His view:
It had been a difficult situation. It had seemed like an ambush, and considering that I was the HR guy at the scene, I should have pointed it out. But, when the idea of meeting her, in a room near the Operating Room was first raised, I did not recognize that possibility. We had been due to meet her in her office, but an emergency surgery intervened, and I would have probably postponed the discussion to a different day. The department official, representing the faculty member under investigation, had insisted that we meet her, and the others had bowed to the force of her will.
Claims of incompetence and embezzlement had been made by a surgeon about the other's management of a large government grant. Careers and reputations were on the line. That there were multiple independent lists with identical data, had not deterred the accuser from implying impropriety and theft. The surgeon, we were supposed to meet was younger and junior, but appeared to have an additional list. She had maintained the list for a separate portion of the study.
She came out of the OR, and peeled off her surgeon's cap, as she walked out and shook her head, allowing her blonde shoulder length hair to rush down. She was taller than average, with an athletic slim figure. She wore her scrubs well, but as usual, the scrubs managed to mask the femininity. She had a matter of fact attitude about her copy of the patient list being sought; that it was maintained by her for a portion of the study, and she was reluctant to lose track of it, considering that there were numerous other lists available. Being drawn into this fight was clearly making her uncomfortable.
She was facing an onslaught from the others and I kept listening. She seemed to grow frustrated, got up and declared that she was going to change and would be back. She looked at all of us as she said that. I felt challenged and maybe a little aroused by her steady gaze. We fell back to a discussion on how to proceed. When she returned, I was startled by the transformation. I could see an angular blue black striped skirt that ended at her shapely knees. I also caught sight of a light green shirt as she buttoned her white coat. I had a momentary thought about her breasts, and looked into her eyes right then. She had caught my eyes on her and continued looking steadily at me, before turning to the others. The discussion continued without significant participation from me; the others had started a circular argument.
Her view:
I was caught between two powerful men, in a power struggle, that is certain to cause collateral damage. Anyone perceived to be supporting the other, or even allowing the other to have the upper hand, will be worse off. They know my records are no different from the ones they already have, and providing them will not alter anything; except to place me in the middle.
That emergency surgery had seemed to be the perfect solution. I had hoped that it would last long enough that they would tire of waiting, and I could just postpone having to give my lists, and my problem would fade away. I was shocked to find them waiting; their arguments are the same, and they are even starting to attack me for their own purposes.
There is a different man in this group. He looks a little differently at me. Although he has more white hair, he does not seem that much older than me. He has not spoken, but his eyes have been on me, ignoring the rest of the group. It is a commanding gaze, and I am feeling some tension as he continues to look at me wordlessly.
Seeing that I will not be able to avoid getting into the middle of this power struggle, I need to change into my street clothes, give them the papers from my office and go home. I doubt that we can still catch my husband before he leaves town, even if we hurry.
In the locker room, I can relax as I change out of the surgical scrubs, forgetting the bickering.
That man has managed to unnerve me and take control. His eyes have exerted something. The tension is getting to me. I'm unsure of what is going on, but I'm honest enough with myself to admit there's more to it. There's something predatory about the way he looks at me and I can't help but want more of it. My husband would not be happy about these thoughts.
Back with the group, I am greeted with more bickering, and the silent man looks at me from my legs up. I know I have sexy long legs. And his eyes look at me unashamedly, as if he has a power over me. I wonder if he recognizes what I am thinking.
His view:
"Where are the papers?" I heard myself ask.
"In my office in the academic tower"
She turned to me as she said that. Beautiful eyes, lovely lips...
"Perhaps we could just go there and retrieve them..?"
My suggestion was met with a steady gaze and an eyebrow moved slightly upwards.
I was allowed to take charge at this point.
"Since it is late, maybe we can go to your office and collect them...
I could collect them now...
They can be available in Human Resources after I have processed them..."
I was looking at her as we spoke, and our eyes locked.
Her gaze remained unwavering, but something was different.
"I can accompany Dr Faith to her office to get the lists..."
I kept looking at her... I thought there was a hint of a smile...
But she said nothing..
I turned to the others.
"You can come along, but it is late, and probably unnecessary..."
The others settled upon going home, considering the hour.
Their presence would have probably delayed the process.
Her view:
The uncertainty is there, but we both know what we will do...
He will take me... But, what strategy is he going to use?
Is he going to seduce me? Blackmail me? Something else?
His view:
She turned towards the door, looking wordlessly at me, as she did. I could see her face and eyes, and was sure of the direction in which I wanted this interaction to move. The others filed out from a door at the other end of the room, continuing the argument whether her papers would help resolve the situation. The sounds were cut off as we stepped into the long corridor, and the door shut behind us.
In the late evening, hospitals, even busy ones, transform from busy hives of activity to mostly quiet zones. Academic hospitals have additional space for faculty offices, that are away from the patient care areas and are even quieter. She had the purposeful walk in the corridor, and her even quick footsteps had a pleasing rhythm, as I rushed to try to catch up. Flat heeled shoes produce a different sound along with the swish of a skirt. More than once she half turned to look at me, as I walked slightly behind her. No words were exchanged. Unsure of where I was going, I was always a little behind, and my mind was trying to build the figure obscured by the white coat. The legs, the arms and the hair; were all very pleasing. The visions of the rest were undefined.
She entered a stairwell, and started climbing up the flights of stairs. A smooth, easy conquest of each step, with the grace of having done this effortlessly before. Our relative positions did not change and I kept my view of her legs engulfed by the striped skirt. As we ascended, we would lock eyes at the turns. No words were exchanged, but after ascending four floors in this fashion, my heart rate had picked up, and so had her breathing.
We exited the stairwell, and as she walked to her office door, wordlessly, she took off her white coat, and wordlessly extracted the keys from a pocket. I had caught up to her as she unlocked the door, and again, our eyes met. No words were exchanged.
Her view:
He has not said a word since we have been walking.
I know he will take me.
I will probably not refuse.
His view:
The only strategy I have have is the power of suggestion...
The inevitability... She may be hesitant...
Even though she also wants it, only because she doesn't want to make the first move ..
Afraid of the embarrassment of rejection...
I am in the same place, but can see a fellow traveler who can have a safe landing ...
She opened the door, turned on the light, and half turned to hang the coat on a hook, as I followed. The removal of the coat had highlighted the elegance of the woman. The unexpected appearance of her bare arms, the shirt was sleeveless, over that striped dress was perfect. I kept looking her straight in the eyes, as I entered and let the door shut behind me. I knew I had to have her, and she wanted me to do that. I am old enough to know that I could be in trouble for what I was about to do. I am old enough to know that I would not; I would be welcomed. I was being encouraged to take charge.
Her view:
I feel like I can't trust myself...
Like I'd open my legs if he just asked me...
And it's very thrilling!
His view:
As I moved towards her, she was turning away, although her face and eyes maintained their positions towards me. When I said "Stop" it was loud enough for her to hear me, and she did.
Her eyes and lips were suddenly different.
"Turn around" ...
"I want you".. I knew she heard me...
She started to turn towards me..
I gestured with my hand, and it was unmistakable.
"Move your legs apart"
She maintained her weight on her left foot and slowly started to move her right foot away.
I was continuing to look at her eyes, as I came closer.
"Excuse me?!" Her voice was soft and clear; the words were a formality.
Her eyes and the tongue licking the lips were wishing me on.
She had paused in her movement.
"Yes... A little apart"
I kept looking her in the eyes, and I knew she saw it in mine.
She would obey.
My hand moved to the front of her skirt...
