"The data for the last two quarters does not show much improvement from the previous two quarters."
"Without more growth in these sectors, I really cannot fathom why you would believe further routes would be open to you."
"Unless you can give some explanation as to why there is virtually no change in performance."
Memories of the first meeting with the Empire's representatives flowed through Terra's mind as her forehead rested on her hands. The back and forth rocking of her body did little to distract her from her thoughts. The first meeting had been an embarrassing event which consisted mainly of the Empire representatives pointing out all of Hawkins Transports shortcomings and failure in the last six months. Made even worse because Tamerlane Anasazi had been seated quietly as the end of the conference table as the Empire representative excoriated her business.
Labored breathing floating on the air was peppered with garbled grunts and moans. Rough hands gripped her as fingertips dug into her hips. Sounds of pleasure grew louder as the erratic thrusting grew more frantic. A loud, gasping groan punctuated the peak of his pleasure.
"By the Divine, you feel soooo good," Danforth groaned as his body slipped from hers. He patted her on the ass. "Makes a man forget all his troubles in life."
Terra pushed herself up from the bed to her knees so slip her panties up from their place down her thighs and tug her tank top back down. She stretched out on her stomach and watched as Danforth made his way to the washroom.
Physically, he was definitely not her type. Although his skin was tanned from spending time outdoors on planets, Terra found it amusing to see him naked. His ass was near a blinding white from the shorts he wore while outside. His skin was not smooth and tight. It was wrinkled and a little loose. He was not all that fit due to a lifetime of a sedentary job at a desk and certain conditions and ailments that prevented him from working out properly. His thighs were thick and not muscular at all. His rear was not toned and firm but smushy with a little sag. His midsection was heavy and what some might call the beginnings of a 'pot belly'. His chest was fuller and not toned either as were his arms.
What he lacked in physical attractiveness, he made up for with his brains and connections. He was smart in business. He knew the ins and outs of the Commonwealth business scene. He had connections that Terra wished she could have one day. He had access to investors and credit … lots and lots of credit. He was nice to her and yet supposedly ruthless to those on the opposite side of the table from him. He was good company and a fountain of information.
Months ago, when they were working together in her office on Elysium was the first time Terra picked up on his interest. After speaking with him on several occasions after their dinner, she decided he was in the position to help her with the company. They had begun working together. The more time they spent together, a plan started to take shape. An arrangement that would benefit them both if everything worked out as planned.
So when he made his interest apparent, Terra had no reason to decline. She was no involved with anyone at the time. Her relationships since leaving Arktos had been limited to one and two night stands. She had no compunctions about engaging in sex with him. So when he made his move, she went with it.
She knew from the start it was nothing more than lust, opportunity and proximity. She knew he had been married to the same woman for nearly half a century. Their marriage was one of convenience with both of them allowed to do as they pleased as long as they were discrete and he didn't knock anyone up.
It was late one night at the office the first time it happened. She had been standing by her desk looking at a flexi when he came up behind her. The light touch of his fingers in her hair as he moved it from her neck was the first indication that he was up for it that night. It was then that she found out he didn't kiss on the mouth. It was a rule his wife had and he respected. He could screw around all he wanted. He just couldn't get emotional about another. Nuzzling and kissing the neck was not off the table. His mouth was eager as he devoured her neck while his hands cupped and massaged her breasts. Foreplay went faster than she anticipated. In no time, her pants and panties were around her knees and he was going at it after bending her over her desk.
That night, she thought he was adventurous. After that night, she found out standing made it easier on his aches and pains and physical ailments. So far, for him the sex was phenomenal or so he gasped and panted, moaned and groaned every time they did it. For her, it was greatly lacking. She hadn't had an orgasm or anything near it the entire time. At times, like tonight, she even found herself a little bored and her mind wandered to other things as he pleasured himself and left her completely unfulfilled.
She reminded herself often, she wasn't with him for love, companionship or the sex. She spent time with him for his connections, knowledge, drive and business acumen.
"I was thinking," Danforth's voice pulled her from her thoughts when he emerged from the washroom and walked over to the bed. He pulled back the covers and climbed into bed. He shifted pillows around before flopped down with a content groan. He looked over at Terra who was lying on her stomach looking at him. A smile crossed his lips. "One of these times … the pleasure is gonna kill me."
"I certainly hope not," Terra replied with a faint smile of her own. If nothing else it was a little ego boost to know how much he enjoyed having sex with her. She figured if she actually ever tried and actively participated, it just might overstimulate and kill him. "You were thinking?"
"Oh yeah," Danforth nodded as he looked up at the ceiling. "The meeting today was an unmitigated disaster."
Terra couldn't help but scoff as he stated the obvious.
"I told you … they are unyielding tyrants," Terra said as she pulled back the covers and slipped under them herself.
She had been surprised when she and Danforth had arrived at the Commerce and Trade office where she expected to have her meeting. The aide at the desk had told her there was a change of venue. She would still be meeting with her contacts just not in that office. Terra and Danforth had been escorted through the corridors. She had been surprised when the aide had led them to Ashan's desk and informed him they had an 1800 meeting with the trade representatives and the Emperor.
Terra had wanted to smack Ashan when he acted as if he did not know who she was. He had made them wait nearly fifteen minutes before escorting them into the office. The others were already seated around the conference table with Tamerlane as the head. She guessed they had already been meeting without her and Danforth.
Ashan had announced them as the representatives from Hawkins Transport and not by name. When they had entered the office, a rush of uncertainty had run through Terra when she had laid eyes on Tamerlane. He was sitting at the head of the conference table looking at a flexi. When Ashan announced her, Tamerlane had actually gotten to his feet to greet them. It had been a cool and proper greeting so Terra had been polite and proper even though her heart was hammering in her chest when they spoke. He had referred to her as Ms Hawkins and once she reintroduced Danforth he had called him Mr Marske.
"At least we know what we need to do before the next meeting," Danforth put his hand on her shoulder and gave it a little rub.
"Maybe next time you will be a little more forceful with your rebuttals instead of sitting there in awe of Tamerlane Anasazi," Terra rolled her eyes ever so slightly. Tamerlane had not spoken after greeting them when they arrived. She had been cognizant of Tamerlane's gaze the entire meeting. She ignored him while Danforth seemed a little off his game due to the presence of the Nietzschean Emperor.
"It's not every day that you sit at the negotiating table with one of the most powerful men in the universe," Danforth replied a bit snippily. Terra scoffed at his assertion. She guessed it would be something phenomenal to someone who had not known Tamerlane for years. She had always been more awestruck by his beautifully chiseled physique than his place in the universe.
"There was no negotiating happening from my viewpoint. The Empire representatives eviscerated us while you sat there … mute," Terra sighed as she rolled over with her back to him and turned out the lights. She had been surprised by Danforth's lack of aggression and vigorousness during the meetings. He was known to be a powerhouse in the business world.
"I gleaned a great deal from their review of Hawkins' performance," Danforth retorted. "I will counter each of their points in our next meeting. Aruing with them today would have done little good. They were there to announce their overall displeasure with the company's performance. Not to discuss the finer points."
"I expect a better performance our next time out," Terra replied as she punched her pillow into shape.
"Not to worry," Danforth remarked as he got comfortable. "Gaining these new routes is as important to me as to you and Hawkins Transports. I will do everything possible to secure them before we finish our negotiations. I hope you can say the same."
"I will do whatever I need to do to get this done," Terra replied as she closed her eyes. "Anything I need to do."