of them had set up a solid home. She enjoyed nothing more than a Chinese takeaway in front of the telly with her husband and hated the thought of being out dancing or clubbing. Whilst some of their friends may have enjoyed flashier, more exciting lives, she believed that they were perfectly satisfied.
Mark was popular and well respected at work but people were surprised that others had become more ambitious and cut throat and were overtaking him on the career ladder and he had begun to believe that he would be comfortable and well paid without ever reaching the top. The world of the flash very rich partners in the board room was always just out of reach but Joanna was not bothered as Mark earned decent money and she had no need for more money or status as she has inherited a huge sum from her grandmother who had left her fortune to her rather than her mother who she disapproved of.
Mark had been married now for 3 years but had no children. Life appeared good but Joanna did not enjoy the best of health and was in and out of hospital. What with all the medication she needed, she had gained quite a bit of weight.
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One morning Mark was called into his boss' room for a chat. It started innocuously enough but then the discussion moved on to changes in the business. Some of the key big hitters were being eased out as their time had passed said Tony, his boss, and the business was looking for a new partner. A key client had recommended him. Mark questioned who that could be but was not told. He was told the new partner would be one of 2 people. He was the first option and a hard-nosed experienced woman called Melanie Broad was the other.
They needed to up their percentage of women partners and so Mark immediately thought that she would be the natural choice. She wasn't popular but had a tough uncompromising edge to her and Mark thought she probably was the partners' choice. She was a stern rather unpleasant woman and Mark didn't really like her. His boss told him the decision would be made in just a week or so, it was all going to happen incredibly quickly which seemed odd. The partners wanted a presentation tomorrow as to why he should get the position over her.
He spoke to Joanna that evening and they agreed that he should simply set out what he was good at and not attempt to make comments about Mel as Joanna confirmed that it was not appropriate or nice and it was unprofessional to attack others. He prepared his speech that night and even he had to admit that it was a bit bland.
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The next morning he was nervously sitting in the coffee shop he always went to each day preparing his speech over and over in his mind when he became lost in thought. He was staring at something very intently and his mind drifted away from his speech. Eventually, he heard his name being called. He looked up to find his former work colleague and, uh his mind went blurry, well it was Sally smiling down at him. He had known her for a couple of years at the firm before she had moved on to work for some big shot across town and he knew that she had been married recently.
"I hear you are in the running for partnership, Mark."
"Uh hi Sally. How do you know about it? It is supposed to be a secret."
"I know a lot of the partners quite well and they, you know, like to talk to me." She gave him a funny smile and he felt a bit uncomfortable at what was being implied. "You or Mel I hear."
"Yes that's right, I have not even been pushing for it so it is a surprise but Joanna and I have discussed it and we will see how it goes."
"Sounds far too passive Mark, the partners respect someone who goes out and grabs their chance. Someone with big balls always has the key to success." Mark gulped at her language. "Being Mr Nice Guy won't get it done, the partners will be looking for another big swinger if you know what I mean," she said glancing down.
"Well, wow, well I guess if they want someone nasty or political, Joanna doesn't approve of any of that, Sally."
"No, she doesn't" she said laughing "but Mel will rubbish you in there. She will say you are soft and weak and a bit of a pussy but you're not. I know you are not. You have big..."
"Ok, ok, I get it. If she wants it that badly though, she will probably get it."
"Mark, you can roll out the speech you have planned in your head which Joanna approved and get nowhere or you follow my lead and use those ... balls. Remember the key to a great life." A strange thought flashed into his mind. "Tell them that my boss Richard will use you and your firm on his next 3 big deals and that he has blacklisted Mel and wants her sacked from the firm."
"I can't say that."
"Why not?"
"Well because none of it is true."
"You think she won't use lies against you to secure this position..."
"Sally please, I don't know about that but your boss doesn't even know me."
"He knows me very well though as does Tony, (senior partner at Mark's firm) and I can be ... very persuasive," she said giggling.
Mark looked at her oddly again, did she mean...? No, he knew her husband well.
She bent forward and looked into his eyes and Mark gulped at just how pretty and sexy she was, he had always thought that and something stirred in his memory whilst he tried not to look into her impressive tanned cleavage. "Mark you can either play it nice and lose as has been usual in the last few years or use those ... big balls of yours... and change your life. Up to you. Good look hun." She pressed herself against him and her long silky hair slid across his face. He groaned.
"My my, I know you have the balls and all the necessary equipment -- you just need to use it, I can feel you know I am right, not your wife. Who inspires you? Try to remember the key."
With that she was gone. He had been nervous before, now he was utterly confused. Twenty minutes later he walked into the waiting room and waited to be called in. The receptionist could tell he looked nervous and tried to speak kindly to him. Then she looked down and her eyes widened. For the first time Mark realised his cock was rock hard and straining and bulging against his trousers. He felt like he was about to cum. His phone buzzed and the receptionist, still distracted by his bulge, told him he should probably turn that thing off for the meeting and laughed. Thinking back Mark wasn't sure if she meant his phone or his cock.
It was Joanna to wish him luck and he told the receptionist it was his wife and she smiled but with a level of disinterest which surprised him. His phone buzzed again:
"She really wants you to know she is thinking of you," said the receptionist.
"Yeah I guess, she is gr.... ". He froze, looking at the screen.
The second message was from Sally and it simply said: "As I said, I asked Richard if he would support you as you are an old 'friend' of mine, a very close old 'friend'. I convinced him, I always seem to have been able to be persuasive when I want something. He has the key. He is the key". Mark shuddered. Below the text was a picture of the most amazing tanned crossed legs he had seen in his life. Sally's. Below the picture was a statement which frightened him: "I saw you looking at them in the coffee shop. You seemed lost in a trance, starring at them. I get that every day from bad boys to be honest but what about your love for Joanna, are you a bad boy?! Better than Joanna's are they? That is an unkind and naughty thought about your wife's body Mark. Why did you even marry her if you think that about her body compared to mine. I know her mum well, she wishes she had a daughter like me to be honest. Joanna is such a disappointment to her, except for who she married. I know you try to be kind to your wife, or at least you pretend, she does her best to excite you I'm sure. I'm joking, I know what really excites you. Are you a good boy Mark, or are you finally about to use those... big balls... to go with that huge thing you were pushing against me just now? The first step is to betray Joanna's wishes in the boardroom. Be yourself again. Someone else here wants to ask you a question."
His phone beeped again. It was his mother in law, Doris's phone contacting him. Her message shocked him to his core: "What did you think about to get hard when you were with my flat plain daughter for the last 3 years? If you want to impress me, and I know you do, be a man in the boardroom and follow Sally's advice, not Joanna's."
The receptionist gave him a funny look as he groaned as his erection strained his groin and he grunted. She said he could go in now but he seemed lost in a fog.
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