End of year reports are killing me. I have to admit that some days I feel like leaving my stressful position as a marketing executive for something a lot less demanding. I've been working 70 hours a week for the last month, but I'm finally done with all of my reports. The long hours are beginning to take its toll. All work and no play is making me a dull and bitter man. It's 7 O'clock on Friday night, and I'm ready to live a little. As my computer shuts down, I start to contemplate which after work spot I should hit. I think I'll head to Alleycats on Yonge Street. Stella's band is playing tonight and I haven't gone to see them perform in months. I could use some smooth jazz to soothe my tired soul. My computer screen reads, "It is now safe to shutdown," and I'm thinking that is not a bad idea at all.

As I made my way out, I saw Shanice Jackson talking to James Dodgeson, our President & CEO, in his office. Shanice had recently been promoted to Regional Sales Manager for Canadian Operations. It was a huge accomplishment. Although I had sent her an email, I wanted to personally congratulate her. I should've done it on Monday when it was announced but I was locked in my office completing reports all week. No, I have to be honest with myself. I didn't make time to congratulate her because she does something to me that most people would find impossible. She makes me lose control. I've worked very hard and I've sacrificed a lot to make it in my career. I never mix business with pleasure even though higher-ups have. I always remember a piece of advice my Dad gave me about the corporate world. "Everyone has to work hard to get to the top, but as a black man you will have to work twice as hard." It must have hurt him to admit that to me. That was the first time my father ever openly discussed race. I thought he ignored it. That was the first time that I realized he was not color blind. He was just not influenced by color. I always carried my father's words with me. I didn't allow myself to make mistakes, but when I got around Shanice all my professionalism went out the window.

I still remember our introduction. The receptionist took me around the office to introduce me to the staff. When we arrived at Shanice's desk she was on the phone. She looked up at me and from the moment our eyes met I felt a connection. I heard an organ playing and a choir singing wedding hymns. Shanice must have felt the same vibe because she quickly told the person on the phone that she would call them back. Just as the Reverend was about to speak in my fantasy I heard the receptionist blurt out, "Hi Shanice, sorry to interrupt you. I just wanted to introduce you to Delano Amante. Delano is the head of marketing for North America and he'll be spending a lot of time working from this office." Shanice extended her hand and as I touched it, I felt a surge of energy. My temperature rose a few degrees. I could feel beads of sweat about to form on my brow and I could almost hear my heart pounding. Our eyes locked in a glance of mutual admiration. With her hand in mine she said, "I'm looking forward to working with you Delano." It took all of my will not to flirt with her. I quickly scanned my thoughts for the appropriate response. "So am I," I finally responded. She slowly, almost seductively, withdrew her hand from mine. I took one last look into her light brown eyes and said, "Nice to meet you Shanice." With that I walked off. I could feel Shanice's stare as I continued my introductions around the office.

Over the past year Shanice and I have shared plenty of lunch dates and not-so-innocent flirting sessions. If it weren't for the fact that she is happily engaged to the father of her 2-year-old son, I would have thrown my no mixing business with pleasure rule out the window. We've come close to kissing a few times but one of us has always gained our composure. The vibe between us was so strong that others could feel it. I've had three different sales managers ask me if something was going on between us. A month ago I started to distance myself from Shanice. I can't let anything stop me from achieving my goals, especially falling in love with a woman that is already spoken for.

I walked to James' office. Shanice was seated with her back towards the door. Just as I was about to tap on the open office door to politely announce my presence, James noticed me standing in the doorway. In an all too familiar tone James exclaimed, "Delano! Just the man I was looking for!". It was that "I'm going to ask you to give up what little social life you have left" tone. Shanice swung around in her chair to face me. Her eyes sparkled and she smiled to greet me.
"What's up JD?" I inquired.
"As you know, Shanice has been promoted to Regional Sales Manager." I looked at Shanice adoringly.
"Yes, I know. Congratulations again on the promotion. It's well deserved."
Shanice slightly bowed her head in acknowledgement before JD continued his pitch. "The board wants to see our figures on marketing crossover with sales. Is there any way for you to figure out how many deals the sales force brought in this year that previously received our direct mail promotions?"
Damn. This is all I need on a Friday night. The little voice inside of me was yelling, "LIE TO HIM….HE WON'T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE...GO HAVE A LIFE." But as usually, I answered the call to duty.
"It's possible to figure it out. I would need to cross reference every mail plan for the entire year against the sales figures."
"Great! Shanice has access to all the sales information and you know the marketing plans. I'd really appreciate it if you two could work this out before Tuesday's board meeting."
"JD", Shanice interrupted. "I'm sure Delano has plans tonight. Can't we send the report in after the board meeting?"
"It's fine Shanice," I answered. If you have the time, we can get started.
"Both of you are going to go far in this company," JD added as he put on his jacket. "I'm off to New York. Call me on my cell phone if you need anything."
Shanice answered, "We'll be fine JD." She then looked at me and said, "Let's get started." I nodded my head in agreement as I took off my overcoat.

I followed Shanice to her office admiring her curves as she walked. Her black business suit hugged her frame so tight that I was jealous of it. I felt like a little puppy. More than willing to follow her anywhere she wanted to lead me. Before I knew it, we arrived at her office door. "Make yourself comfortable," she said. "The sales figures for the year are in the spreadsheet on my desktop."
She had a spacious corner office with a window that was almost the full length of the wall with great view overlooking Yonge Street. "Your office has a better view than mine," I joked as I sat down at her desk.
"That's only because I work here full time Mr. Head of North America," she responded as she approached the chair beside me. She removed her jacket and placed it on the back of the chair. Her white silk blouse was form fitting and revealed just enough cleavage that it was sexy while still looking professional. I could see her nipples teasing me as she stretched before taking a seat next to me. I smiled at her seductive techniques. "Ok. Shanice, let's get to work."

We worked all night until the report was complete. After 5 hours of number crunching, my eyes began to hurt from starting at the screen. I rolled the chair away from the computer and began to rub my eyes. Shanice stood up and began to stretch. Her business suit hugged her frame again and inspired jealousy. She walked over to the window. I watched her as she admired the city lights of downtown Toronto. She placed her left leg on the windowsill and both hands against the glass. I watched her skirt rise revealing her legs as her firm behind pushed against her black skirt like it was begging for freedom. She looked over her left shoulder with a seductive look and said "Nice view isn't it." I felt my pants tighten as my manhood begged for room.

"The view is amazing," I answered. You could feel the sexual tension in the air waiting to explode at any second. Her eyes stayed focused on mine as we traded fantasies and expressed reciprocal desire mentally.

"How can you enjoy the view from way over there," she answered.

Before I had time to think I found myself pressed up against her firm behind with my hands exploring her body. My hands moved up her thighs raising her shirt. I firmly held her behind in my hands. She lowered her left leg off the windowsill but kept both hands on the window for support. She widened her stance allowing me access to her hidden treasure. My hands gently rubbed against her soaked black thong. Her head rolled back in pleasure. I pushed her panties to the side and slipped my finger into her warmth. She moaned as I touched her deep inside. I kissed the back of her neck as I began to unbutton her blouse with my free hand. I could feel the heat emanating off of her body as my hands touched her flesh. I then unzipped her skirt and she assisted me by slowly winding her hips until her skirt fell to her ankles. I slipped her panties down until they met her skirt on the ground. She attempted to step out of her clothes but her heel got stuck on her skirt. I squatted down to help her. With one quick swipe I was able to free her. I looked up and was taken by the vision of her sexy caramel frame. She kept her legs slightly ajar which gave me a view of her wetness. I felt a hunger burn in me like I've never felt before. I had to satisfy my craving. I began to suck on her calves, lick the back of her knees and work my way towards her inner thighs. I felt her legs tremble as I licked the trail of sugar water towards the source. She kept her left hand against the window for balance, but began to caress herself with the other. She placed her left leg back on the windowsill as I slipped between her legs with her goodness before my eyes. Her hand slowly worked down her body. My lips met hers as she reached for my clean-shaven head. She bent her legs until she was literally crouched on my face. She began to take slow but powerful strides while my tongue danced along her lips. At the end of each stroke, I gently sucked on her curve. She was so excited that her juices soaked my goatee, and I was so lost in her that I had to remember to breathe.

• The Kiss
• Introducing Delano
• Puppy Love
• Soul of Brooklyn
• Reverse