I arrived at the office early on Thursday as I hoped to review my petroleum
industry portfolio in light of some reports I had been reading about secondary
recovery techniques which I thought might unlock some value in a number of
companies whose reserves to some extent had been thought not be commercially
exploitable.  I brought with me a change of clothes as I planned on shaving and
changing my shirt before the opera that evening.

Ann was a few minutes early as well.  I conducted my none too surreptitious
survey of her attire as she settled in.  Today Ann was wearing a charcoal gray
pants suit.  Under her jacket, which she removed and hung up, was a thin shell, 
it was abundantly clear she was not wearing a bra either.

After morning pleasantries, I settled in with the stack of research reports I had
ordered.  Ann asked if I'd like a cup of coffee and when she handed it to me I
sensed the distinct coffee aroma intermingling with her fragrance.

"Bob." I heard Ann say.  "Would it be all right if I asked my hairdresser to stop
by later this afternoon and comb me out?  I could have him come by my apartment
later this afternoon, but I don't want things to be too rushed."

"Sure," I answered.  That did not seem to be a momentous decision.

As I dug in to the research reports before me, I got immersed in geological
reports, the classifications of different types of oil reserves, and the
accounting implications of each.  Ann brought me lunch at my desk and funnelled
the calls from the brokers I needed to speak with.  She also told me that she had
been in touch with the placement offices at  three of the city's business schools
asking them to post notice of the analyst's position that was available and she
alerted me to the fact that an ad was to appear in the Sunday Times as well.

I was immersed on my research and before I knew what was what, it was after three
and Ann was standing in the doorway to my office.

"I need to wash my hair before Patrick gets here."

"Patrick?"

"My hairdresser, you remember."

"Sure."

"Do you mind if I use the sink in the bathroom off your office?"

"Go ahead."  There was a small bathroom in what must have previously been a large
closet which opened just off my office.

Ann crossed in front of me and entered the bathroom.  She didn't close the door
and because there was a full length mirror against the inside part of the
bathroom door, from the angle where I was sitting the entire bathroom was open to
me.

Ann had brought a bag with her into the bathroom.  I saw her take out two
bottles, shampoo and conditioner obviously.  Ann ran water filling the sink and
then wrapped a towel around her hips to protect her slacks and removed her
blouse.  I watched as Ann washed, rinsed and washed her hair again.  The energy
she was using to vigorously lather her hair animated those marvelous breasts.
Once again I was struck by the total incongruity of it all.  On the one hand here
was this most casual and intimate of scenes-- watching the lady at the bath as it
were.  On the other hand, despite the apparent intimacy our relationship Ann was
as much a stranger then as she was on her first day.

Ann emerged from the bathroom with her hair wrapped turban-style in a towel just
as Patrick entered the reception area.  Ann wrapped another towel around her top
and showed Patrick where he could set up his array of combs, brushes and dryer. 
Ann introduced me to Patrick referring to me as her boss and settled in to a
swivel chair  next to a window.  I returned to my office to continue my work. The
"whoosh" of the hair dryer in the background continued on and off for the next
twenty minutes or so.

At 5:00 Ann appeared at the door to my office.  She was dressed and told me she
would be leaving then if I did not have anything for her to do, that she had one
stop she needed to make, and that she hoped I would be at her apartment at 6:30. 
I told her that I would be on time.  She left me her address which I recognized
as a tony condominium on the east side.

I finished as much paperwork as I could over the next hour and around six I
washed up, changed my shirt and tie, ran a comb through my hair and then caught a
cab to Ann's apartment.

I arrived a few minutes after 6:30.  I gave my name to the doorman and asked for
Ms. Bennett's apartment.  I was directed to the left wing elevators and was told
to go to Apartment 20K.

Ann greeted me at the door.  She was wearing a blue robe and had refreshed her
makeup.  There was a small entrance gallery to Ann's apartment which opened to an
airy living room with dramatic views on two sides.  To the east was the river and
I followed its course from the Queensboro Bridge north to Hellgate.  To the
south, sliding doors opened on to a terrace beyond which I could see many of the
city's skyscrapers  suffused in the orange glow of a setting sun.  Ann had fresh
flowers arranged on two tables which were placed at both ends of a
leather-covered sofa.  Ann gave me a quick tour of her apartment showing me a
walk-in kitchen which opened on a small dining area.  There was a mahogany table
with four chairs.

Ann handed me a glass of white wine with a swirl of a red substance not quite
mixed in.  I recognized the kir and complimented Ann for remembering what I had
ordered at our lunch.  Ann beckoned me to follow her and she led me into her
bedroom.

"Make yourself comfortable" she said motioning for me to sit on a stuffed
armchair.  "Is there any special way you'd like me to dress tonight?" Ann
inquired repeating the question to which I hadn't an answer earlier.

"Not really.  What do you mean?"

"Well, do you want to show me off, do you want me to be very prim and proper,
something in between?"

Sensing that I didn't have an answer, Ann said she'd try on a few outfits and
that she'd wear whichever I wanted.  Ann opened a door to a walk-in closet in
which I could see a chest of drawers and a whole series of built in shelves with
various garments neatly folded. She reached into an area where there were double
hung bars filled with clothing on hangers and removed a dark violet dress.   A
gray suit followed as did a pair of black velvet trousers.

Ann let her robe slip off her shoulders.  She was wearing a bra and pantyhose,
sheer to the waist--and no panties.  She pulled the violet dress over her head,
stepped into a pair of heels and facing a mirror smoothed the way the dress lay. 
Turning to face me, Ann said that she thought this would be a conservative
choice.  She was stunning.  She looked elegant and refined.  I told her that she
looked wonderful and that I'd be very happy if she went like that.

"If that's what you want, this is what I'll wear but let me show you your
options."

Ann removed the dress carefully placing it on the bed and she took her bra off as
well.  As she stepped out of her heels I saw her notice that the glass I was
holding was empty.  "I'll get you a refill."  Ann took the glass from me and went
to the kitchen.  I looked around her bedroom.  There was a TV opposite her bed, a
small chest with colored glass objects arrayed on it.  The walls were covered
with a green and yellow quilted fabric with a subtle floral pattern.  Ann was
back.  She handed my drink and sat on the arm of the chair in which I was
sitting.  I was conscious of her proximity.  The fragrance she was wearing was
headier, more intense than what she had been wearing to the office.  And her bare
breasts were inches from my right hand.  I noticed the silky, fine down which
graced her arms.  But I was frozen.  I couldn't bring myself to do what in any
other circumstance I am sure I would have:  reach for Ann and draw her to me.

After a paralyzing moment, Ann stood and walked to her closet and pulled on a
white sweater.  She then wiggled into the velvet trousers.  "If you wanted to
show me off, I could wear this."  The black pants functioned as a second skin. 
The sweater was a special item.  It had a series of panels of a light material
joined it seemed by a band of sheer stitching.  Through these bands you could see
her skin and the way her full breasts rested on her chest.  "That is a bit much I
think."

"O.K., maybe this is a good compromise."  Ann stepped out of the pants took off
her sweater and put on the gray suit.  "I can wear the jacket over nothing, over
a blouse or over a slip--and I can go with or without a bra.  What do you think?"

The suit gave Ann a more formal look.  And I realized the possibilities inherent
in the jacket which could be buttoned or not as Ann chose.

"I really liked the first dress, Ann."

"Somehow I thought you'd say that" Ann answered.  "What time is it?"

"7:15--we really should be leaving soon."

Ann hung up her suit, put the trousers away, and quickly donned her bra and the
violet dress.  As stunning as she was, I knew I made the right choice. "Ready?" 
"Let's go."

Ann locked up and we stepped into the elevator.  "Well what am I?" she asked.

"What?"

"Am I your lover, just a date, a friend? -- who did you say I was to your
partner?"

I admired Ann's anticipation of that issue.  What had I said? "I said I'd bring a
date.  Look, Richard may well run into you in the office.  Why don't we stick to
the truth.  You're my office manager and I asked you out."

"Goodnight Miss Bennett" Ann's doorman said as we walked by.  We got into a cab
and headed over to Lincoln Center.

There was the usual cross-town jam getting through Central Park and the mile or
so ride took about twenty minutes.  As we walked across the plaza at Lincoln
Center I easily spotted Richard from a distance standing near the entrance doors
to the opera house. We exchanged quick introductions and hurried to our seats in
the Orchestra.  Richard told us that these were the seats that went with his
subscription and we settled into them moments before the chandeliers were
retracted towards the ceiling  and the house lights dimmed.  Ann was seated to my
left, Richard's wife Ellen to my right and Richard next to Ellen.

Ellen was quite striking in appearance.  She had a very deep tan which set off
and emphasized brilliant white teeth  which showed as she gave us an easy smile. 
Ellen's hair was thick, black, shiny and long.  She was wearing a black dress
with a bolero style jacket edged with a red trim.   We had time only for a few
pleasantries before the conductor raised his baton and the performance began.

We stayed at our seats during the first intermission and talked about the
performance and exchanging comments about, the music, and our favorite operas. 
The banter was easy and Ann seemed to hit it off well with both Richard and
Ellen.  The second act was well staged, but when the curtain fell we were all
anxious to stretch our legs.  Ann and Ellen engaged in the female twinning ritual
of escorting each other to the ladies room.  Richard then excused himself to
stand on line at the bar, promising to return with champagne for all of us.  I
was on the lookout for the ladies.  As I was standing by myself I felt a tap on
my shoulder.  It was Saundra. Saundra introduced me to her cousin, Cynthia. 
Cynthia was visiting, New York and was excited about the glitter of the evening. 
As I was telling Saundra that I was at the opera that evening with business
investors, I  noticed that Ann and Ellen were on their way over, but Ann, for
some reason, directed Ellen away from where I was standing. Just at that moment
the house lights dimmed and Saundra and Cynthia made their way to the second
dress circle where they were seated.  They were busy in conversation as they
walked past Ann and Ellen.  After they passed, I walked over to Ann and Ellen and
we headed to where Richard was waiting for us.

When the opera ended I was anxious that we get to the restaurant quickly;
actually I was hoping not to bump into Saundra. Our reservations were at
Augustine's back on the East Side.  We piled into a taxi and headed back through
the park to the restaurant.

Dinner was a high energy event, despite the lateness of the hour.  For some
reason, everybody was in good spirits and the two bottles of wine we enjoyed with
our meal contributed to the feelings of well being.  Richard and Ellen lived only
a few blocks from the restaurant and Ann and I walked with them back to their
apartment. We were invited up for a nightcap, but we decided to call it a night. 
It was only after we bade our guests goodnight that I began to wonder how my
evening with Ann would end.  I was not kept in suspense long.  In the taxi over
to Ann's, Ann told me that I did not have to see her upstairs, that her doorman
would see that she was safe inside.  I protested that it was no problem, but Ann
was insistent that, since it was late, I should get home as quickly as possible. 
We pulled up in front of Ann's apartment and the doorman opened the door for her.
As she was getting out of the car, Ann turned back and asked  "who were those
girls you were talking to?"  I felt a bit peeved by Ann's brusque goodnight and I
did not answer.

Friday

The enigma of my now week old relationship with Ann was a bit frustrating and was
a matter of preoccupation for me as I walked to work on Friday.  Ann arrived at
the lobby  of our office building just as I was and we rode up the elevator
together.

After the other passengers got off on a lower floor. Ann looked at me and said
"I'm sorry Bob, I handled that badly."I didn't say anything.

We walked in silence to my office.  As soon as we were in Ann repeated her
apology.   "Bob, I shouldn't have let such a lovely evening end like that, but I
was a bit upset about what I heard."

"What are  you talking about?"

"You know those girls I asked you about.  After they were talking to you they
passed by me and I heard the older one say that she was going away this weekend
with you."

I was a little obtuse: "So?"

"You're right that shouldn't have mattered."

Ann's comment reminded me that I needed to make reservations for the country
excursion I had promised Saundra. I spent the next half hour on the phone calling
friends for recommendations and then making reservations at a bed and breakfast
inn in Litchfield County, Connecticut.  Just as things seemed all set, Ann came
in to say that a Miss Davis was on the line. I thanked Ann, waited for her to
leave and then picked up the phone.

"Saundra"

"Hi.  I was glad to bump into you last night . . ."

"Me too.  I have the scoop on the weekend."

"That's why I'm calling.  I have to work on that presentation I was telling you
about this weekend."

"What's going on?"

"My boss wants to have an all-hands brainstorming session on Saturday and then
the whole group is supposed to go to dinner and then meet again on Sunday to
finish things up."

"Oh."

"Yeah, it was just decided and there's no way I can beg off."

"Well that's too bad."

"I'll call you on Monday.  Oh Bob, I'm so disappointed."

"Me too.  There will be other times.  Take care.

"Bye."

"Bye."

I was disappointed.

I didn't feel like working too much and I decided to take a walk.  I had no
particular destination in mind.

"Where are you going?"  Ann asked as I walked past her on my way out.

"I am taking a walk.  I'll be back."  I snapped.

I walked out of the building and headed over toward Fifth Avenue and found myself
at Bergdorf's.  I thumbed my way through some sale ties and wound up buying a
shirt.  I saw that it was a few minutes before twelve and I headed back to my
office.  Ann said that there was only one message.  The inn in Litchfield had
called to find out if I wanted a reservation for Sunday brunch which, Ann said,
they said, sells out.

I told Ann to call them back and cancel the reservation.  She looked puzzled.  I
explained that Saundra--"that's the girl you saw me with"--had called earlier to
advise that she had to work this weekend. "Oh I'm sorry" Ann said.  Then she
brightened. "I'll take care of it--I'll take care of everything."

I returned to my office, leaving the door opened and watched Ann at her desk. 
Ann knew that I was watching her.  Today Ann had come to work wearing a tight
navy skirt hemmed above her knee. She was wearing a cream colored blouse buttoned
to the neck.  As Ann was on the phone, I saw that she was absently tweaking the
nipple on her right breast with her left hand.  As her nipple stiffened, I
experienced a sympathetic reaction.

After making a series of calls, Ann came in to my office about a half hour later
and sat in the couch along the far wall.  Her skirt and decorum were no match for
the deep couch.  She first sat with her legs crossed and her skirt rode well up
her thighs.  As we talked, she uncrossed her legs and her bare sex was plainly
visible.

We disposed of some business.  Ann told me that she was set to interview a cook
for me and that she thought that a housekeeper/laundress would be what I needed
to round out my domestic staff.

"Bob," Ann continued.  "I know that you are disappointed about your change of
plans for tomorrow.  Why don't you come over to my place in the afternoon.  We
can have lunch and play it by ear after that."

It was  happening again.  There Ann was, seated on the couch across from me in
the most extreme position. Her full breasts were clearly outlined against the
thin fabric of her blouse and her legs were set apart giving the most tantalizing
view.  I was of two minds. On the one hand I remained unclear where this was all
leading and was frustrated that the rules or even the conventions of our
relationship remained, at best, opaque.  On the other hand, Ann was sufficiently
engrossing that I did not view myself as having any real choice.

"I don't know Ann," I heard myself say.  "Maybe I'll just come in to the office
or find something else to do."

"Well do as you want, but I do think I have to make it up to you and if you like
paella at least I know you'll enjoy lunch."

"All right, what time should I be there?"

"Figure 1:30."

The rest of Friday was rather straightforward.  I left the office around 6:00,
went home, read some mail and magazines that had been piling up, ordered a pizza
and sat down in front of the TV to watch the Mets games and drink a few Heinekins.