Anitaâs Ménage
After manning the YouDoIt Software booth at the conference for five days, Anitaâs feet, stuffed into a pair of stilettos, had blisters and the balls felt as if glass were embedded in them. She leaned on the counter to take the pressure off as she watched her co-worker, Jason, chat with a straggling conference attendee. Ten years younger than her and a competitive body builder, Jasonâs muscles rippled with every movement. A full-blooded Italian, his dark hair, dark eyes, and inky lashes, gave him an exotic air.
Anita sighed.
It had been over a year since she had been with a man. As the only woman on the four-person, marketing team, her fantasies had been running on overdrive: especially when the other three were Jason, Paul, and Armando. To make matters worse, the batteries in her trusty companion had died that morning leaving her in an unsatisfied state.
Someone touched her shoulder, and Anita jumped.
âDaydreaming again?â Paul, the oldest member of the crew, asked.
Over a foot taller than her, Paul had broad shoulders and wore a crew cut, a habit seemingly held over from his military career. His imposing personality and body called for someone to tame it. Sheâd dreamt of turning him to mush, but in her imagination was where that needed to stay. His aftershave, something expensive, reminded Anita of a walk in the woods. His closeness had her rattled. Luckily, theyâd be flying home the following afternoon.
Anita stepped back sending a shard of pain through one foot. âGlad itâs the last day of the conference. How are you holding up?â Anita asked.
âReady to head home. Hey, a couple of us are going to my room for a beer tonight. Youâre welcome to come along. Room 3215.â
With her imagination running amuck, Anita had avoided work get-togethers all week. But having spent the last four nights alone in her hotel room, she wanted something different. Reminding herself they were co-workers and professionals, she said, âThanks. Iâll consider it.â
Paul squeezed her shoulder. âYou should relax, youâre tense.â He moved behind her and kneaded her thick muscles. Anita wanted to lean into him, to have those hands roam her body. Instead, she sat stiffly. When he hit a knot, she winced. âHit a sore spot. Sorry.â
âFeels good. Sort of.â Not comfortable with the thoughts his touch provoked, she edged out of his reach then straightened a pile of brochures on the counter.
Anita glanced toward Jason as he reached out and shook the conference attendeeâs hand. Of all the men, she was closest to Jason, and Anita decided if he planned to go for a beer, she would go too.
Jason turned and caught her watching. He raised his eyebrows then smiled.
âArmando and I are heading to my room,â Paul told Jason. âYouâre welcome to join us.â
âLet me enter this info in my iPhone and Iâll be right up.â
âSee you in a few.â Armando gave Jason a two-finger salute then looked at Anita. Half African-American, half Asian, Armando had a caramel complexion, curly black hair pulled into a ponytail, almond-shaped eyes, and full lips. âYou planning to come?â
When their eyes met, a vision of him making love to her skittered across her mental theater. Planning to come indeed, Anita mentally slapped herself for the thought, she really needed to get out. With her crotch tingling, she hoped her thoughts werenât playing out on her face. Maybe going to Paulâs wasnât such a good idea. âIâm not sure.â After Paul and Armando left, Anita gathered her purse.
âI bet your feet are killing you,â Jason said.
Anita exhaled then inspected her four-inch, patent leather, black pumps and wished she were less vain. âHowâd you know?â
âIâve got three sisters.â He pointed at her shoes. âThey call those