2 comments/  14497 views/  4 favorites

Engineering Romance

By: Egmont Grigor



It was close to midnight as Callum Donald followed the tight butt of curvy Paula Olsen, his latest girlfriend, up the narrow stairs to her apartment. It was the third time they'd dated and he wondered would she'd get lucky tonight. She must want it as she'd made admiring comments about his physique. That surely indicated her level of interest.

Paula was an assistant accountant at a construction company he'd visited when engaged as a consulting engineer. He arrived at her workplace whenever the majority owner Dirk O'Brien considered his engineers required the support of the consultant who specialized in wind loadings on structures -- in this instance a steel bridge over a ravine that would cut sixty miles for return trips between the company's quarry and the city.

The savings in time and mileage would be considerable for the client over the estimated 60-year life of the quarry, allowing them to also reduce the size of their truck fleet. The delivery trucks made up to 4000 trips annually to deliver crushed rock and other fill to its construction sites and also to supply fill and cart away spoil for various clients including highway construction and maintenance contractors. 

Callum, who was thirty-two, ate lunch in the café at O'Brien Construction. He began noticing a dark-eyed auburn beauty glancing at him periodically and one day arrived late and sat at the same table as her and five other women. When the others left the beauty had remained. It was a tentative start but nevertheless a start, Callum would recall later.

"Hi, I've noticed you around. My name is Callum."

"Yes Mr Donald. I'm aware of that. I handle your bills and authorize payments."

"Oh that explains the fragrance on my checks. It's you perfume."

"I authorize payment. Other women make out and post the checks," she said, smiling. "My name is Paula."

"Are you married Paula?"

"Does it look like it?" she said, displaying a barren ring finger.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to pry."

Paula brushed back her hair, perhaps knowing the movement would draw Callum's attention to the smaller movement of her breasts. "I didn't consider you were." She rose to leave and Callum sighed and said, "We must talk some more."

"Perhaps."

He scowled as she walked off wondering what kind of answer was that. 'Perhaps' was almost as good as saying you have no show buster.

That afternoon on the way to visit Dirk, Callum stopped and chatted to the president's PA as he always did but this time sought information. "Peggy, what can you tell me about Paula in accounts, the assistant accountant."

"She's in her late twenties, is athletic, lives by herself and is interested in sport and active recreation. Her father works with the council and her mother teaches at primary level. But don't waste your time thinking about her Mr Donald..."

"Peggy please call me Callum."

The married woman smiled. "As I was about to say Callum, don't waste your time thinking about dating her. Her policy is to have nothing to do with males on our payroll."

"Oh god, she isn't...?" Callum said, leaving his comment unfinished.

Peggy smiled. "You know she's not Callum."

"Well yes. She appeared open and friendly talking to me, not at all watchful. May I point out I'm a consultant and therefore am not on the payroll."

"Oh yes," Peggy said thoughtfully. "Would you like me to tell her you're interested?"

Callum colored. "Um, like what?"

"That you made discreet inquiries about her with me?"

"Oh yes, would you please. Um but very discreetly."

Two days later Callum went to lunch late and was at an empty table when Paula came and sat opposite. She said hi and ignoring his bright response said, "Why have you been making enquiries about me?"

Callum colored.

"God you are capable of blushing" and that turned Callum's face even pinker.

"I'm sorry, but as my father says, once a tease always a tease."

"Don't be sorry. I rather liked the attention."

Paula spooned in some rice and looked at him thoughtfully. And then, "I'm not in the habit of launching into impromptu romances."

"Habits can be broken."

They looked at each other, unsmiling.

Callum dabbed his mouth with a napkin. 

"You missed some meatballs sauce."

"Where?"

She licked the corner of her napkin and wiped a spot just to the upper right of his mouth.

As Paula sat back she said, "Oh god, sorry. I licked the napkin to make sure the sauce came off. It was so..."

"So welcomed actually. It suggests I've passed the assessment, if only in your subconscious mind, and am acceptable to exchange saliva with you."

Eying him impassively, Paula said, "And what kind of engineering comment is that?"

"Professionally considered, suggesting that although being opposites with probably diverse make-ups we do appear to have fundamental compatibility."

"I see. And now do we test that out?"

"The movies followed by dinner?"

Paula's eyes flashed and her mouth softened. "When?"

"This Friday."

"Okay, but it's not a date."

Callum said softly, "Don't kid yourself."

Her smile widened.

* * *

The association went beyond the first date. One evening at a restaurant as they were finishing mains, Paula said, "Are you aware this is the third time we have been out together and tonight it's a month since we first went out?"

"Very aware. Actually it's twenty-nine days but saying a month is okay."

"Thank you Mr Precise Engineer. Will you come to my place for coffee now? I have baked a small chocolate cake."

"And then what?"

Paula colored hugely and she snorted, "Yes or no?"

"It's a yes, definitely a yes and thank you. Will I be permitted to examine your collection of perfumes?"

"How do you know I have a collection?"

"Well I have recognized five perfumes you have worn, or at least I guess I did. My mother taught me about perfumes when I was a nosey boy. For instance, I'm aware you were wearing Nina today but tonight you have on Pour Femme and you wore than on the first time we went out."

"I see. Well I'm rather flattered you associate me with choice perfumes. What else have you learned about me?"

"What pragmatically or romantically?"

"Um perhaps we should talk more about the movie we saw this evening."

Callum said, "That's something I've learned about you. When you are confronted by anything that appears a little awkward, you duck for cover. I trust that doesn't apply to problems in your accountancy work?"

"Well I guess it's no surprise you have worked that out but I can say my work problems are abstract, and I deal with them efficiently. When confrontations as you call them are directed at my personally I react emotionally and, as you say, tend to divert. Duck for cover seems rather strong although that happens, I know it does."

"It's not difficult to fix. Emotions can be adjusted like most other things. They are simply a mindset. I'm practical enough to understand that."

"Meaning emotionally slanted people have difficulty?"

"Exactly."

"I knew you'd say that."

They laughed and Callum left the money for their meal and politely pulled Paula's chair away as she stood.

"And your mother taught you that?"

"Yes, my father is a very pragmatic engineer. She wanted me to grow up, as she put it, being more worldly."

"Good for your mom. I think I like her."

Under the swinging ass as Paula went up the stairs Callum dropped back a little to catch the brief flashes of upper thigh through the slit of her skirt and wondered if Paula would term him a pragmatic engineer if she knew what he was thinking right now. She cycled a great deal she'd said and he could see her lower legs looked powerful. He leered thinking of those legs wrapped around him... squeezing life out of him. He tripped, she called 'Watch out" and the impact toppled her.

"Are you okay?" he asked anxiously and she giggled and said she was but what the hell was he doing?

"I was thinking of your thighs, I could see flashes of them through the back split in your skirt each time your left foot took a step upwards."

Paula said that didn't sound like a pragmatic engineer lost in his professional world. "Come here," she said, rolling on to her back on the carpeted stairs and pulling him down and kissing him. It was a much firmer, moister and longer kiss she gave him than when they met away from the office and when they parted saying good night. She pulled away slightly to catch breath and murmured that had been a lovely kiss and she pulled him closer again and this time her mouth opened.

As Callum pulled Paula upright he said, pragmatically, "Does this mean tonight we go to your bed?"

She smiled and even in the poor lighting Callum could see smolder in her dark eyes.

She almost diverted, just saving herself. "Um, would you like that?"

"Do you need to ask?"

She clutched against him and as they walked up awkwardly Callum felt Paula's body trembling.

He asked gently, "Are you a virgin?"

"No. You are seeing a hangover from the awful relationship I ended just on two years ago."

"I understand. We'll proceed carefully," Callum said, using the word 'we' as if to inject the feeling of togetherness. Paula squeezed even closer against him, making Callum feel they were both in this together, and both wanting it to happen and for their spirits to soar.

Once inside the apartment Paula allowed her restraints to unravel and began kissing hungrily.

With passion between them building Callum paused to ask, "Do you think we ought to pause for coffee?"

"Coffee!" she yelled in despair and so Callum lifted her and carried her to the master bedroom, Paula kicking her feet in delight.

It progressed slowly and smoothly, the one hiccup and not replied by Callum being a rather fearful comment, "Do you think I can take all that?"

Callum was sure he was not all that big and thought well there was one way to find out.

"Do you suck?" he asked and Paula shook her head.

"Come on Paula, it's time to put the past behind you. All sexy women suck."

She rolled her eyes without commenting. 

They were standing beside the bed, Callum having removed her dress and bra and he had removed all his clothing with almost indecent haste. He pushed down on Paula's shoulders. Initially she resisted but then groaned and sank.

She cautioned, "Don't you dare squirt semen into my mouth."

Callum had previous experience of tentative women so said, "It's up to you Paula. When I warn I'm about to come you pull away or I'll dump into your mouth."

As expected, there was no reply but Callum patted her head supportively when he felt her trail her wet tongue up and down his cock. He encouraged, "Oooh, that's lovely."

She lifted his dick and sucked his hairy balls catching him totally by surprise. He came close to the boil and again when she rolled a testicle around in her mouth before spitting it out. Obviously Paula's past experience was beginning to show.

"Christ Paula," he groaned, feeling the first signs of jerking in the head of his dick.

"Did you like that?"

"Yes fabulously. Suck my dick into your mouth. Callum then switched to thinking about complex calculations to take his mind off the need to ejaculate and it worked; the urge subsided.

Paula either tired or lost interest before Callum was stimulated enough to fire and so when she rested he pulled her to her feet, kissed her intently and dropped on to his knees, pushing her knees apart.

"Oh no Callum, please, allow me to shower first."

Callum thrust his face into her groin to give the non-verbalized reply to what he thought about her alarm. He slurped into her pussy and she spread even wider and began playing with his hair and ears while making gurgling noises. Callum had expected that but still one never knew with women. He was happy to accept her reaction as her endorsement about this bout of cunnilingus. 

"Oooh, I've never had it this good," she cooed, and then a little later, "Pull away Callum. I'm c-o-m-iiiiiiiiing!" She groaned and splashed his face.

Callum came up, chin dripping and she shrieked as he went to kiss her but didn't pull away. He tongued her and recovering from her shock she sucked his tongue.

When they came out of that Paula was almost shaking. "No one's ever done that to me."

"Did you like it?"

"No."

"Do you think you could get to like it? I view it as the ultimate fusion between a woman and a guy. The other one is when the woman lets him shoot into her mouth and then milks his cock dry by sucking it. It's probably the ultimate in submissiveness from a woman and guys tend to like that demonstrated because of that... they suck pussy and want to see something in return."

"I think I could get used to the taste of my pussy juice off your tongue and fingers but I don't know about sucking come off your cock. I don't like the taste of semen."

"I believe one's views of these things changes dramatically when they are powered with passion," he grinned. The practices are probably as old as man but we have been indoctrinated to believe it's something one should not do."

She giggled. "That's a male outlook."

"Yeah and where would sex be today if male's hadn't pursued the notion that sex was an excellent recreational activity?"

"Women would have devoted more time to housework I suppose and slept longer at nights. Are you going to put it into me?"

"Yes ma'am," he grinned. "Sorry to have been neglecting you."

* * *

Paula passed a plate with a large piece of chocolate cake to Callum. "Was I okay?"

"You were excellent and I mean that. But don't talk about it if it embarrasses you."

"No it doesn't, honest. I feel as if I'm emerging from a cocoon. Will you teach me lots more about doing it?"

"You connect and pump and boom! And it's over."

"No I mean the finer points like positions and heightening one's sexuality and sensitivity?"

"Yes of course I will. I'm glad you are seeking to come on a sexual journey with me."

"Oooh, what a delightful way of putting it," Paula said.

"I love being up your cunt Paula,"

"Oh god," she whimpered, and raced to him to hug and kiss him. "Will you stay the night? I'm bound to feel like sex in the morning."

Callum he knew he needed to be polite and encouraging. "Yes, and thank you very much for the kind invitation. This confirms we have compatibility Paula."

"My thinking too. Thank you for being so gentle and patient with me. I must resume taking the pill and then you won't need a condom unless you wish."

"Thanks Paula."

* * *

Peggy Lester, who usually sat at a table with other PA's, came over and joined Callum who was sitting alone.

"Hi Mrs Lester."

"I thought you called me Peggy. Have you gone off me?"

Callum half-choked. "No, certainly not. That dress really suits you."

"No it's rather too tight."

Callum's eyes took in the figure of the 40-year old, rather only to mid-waist height and then the table between them cut off her lower belly and waist where tightness could be of concern.

"From what I see it looks great, emphasizing you... um."

"My what Callum?"

He maintained eye contact and spotted her eyes flicker when he said, "Your breasts."

"Oh have you noticed I have breasts?"

"It's a part of you I've noticed, but I must say they are not only your best features."

"Oooh Callum. Are you forgetting I'm married?"

"The relevancy of that escapes me. Normally one is not restricted when just looking."

"Have you seduced Paula?"

Callum paused before answering, finishing a piece of meat pie. "Am I assured of confidentiality?"

"Yes of course."

"Reluctantly I answer but you did draw Paula's attention to me so I owe you one. Yes."

"Aha. We women have noticed a sudden change has come over Paula. She's into wearing brighter and more stylish clothes and her personality has become much more engaging; she's interacting like never before."

"I see. Is that good?"

"It's very good. My thinking is Paula will be in line for promotion. Our financial controller retires in September and her degree is weighted in that area and it's in her favor she's become more outgoing and therefore noticeable."

"Well good things happen to good people Peggy. I shall keep all details of our conversation confidential. It's probable I'll finish this present task this Friday and will be away on work for my next client. I might not see you until next time."

"Are you aware Paula is going on a refresher course for most of next month?"

"No but she'll tell me when she'd ready."

"Well she was only invited to go by the boss and director of finance yesterday, confirming my theory that she'll be a frontrunner for the position of financial controller. Sam the director of finance would have been aware of the sudden mood swing in Paula. When interviewed when she applied to come here she stated she was running away from a messy relationship."

"What about two years ago?"

"Yes."

"Well she did tell me a little about that, only that it had upset her greatly. It would appear that knocked her off her axis and she's now corrected that."

"Pardon me?"

"It almost knocked her off her perch and now romance is back on the menu she's stabilized."

"Oh, why didn't you say that in the first instance instead of talking like an engineer. You know Callum, until your appearance here I'd never seriously thought of having sex outside of marriage."

Callum opened his mouth and his phone went. He answered and excused himself, saying Dirk wanted him in a hurry."

"Then you best run alone. Lovely talking with you Callum."

Callum shot at look at Peggy's breasts because she was adjusting her dress top. When she smiled he realized he'd been trapped into being caught looking at them. He grinned and winked.

A couple of evenings later Paula invited Callum around for dinner. Meeting midweek was unusual. Normally they met on Friday evening and went to a movie and if Paula had no engagements on Saturday he'd stay Friday night and then sometimes Saturday night as well. Paula was now putting a lot more effort into sex and learning new moves. Her favorite was to have Callum sitting in her deep TV lounge chair and she riding him Cowgirl, both ways.

Over dinner Paula told him about being away for 24-days the following month, attending a refresher course. "We'll work 10-hour days week days, shorter days Saturdays and Sundays and we'll emerge with a diploma," he said.

"Um what about sex?"

"You'll have to find someone if your needs that great. I might get lucky on the course."

Callum sighed and said he thought he could go twenty-four days without it but Paula said he should have a couple of nights on the tiles. "I won't mind, really. It's not as if we are living together and have made a commitment."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I am. We have a two-hour break from 4:30 to 6:30 so I can call you each evening at say 6:00 if you wish?"

"I'd like that. I have no wish for you to forget who I am. It's fine with me if you cuddle up to a guy."

"I was thinking it would be a woman."

Paula laughed at the look on Callum's face and he sheepishly joined her to say, "Once a tease always a tease."

* * *

Callum's home was behind a partition in the small penthouse above the top floor of a dilapidated and only partly occupied three-level warehouse. The penthouse had toilets and a kitchen because it had been the open office for the warehouse owner and two other smaller businesses he operated. Callum's private area contained a wardrobe and dresser, a sofa, two casual chairs, a large wall mounted TV screen and a double bed. It opened into former male/female toilets remodeled into a bathroom and separate toilet. He found it very comfortable and convenient living as a bachelor and the office was occupied by his office lady, a draughtsman and two engineers, one of whom specialized in residential engineering work for new housing, retaining walls and major building renovations. The office lady Valerie was amazingly useful at finding them new work to price and quote or tender.


Engineering Romance



Paula had pestered Callum to see his home and was rather less than impressed when he took her there one evening after dinner but she did stay the night. After that whenever he suggested they stay the night at his home she always countered and said no, her apartment lacked spiders and dust.

Four days after Paula had left for her professional course Callum received an email from Peggy: 'Meet me at Molly's Irish Bar just after 6:00 on Friday.'

He thought aw, lovely Peggy thinking he'd be missing Paula. Peggy knew he and Paula went to a movie and on to dinner on Fridays. It never occurred to Callum that it would be in Peggy's mind to substitute for Paula as his movie and dinner companion plus to accompany him to bed. His mind was blocked to that possibility because Molly was married and she'd told him she and Paul had two children.

Callum arrived at the bar two minutes before Peggy did and was still waiting for his first drink. Peggy bounced in, kissed him and said she'd missed seeing him around their office. She wasted no time announcing her intention.

Peggy thrust out her chest at him. "What do you think? I'm wearing my bustier to impress you."

Callum blinked. "For me?"

"Yes, don't you remember? You said you liked my tits in that tight red dress I had been complaining about."

"Did I?" Callum stalled.

"Yes you did and don't deny it."

"Okay, guilty. I remember saying it and intended to say it. Is this just a friendly drink together or are you, um, wanting more?"

"I wondered about a movie and then perhaps a meal?"

"Oh yes, that sounds very acceptable. And then what?"

"Well, who knows? Let's wait and see. My husband is away fishing with buddies this weekend. He departed just after midday today."

"Well, that's being pretty blunt Peggy. I agree, let's wait and see."

The film was a light-hearted romance with some great comedy and they went on to a Thai Restaurant chosen by Peggy and the meal couldn't be faulted. As they prepared to leave Peggy said, "Well?"

"Seduction is on my mind."

"Excellent, your place or mine?"

"My accommodation is very basic. It would be the best choice if you wish not to be seen entering your home with a man who's not your husband."

"I agree. I'm paying for dinner."

"No Peggy I..."

"Be a gentleman and allow the lady to pay when she insists."

"Well thank you."

They entered the commercial penthouse.

Peggy looked a little uncertain. "Is this a joke?"

"I did warn you."

"You did, but... well I should remember my reason for coming here has nothing to do with complaining. So this is your office?"

"Yeah and I sleep behind that partition. It allows me to work late when required and just stagger into bed."

"Oh very convenient."

Callum told her how many people worked with him and she thought his office lady was worth her weight in gold when Callum told her she regularly earned as much in commission from bringing in new work as she did for being paid as office manager.

Then entered the sleeping compartment.

Peggy surprised him when she looked around and said, "Minimalism at it's best; it's really perfect as a bachelor's pad."

"There might be dust and spiders."

"Who cares? I've had plenty of wine to help me from bad thoughts. This is the first time I've been unfaithful to Paul."

"There is no pressure on you to proceed."

"Thank you. But you don't intend attempting to talk me our of it?"

"No, adultery is part of life so I feel beholden to make my contribution. It's also the first time of ultimate naughtiness for me."

Peggy three her head back and laughed. "I feel beholden. Oh dear." And that's when Callum kissed her throat and from then on Peggy was all over him.

They fucked and it was all over rather too quickly. But then Peggy licked and stroked much of his body as if worshipping the body of a younger man. He was muscular and from what Peggy had once told him her husband was five years her senior and was 'slothful', liking nothing better than relaxing with a beer. So Callum lay patiently, allowing her to play around although he was ready to enter her again.

Early next morning Callum parked at the start of her street and said to Peggy that was truly a night to remember.

"For me too darling," she said, kissing him open-mouthed. "But only a memory it will have to be. I'm not thinking of going beyond one night of madness as a novice adulteress as I owe it to my husband and children to keep the family together. They'd reject me if they found out. The kids are both away at college but they still want family."

"Well, you'll be a great loss to me and the other adulterers that may have crossed your path Peggy. You almost fucked me legless and it was great to see your joy."

"Well until last night and this morning really athletic sex had gone from my life. Thank you for treating me so well. If I ever do break out again -- as who knows when moments of madness will come -- it won't be you darling. I could easily give me heart to you."

Callum kissed her deeply and they parted. Thanks to her little speech he didn't feel evil and he grinned watching her sway her ass excessively as she walked away from him, not looking back. That second fuck last night probably rated as the best fuck he'd ever had.

* * *

Paula called next evening at 6:00. "Hi, you didn't answer your phone last evening when I called."

"Yeah, someone asked me out for dinner. But I got your message. Thanks."

"I'm glad you are socializing," Paula said lightly. "It's all work and a little play here. Everything is going well."

She made kissing noises when ending the call, and Callum answered with kisses.

* * *

Paula slid her phone shut thoughtfully. The person who'd gone to dinner with Callum would have been female. Had it been male he would have named the person. Well he was free to associate with other women when left alone and he'd be stupid to confess to her, knowing it could upset her and take her mind off her studies. 

Paula mused and she pictured Callum's bare ass plunging into a woman. She saw only the vague shape of a nude woman and then Peggy's face flicked across that scene and it all vaporized.

Peggy? No Callum would not be interested in a woman seven years his senior and anyway Peggy was married with children. She went off to dinner smiling, thinking she bet Peggy would love to fuck a good-looking younger guy like Callum. She could call Peggy and suggest it? No there was no need to do anything more to encourage Callum to play while the cat was away.

After dinner, with a half-hour left before lectures resumed, Paula went for a walk. She thought Callum had been really good for her, dragging her out of her rut. She never had been able to admit previously that she really liked sex, but he'd taken her beyond that barrier. He was so good at it and made her feel like a... like... a... well like a woman.

When Callum moved on Paula knew she'd weep. He would be such a loss. She worried about that, not wanting him to dump her or more likely his style would be to just drift out of her life. Drift or dump, the result was the same. One was just a more pleasant way of going it. But why allow him to go?

Turning back to the live-in teaching facility, Paula thought apply charm, wit and pressure darling so he won't want to go. She race back to her room to her phone and looked up the directory for a 24-hour florist.

* * *

Callum arrived at the office after putting his SUV in for servicing to find Valerie grinning at him displaying her poor dental work. She bent down and pulled up a huge bouquet of flowers.

"These cost big bucks," she grinned. "Some woman feels she owes you plenty. What have you been doing you naughty man?"

Callum laughed as insisted he was celibate and everyone in the office laughed, finding that claim beyond belief.

Valerie handed Callum the card. The message was short: "I miss you."

Oh god, Callum groaned inwardly. Peggy's had a rethink and now will give me trouble.

Reaching for his phone to call her he flicked over the card and saw the florist was located in the city where Paula had gone to study.

"Jesus."

"What is it Callum."

"These flowers are from Paula."

"Of course they were from your new girlfriend. Who else would be silly enough to send your flowers or have you been a naughty boy Callum?" said Valerie, sweeping back her auburn hair, ready to dig deep into the boss's personal life.

"Um no. I thought they must have come from an old flame."

"Well old flames burn out, rather quickly based on my own experience. You haven't talked much about this...?"

"Paula."

"You haven't talked much about this Paula and that suggests to me at last you have found a woman to be serious about."

"Well she's okay."

"Only okay? Then you ought to dump her and continue the search."

Resisting the inclination to scratch his nuts, Callum wrinkled his forehead and said, "Search?"

Valerie pressed on gleefully, Callum making her day. "Yes you dope. You were put on this earth to mate and you have been programmed to choose your women selectively. Tell me about this Paula. What is it you like about her?"

"She's um pleasant."

"She's pleasant? God Callum, do you only look between a woman's legs? What about her values, her personality, her outlook on life, her apparent mothering qualities and..."

"Valerie, I'm sure you are right. But you and the guys gawking at me are not working and I need to make some calls. But thank you for your interest. It has been useful to me." 

"Thank you Callum. Just remember I have an interest in mothering you."

"I have a mother."

"Yes, but she doesn't live in this city."

"Thank you Valerie."

"You guys get back to work," Valerie said. "And leave Callum to sort out his matrimonial problems. If he wants advice he comes to me."

Late morning Valerie called, "Line two Boss. It's Gavin Webster of Webster Construction."

Callum picked up the phone and looked at Valerie who'd been Valerie Webster before her marriage. Gavin was her uncle. She winked at Callum.

Almost an hour later Gavin put down the phone. He made a quick call and then called, "Staff meeting, everyone over here."

"Well guys Gavin Webster has noticed each time he uses us as consultants our work passes through Council more smoothly than any other consultancy he uses. A certain motor mouth employed in this office was at his place for dinner last evening and suggested he ought to use us on a proper job. He's engaging us as consulting engineers on a bid to win an estimated $22 million contract to rebuild the accident and emergency center at Rosehill Hospital. As he was the successful contractor to build the last two extensions at the hospital he's assuming he's already won this contract. Our fees on this one are likely to touch $2 million. I reckon we'll need to hire one more engineer to release you to work on-site Charlie and that's it."

During discussion a florist's delivery girl rushed in and announced, "Urgent delivery for someone called 'Motor Mouth'"

Beaming, Valerie walked up to receive the biggest bunch of flowers she'd ever seen. "Thank you Boss. This sheaf is four times larger than the flowers Paula sent you and we haven't won the contract yet."

"That's true. But we've won a committed client."

"Will my normal finder's fee apply?"

"Yes, 0.75% of gross fees received."

"Right everyone," Valerie grinned. "Today we go out to lunch and it's on me."

"But Webster's haven't won the contract yet," Steven cautioned but was told by the smirking Valerie that would the hospital admin look beyond Webster's whose work on the new clinical services wing three years ago had won dual national awards for excellence in construction and excellence in construction management.

* * *

Paula's frowned when she saw Callum waiting for her at the airport, neatly dressed in a new polo above the familiar jeans. Didn't he own a suit? Well at least a jacket if wearing a suit to welcome her home was a little over the top. Whatever he wore he was still Callum wasn't he?

She waved; he spotted her and grinned, flipping Paula's heart. God yes, she really was in love with him. But he would have had other women while she was away; she now had competition. She told herself to remain calm.

"Oh hi, it's so lovely to see you again."

He didn't reply but at least he grabbed and kissed her. He then stared at her and finally, "I've really missed you. I can't remember ever missing anyone like this."

"Oh darling."

He frowned. "That's the first time you've called me darling to me face."

"Well yes but that's okay isn't it?"

"I suppose so but I wasn't expecting it."

"Oh."

"Did you meet a guy on the course?"

Christ he wasn't supposed to ask that, Paula fumed, coming close to panicking. She'd planned to bring it out slowly, not to scare or alarm him but simply to make him think and perhaps commit.

"Yes."

"Well?"

"Well what?"

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"What here?"

"Not unless there's a better place."

"Well let's have coffee."

Paula said it began quietly and she suspected nothing till three nights ago when Harry knocked on her door and asked if she wanted to go out for coffee. She said no and he looked so disappointed that she asked him in for coffee. Two hours later they were doing it on top of the bed.

"Oh yeah?"

"Yes, and I make no excuses. It had been all work and no play and you seemed ambivalent about me. Also I was lonely."

"Is that so?"

"I'm capable of knowing when I'm lonely."

"I was commenting on your comment I appear ambivalent about my relationship with you. Aren't you aware I was allowing you to grow and flower, to really re-connect to who you really are."

"No," Paula almost whimpered, feeling a little stunned.

"Well I'd thought it best not to talk about it, to keep you relaxed so the repair work would manifest."

"Repair work would manifest?"

"With my help to rekindle your soul, um your feeling of being."

"God, you are so obtuse at times. But I can see what you are getting at."

Callum tugged an ear lobe. "You may be interested to know I'm not angry you fucked a guy. We had an agreement going on that."

"I didn't fuck him. He... oh what am I saying?"

Callum said it didn't matter. He suggested she talk to her friend Peggy. "She has seen change in you since I entered your life."

"Peggy, how do you know that? Was she the woman you slept with?"

When Callum stared at her, not replying, Paula breathed, "God Callum, she's married with two children."

Callum intoned that Peggy had told him that before Paula went on the course. They had sat at the same table during lunch. "She told me because you had come out of your shell you were in line for big promotion and management was sending you on that course."

Paula had taken a lock of her dark brown hair and was chewing it, something she tended to do when under stress.

"In fact that was two days before you told me about the course. I'll add I'm elated you allowed that guy to fuck you. It tells me you are confident you are a whole woman again, even if you're not fully aware of that, and you were thinking and doing what many women your age on the loose would do if the opportunity arose. It's perfectly natural."

"Oh Callum," Paula said, beginning to weep. He reached across and squeezed her hand.

"No harm has been done and perhaps you are further enlightened. I think it's best I drop you off outside your apartment and will call you later about Friday evening."

* * *

Paula awoke next morning feeling very happy, all doubts dissolved. Later she arranged to take Peggy out to lunch.

The both choose fish dishes and shared.

"Callum mentioned you believe I'm in line for promotion. All I was told was the course would benefit me in future roles in the company."

"You're almost certain to be our next financial controller."

"Oh god. Are you sure?"

"My antenna indicates the decision has been made but I haven't seen or heard anything to confirm that. You must have wondered why were you sent to that course so urgently?"

"Well yes and I admit being surprised. Look, we are friends right?"

"Yes of course darling. I love having a younger friend."

"While I was away did you have sex with Callum? He said he had one naughty night while I was away."

"And you suspect it was me?" Peggy said coolly, and sipped her wine. "So this is what this lunch is about?"

"No, the real purpose is to find out what change you have noticed in me since Callum came into my life."

"Ah, Callum suggesting that gives reason for suspecting he and I have romped."

Paula laughed and said what a marvelous expression. Well?"

"What has Callum suggested?"

"Oh he played it coy. He would not confirm or deny."

"Excellent thinking Callum. I too can neither confirm nor deny."

Paula smiled looking at Peggy over her wine glass. "I wish I had been there as a hidden observer. I bet you would have given him a good run for his money."

"Oh he pays for it does he?" Peggy giggled, and leaning over and taking Paula's hand said, "You are blossoming beautifully darling. Now ask me what you want to know."

"Callum claims to have been working on me, I mean to get me out of the hole I had dug for myself."

"And you weren't aware of that happening?"

"No, not really but towards the end I knew things were happening."

Peggy then detailed what she'd observed.

* * *

Paula received a call from Peggy less than five minutes after resuming work.

"Powder your nose darling. The boss wishes to see you and Stan Whitehouse is in there with him. This is it."

Twenty minutes later Paula emerged from the meeting. She said to Peggy, "I've been asked to keep it confidential but it's what you said would happen."

"Congratulation darling. Stan will now know you will be his successor a director of finance."

Back at her desk Paula called Callum. "Hi darling."

"Ah that's more like my Paula. You can be such a sweetheart."

"Thank you. I had lunch with Peggy. She used difference expressions but it followed closely what you had claimed and she also asked wasn't I aware it was happening."

"It's no big deal but I'm glad you have independent confirmation. I didn't press her to tell you or to even request her to do so."

"I know and I lost my cool a bit at the airport. Sorry. I had planned to mention my affair during a quiet moment, not in an airport terminal."

"Sorry. You said affair. So he's married?"

"Oh god. I have no idea. Aren't I such a slut?"

"You're a fine woman darling. Don't give yourself assumed tabs."

Paula gasped. "You just called me darling?"

"Confirmed and it wasn't a slip. What about Friday?"

"Peggy has given me the key to their cabin in the woods. We are free to spend the weekend there."

"Oh, what can we do in the woods all alone?"

"Are you crazy?"

"No, I guess you'll think of something. Where is the location?"

Paula told him and Callum said that was great. "We can divert on the way home and have Sunday lunch with my parents."

"Well okay."

"Good, I feel obliged to introduce you to mom as part of the build up to proposing marriage. It's what a right thinking guy should do, isn't it? Check it out with my parents, especial mom and your parents, especially your dad?"

"Marriage?" Paula squeaked.

"Yes but I must let you get back to work. This conversation is in your employer's time. Let's go somewhere for a drink after work. You'd like that wouldn't you?

"Drink?" Paula squeaked, still in shock, chewing a strand of hair.

THE END