I glanced at my watch as the last student got up to do his presentation. It was 4 pm and I'd been sitting in a jury since 9:30 with a short break for lunch. I was ready for the day to end as he plowed into his song and dance.
"My project is a branding exercise for a line of organic restaurants. I took my inspiration from their menu and created a graphic and logo that could..."
He droned on as I lost my concentration and waited for the day to end. I had been invited to the University to be an outside jurist for a group of sophomores finishing up their spring Computer Graphics and Marketing course. As one not used to endless presentations by young college students, I had begun to run out of gas by mid-afternoon. But, on the whole, the day had been an interesting insight into a group of relatively creative students who had set their sights on a big final push to finish the course and, hopefully, get a good grade.
I looked over at Chloe and smiled. I could see that she too was waning as the afternoon was coming to a close. Chloe had been a student intern at our advertising firm the past two summers and was a month away from graduation. She was a Teaching Assistant for this particular course, being taught by a Professor Stevens, and she had called me to see if I'd be interested in being an "outside" professional member of their final jury. The other members were all faculty here at the University and I was the lone member from the actual world of advertising.
Honestly, I probably would have taken a pass on the offer under different circumstances. But how could I turn down Chloe? Plus I still held out hopes that I could lure her back to the office after graduation...or if not this summer, then at some point in the future. I had written her a recommendation letter for a design firm in Cleveland, Ohio, so I knew she was looking further afield. Based on the glowing recommendation letter I had written, any firm would jump at the chance to hire her. I suspected she was moving to the Midwest upon graduation, but I still didn't know for sure. I figured I'd find out later in the evening.
Chloe was a senior, but she had taken a gap year before college and was, therefore, a little more mature than most of the college students her age. We had had a very professional relationship during the summers she worked in our Albany office. She had grown up in Clifton Park and was living at home the two summers of her employment with us. She had helped me with a variety of projects and we'd established a wonderful working relationship. She was conscientious, smart, hardworking and focused. She took on any task with a smile and was able to handle clients as well; in fact, they loved her.
In many ways I felt like a mentor to Chloe over those two summers. And while our relationship was totally professional on every level, there was also a subtle undercurrent that I had always sensed. It wasn't necessarily a flirtatious connection, although that was there for sure. It was deeper than that - more like a mutual attraction at some very basic level that transcended our 33 year age difference.
Of course, on top of being smart and personable, Chloe was also a very attractive young lady. She had always projected a very conservative, innocent image in the time I had known her. I think she had that effect on anyone who met her. But while she had that "girl-next-door" look and demeanor, she had a body that belied the image she projected. I had seen her in skin tight jeans the past two summers when she had worked for us and knew she had a killer body to match her sweetheart personality and considerable professional skills. She was a keeper, on every level.
I looked over at her as the young gentleman presenting droned on. Her long wavy black hair contrasted sharply with the smooth pale skin of her complexion. Her big brown eyes surveyed the images being presented as I surveyed her. She was wearing the requisite student uniform of jeans and a tight top and probably stood about 5'-5" in her sneakers. Her slender body still had an innocence to its curves. Her breasts weren't large - maybe a nice B cup - but they were well proportioned to her thin torso. Her long legs were lean and taut and I had admired them in dresses a few time the previous summer. Her ass was a sight to behold, in jeans or a dress. And when she wore heels, which I had observed only a few times, they added a sensuous air that contrasted with the sweet innocence that permeated her personae. She was an interesting study in contrasts: sweet innocence mixed with sexy as hell.
I felt guilty having lost my concentration, so I refocused on the final presentation and made a few comments as the last student of the afternoon finished up to everyone's relief. It had been a long day. As we broke up and everyone stood and stretched, the Chair of the department wandered over my way.
"Jake, I can't thank you enough for spending the day with us. The students benefit so much from hearing from a true professional and someone out in the field running a firm."
"Well, you're most welcome, Bart. My pleasure. And, as I'm sure you know, there was no way I could turn Chloe down. That was an impressive display of work for a group of sophomores, I must say."
As the Chair and I talked, Chloe wandered over to thank me as well. Bart chimed in to make sure I knew he hoped I'd stay for dinner. They had comped me a room at the local Hilton for the night and offered me a night on the town in appreciation for a day spent with their students.
"Jake," the chair continued, "Professor Stevens and I were hoping you'd be able to join us for dinner tonight. We have reservations at one of Burlington's better bistros and hope you're free." He turned to Chloe. "And you made this all possible, Chloe, by inviting Mr. Parsons, so I hope you can join us as well."
Chloe smiled at the Chair and then at me, appearing to gauge whether I was interested, or not. I was game, as long as she was.
"Are you able to join us, Jake?" she asked with a somewhat expectant curve to her question.
"Of course," I replied. "I can't turn down a free meal now, can I?"
Bart laughed and shook my hand. "Great, then. We'll see you at 7pm at Juniper. That will give you time to relax and join us later. My wife is coming, as is Professor Steven's girlfriend, so we'll have a nice party of six. See you there," he chirped as he turned to talk to a student.
I was finally left alone with Chloe who turned and smiled directly at me.
"Thank you so much, Jake. This means so much to me - and to the students. Your contributions are most appreciated."
"Like I said, Chloe - you're a hard person to say "no" to. It's been my pleasure. I appreciate the invite."
I never got tired of looking into her big beautiful eyes. They were so large and expressive and easy to get lost in. I kept my eyes on hers and refused to yield to the desire to scan her body again. I needed to maintain professional decorum. She seemed to have something to add, so I waited for her to continue.
"So, listen. I know the University is footing the bill for the hotel and dinner, but I feel like I owe you something too for your troubles today - and for your letter of recommendation," she added. "Would you be willing to meet me early at the restaurant? They have a great bar and I'd love to buy you a drink."
She peered up at me with those doe-like eyes, biting her lower lip. Like I said, I couldn't say no to this young woman; nor did I want to.
"Well, that would be great, Chloe. Of course. You want to meet at six?"
I could see the sparkle in her eyes as I accepted her invitation and we agreed to meet an hour before the others arrived. I headed back to my hotel with a smile in my head, if not also on my face.
