CHAPTER I

It was a very hot day out that afternoon. I found myself fidgeting with my fingers and waiting impatiently in the leather chair of someone's office. It also happened to be my first day at my new job and, as such, I definitely noticed the humidity of the room more intensely than usual. After waiting for what I considered an eternity, I finally stood from my chair and walked over to the idle air conditioner. As I reached for the switch I was startled by a knock on the door behind my back.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," the voice said, cheerfully. "Good afternoon."

I turned around slowly, and nodded politely as the figure approached and reached out her hand.

"Good afternoon," I answered, calmly.

"Gabrielle Montgomery, pleased to meet you, Miss Dale," she said.

"Oh... pleased to meet you, too," I replied, smiling.

We shook hands. I noticed my hand was a little sweaty when I released hers, and I blushed as she wiped her palm on the side of her dark blue suit. She then walked past me and turned on the air conditioner before taking a seat at her desk. Her hands rested together upon her crossed legs for a few moments until she finally motioned for me to sit down as well. Her smile wasn't lost on her at any moment.

"Nervous, are we?"

I paused for a moment, wiping my hands on my own suit slowly and sitting up straight.

"No, of course not."

Miss Montgomery leaned back in her chair and swiveled back and forth as if evaluating me with her gaze. She wore a tailored blue suit with a matching skirt and high heels. Her dark blond hair fell past her shoulders; beautifully styled and lustrous. I found my attention drawn to her hands, where a single diamond ring shined from one of her middle fingers.

"Wedding ring?" I asked curiously.

She lifted her hand from her knee and rested it on her desk. "No, I'm not attached at the moment," she answered tentatively. "And you?"

I turned red again quickly.

"Oh, no. I've never had time for a relationship."

"I understand," she replied, leaning forward a bit. "There is a lot of pressure involved in this career. But I always believe there's time for... some things."

I didn't answer, barely able to refrain from blushing any further. Instead I turned back to the quietly humming air conditioner and was immediately hit again with a jolt of humidity. I noticed Miss Montgomery staring at me out of the corner of my eye with a narrowed gaze.

"You look very hot, Miss Dale."

"Pardon?" I asked nervously.

"Warm. You're perspiring quite a bit. Is it the heat or are we that nervous?"

"Oh, it must be this heat, I'm just not used to it while wearing a suit."

"You can take it off if you'd like." Before I could voice another 'pardon', she quickly added, "Your blazer I mean. There's a coat hanger by the door there."

I glanced at the door, then back at the air conditioner. "No, I'll be fine, thank you, Miss Montgomery."

"You only have to address the big boss by 'Miss'. Gabrielle is fine."

I smiled. "Oh, I'm Kathleen."

She smiled back happily, pushing her hair out of her face though a few locks remained stuck to her cheek from the humidity. She didn't seem to mind at all.

"I'm sure you'd like to take a look at your new office then, Kathleen."

"My office?" I asked, surprised.

"Of course, and it's the same size as mine in fact. I guess someone must be pretty impressed with your qualifications."

"You didn't hire me then?"

"No," she replied. "But I made sure that I'd be the one to help you get started for the first few days." My blushing was easily noticed as she stood from her seat and opened the door. "Shall we?"

Clumsily, I stood from my chair and walked out the door, immediately hitting the significantly warmer air of the wide hallway. Then, with a smile on her face she led me down the hallway to a similar looking door with a blurred window and no name plate. Gabrielle opened the door and walked inside with me, gazing around. The office looked slightly more spacious than hers, mostly because it was empty except for a chair and a desk. I also noticed that I didn't have an air conditioner at present, which I knew was going to be more than a little inconvenient along with the virtual heat wave which had been beating down upon us day and night for the last week.

Gabrielle approached me slightly, as if she were going to kiss me.

"What do you think?" she whispered, her face inches from mine.

Her warm breath against my face sent a rush of energy throughout my body. Every inch of bare skin on my face, hands and neck tingled with a strange excitement. I began to feel the first sensations of arousal between my legs.

"It's... It's perfect," I said, moving my lips but not able to voice the words.

Gabrielle slowly reached out her hand towards my waist. I felt my heart pounding against my chest as I felt the warm sensation between my legs grow into a vibrant flame of arousal. Her hand inched closer. I closed my eyes and held my breath, seconds away from falling over as I felt the weakness in my knees make my upper body seemingly double in weight. Gabrielle took my hand into hers.

"I'm glad to hear that you like it, Kathleen," she answered, giving me the key to the office.

I looked down at our hands as they remained locked together. Her smooth skin touching mine, her soothing embrace emitting an almost euphoric sense of relief from the heat.

Gabrielle leaned her face forward, resting her chin just above my shoulder with her lips next to my ear.

"You're going to love it here, Kathy, I promise," she whispered, pausing for a few breaths.

The heat made her words seem like distant echoes voiced through a vast cave.

"I... I..."

Gabrielle stepped back and let her other hand reach for mine.

With both of her hands gently holding my palm she looked into my eyes, which were already misty.

"And if you ever feel the need to come to my office today, don't be afraid." She then released the key and brought her hands back to her sides. "I am the only one who has an air conditioner at the moment as well, just so you know."

I felt the beads of perspiration run down my forehead. My breathing was almost as rapid as my pulse even as I attempted to calm myself. I was in a haze of thought and couldn't think straight at all. The perfect beginning to my first day of work.

"I..."

"You might want to go downstairs and get your things from your car now, Kathy" she said calmly, beginning to turn.

"Ya, I... my things are in your, I mean my car," I sputtered clumsily.

"Bye, Miss Dale, and welcome aboard."

With that she gave me a wink and turned towards the door, leaving me shaking on my feet and still sweating bullets. Whether it was entirely from the heat now, or because of the uncontrollable arousal I felt, I wasn't sure. My day was just beginning.