Chapter 8
The two colleagues enjoyed each other's company. The time passed quickly as Dr. Greg Thomas learned that Dr. Jane Lofton was much more than just facts and scientific expertise. She was an attractive woman, with a unique sense of humor which he was surprised to learn he loved and for reasons he couldn't fathom, she found him amusing. It wasn't until his phone pinged that he learned that there was a breakthrough back at the lab. Excitedly they rushed back to learn what had happened.
Scanning the data, there it was... the confirmation they were looking for. After rechecking, it was confirmed to be true. The final treatment had brought about the changes they had been seeking. Congratulations were shared among the team; everyone had worked very hard on the project and this breakthrough assured them that their funding and the project's life would be secure for the next five years. All that remained was the presentation of their findings.
"Fuck it!" Dr. Thomas said, "It might be premature, but we've worked hard, let's celebrate our breakthrough. We can celebrate again once we secure funding." With that said he pulled out an expensive magnum of champagne he'd been saving for the occasion. Soon other bottles could be heard opening as the impromptu party began.
With the champagne consumed, food, beer, and hard liquor were delivered as the party grew. Everyone was in a celebratory mood, Jane and Greg shared many a toast with individual colleagues. On an empty stomach, both quickly became hammered, but the alcohol affected each differently. For Jane, she became more expressive, confident, and touchy-feely. At times giggling uncontrollably at some of the jokes she heard. As for Greg, he became louder and less introverted.
As the alcohol impaired her judgment Jane decided she should mingle, lest her secret crush on Greg be found out. She decided to hang out with the lab assistants and the IT techs. They were pleased that she did. This small act greatly improved their opinion of their boss. They had never seen this side of her, no one had. Jane always kept herself locked down and professional. Here she was, kidding with the staff. Putting an index finger into the chest of one of the men to make her point or touch a leg or knee as she rocked with laughter at a joke. Many of them suddenly found her very attractive and desirable, male, and female. Several mentally undressed her and realized she possessed a knockout body, hidden by her frumpy clothes.
No one suspected that Dr. Greg Thomas had a sense of humor. Out of his shell, thanks to the liquor, he was the center of attention as he told one hilarious joke after the other. "Who knew?" Fresh out of jokes, Greg left his audience wanting more as he excused himself to refresh his drink when Jane caught up to him again.
"You were quite the hit, mister," Jane said as she grabbed his arm and repeatedly poked him with her index finger to emphasize her point.
"Awe, those were just some jokes I learned in college. I guess they still work."
"You think?" Jane giggled and hung on. "You want to come sit with me? I think I need to sit down?"
Looking down on the woman now firmly holding his upper arm for support, "Perhaps we should."
As they staggered to an empty group of couches and overstuffed chairs, Jane slipped and somehow Greg was able to catch her in both arms as they sat together on the vacant couch. Looking up into his brown eyes, Jane batted her eyes and said, "My hero," as Greg looked down at her, she seized the opportunity to kiss his lips. It was a surprise and caught the oblivious doctor off guard for a moment. When he realized that it was a real admission of how his coworker felt and not his imagination, he returned the kiss opening his mouth and pulling her close. The kiss was passionate, both harboring feelings for each other that they'd never been able to express. The third kiss told them they needed to get a room. Neither was in any condition to drive or even call an Uber. When Jane suggested her office, which had a large couch and the privacy they needed, Greg quickly agreed. Fortunately, it wasn't far away if they took the shortcut through the hive. The hive was the nickname for the warehouse where they housed the floatation tanks and the inmates participating in the program. Since they both had access to the facility it was no big deal. The floor they were on, nicknamed the "gantry" would take them over the hive. It was more like a balcony overlooking the tanks.
As they stumbled through, it wasn't lost on Jane how quiet and peaceful it all was. She felt pride as she thought about their noble mission, converting convicted violent offenders into peaceful members of society. She could almost make out the faces of the five convicts as they floated and dreamed in their tanks. It was three women and two men. With the approval of their funding, they would likely get another ten before the program would launch nationally.
Reaching Jane's office, still very aroused they kissed desperately while fumbling with their clothes. Finally, they separated and pulled off items letting them fall where they may, until they were both gloriously naked. Despite being intoxicated to levels that rivaled his college days, the sight of Jane's lush well-toned body and her large breasts had Greg rock hard and hoping he was up to the task. He'd pretty much-ignored women and sex, being so wrapped up in the project. On the rare occasion that he couldn't rid himself of "morning wood," he had an old CD that would work him up enough to "toss his cookies."
