Monday, April 12, 2010

Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine


When they entered the conference room at 7:25, Angela Saunders was there, but not the Herrings. She, Veronica Clarke, Jorge Garcia, Abel Katz and Eugenia Thomas were in their usual places around the big, rectangular conference table.
Paul thought Angela looked better than usual.
Her long straight hair was pulled back and to the right in a severe wave that accentuated the strength of her face and grace of her neck.
Business-like authority flowed from her carefully tailored clothes -- a red turtle neck sweater, tight brown stirrup pants and a stylishly cut green and brown plaid sports jacket. Her light brown skin glowed against the autumn colors and the careful tailoring complimented the curves of her athletic, hundred and thirty pound, five foot six inch body.
As their eyes met, a shiver ran through Paul. He tried to look away, but couldn't. Angela had fascinated him before, but never like this. He was unable to take his eyes from her lush body, angelic face and full voluptuous lips. On those other occasions he'd been watching her, unobserved.
Now, it was the other way round. She was watching him, boldly, in front of God and everybody.
Being looked at that way, appraised, like a model on a runway, was erotic. Up ‘till now, Magdalena was the only one who could make him feel that way; though there were many such in his fantasies.
Something exciting, perhaps dangerous was happening. Something he ought to understand better.
Another shiver ran through him.
Gotta maintain a professional attitude. Especially now that I'm in charge. Think of her as only a colleague, an extremely attractive successful lady whose direct assertive style you admire. Besides, Magda's right beside you.
Paul looked to his right. Magda was greeting Veronica Clarke and didn't see Angela devouring him with her eyes. If she had, Magda would have said something. Magda thought Angela was a black Yuppie, self-centered and over-sexed.

Angela felt Paul wrench his eyes from hers and watched him turn to Magdalena. She knew what Magda thought and it bothered her. She liked Magda and the younger woman's harsh unspoken judgment was painful.
Don't fret, darlin’. You're allowed feelings. You weren't born rich. You scrambled and put out for everything you've got.
True.
Now you deserve to have what you want.
Yes.
Paul’s eyes were locked on her face again. Angela slid her moist pink tongue across her full lips, saw his eyes widen and follow its glistening motion.
“Look into my eyes!” she commanded silently.
He did.
“Be mine!”
His eyes went soft, unfocused.
Angela leaned back in her chair, calmly holding Paul's gaze. Hypnotic self assurance and pure animal magnetism oozed from her. She almost purred with satisfaction.
Couldn't have done this when she’d joined the Group three years ago! Hanging from a thread then. Guilt, sleep depravation. Dreams too terrible to deal with alone. Dr. Wilbeth and the Group had helped. She appreciated that. It's why she kept coming, even though she was done with all that and didn't really need them anymore. She planned to enjoy her success and not care too much what they thought.
Yet here she was getting dragged down by that Spanish girl’s attitude. Criticism and envy from some still hurt. It wasn’t her fault she was naturally superior, smarter, tougher and sexier.
Magda's just jealous. Maybe if she forgave her and Magda saw she didn't hold it against her, they could be friends. Maybe. But no matter how that came out, she was going to have this scene with Magda’s young man.
Basking in Paul's hazy longing-filled stare, she squeezed her thighs together. The sensation was delicious. What a turn-on to feel her power wash over him.
You promised not to do this kind of thing here.
It just happened. Our eyes connected. Totally unexpected. He’s so open and vulnerable. . . .
Angela’s vagina grew moist.
My, my!
He was stunned, as if she’d hit in the solar plexus. He tried to look away.
Struggle’s useless, darlin'. You're mine now, all mine. Just a matter of time.
Paul’s face flushed.
His blood must be boiling! I can almost feel his penis stir.
Angela held his eyes another beat, her moist full lips curling into a suggestive smile, then she blinked twice, releasing him.
Just then, Magdalena turned to face her. Angela nodded coolly and looked down at the notebook open in front of her.
Veronica Clarke had been observing Angela and Paul as she chatted with Magda. Should she tell Magda? What she’d seen might not mean anything. But on the other hand, she could almost smell the musk.
Paul drifted over to them; flashed that big wholesome grin.
"Hi, Veronica." He tugged at Magda's hand. "Let's go, hon."
Veronica dipped her head. "Paul."
She’d say nothing, for the moment.
Veronica winked and waved as Magda allowed herself to be led away.
At forty four, Veronica was the same age as Angela. But other than that, they had little in common. Veronica was idealistic, the tough-minded administrative assistant to Allen Sharpstien, popular reform-minded Dade County Commissioner. Angela was a go-for-the-jugular opportunist one of the highest paid real estate brokers in the county who suppressed her ideals.
Angela groomed herself carefully, for effect; always appearing in public as the stylish, no-nonsense business woman. Veronica had a slightly disheveled appearance, the clean but slightly rumpled look of a social activist, someone too busy with important things to be overly concerned with appearances.
Veronica pushed her big bifocals off the tip of her pug nose as she watched Paul and Magda take their seats near the chalk board. The octagon shaped frames were fashionable in the late 1980's. She wore them wedged between her ears and a few strands of curly black hair to keep them from sliding. The arched half moon eyebrows in the rounded rectangle of her face, a slightly protruding lower lip and a dimple in a pugnacious chin gave her a youthful, perpetually expectant expression.
Completing college at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Veronica had spent seventeen years working in various bureaucratic capacities for the Metropolitan Dade County Government. She'd quit six years ago to run Allen Sharpstien's campaign for the Metropolitan Commission, and when she'd managed to get him elected, he hired her to run his office.

Veronica was one of the Group's founders. She’d also been Josh Wilbeth’s

lover.

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