An aggressive opening bid.

Marilyn had given away that she was fishing for a man. She wouldn’t say who, but there were only two possibilities that mattered; either it was me or it wasn’t. And if it wasn’t me, then why dangle the bait in front of me in the office for the last few weeks? She was my PA, after all; she must have known that she’d catch my attention first.

Even if it wasn’t me she was after, then so what? The upshot was, she was available. And as of that morning, it was my policy to pursue available women. In fact, I made the decision to pursue this particular woman all day. I had nothing else planned, and the office could certainly get by without me- and if it didn’t need me, then it didn’t need Marilyn either.

After a few minutes of silence, Marilyn commented on the high quality of the food. I agreed- then called over the waitress and asked to see the dessert menu. Marilyn started to protest that we didn’t have time- but I pointed out that I was in charge of my own schedule, and hers, and so we did. She deflated rapidly, then ordered cheesecake.

I took my time over coffee, too, causing Marilyn to fret over her watch again, but I didn’t acknowledge this. I had taken Marilyn out from work for the afternoon, but at the same time leashed her to fraternising with me, alone, in a restaurant she couldn’t quite afford- it was an exercise in control, and she seemed to realise it, although she didn’t baulk.

“ You know, a girl as attractive as yourself shouldn’t have to worry about bagging a man,” I said at length, finally bringing up the subject I’d brought her here for; and now I had the upper hand, and she was prepared (compelled?) to explain herself.

“ I’m sure I could get a boyfriend easily enough,” she confided, “ but… well…”

“ You wanted to be asked.”, I prompted. She nodded. “Yeah. I mean, I think I a guy needs to take charge, you know? I want to be with a man who knows what he wants from me.”

“ Meaning sex.” That didn’t sound so smooth once I’d said it, but she cracked a filthy smile. “ Oh yes. A man who’ll just, you know, come up to me and take me out, and thrill me, and overwhelm me and…”

“…desire you. Seduce you…” We were speaking so much more softly now, leaning in across the table.

“… and fuck me.” I don’t think she’d quite meant to say that, but she didn’t take it back.

“ Marilyn, we’re not going back to the office today.”

“ Okay.”