Chapter 1: Introduction
John stepped onto the fiftieth floor of the city’s latest architectural marvel to find Sara already there, coordinating with their colleague, Greg, over the logistics of yesterday’s missed sales leads. Her hair clung to her pale face, wet with the late-afternoon sweat of countless bodies inhabiting the same concrete walls. Surrounded by his fellow traders and analysts, John felt a bubble of gratitude rise in his chest, seeing her still so full of fire and discipline.
One could even imagine she ruled this world, instead of it swallowing her whole like it did with him, where he wrestled with crippling self-doubt and insecurity when faced with her overwhelming charisma.
He maneuvered himself towards her, feeling his loafers squeak on the marbled floors as he passed halfway-empty cubicles with workers eyeing him warily. Sara gave him a coy smile, excusing herself from Greg's lingering presence so she could embrace John.
Her petite frame melted onto him as he wrapped his arms around her, letting out a deep sigh.
"I'm so glad you made it. I was worried you'd get caught up in another excruciatingly long board meeting," she whispered.
I lucked out! Those are going to slow down anyway. I’m going to kick on some music with a beat. Hey baby it’s Friday night I invited an old buddy to come hang for a while. Plus I need a connection of his. Sara replies that as long as she can drink some wine she is down for whatever. John thought that was an interesting response that even though it was purely genuine, John’s mind traveled to the idea of what it would be like if Jacob mounted his wife right in front of him where he could smell, feel and hear everything.
As the evening went on, their conversation flowed seamlessly from work-related stories to their plans for the weekend.
John text Jacob the go ahead and Jacob arrived within ten minutes. Believe it or not, the fellas aren’t drinkers. They both drank Mountain Dew enthusiastically as they are both fit and don’t indulge in sweet beverages often. But tonight is an exception. Jacob arrives…
Sara remained engaged, and John's nerves dissipated. He found himself glancing over at Jacob, his best friend and colleague for over a decade, with a hungry intensity that bordered on obsession.
Sara, however, couldn't help but be drawn to the charisma that radiated from Jacob. She found herself stealing glances at him when she thought John wasn't looking. She couldn't explain it, but she felt her heart race, her body growing hot with desire whenever he caught her gaze and flashed his disarming smile.