Dinner long behind them and the table cleared Mary and Alec sat huddled together going over a final campaign layout package for a large beverage franchise.

   “Mary, you're a Godsend. If this had been sent out with that error it could have cost me at least 100,000 dollars in revenues,” Alec broke the quiet, brushing a hand over his face in a sigh.

   Mary shook her head in disbelief. “I can't believe your last assistant made such a foolish mistake on their invoice. I’m just glad it wasn’t sent to them, because they could have forced you to honor this amount instead.”

   “I don't know what to tell you. Admittedly, Ally's girls look like something out of Victoria's Secret magazines, but I assure you their academic qualifications were impeccable. Allison wouldn't have it any other way, she advertises the women at her agency as beauty with brains.”

   “I'm sure they do have brains, but when you're pretty, you don't have to use it, because being beautiful and helpless seems to instantly bring men to your rescue,” Mary said, honestly. She ran the tip of her ink pin over the columns of figures one last time. She swiveled her chair from side to side with nervous energy. “Yep, must be nice to be so beautiful, that you get to do things that only the average woman read about in romance novels.”

   She looked up from the report to see Alec had crossed his arms over his chest, and leaned back casually in the high-back leather chair staring at her. She became increasingly uneasy under his scrutiny, “I'm sorry, I have a tendency to jangle-on when I'm tired.”

   Alec “Which one of those categories do you put yourself in Mary?”

   “You tell me Mr. Mercer. Would Allison James Agency hire me to become an invaluable assistant to a man like yourself?” 

   As Alec contemplated her question his mind went through the several assistants he tumbled over the years. Geri, with the sultry eyes, Tina, with the knockem' dead natural D's, Lana, with the legs that didn't stop, or Pamela, with an ass you could rest all of your hopes and dreams on, sort of like Mary's backside. 

   Geesh, where did that thought come from? None of Ally's girls would ever physically look like Ms. Mary Christmas. After the conversation he just had with Allison after Mary went up stairs it helped, him to realize none of those women would ever be allowed to be curvaceous and thick like Mary, without losing their jobs.

   Maybe it was time for him to find another employment agency; he always assumed that Allison hired all kinds of executive assistants. He assumed being a close friend, she sent a particular type to his offices because in the male dominant advertising field, a beautiful assistant could seal a deal with a subtle smile. 

   It wasn’t until he was in need of a less then model perfect assistant that he realized the truth, and it seemed as if he needed to make more changes in the office. He was fortunate no one had filed a discrimination lawsuit against his advertising firm. Alec made a mental note to meet with the head of personnel and Allison. A new year was coming and he was making changes in his personal life by proposing to Erica, so why not clean up his corporate office, or at least add more versatility based on merits, and not appearances. 

   As if Mary sensed she had put him on the spot, she politely began to discuss the advertisement plan setting on the desk before them. Nevertheless, Alec decided he didn’t want it to be easy with Mary; he wanted to keep things comfortable and honest between them. It was nice to have a woman he could talk to without threading lightly because he wanted to fuck her. He didn’t have to worry about that with Mary, she wasn’t his type. 

   “You know Mary, you're right, you don't fit the standard model mold that Allison basically requires at her firm, or the type of woman, I usually choose as my assistant.” He paused not sure how to continue, but with honesty. “In advertising I deal with beautiful people or beautiful things all the time and in doing so, I've become jaded in the way I was seeing everything, including the people I surrounded myself with.”

   “And now?” 

   “Now, I suppose you've opened my eyes to some needed eventual changes at Mercer's Advertising. I need you to set up a conference after the trip, of course with my personnel department.”

   “I think that would be a wise move. As it is now, you could be looking at a future lawsuit. It only takes one visiting associate, or disgruntled employee to file a complaint. You may consider adding some more diversity to the office, and it wouldn't hurt to hire a few male Executive Assistants.” She smiled to lessen the effect of her bluntness. “At least if a lawsuit were to come in before you make the changes you can place the blame on the fact that you contracted an agency to handle hiring for you and they had poor judgment.” 

   Alec shook his dark head. “I wouldn't do that to Allison. I'm the one with the last word especially when it came to my personal assistants,” he replied truthfully.

   “Which brings us to little ol' me.” Mary paused for a moment before asking. “May I ask why you ask me to work for you instead of having Ms. James send over another assistant?”

   “Actually, I was on the phone speaking to Allison. I wanted something different from my norm. I was growing tired of women that couldn't separate business from…non-business. I wanted someone that could remain professional and …well you know,” he shrugged sheepishly.

   “Yeah, you mean someone you wouldn't be sexually attracted to,” Mary, smiled sadly and released a long sigh. “Suddenly, in walked me, Mary, Mary, Ordinary.”

   “I know how shallow I must appear,” his voice softened with sincerity. “I wish I could say that I hadn't stepped over the line with a few of my personal assistants in the past--”

   Mary snorted and rolled her eyes.

   Alec cut her a profound glare. “I also know, my personal life is rarely a secret, so there is no need to lie to you now, just to paint myself in a better light. I’m sure my reputation in the office for mixing business with pleasure, is well known.”

   “Yeah, I'm afraid, I already find you completely hopeless.” Mary's mouth spread into a teasing grin as she nodded in agreement. “Still, be warned, Mr. Mercer, the first time you ask me to cover your butt, about some indiscretion and lie to your fiancée or wife, I‘m out of there. I won’t lie.”

   “For shame,” he gasped placing his hand over his heart in feigned insult. “Oh, you aren't going to make these new changes easy for me, are you? As of this moment I don't have either, but I hope to change that soon. I can also assure you Mary; once I make a commitment, I'm very loyal. I would never cheat on the woman I love.”

   “I see.” She made a motion of zipping her lips and throwing away the key before saying, “As long as you're not looking for an assistant that bats her lashes at you and tell you how wonderful you are, then, I suppose, we shall get along splendidly.”

   “Oh, that's a shame, because I can tell behind the glasses you have beautiful eyes,” he teased with a smile that stole her breath away. “So are you sure you won't flutter, those long lashes at me, just a little, every now and then?”

   Mary blushed and looked away from his intent stare. “It works in both ways; mind you, your lashes put some women to shame,” she said honestly and added, “Also, you don't need to flatter me, I know my abilities and my shortcomings.”

   He shook his head, “Mary, when a lovely woman receives a compliment, she accepts it with grace, even if she doesn't believe it's sincere. You never let a gentleman know, you don't believe him.” Alec laughed. “Besides, I deem, I already told you I never say things I don't mean.”

   Mary adored the sound of his laughter; it made her smile and feel warmth in all the right places. “So you keep telling me. I believe you're saying you've never told a woman you loved her to get her into your bed.” She crossed her arms across her ample breast.

   “Never!” Alec's smile widened as she gave him a skeptical look that told him she clearly didn't believe him. “Well, maybe once, when I was seventeen.”

   She shook her head.

   “I'm not scoring any points with you, am I? So, how about I tell you something I know you'll believe I'm sincere about.” He leaned towards Mary, his face so close she could feel his warm breath against her cheek. “I have thoroughly enjoyed this evening. I don't remember when I've had such a comfortable evening, working. The hours we've spent going over these sketches and contracts, seeing them through your enthusiastic eyes, made me feel like the young advertising agent that nailed his first multi-million dollar contract.”

   “Really?” Mary’s dark eyes widen in surprise. “Why, thank you.”

   “No, thank you, Mary.” He touched and squeezed the top of her hand. “Also, never again do I want to hear you call yourself “ordinary”. You’re extraordinary to me. A true breath of fresh air.”

   “Okay, you're pushing the envelope of believability now, so stop while you're ahead,” she giggled.

   “One more thing, and I will stop embarrassing you. How did you instantly understand what I was trying to ultimately achieve in my advertising proposals without me having to explain my motivation?"

   “I don't know,” Mary shrugged. “You are good at what you do. I'm actually surprised that you are still working on these assignments instead of passing them down to be handled by your associates.”

   “I guess because when someone is spending a quarter of a million on advertising to Mercer Advertisings, they deserved my personal attention. After all, this firm was built on my skills, attention to detail, and a gift for knowing how to set new trends,” he spoke with conviction instead of conceitedness.

   “Yeah, I get that by looking at this layout. That slogan is going to catch on, and you're going to hear it everywhere. Especially the jingle, it's already playing around and around in my head,” she chuckled. “Have you found an artist to record it yet?”

   He shook his head. “No, do you have any ideas?”

   “Well, the typical thing is to find someone ridiculously popular at the moment and make them a spokes person.”

   “I could do that, I have some great connections.” Alec scratched his chin, his lips pursed in thought.

   “Yeah you could, or you can become your innovative old self and have a nationwide search for the new face, televise it, and let the people vote on who they want as the spokesperson. Open it to people of all backgrounds, sizes, and nationalities.”

   “I strongly believe you may be on to something!” Alec couldn't help but turn in his chair and hug Mary, sitting in the chair next to him at her small cornered office desk.

   With a catch of breath, he released her stunned by the warm tingling sensation spreading from were her soft cushioned breast pressed flatly against him. The sudden erection between his thighs caught him off his guard, and he placed some much-needed distance between them.

   “Glad, I could help,” Mary said softly.

   He wondered had she felt what he felt? Probably not, he was just so used to having assistants that were all over him, singing his praises and expecting him to give them a lifestyle that few could only dream of. Mary wasn't like the other women; he didn't sense she had a hidden agenda for accepting the position he offered.

   “Mary, thank you for allowing me to interlope on your personal time.” He cleared the lump out of his throat. “I'll look over this last one, and then I promise I’ll get out of your hair and allow you to rest.” 

   “No problem, I'll finish making these notes, and it will be perfect by the time you meet with the client. Considering it's going to be running at the Super Bowl, there‘s no reason to go with my suggestions if they aren't feasible.” 

   “I'm sure we can swing it no matter what,” Alec absently reached out to touch her hand next to him in reassurance, but she moved it to rest in her lap, as if to say she didn't want him touching her. For some reason it pained him to think that Mary may have agreed to work with him, but may not like him as a person.

   In all fairness she didn't know him…not yet, and he didn't know much about her and surprisingly enough, for the first time in a long time, he wanted to get to know more about a woman, than her favorite wine and sexual position. 

   Alec lashes fluttered, realizing he was staring at Mary, he returned his concentration to the contracts before him. It last for about ten minutes. Almost against his will, he found his eyes drawn once more to her dark head bent so meticulously over the commercial sample sketches before her. She had released her hair from a tight bun and pulled it back into a hair scrunchy, he believed they were called, something none of the ladies he dated would be caught dead wearing in their hair. Neither would they change into those black leggings with an oversized white peasant top in his presence. 

   His eyes followed the blouse as it dropped off one creamy brown shoulder. Without taking her eyes off the project she pulled it back up. Alec tilted his head to one side, but no matter the angle, the picture was just as nice. Mary wasn't a supermodel or beauty queen gorgeous, in the way Erica, and the many other women he'd known over the years, was. Still, there was something about her...

   The one thing he realized about the other women is the more time he spent with them the more unattractive they became. It seemed as if there was never any balance in the relationship. 

   Sometimes he wanted nice companionable evenings like this one, with deep conversations and laughing. A great face and body got his attention, but it wasn't enough to keep him interested. Regardless of how much Alec could appreciate a woman’s outer beauty, his ego couldn't handle the nagging question of “Is she with me, for me, or my money and notoriety?” and eventually he would learn it was all about what he was and not who he was.

   After being in her company and seeing her move about, he remembered seeing Mary making her way through the office, he had barely given her a second glance, but he could remember her kindness to her fellow employers. She seemed to remember names and birthdays.

   If memory served him right, it was Mary who had given one of his ex-assistants a surprise engagement party on the job. He may never say anything but all that this woman had done around the office for everyone, hadn’t gone unnoticed. She was well liked by all and had practically become the office entertainment director on her own accord. Always smiling, always giving, that is Mary, and she is a good person to have around.

   Of course, his asking Mary unexpectedly to join him at the family holiday home had been spontaneous, but the more time he spent with her, the more he was happy, he made the decision. He looked forward to knowing more about her and seeing if she was the hard and diligent worker, she appeared to be, he suspected by the time they spent working this evening, she was. The thing he hadn't expected was, the more time he spent in her company, the more adorable she was becoming. 

   Mary looked up at him and smiled; pushing those foolishly large glasses that seem to continuously slip to the tip of her pudgy nose, back in place. She really did have the most incredible eyes he’d ever seen; it was ashamed to hide them behind those glasses.

   Alec realized she was talking to him. “I’m sorry, did you say something?”

   “I asked, if you had found something I missed?”

   “Oh, no, it looks wonderful!” Alec sputtered, trying to focus his attention on the corrected documents in front of him.

   Mary raised her wrist to look at her watch. “You know it’s almost midnight, so maybe we better go ahead and wrap this up. I need to get to the office early in the morning to get what we will need to draw up a new prospectus with a corrected pricelist.”

   He smiled and leaned back in his chair turning his full stare on her, “Does Cinderella turn into a pumpkin at midnight?”

   “No, I'm already a pumpkin, so I actually turn into Cinderella when the lights are off.” She laughed with lifted eyebrows.

   “That's a good one,” Alec teased. “I turn into a Prince, when the lights are off, because I'm considered a “toad” when their own.”

   “I very much doubt that. You're too handsome to be a toad,” she said with ease.

   “You find me handsome?” Alec couldn't keep down the warmness that spread through him.

   Mary giggled, “I know, it's impossible to believe, right? Please, give a girl a break, I’ve already worked a ten hour day before you came here and took over, so at this point even Kermit the Frog would look sexy.”

   “So, does that mean you find me sexy too?” His surprised grin grew even wider, if that was possible.

   “Oh God, I must be exhausted if I’m hearing the man voted to be one of the Sexiest Men on earth, fishing for compliments.” Mary sat back in her seat with a playful chuckle. 

   Alec sighed heavily, she was right. He was practically begging for it. “You’re right, sorry to put you one the spot, I think I’m exhausted also.”

   “I don’t feel as if you were putting me on the spot,” she quipped. 

   He began closing and stacking the files that littered the desk. “That’s beside the point. You saved me, fed me, been a gracious hostess and delightful company. I hope you realize how much your graciousness has meant to me tonight.”

   ***

   Mary regretted saying it the minute it came out of her mouth; not the fact that she found him handsome and sexy, but for turning it into a joke when it was the truth.

   Sincere contriteness displayed in his eyes. It wasn't as if she had never noticed his remarkable bedroom eyes; a luminescent green, surrounding by absurdly long black lashes, so thick, it looked as if kohl lined his bottom lids.

   She looked down at his tan, strong, vein-lined hand as it closed around hers in a gentle squeeze. “Truly, thank you. Take your time coming in tomorrow and sleep in tomorrow. I'll have Marge at the receptionist desk; she will be working up until we turn the phones over to the service. It will be waiting on your new desk outside my office, when you get there.”

   He really was a touchy feely person. She wondered if he realized that about himself. It didn't bother her because she came from a family of people that touched and hugged all the time. Still, his touch did unsettling things to her nervous system and made her feel foolishly reflective on things that weren't even a possibility. 

   “You don't have to do that, Mr. Mercer.”

   “Mary, if you call me by my father's name one more time, you're fired.” He released her hand and reached for another file. “I'm just Alec or my friends and family call me Al. I don't feel right calling you by your first name, and you not do so in kind. The only times I expect formalities is in front of visiting clients.” 

   Mary eyes grew round. She only heard the “fired” part. “You would really fire me if I slip up? I mean, I was raised to show my employers respect, and I may say it again, without meaning to. I…” Mary's voice faded as wrinkles of mirth surrounded his eyes. “Oh, okay, you got me.”

   “Are you always so serious?” he teased. 

   “No, but as I said, you make me nervous,” Mary admitted.

   “Well, I have to see what I can do about that. There is no way a woman with the name “Mary Christmas”, can maintain one serious or nervous bone in her body.” 

   “Well, I’m not so bad with…” she paused as she followed his tongue. Just watching him casually moistened his lips was hot. “With people I know.”

   Alec cocked his head to the side, his face spreading into an easy smile. “I suppose you best get to know me fast. After all, we’re going to be spending the holidays together in a secluded mountain hide away.”

   Mary licked her lips, “Not…not alone.”

   He shrugged, absently, placing the files in his briefcase. “Except for the caretakers on the ranch, and your parents; for the first week it will just be us.” He paused and a light frown creased his brow. “Mary, it never occurred to me, but I suppose it should have; you don’t know me from Adam. “Are you uncomfortable about being alone with me in general?”

   “Of course not, Alec,” she reached out and took his hand. “I’ve been alone with you all evening haven’t I?”

   “Yes.”

   “Look, I didn’t mean to make it sound as if I was nervous because you were some ogre or something,” she explained. “It’s just you’re nothing like what I expected and this entire evening has taken me by surprise.”

   “May I ask what you'd expected?”

   She had no idea.

   “Let me guess, you assumed I was some tight-ass, Ivy League, rich white boy womanizer with a silver spoon in my mouth, with no concern for the people less fortunate then myself?”

   Mary felt her cheeks go warm, because earlier something similar had crossed her mind. Now, she felt different.

   “Well, uh…truthfully, I really had no idea of what to expect, I’ve just seen you around the office and heard rumors…read some things. I suppose, from all that I’ve heard. I was shocked that you would hire me to be your assistant in the first place. I definitely didn’t expect to end up a guest in your home for a few weeks. ”

   “I don't know why not? You're a hard worker, and I needed someone.”

   “True, but because I've been at your company for two years I know that I'm not the usual type of assistants you like working closely with you. I'm by no means a supermodel or wannabe actress, by any means.”

   Realizing she was still touching him, she pulled back her hand and held it fisted in her lap. Her heart pattered foolishly in her chest and moistness gathered between her thick thighs. She was embarrassed. She was actually reacting to him as a man. She wouldn't do this; he was her boss, an employer, and practically engaged.

   Mary had to put her association with him back into perspective, just because he ate dinner and spent the evening in her home, it didn't mean it was a date or even the beginning of a deep friendship. He had a problem, and he paid her to help him solve it. That was all there was to it.

   Her eyes connected with his and swallowed the newly formed lump in her throat.

   “Do I really seem that shallow to you?” He sighed. “I’m sorry, Mary, I didn’t mean to get on the defensive. It’s just I’ve worked hard to become the man I am today. My family wasn’t suffering, but I come from a middle-class family. Dad is a retired physician and my mom, a retired teacher.” He slowly smiled. “The only silver spoon that was in my house as a kid is in a case nestled next to the good china, Mom, only brings out for guest and holidays.”

   Mary laughed. “My mom does that too.”

   “Really? See we have something in common, probably more, once we get to know each other better.” He assured her. “What do your parents do?”

   “My father, Joseph, is a retired veterinarian and my mother, Miriam, was a nurse, but she had a difficult time conceiving and when I finally came to them late in life, she became a stay at home mom.”

   “So, you’re an only child.”

   “Unfortunately. How about you?” She inquired. “You mentioned you had a brother deceased. I admit I heard about him dying in Iraq when it happened. I sent a card and flowers to the funeral home, along with donating to the Disable American Veterans fund in Ben Mercer’s name.”

   “That was a surreal time for me and my family, so I hardly remember anything about it but the pain and disbelief over the entire situation. I do know I personally ordered “thank you” cards and asked my assistant at the time to send them out.”

   “Maybe mine got lost in the mail, but I and I’m sure everyone else understood. We all have dealt with grief and know how crazy it can get during that time.” Mary placed a hand on his and squeezed it before releasing it. “I can’t imagine how many condolences you must have received being a public figure.

   “Still, it’s embarrassing to think, those who took the time to send something, didn’t get thanked for the thought. My mother would be mortified. She hand wrote all the ones she received a thank you letter,” his voice faltered. “Thank you, Mary. I’m sorry it’s a long time coming.”

   “Your assistant at that time was, Leslie Foster. She was out of there a couple of days after you lost your brother, she probably didn't get the chance, to follow up,” Mary supplied. 

   Alec's eyebrows touched in a deep frown. “Leslie Foster? Ooh yes,” he nodded his head and released a derisive snort. “I remember her. She left because she was upset by the fact I didn't want her to accompany me to my brother's funeral. She accused me of not wanting her to meet my immediate family.”

   Mary scowled. “That's no excuse to leave you high and dry when you needed her the most. You were grieving, it wasn't an appropriate time to be meeting your parents.”

   Alec gave her a half smile. “Thank you for placing me in a justified light, but she had been right. My family is personal, and I don't just introduce any woman to them. I try to keep my parents out of all this public hype as much as possible.”

   “What about during your holidays with your family, do you usually go alone?” Mary asked, realized she was being personal, but curiosity about him won out over good manners.

   “The ones that have accompanied me to the holiday home were only with me during the week before the rest of the family arrived.”

   Mary lifted an eyebrow in shock. “I'm surprised to hear that, since I'm supposed to bringing my family and spend time with you and your family.”

   “It's different, we're not sleeping together.” He pointed out, with a lingering stare at her mouth before looking away. “I suppose, I always felt that if my mother, saw me with a woman during the time they were at the ranch, she would surmise it was a serious relationship, and it would give her hope. My marrying and having children is at the top of my mother’s Christmas wish list.” 

   He looked at her again and grinned, once more his eyes seemed to be searching her face. Yet, he didn't say anything.

   Mary could feel her heart racing from the way he had stared at her. She wondered what he had been thinking in those few moments.

   “Was Ben, your only sibling?”

   He swallowed deeply and nodded. 

   Mary found herself touching him again as her hand reached out to cover his. She didn't do it intentionally, but she wouldn't have done any less for another employee that needed comfort in the office.

   “I understand that your pain of your loss is still fresh. I can never know what it feels like to lose a brother, but I lost…I lost, a cousin within the first year they went over there. I wish I could say it gets easier within time, however, it doesn't.”

   “No, it doesn't,” he agreed. “So, is it only you and your parents?”

   “Oh God, no,” Mary chuckled. “My parents have sixteen brothers and sisters between them, and it makes for a huge family, with more cousins, then I can remember. Yet, the cousin I lost, Jamie, well, I miss her so much. She was my running partner. We'd go to karaoke and sing and dance the night away.” 

   “Man, don't I know it.” His eyes darted around the room in frustration. “That's the worse thing about losing a loved one isn't it, Mary? Suddenly, all the things you're use to doing with them seems so significant to your entire life, when at the time, it was just another thing that you had to find time to do.”

   He sniffled, shifting uncomfortably in the chair he continued, “Ben, and I use to shoot pool and work out together. Now, when I do those things with other people I just feel so damned guilty for being alive while he's not.” He stood abruptly causing the chair he occupied to roll back on its wheels.

   Staring up into his eyes, she realized they had forgotten he was her boss, she was his employer, and for the moment, they were just two people sharing the pain of losing a loved one. Alec was a man, in a lot of pain over the loss of his brother, and she wondered if he even realized that he had yet to truly grieve over his loss. He probably has been playing the position of supportive son for his parents' sake, and hadn't had the opportunity to deal with the fact that he too had lost something very precious. 

   Mary's heart went out to him, and she couldn't stop herself. She stood and faced him, wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders. “It's okay to feel sad, and in this case angry, because it all seems so senseless these days and times. After many years past of wars, there should never be nothing but peace, but as long as men find something to fight about, our families will die.” 

   “How do I heal from the guilt, Mary?” Alec muttered. “I’m the eldest, and it’s never crossed my mind to go and fight for this country. “Instead, I’ve written several checks to good causes and considered my civil duties done.” His hold tightened on her as he returned her comforting hug. “My brother was the better man, and he died because of it.” 

   Mary shook her head against his shoulder. “You can’t think like that, Alec, we all have our calling in this world and yes, your brother died for his country which is very noble, but now he can’t do anything else. You are alive and in a position to continue helping and there is so much need right here at home. We our fighting a battle in our own streets against drugs, and the abuse, hunger, and lack of medical care of our citizens.”

   She leaned back to look up at him. “You, have to choose your battles. A check and an ink pen can change the ordinary lives of hundreds, be it here or written to one of the many causes worldwide. You're doing what you can. You became a man of means, and you're sharing that wealth with other causes. It is noble. Many just keep getting richer and act as if the world owes it to them. They don't feel the need to share because their heart tells them to. They do so because it's a tax break.”

   He laughed, his voice husky with emotions. “Hey, don't knock a good tax break.”

   She smiled, sharing his humor. Playfully she jabbed him with a finger in his side. “You, know what I'm saying.”

   He nodded. His hands resting gently on her round shoulders, “Yeah, I know.” He blew out a long breath. “I also know you’re good for an ailing spirit, Ms. Mary Christmas.”

   Suddenly Mary was very aware of how close they stood together, his chest almost touched her breasts. His hands were on the curve of her shoulders and hers rested on his lean waist. Bewilderment held her still, and the debts of his searching eyes stole her breath. 

   She felt something happening to her, warming up her insides, a thawing of her defenses. She had no control over these unfamiliar sensations, and it terrified her. This just wasn't any man making her feel this way. It was Alec Mercer, touted as one of the magazines top “100 Beautiful People of the World”, and another called him “The Bachelor of the Decade”.

   Here stood the “Hunk of the Month”, standing in her small townhouse apartment just a breath away from her lips and all she could think of was…nothing logical. Her mind was a void of all thoughts, except for one. I want him to kiss me.

   Needing a distraction Mary broke the sexually charged silence, “I’m glad I can help you feel somewhat better,” she whispered. “Would you like to take some leftover Chinese food home with you?”

   He picked up a strand of dark brown hair that must have come loose from the scrunchy at the nape of her neck when she changed clothing. “I suppose I did get carried away on ordering, didn’t I?”

   She managed to nod.

   “I hate it when I get a taste for something an I’m not sure what it is, I end up buying almost everything on the menu trying to figure out exactly what I’m hungry for. Don’t worry I put it on my card, paying for dinner is the least I can do, for coming to your home, to work.”

   “Did you finally figure it out?” She asked.

   “Figure out what?

   “What you were hungry for?”

   “No. I still feel…hungry.”

   “Yeah,” she fully understood. She was hungry too, but it wasn't for food. Wow, that had to be a first. She finally desired something more than a meal. She desired Alec. 

   So much so, she was actually aching, she realized. She wanted to ask him to stay, to let her first complete sexual act to be with someone like him, handsome and experienced. She desired to savor his mouth on hers and discover the texture of his tongue.

   Her face tilted up to his. He leaned into hers, his lips so close she could feel the air from his nose dusting across her face. Her body stiffened. Oh, God he’s going to kiss me, she thought.

   Mary was thinking about all the possibilities if she would just give in to this moment. Yet, instinctively she knew it wasn't possible. The moment she removed her clothing, and he saw her scarred body, his desire would crumple at her feet, just like Cinderella's ball gown before she had to change back into her rags. 

   She stumbled back against the chair pushing it aside. “How about I leave you to finish up in here, and I will go to the kitchen. You have to take home some of those leftovers. The Lo Mein noodles are excellent cold.” 

   “Mary.” Alec called her name softly and reached for her; she skirted around him rushing out the door, down the hall towards the kitchen.

   Mary reached the kitchen on trembling limbs, not quite sure how she managed without embarrassing herself. Out of breath, she leaned against the refrigerator, her forehead pressed against the cool stainless steel as she waited for her heartbeat to slow down. Whatever Alec was going to say or do, she didn't want to risk finding out. He was about to kiss her, and she wanted him to. She wondered is she ever wanted anything more, then she wanted Alec Mercer at that moment. Was she crazy? Stuff like this didn't happen to her.

   It was smart to walk away, and once she faced him again with his food, she would pretend like the moment where they almost kissed never happened. There were no reasons to ruin an otherwise, great evening.

   She didn't want to hear the speech she knew would come of him telling her all the reasons why anything beyond being co-workers was out of the question. She also didn't want to hear him tell her that she needed to go back and work with Mr. Owens after all. How could she have been so stupid, touching him with such familiarity? She hugged the man for chrissake!

   If Alec Mercer had planned to say any of those things, Mary wasn’t going to find out tonight. When she came out of the kitchen with a loaded bag of food in her hands, he was gone.