Devon's reputation as a valuable PR employee, when it came to the final stages of contract conclusion, had found herself a nice little niche with Hi Tec Solutions. She was extremely adept at socializing with visiting delegations on the last night of their visit before the nitty gritty of final day negotiations.
She usually wined and dined them and was not averse to providing some little 'extras' if some of them hinted that they were that way inclined.
The nature of these activities was never ever discussed at board room level. If Devon could swing contracts and not compromise herself then that was all that mattered.
And so eventually she found herself at the top table for the company dinner.
This was quite a thing she thought to herself. For a girl who had started off basically making the rounds delivering coffee it was a real achievement yet she was very uneasy.
Devon had a degree in English Lit. but she rarely mentioned it. Some men were funny that way if a girl was cleverer than they were. She had been given the gift of a very attractive body; nice breasts, long legs and auburn hair which she usually wore long down her back.
She drew lingering looks when she entered a room. She wasn't in any way slinky but her underwear was. Her two extravagancies were her lingerie and expensive perfume.
Of course there had been a lot of bitchiness and gossip that she had used what she had between her legs to get herself up the ladder in the first place, She had used her charms but she did not flaunt herself at all and where was the harm in that?
Harriet's sexual preference was for successful older men. And in her line of work she often came across that type. She had learned that they were more attentive, more attuned to her needs. And well, just more well interesting than young men of her own age.
If these older men were skilled at foreplay and they often were, and finally got into her panties what was not to like? It was a goodbye bonus to satisfied clients, a win win for both companies.
Their confidence turned her on and in return a certain sense of vulnerability drew them to her, A pretty country's girl who tried her best to please, demure, very attractive, intelligent. There was an aura about her, a heady mix for older men.
Where Harriet drew the line though was any such relationships at work. This was an absolute no no for her, and so it was with a sense of unease that she found out who the two colleagues were that she was seated between for dinner.
Tom Johnstone, a new Director was a bit of an unknown quantity whom Harriot found a little unnerving. Office gossip hinted that he was a ladies man who couldn't keep it in his trousers.
Head of Finance Brian Graham was on her other side. Perhaps an unwarranted reputation of her possible availability had gone before her. She sensed soon after she joined Hi Tec soon that he had the hots for her, not too subtlety checking out her breasts and legs when he got the chance.
So when Devon discovered the seating plan for dinner had her sandwiched between them she was decidedly uncomfortable. It was bad enough being in the limelight, which she hated, never mind being seated between two men who might possibly have designs on her.
She wanted to keep a low profile, was not without her insecurities and doubts that all this rapid rise to the top in her career simply would not last.
The two men stood up when she arrived and Harriet sat down smiling, acknowledging the courtesy. She sat down carefully, smoothing down her dress trying to keep her legs closed.
Starters and main course had come and gone and they were waiting for dessert.
During a rather boring speech by a visiting delegate Harriet had chastised herself for drinking too fast.
There had been a glass of fizz on arrival and she was halfway through her second glass of wine already which was quite ridiculous. She felt she was on display sitting at the top table.
The room was hot, her panties were sticking to her and she started day dreaming.
Her mind drifted to her first encounter with an older man. It had happened at a party where her present boyfriend had basically deserted her to bond with his mates and make a fool of himself trying to chat up other girls. She had stormed out to the summer house at the back of the big house quietly seething at his flirting.
The summer house was open at the far end and she stood at the wooden barrier overlooking a fast flowing stream, trying to calm down.
She saw a glow of a cigarette being lit to her left and as her eyes adjusted to the darkness the shadow of a man took shape. Clouds drifted across the moon and for a few seconds moonlight outlined the scene.
She recognized a man who had been standing close to her at the bar when she went to get another drink which she had knocked back far too quickly.
Thickset, greying hair, not unattractive. Their eyes had met briefly. He stepped over beside her and smiled.
'Hey again. Taking a break from the party? Needing some time on your own,' he asked.
'Yes,' she replied. 'Getting away from one person in particular. My boyfriend actually. He's too busy bonding with his friends and eyeing up other girls.'
'More fool him then. Leaving a pretty girl like you on her own.'
Harriet blushed. He was flattering her. His eyes drifted momentarily to her breasts and she blushed again.
He gave her an appraising look with piercing blue eyes He smelt of peppermint and cologne, had an air about him. Avuncular but dangerous she feeling quite drunk and very reckless.
'I'm John.'
