Sarah had been looking forward to this conference for the past six months--ever since she had been promoted to director of her company's marketing division. She was looking forward to meeting some of her new colleagues in other companies, honing her leadership skills, and making contacts that might prove valuable in the future.
She was also looking forward to New York City--her favorite city in the world--and also to getting away from David for a few days. Their 10-year marriage had been rocky lately. Their sex life had deteriorated to weekly missionary sessions. And despite her lovely figure and warm, sensuous good looks, at 35, Sarah no longer felt very attractive.
Consequently, Sarah was more than happy to finally board the outgoing flight from Houston to LaGuardia. A little distance between her and her real life was going to be quite welcome.
At the first conference session, Sarah had the good fortune to be seated next to a darkly handsome man, probably ten years older. He was well over six feet tall, with a square jaw, dark brown hair and eyes, and a few sprinkles of gray around his temples. His name tag indicated he held an important management position in one of her industry's leading companies, and Sarah knew immediately that he was someone she should get to know.
His name was Neil, she found out as they introduced themselves, and she was attracted to him immediately. They exchanged little asides during the afternoon presentations and she could sense that the attraction was mutual. When the sessions were over, they shook hands and parted, but not before Neil held her hand just a little too long. Sarah's knees suddenly turned to jelly, and a she felt that fluttery sensation in her belly as she headed back to her room.
She only had an hour to get herself ready for the cocktail reception that was being sponsored for the attendees by one of the conference vendors. And, inspired by her meeting with Neil and the delicious feelings it had stimulated, Sarah set aside the conservative business suit she had planned to wear in favor of a sexy black dress that she had purchased in a boutique on Fifth Avenue as she shopped the day before.
She had hoped the dress and sexy lingerie she'd also purchased would help rekindle the spark with David. But, instead, here she was, slipping the thigh-high stockings over her shapely legs and allowing the tiny black silk thong to nestle seductively between the cheeks of her firm, round bottom. As she smoothed the dress and ran her hands over the delicate fabric, Sarah wondered whether she should be wearing the new balconette bra. It lifted her breasts dramatically to emphasize her cleavage, but didn't quite cover her nipples, which would most certainly show clearly through the wispy fabric of the short black dress. She was a little uncertain about the thigh-highs, too, as the dress was flared from the waist and so short that the tops would surely show if she got the least bit careless with her movements.
"Why not?" she finally said to herself. "I'm 1,500 miles away from home and I might as well have a little fun."
Besides, she was hoping against hope that Neil would be at the reception and she couldn't wait to see his reaction. After applying the finishing touches to her makeup and her dark, curly hair, Sarah was out the door and riding the elevator toward the penthouse suite where the reception was to be held.
She made her way from the elevator to Room 4901 and stepped through the open door into a crowd of conference participants. They were huddled tightly in little bunches in the posh suite, eating, drinking, and attempting to impress each other. Sarah immediately caught sight of Neil, as he was taller that most of the people there. He was holding court with a knot of about six people gathered around him. She took a glass of wine offered by one of the waiters as she entered and casually made her way toward Neil's group. She was careful not to look as if she was seeking him out, but in reality, she couldn't wait to be close to him.
******
Sarah could feel the crowd in the room part and dozens of eyes fix on her as she moved gracefully toward where Neil was standing. But she didn't care about those dozens of eyes—she was only interested in seeing the expression in those dark brown eyes of Neil's when he first saw her.
And she was not disappointed with his reaction, as he noticed her just as she positioned herself on the edge of the little group he had taken over. Those intense eyes locked onto her and glided over her body, pausing at all the right places. Neil made no pretense of making this a casual glance. He was taking his time and memorizing every curve of Sarah's luscious body, and she could feel her cheeks flush at the directness of his gaze.
With one of his colleagues in mid-sentence, Neil abruptly stepped away and reached for Sarah's hand. He took it in his, and surprised her by twirling her around as if they were on the dance floor. Smiling broadly, he gave out a long, low whistle. Sarah was embarrassed by the attention Neil was drawing to her, and she was made further uncomfortable with the knowledge that her little pirouette had probably exposed the tops of her stockings. Maybe more.
"You're definitely not dressed for work this evening, Sarah," his eyes surveying her once more before lingering a little too long on her breasts. She was now acutely aware of how hard her nipples had become. "Just what is it you are dressed for?"
As Sarah tried desperately to think of an adequate comeback, her full, red lips parted as if she were about to speak. But nothing came out, and she stood there with an expression that was some weird combination of sexually aroused and downright goofy.
Finally, she was able to form a coherent sentence, "Oh, I found this little thing when I went shopping yesterday. I thought I'd test drive it tonight."
Her cheeks reddened further as she realized how lame that sounded, but she tried to hide her discomfort behind a smile. Neil smiled back, making Sarah feel a little more confident, but then quickly knocked her off balance again.
"Well, I plan to get behind the wheel myself tonight. I always enjoy putting a new model through her paces."
Sarah was suddenly aware that Neil had been guiding her as they talked over to a far corner of the suite, away from the bar and most of the people. The hum of conversation was much lower as they separated themselves from the other guests and Neil lowered his rich baritone voice to just above a whisper.
"Did you wear that special outfit for me tonight, Sarah?"
There went the knees again. And the butterflies were back, too. She realized her back was literally against the wall and that Neil was standing much too close for comfort. Although they weren't actually touching, he had taken over about 95 percent of her personal space. And his smell . . . that familiar but indefinable aroma that said MAN.
She was also acutely aware of his eyes again, now staring quite obviously at her cleavage. He was making no pretense of being discrete. It was as if he wanted Sarah to be sure and notice that he was noticing.
And, of course, it would be impossible not to notice those wonderful 34-C breasts, which were lifted high by the new bra and put on display by the deep V neckline of her dress. And Neil, being at least a foot taller than Sarah's 5 feet, 3 inches, had the best view in the house.
Sarah was still trying to figure out how to answer Neil's question . . . without admitting that the answer was yes, she did wear the dress for him tonight. And yes, she wore the stockings, the bra and the sexy little thong for him, too.