The Lethal Encounter

by Amy Alexander

  His, still single, friends would complain that he was going soft and losing touch with his manhood.....all that sort of thing. His mother, of course, would be delighted – she was constantly griping about his dating habits and inability to hold down anything remotely akin to a long term relationship.

  As for him, he was almost overcome by these feelings and the thought that he might never see her again (well, not under any romantic circumstances anyway) made him feel rather panicky - a sensation that he was not totally enamoured with but was prepared to embrace all the same.

  He gazed out of his top floor windows and picked out the shadow of St Paul's Cathedral on the skyline. The lights of London speckled and glowed and the reflective hue lit up the clouds that were scudding across the darkened sky.

  Peter sighed. He had enough on his plate at work at the moment and this constant distraction, a kind of annoying itch brought on by a chance meeting, was playing havoc with his mind. He either had to do something about it or move on, and, in all his experience of women and relationships, he knew it was probably better to move on. He would ring one of his usual dates and go out with them tomorrow.....have a good dinner and maybe even some physical release. Only then would he feel he could get on with his life.

  With a decision of sorts made, he put his glass down on the nearby table and made his way along the corridor to his bathroom. He switched on the lights and turned on the basin taps, bending slightly to let the water play over his hands. He undid the buttons of his shirt and let it drop to the ground before removing his trousers and underwear. He turned to the shower and flicked it on, knowing that the automatic temperature control would mix the water to how he liked it best. He waited a minute before climbing into the cubicle and letting the water play down on his body. He reached for the shower gel and began soaping his torso. Before he knew it, the image of Katie had loomed up in his mind and he felt his cock start to grow. With one hand he gently stroked his growing member and with the other he massaged his nipples. He could smell her now as he pictured her getting under the water with him, imagining the feel of her body and he rubbed his hands over her skin. His cock was fully erect and he felt his stomach contract with pleasure. His hand moved more quickly up and down his shaft as his pelvis pushed forward. She was now leaning back slightly, her legs opening and her hands cupping under her breasts. She leant forward and put her hands around his neck, jumping up onto him and then sinking back down to impale herself on his throbbing penis. As he was enveloped in her warm softness, Peter felt himself start to come and his semen pumped out into the flowing water. He leant back against the shower wall, his breath coming in quick gasps. For a moment he could not quite believe what had happened, not only because masturbating was a relatively rare pastime for him, but that he wished more than anything that Katie was still there with him, even after his orgasm had subsided.

  He switched off the water and got out of the shower, grabbing a fresh towel from the rail. He wrapped his body up and stared at himself in the mirror above the sink. Despite his earlier decision to move on, this incident made him think yet again.

  “Either this has to stop or you are going to have to do something about it,” he thought to himself ruefully. His life was just too busy to let something like a woman get in his way.

  The next day, Peter strolled into the office and called to Nancy to get Sue in sales on the phone. She nodded and turned to her screen to find the number. As Peter got behind his desk, the phone rang and Peter picked up the handset.

  “Sue, Hi. Peter Jarvis. How are you?”

  “I'm fine thanks. What can I do for you?” replied Sue, with a slight edge in her voice. Peter, normally fairly good at picking up cues and tones in other people's voices, did not notice.

  “How's the Logistics France deal going? I know I came to the initial meeting but I've got something else going on down there and I thought I could somehow leverage one against the other.”

  “Fine thanks, Peter. Katie, who I think you met the other day, is heading up the team and she will be going down there again in the next day or so to finalise the project plan. David is the technical lead.”

  “Great, great. Look I don't want to tread on anyone's toes but I might go down to Cannes as well to see if I can make this other thing happen. OK?”

  Sue paused. All that idle gossip about Katie and Peter suddenly took on a truer edge and, despite her normally cool demeanour, Sue felt a pang of jealousy.

  “Well, I'm sure Katie can handle it but....” she started.

  “To be honest Sue, I'm not asking for your permission. If I go, I go. I was just letting you know - OK?” Peter's voice rose slightly and he put the receiver down with a bang. He was behaving ridiculously. It was his company for god's sake and here he was asking a relatively junior manager permission to do things. He pushed his chair back and walked out to Janice.

  “Book me a flight to Nice for tomorrow Janice please. I'll stay at the usual place - and let Pierre know I'm coming.” Janice raised her eyebrows and winced. This would mean a lot of diary changes and excuses to people who may have waited a long time to see her boss.

  “Sure Peter,” she responded grittily and turned to her task, wondering what had caused the change in plan.

  Later that day, Peter caught up with an old friend in one of their favourite watering holes. As they sat and nursed their drinks, Peter couldn't help but fill his friend in.

  “Do you remember that girl at university? God, what was her name? She was in our economics lectures…..blonde, long legs. I had a real thing for her and it was not just how she looked. Well, it’s the same with this girl. There's something about her Dave, not sure what but she's got under my skin.”

  “Did you actually sleep with her?” responded Dave as he finished his drink. He had known Peter Jarvis for many years and seen a procession of women come and go. He had a huge admiration for his friend from a business point of view, but his ability to deal rationally with intimate relationships was not his strong point.

  “No, we were cut short by a phone call…..hers I might add. We were just getting started and it was going to be amazing.” Peter responded.

  “Well, there you are then. A clear case of unfinished business. A classic schoolboy error on your part if I may say so. My advice is to get in there, finish it off and then move on….just like all the others before.”

  “Oh Dave, you're such a source of inspiration,” replied Peter. “And you're probably right. God, am I really getting old and pathetic. This mooning about is doing my head in.”

  “Trust me Pete. Get it over with and you'll feel a whole lot better.”

  With his friend's words ringing in his ears, Peter walked back to his apartment. As he climbed the stairs, he realised that David was probably right. He would make sure he saw Katie down in Cannes and he would make sure that the so-called business was concluded.

  For his own sake, he needed to move on with his life.

  CHAPTER 8

  Katie arrived at the hotel in Cannes at about 4pm the following day. As usual the sun was shining strongly and she had to screw up her eyes when she looked out to the sea. She was glad to be back and knew that a few days away from London would clear her head. She walked into the lobby and up to Reception.

  “Bonjour. Katie McGovern pour deux nuits.” She said, getting out her credit card from her purse.

  “Hello, Miss McGovern, welcome back,” responded the clerk, annoyingly speaking English to her. How was she ever going to improve her language skills if no one would speak to her! She signed the registration form and looked around her.

  As she did so, her heart gave a massive jolt. Coming into the lobby was none other than Peter Jarvis himself. His confident stride and purposeful air created a tidal wave of activity as he walked up to the desk. Katie was speechless! What on earth was he doing here? She didn't know whether to rush into his arms or remain aloof so, predictably, she did the latter, pretending not to notice him even though her breath was coming in short
gasps and her heart was beating madly in her chest.

  “Hi there Katie. I hope you don't mind me joining you for this trip. Sue said it was OK.”

  Sue! She had not mentioned anything to Katie when they had spoken this morning. Why hadn't she? Did she really think there was something going on between them? Oh God, this was going to be a nightmare.

  “Hi Peter. No, Sue didn't say anything. Are you down here on other business?”

  “Well, no, not really. I want to come with you to Logistics France - to see if I can add anything to the deal. I hope you don't mind.”

  “No, not at all.” Katie responded whilst at the same time minding a lot. In fact, the last thing she wanted was Peter here as a distraction.....and a distraction he would surely turn out to be.

  “Great. Shall we meet for dinner then? Say 7.30 here? See you later.” Peter moved off without waiting to hear a reply and left Katie fuming at the desk.

  Later, in her room, she faced a quandary. She tried to evaluate the situation with a clear head and rational logic but she knew that she had reached a crossroads in her life and she just did not know which way to turn.

  She could ring Peter and politely tell him that she did not think it appropriate to go out with him - but that would be strange. They worked for the same company, would be going to business meetings together and he was her boss. There was just no logical reason why she should not go to dinner. It would be obvious that Katie had a “problem” with him.

  On the other hand, she could go to dinner and remain in control and aloof....keeping all the chatter on a purely business level. They would eat, talk business, touch on a few personal details out of politeness, and then say goodnight at the end of the evening.

  There was, of course, a third option but that thought just sent her insides into a spasm of nervousness mixed with anticipation and desire.

  She picked up her phone and punched Josie's name into the finder. The number flashed up and started to ring as Katie put the handset up to her ear.

  After the fourth ring, Josie answered.

  “Hi Katie, where are you? Are we still on for tonight?”

  Katie realized with a guilty start that, in all the hurry, she had forgotten to cancel her drink with Josie.

  “Oh Josie, I’m really sorry but I'm in the south of France again. They arranged a sudden meeting and here I am. We’ll get together as soon as I get back, I promise. Anyway I have a problem,” replied Katie. “None other than Mr. Peter Jarvis has just walked into the hotel and asked me out to dinner. What do I do? Help!”

  “What do you mean.....what do I do? This is the man of your dreams.....or certainly your lusts. Go out with him, have fun and see what happens. What is there to think about?”

  “Oh Josie, it’s not that easy. He's my boss! Worse than that he's my bosses' bosses' boss! People are already talking and stuff. I could lose my job over this if it got out.”

  “Well, you could but you might have had a lot of fun doing so. Take my advice. Go out with him and run with the flow. Anyway, you can't exactly say no, can you?” said Josie.

  “No, I suppose you are right there, but what happens if he wants to…..? You know.”

  “Well, you're a grown up girl aren't you? You know how things work? Go for it.”

  “OK. OK. I will.” Katie paused, smiling to herself. “How's life your end anyway?” She knew Josie would make her feel better and her friend was not disappointing her this time.

  “Not bad considering. Like you I'm on the verge of have a steamy affair with the boss. Hey, maybe we should all just get together for a happy foursome! Sorry love, I've got to go. Have fun.”

  With that, she was gone and Katie slowly put the phone down on the bed. Her friend was right. Of course, she should go tonight and everything would be fine - whatever happened.

  Katie thought about the night ahead and immediately realised that she had nothing suitable to wear. Sure, she had brought some business suits, but left all her evening stuff behind. She had assumed she would be either eating on the go or by herself. Oh my god! She would have to go out and get something. It would be a disaster for her credit card but at least she would look the part - whatever that may mean.

  She grabbed her handbag and phone and rushed out of the room and along the corridor to the lift. Once outside the hotel, she took stock of the situation.

  Hang on, she said to herself, I thought you had decided to give this whole adventure a miss? The chances were high that it would go terribly wrong (although she had no idea now, after all that had happened, what the criteria were for the events to go “right”) and she could even lose her job and her self respect over it. In fact, her head told her coldly, it was pretty much a lose/lose proposition. She should call him and say she had a headache or something.....and she should do it now to prevent anymore agonising or a potential hit to her credit card.

  But, her heart reasoned with Josie's words ringing in her ear, she was hugely attracted to Peter Jarvis (she didn't even try to deny that) and the opportunity to spend the evening with him excited her greatly. She even allowed herself (purely in the interests of a balanced argument of course) the luxury of thinking what could happen. Before she could stop herself she found herself muttering “Mrs. Peter Jarvis” to herself, but then quickly realised the stupidity of what she was saying.

  It was in this state of huge indecision that she entered her favourite shop on the Rue d'Antibes. She wandered over to the dresses and, in a slight dream, found herself selecting several to try on, even though her mind was still churning with doubt. She attracted the attention of a sales assistant who took her over to one of the changing rooms, gently removing the clothes from her slightly sweaty hands and hanging them up on the row of hooks on the wall.

  Katie ensured that the door to the cubicle was closed before slipping off her skirt and blouse. She tried on the blue dress to begin with and, after straightening it, looked up to the mirror to see the effect.

  A disconcerted and slightly red faced image stared back at her. God, what a mess, she thought as her hands went up to her head to straighten her hair. She tightened the belt around the dress and tried to be critical about her appearance. Not bad, but could be bettered.

  The second dress was far too tent-like for her but the third garment was, in her view, pretty perfect. The colour matched her eyes and the gentle V revealed a hint of cleavage, dropping to simply follow the contours of her hips and thighs. This was perfect.....and it would go fine with one of the pairs of shoes she had with her. With a final look in the mirror, she slipped the dress off and put her own clothes back on, before making her way out into the shop to pay. Such was her dreamlike state, it was only after she had inserted her credit card into the machine that she saw the price. She paused as she was about to enter her PIN, not even sure that her credit limit would stand such a charge. Nonetheless she pushed the buttons and waited for what seemed like an age for the approved sign to come up. Breathing a sigh of relief, she handed the console back to the assistant who smiled sympathetically before folding the dress up and putting it in a bag that she had pulled from beneath the counter.

  Walking back to her hotel, her brain was still mulling over the options but her actions seemed to demonstrate that the matter was now out of the hands of the head and most definitely into those of the heart. Anyway, after spending so much money, it would be positively gut wrenching not to go out and enjoy the evening…..whatever the outcome.

  With this thought in mind, she turned into the hotel and, feeling the warm breeze of the Mediterranean on her neck and legs, she returned to her room.

  At 7.15, Katie had already had a long shower and had then moisturised her body all over. Her stomach was full of butterflies and she felt as nervous as she had been on her first date way back when she was sixteen. His name had been Jamie Fisher and she had an almighty crush on him, not that it had developed into anything serious. She combed through her hair slowly before carefully applying some make up. She did not want to appear t
oo glammed up but she knew exactly how to accentuate what she thought was her best features. After drying her hair on the slightly laborious dryer supplied with the room she tossed her head forward and back before gazing critically in the mirror.

  Her eyes shined bright back at her and her cheeks were slightly flushed.

  Not bad even if I say so myself, she thought as she slipped off the bathrobe and put on a fresh set of underwear. She then retrieved the bag and put her new purchase on. She was pleased with the result. Slightly demure, but with a hidden hint of mischievousness that she felt set exactly the right tone.

  With a last fluff of her hair, she picked up her hand bag, stepped into her shoes, collected the key card and left the room. It was time to go!

  CHAPTER 9

  Walking out of the lift into the reception area, Katie immediately spotted Peter. He was dressed casually in a white linen shirt, jeans and a dark blue jacket and his hair was slightly mussed, something he seemed aware of judging by the number of times he pushed his hands through it. To her dismay, he was talking to a stunning blonde woman dressed in a tight cocktail dress that accentuated her rock hard body. As Katie approached, they kissed cheek to cheek and the girl sauntered off seductively (although that's what it seemed like to Katie).