Even though I want to scream and throw my body at the door, part of me wants to stay trapped. I'm locked in a storage room with the hottest guy at work. He's at least a dozen years younger than me and completely out of my league, but I have his full and undivided attention. And we're both more than a little drunk.
"I can't believe this," he says. He stares at me like I have the answer to our dilemma. I might be the boss, but I have no clue how to spring us free. I watched Todd pound on the door for a half hour. No one is coming. On the other hand, if I can figure out how to get Todd to pound me, there is certain to be a whole lot of coming. At the office, I have a reputation to protect. Away from prying eyes, I'm a lot more liberal minded. And I know that if I can land Todd, he's not going to admit it either. Besides, I heard he's looking to take a job in Texas. The clock it ticking.
"They're all gone, Todd. By now, the whole place would have cleared out."
"So we just stay here the whole night?" He looks at me incredulously, as though I'm the reason we're trapped and a simple word from me can deliver emancipation.
I shrug.
"I can't believe neither of us have our phones. Maybe someone will wonder why we're not answering."
"They'll just assume that we found our way to one of the countless rooms, like everyone else. The company rented the whole mansion. There are a lot of places for people to tuck away."
"Like this."
"Like this, yes. And at this time of night, they're just going to assume that we're asleep. Separately."
"Of course," he chuckles. "No one is going to think we're together."
I meet his gaze. "Why not? Is that such a weird idea?"
He swallows. His mouth opens and closes.
"I'm just giving you a hard time, Todd," I say. He looks relieved. But I can tell that I've planted a seed. Why is it so strange? I'm in my early 40s, but work took the majority of my time and energy. I don't get as much exercise as I'd like, but I'm not too overweight. Just like anyone else, I've got some extra pounds I'd love to shed, but they appear to be permanent. My breasts might not sit as high as they once did, and I've got a few more wrinkles, but I'm modestly attractive. I do have a pleasant smile. Todd is much younger and caters to the attention of a different generation. Still, the things I could teach him... I can tell he's not into me. I don't even think he sees me as a woman. Yet. I've got time and opportunity working on my side.
I know it is partially the wine pushing my secret agenda. I'm a lightweight with booze and the holiday party inspired me to imbibe. I'm keen on making a bad decision, and fortune provided me with the golden opportunity. We were cleaning up at the end of a wild office Christmas party. The crowd was starting to thin, so Todd kindly volunteered to help me sort out some things before we could close down the event. Most of the guests are staying at the remote lodge, but the rooms are located in a different wing. If there had been anyone remotely close, they would have heard Todd banging and shouting.
I thought it would only take a minute. I had hoped to retrieve a table rack from one of the many storage rooms in the basement. Knowing how heavy those things can be, I asked Todd to help me lug it up the stairs. The door locked behind us with an audible click that made my stomach sink. I don't understand how a door can lock from the inside, but Todd thinks it is an automatic system that can only be deactivated from the outside. Either way, we are trapped until morning. The room has no windows and the only light is from a small bulb set in the middle of the space. A collection of boxes line the wall, but otherwise the storage is sparsely utilized.
"We might as well make ourselves comfortable," I say. "What's in these boxes?" A quick search turned up old clothing and memorabilia, but I discovered a couple brimming with bedding. I lay it out across the floor, trying to make it as comfortable as possible. Todd is watching me with an ambiguous expression on his face. I can't tell what he's thinking, but he is content to observe me nesting.
"Why don't you join me? We won't freeze to death, that's for sure."
"We might die of boredom," he says.
"Boredom is a choice, Todd. Are you saying that I'm not a good conversationalist?"
He paled. "No! I mean there isn't much to do in this room. It's pretty bare." Then, "You're awesome at talking and stuff," he adds.
I feel his energy settle next to me. His cologne is distracting. When he walks past my office, I occasionally get a whiff of his scent. It is intoxicating. I want to jump his bones, but I have to be careful. I don't need Human Resources up my ass. But Fortune has given me a gift. I'm not about to spoil it with haste.
We chat for awhile, relaxing into the moment. I learn that he's between girlfriends. I share some of the details of my horrid divorce and I do notice the way his eyes light up when he realizes that I'm also single. Eventually, the conversation turns to sex.
"You've probably been with dozens of girls," I say. "You're mid twenties, right?"
"I'm 28 actually, but I'm not as experienced as you say. Everything thinks that. That's the joke, really. It's all fake news."
"But you're not a virgin."
He laughs. "Of course not. I've had my share, but I still have a lot to learn."
His phrasing catches my attention. I test the angle.
"You just need someone to show you the ropes, right? Maybe teach you a couple tips you might not have known before?"
He looks at me, not daring to speak. His tongue darts out as he wets his lips. He nods.