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If Royce had previously been on an emotional high he was now plunged into a pit of turmoil. Lana had had a date with another man. He didn’t know what to think, but most of all he cursed himself for building up his own hopes. After all he had only known Lana for four days. Did he really think she didn’t have her own life? Even though they had one incredible evening together could he really presume that he had some claim on her?

He was still feeling the turmoil Saturday night when he rang the doorbell at seven o’clock. This time Lana opened the door almost immediately.

“Right on time,” she beamed.

If anything she was more beautiful than ever. She was dressed to go out in a casual but stylish way. Royce had never before seen her with that much clothing on and he was impressed. Dressed or undressed, either way Lana was gorgeous.

“I’d invite you in,” she said, “But I’m ready to go if you are.”

“I’m ready,” was Royce’s simple reply.

“So where are you taking me?” she asked.

“I thought I’d let you pick a restaurant,” he answered. “You know this town much better than me.”

“All right. How do you feel about Italian? I know this great little bistro.”

“Italian is fine,” Royce replied.

Dinner was subdued. Lana carried on most of the conversation with Royce responding as required. But mostly he preoccupied himself with his food. Lana was right about the bistro. Great atmosphere and the food was excellent.

“Royce,” Lana probed, “I’m curious. When you were little did your mother make you eat every bite of your food?”

“Huh,” Royce responded, immediately on alert at this query about his past.

“I don’t want to pry but I’ve noticed every time you eat you pick your plate clean.”

“Uh sorry,” Royce replied. “I uh…” He really didn’t know what to say.

“It doesn’t matter,” Lana assured him with a gentle laugh. She reached over and patted his hand. “I’m glad you’re enjoying your food. Really. It means a lot to me because I’m the one who suggested this place.” And she patted him again.

Dinner was over and they were on their way home when Lana raised the subject.

“You’re not having a very good time tonight. It’s like pulling teeth to even get you to talk to me. And you haven’t been around to see me for two days. I’d ask what’s wrong but I think I can guess. You must have seen me with Parker.”

“I don’t want to mess up your life,” Royce said. “I guess everything went so fast with us and I just thought…”

“You aren’t messing up anything,” Lana responded. “Certainly not my life.

“Look Royce, I’ve been married and divorced twice. After the second time I decided that was enough. I have friends. Parker is a friend. You’re a friend. My friendship with Parker has nothing to do with us. With you and me. And I’d say the same thing to Parker about you if he were here.”

“I guess I understand,” Royce accepted. “What do you want to do next?”

“We’re going back to my place,” Lana informed him. “The night is not over.”

“Come along,” she invited when they were back in her apartment. She led Royce to the bedroom.

“Let’s be comfortable,” she added as she began to undress.

When she had stripped down to bra and panties Lana glanced at Royce who had not yet removed any clothing and said, “I have extra hangers. We’ll hang up your clothes so they won’t get rumpled. And under this prodding Royce finally began undressing too.

They returned to the living room when they were both naked.

“Have a seat,” Lana said, gesturing toward the sofa. “Save a place for me. I’m going to put some music on.”

She put on a tape this time not a record. When the music was playing she joined Royce on the sofa snuggling up as close to him as she could. Royce was still having difficulty warming up to her so after a few moments she grabbed his hand and placed it firmly on her leg. She then began caressing his penis until Royce responded by slowly stroking the inside of her thigh.

Lana took the stimulation to another level by embracing him with her free arm while her lips found his. And still holding Royce in that prolonged passionate kiss she shifted her hand from fondling his penis to cupping his masculine sac as her fingers tenderly held and caressed his balls. Under this powerful stimulus Royce yielded and shifted his own hand from Lana’s leg to her vulva and he began playing with her clitoris as she had taught him.

That was the beginning. Passion built on passion as Lana and Royce abandoned themselves to total ecstasy in each others arms, losing all track of time as the minutes turned into hours and the taped music clicked to an end. And somewhere in the wee hours of the night they found themselves huddled together in bed where their passion continued unabated until finally expended and exhausted they drifted into slumber.

Sunrise was long past and noon approaching before they awoke, Lana first and then Royce. He blinked through drowsy eyes to find Lana smiling dreamily as she pressed her naked body to his. Neither one made any move to rise from bed but snuggled together sensuously stroking and kissing. Once again the passion mounted until once again they found release in delightful union.

Lana sighed and closed her eyes, but only for a moment. She turned her head to look at Royce and whispered, “Got to get up.”

Royce didn’t protest and together they slid out from under the covers and staggered to their feet. Facing each other, delighting in their mutual nakedness they reached out and joined hands, pulling themselves into a warm embrace.

Finally Royce broke free. “I have to go. Tomorrow. Well you know.”

“I know,” Lana agreed. “First day. Got to be ready.

“I’ll get your clothes.”

Lana didn’t bother to dress. She was still naked as she gave Royce a goodbye kiss and said, “If I don’t see you before tomorrow good luck on your job.”

That was his parting vision as he shut the door behind him.

For the rest of the day he moped about his apartment, his mind churning between contemplation of his new job and thoughts of his budding relationship with Lana. But despite all her willingness to lead him into pleasurable ecstasy in her arms he was conscious of a growing dissatisfaction.

For despite any high minded understanding he might protest to her, deep within himself he still wanted to possess Lana totally and keep her for himself. And it bothered him that she had friends, that Parker was a friend. So his turmoil remained.

But ironically this same turmoil had a positive impact on his new job. For in his frustration Royce immediately threw himself into his work, skipping coffee breaks and even lunch in his single minded determination to quickly knock out his assigned tasks. And once he had completed and double checked his own work he sought out other things to do, other places where he could assist or simply observe and learn.

Having started so well, Royce continued as he had begun. As his experience and skill increased his value to the company also grew. His supervisors were impressed. The managers were pleased. And before long favorable reports were being filtered up the chain of command and consideration was being given at the highest levels of the company as to how to better use this exceptional employee.

Royce knew nothing of this. He never even paused to consider how well he was doing in his new job. He was simply reacting to his tumultuous feelings about Lana and nothing more. And so he certainly didn’t anticipate how that relationship would be impacted by his burgeoning success in the workplace.