Chapter 1

The Proposal

They stepped into the elevator together. As the door closed behind them, Erika Sawyer caught their reflections in the metal covered doors. It wasn’t completely mirror-like, but she could still make out the images pretty well.

If she didn’t know the woman looking back at her, Erika would have thought she was an escort. The tall blond woman in front of her was dressed in a tiny black dress that clung tightly to her body. She had the body of a stripper – long legs and large breasts.

Erika would never dress like the woman in the reflection before her now, for she was far too conservative for that. After all, she was a young career woman, happily married to the best husband in the world.

At work, she usually wore a crisp blouse and slacks. Her friends often kidded her, calling Erika and her husband the Barbie and Ken Couple. The physical similarity was hard to argue with, but William always insisted that his wife was a lot hotter than any version of the famous doll.

That comment always made her smile.

But now that she was looking at Slut Barbie’s reflection, the family joke was losing its luster. She wasn’t sure what she was doing on a hotel elevator dressed like a whore. I can’t do this.

She glanced down at her revealing outfit - the skimpy black, low cut dress that left little to the imagination, hugging her curves like a second skin. This wasn’t her. She was a damn professional.

“I don’t think I can do this. Look at me; I don’t look like a professional marketeer. I can’t believe I let you talk me into this,” she finally said out loud to her boss.

For months, Howard Fenster had been trying to convince Erika to use all the feminine assets at her disposal when dealing with customers. This is the trucking business after all, he’d say, and these guys appreciate a beautiful woman.

The creepy middle aged sales manager standing next to Slut Barbie turned to face her as the elevator continued its ascent. His eyes roaming over her barely concealed form despite her obvious discomfort.

“Now, now, baby, there’s no need for cold feet,” he said reassuringly, even as a part of him reveled in the sight of the sexy ass bitch. He wanted a piece of that ass in the worst way. Too bad she didn’t understand what a sales tool she could be.

Erika always knew men found her attractive. Even before she grew fully into a woman, others had taken notice of her. People always told her to take part in pageants and take advantage of her beauty.

Despite all that, Erika had always wanted to make it on her own abilities, her own merit, but it hadn’t been easy. She was on her second job in three years since graduating from college, and she hadn’t gotten any farther up the ladder than assistant marketing representative.

On the other hand, William had been promoted twice since college and was one step away from management. She loved William with all her heart, but still a little bit of competitiveness had worked its way into their relationship. She so much wanted to keep up with him.

“Don’t worry about it,” said Howard, breaking her hypnotic gaze into the mirror-like door. “You look just fine, and Phil’s going to love you. I’ve known this guy for years. We used to work together, and now he’s in a position to help his old pal.”

“Why do you guys think those old connections matter? That just gets us in the room.”

“That’s why I brought you. Face it honey, with a face and body like yours, and in that fucking dress, he’ll be hanging on your every word. We’ll have a captive audience.”

Jesus, Howard was such a reptile. She hated that she was paired with this dinosaur of a sales lead. He thought all he needed to make a sale was a dirty joke and a hot assistant. From the moment he first saw Erika, he’d worked tirelessly to convince the bosses to put her on his team.

Shuddering slightly at Howard’s crude words, she clasped her hands tightly in front of her, trying to preserve some modesty despite the provocative attire. All that did was push her big boobs tighter together, deepening her cleavage.

“No, Howard, I really can’t do this,” she insisted firmly, her voice trembling only slightly. “Wearing this ... this slutty dress to win a client goes against everything I believe in.”

Erika was now looking at the numbers rising on the panel by the door -- 11, 12, 13, 14 ... She felt a shiver rip through her body. How can I even think dressed like this? I feel so uncomfortable.

“Anyway, you’re not much of a professional marketeer if you never make a sale, are you? Need I remind you what this contract would mean to our company? And think of the massive bonuses we’ll get for landing this whale.”

She hated the part of that comment that was the truth. She hadn’t made many sales doing it her way, and her boss had said she was hanging by a thread. It was just that these damn Neanderthal clients wouldn’t deal with a woman. Even in this day and age.

“Erika, listen to reason here, will ya? This isn’t about being a ‘professional marketer’, whatever the hell that means. In this cutthroat world, sometimes you gotta play the cards you’re dealt, and right now, sweetheart, the card you’ve been dealt is ... fucking stunning.”

He lets his gaze linger on her cleavage appreciatively, a smirk playing on his thin lips. The elevator pinged softly, signaling their arrival at the floor housing the suite where their key client awaited.

“And maybe after, we can grab a drink somewhere. We never get to just hang out and talk,” he said. Like she was that stupid.

Erika looked over at Howard’s image on the doors now. Even the distorted reflection couldn’t improve the reality of him. The middle aged marketing manager had been hitting on Erika for nearly a year. She could never imagine what made him think she’d be interested – the disgusting little troll.

“I don’t think so, Howard. Let’s focus on Phil.”

Why on Earth would she choose to fool around with Howard Fucking Fenster. She couldn’t think of any less appealing human. He was a squat little bald creature, married with six kids. She certainly had no interest in him.

Yet, here she was in an elevator following his fucking advice to “dress sexy” for this customer meeting. The two were trying to move the contract process a little faster down the track.

Howard had been chasing this customer for years. The Grade A Trucking account would be a major win for the company and would get him that long awaited promotion to vice president. But it wouldn’t be easy. Phil had made it clear that Howard and Erika’s company had to offer the best value in truck parts.

Yet, Howard had seen Phil take the occasional glance at good looking women and having this hot little bitch along couldn’t hurt. And man she was hot, Howard thought, looking over at the busty statuesque blond.

“Remember what I told you, Erika. In the real world, looks and presentation matter just as much as product specs and price points. Phil’s a red-blooded male, same as any other. Give him a little eyeful, flash that killer smile ... trust me, he won’t be able to resist your charms once he lays eyes on you.”

Erika had it all hair, face, tits, ass and legs. The honey blonde was taller than Howard and had to have a 40-inch chest. She was fucking perfect, and he wanted her in the worst way. Looking at her in the tight, short black dress was only strengthening that desire.

Maybe Phil would leave something for his old buddy when he was done fucking her. Privately, Phil had joked with Howard that a ride on a bitch like this one might clinch the deal.

“Erika, sweetness, we both know why you were hired. Not just for your supposed ‘marketing skills’. Management sees dollar signs whenever you strut past in your tight skirts. Well, today we’re gonna give the client a chance to see those dollar signs, too.”

She groaned at his reptilian comment just as the elevator doors opened and Howard stepped out, holding them for Erika. His eyes shamelessly roamed her body, lingering on her ample cleavage, as she gave him her meanest side-eyed look.

It seemed like he’d been working on this little bitch forever and wasn’t about to give up. He’d never seen a chick hotter to get ahead in business, and that was the kind of flaw a guy could use. But first she was going to help him land this elusive whale.

The two salespeople moved down the hall to Suite 2619 and Howard knocked. The door was opened by a handsome gray haired man dressed in just a pair of slacks and an open collared shirt. The smiling gentleman warmly greeted his guests.

“Hey Howie, how are you? I see you brought your young protégé along.”

“Thanks for inviting us and allowing Certified to present a proposal,” Howard replied.

Feeling utterly exposed in the tight revealing dress, Erika plastered on a polite smile and extended her hand to shake Phil’s. “Pleased to meet you, Phil. I’m Erika Sawyer,” she said, introducing herself and fighting the urge to tug at the hem of my dress which rode dangerously high on her thighs.

As Phil’s eyes brazenly traveled the length of her body, undressing her further, she suppressed a shudder of unease. Glancing at Howard, she silently prayed he didn’t mention anything inappropriate in front of their client.

The trucking executive invited them to have a seat and got a round of drinks from the minibar. Howard began to run down the advantages of going with Certified Parts, as Phil sat down on the other side of a Davenport from Erika.

She thought he was a pretty good looking man despite his age which must be mid-50s. He was tall and looked like he was in reasonably good shape.

Perched stiffly on the edge of the sofa, Erika crossed her legs demurely, acutely aware of how the action causes her already short skirt to ride up perilously high on her thighs. She kept her focus on Howard as he spoke, praying Phil kept his eyes Fenster rather than her exposed flesh.

“Let’s see the proposal,” the client said to her coworker.

“Um, I’m sorry. I didn’t bring it,” Howard stammered. “A messenger was supposed to bring you a copy.”

“Why didn’t you email it? How the hell am I supposed to evaluate a proposal if I don’t even have it? I think we better cancel this meeting until you’re better prepared.”

Erika couldn’t believe that Howard had screwed up like this. He had been trying to get this meeting for weeks and now the whole thing was in jeopardy. Why didn’t he bring the proposal to the damn meeting?

Seeing the meeting potentially derail due to Howard’s oversight, she sprang into action, standing up and stepping closer to Phil.

“Please, don’t let this minor inconvenience ruin the opportunity for us to discuss how Certified Parts can benefit Grade A Trucking, Phil,” she said. He looked at her like she could have said anything, and he would have listened happily.

Howard begged Phil to let him run and get a copy. “I can be back in just a few minutes.”

Actually, Erika knew it would take more than an hour to drive across town and back, but Howard knew that, and so did Phil. Erika had no idea that the ‘lost’ proposal was part of the plan.

“OK, but hurry back. I’ve got an early plane tomorrow, and I want to get to bed early tonight.”

“Come on Erika,” Howard said. “Let’s go.”

She glanced anxiously between Howard and Phil, realizing she may have been manipulated into this situation. What choice did she have? Biting her lower lip, she shook her head.

“I’d like to stay here if you don’t mind,” Erika said. “I’ll keep Phil company until you get back.”

A sly grin spread across Howard’s face as he heard Erika volunteer to keep Phil company. He tried to hide his elation, knowing he’d played his cards right. You are so predictable, you conniving little bitch, Howard thought. You’re gonna get me that contract, you sexy whore.

“Alright then, I shouldn’t be gone more than an hour tops,” he said. “You two just sit tight and ... get acquainted,” he said with a wink that made Erika cringe internally.

After Howard left, Phil spoke to Erika for the first time, offering to refresh her wine. She began to talk about Certified and what a great company it was. The company offered state of the art supply chain management, she said.

Accepting the refilled wine glass from Phil with a polite nod, she took a small sip, hoping the alcohol would calm her nerves. Crossing her legs again, she leaned forward slightly, gesturing enthusiastically as she extolled the virtues of Certified Parts.

“Our advanced supply chain systems ensure that replacement parts are always readily available, minimizing vehicle downtime for your drivers.”

“We’ll see what your proposal says when Howard gets back.” Fuck! Phil was going to be just one more damn Neanderthal. Goddammit, she hated when Howard was right.

Uncrossing and recrossing her legs, she let her skirt ride up even higher as she moved slightly closer to Phil, batting her eyelashes. It felt way too deliberate and awkward. She was not good at this.

“Honestly Phil, I can tell you whatever you want to know about the proposal, since I wrote it,” she added, leaning toward him and looking directly into his eyes. The result was a widening of her cleavage that the man didn’t fail to notice.

“Really? The way you’re dressed, I thought you were just the eye candy, or something more.” What a rude SOB, she thought.

The fear and embarrassment she once felt at this whole situation was now beginning to turn to anger and resolve. She was really quite tired of men thinking she was stupid just because she was pretty.

Despite her inclination to kick him, she smiled and straightened her posture. All right, let’s play this fucking game, she thought, leaning back and crossing her arms under her hefty bosom.

“No. I’m very much a part of the team. It’s possible to be pretty and smart, you know. I can tell you anything you need to know about our company.”

“Really, cause you don’t look like any trucking marketing chick I ever saw.”

Yeah, really asshole, she wanted to say. However, she held her tongue. That’s when she realized that he had been avoiding looking at her since she walked in. Maybe she was intimidating him.

She smiled enigmatically at Phil’s comment, not rising to the bait. “Appearances can be deceiving, Phil. I assure you, I’m highly qualified in my field. She leaned back more, allowing her neckline to gape open just a touch, revealing a tantalizing peek of lace.

She looked down at herself with a frown and said, “Don’t you like the way I’m dressed?” Put him on the defensive, she thought. See how he likes it.

“Sure.” Ok. How far I can push him, she wondered, if I go on the offensive. She tilted her head, fixing Phil with a coquettish yet challenging stare as she trailed a finger along the neckline of her blouse.