Jessica by Karen Blayne

Oh by the way red tape first.

Be warned these short stories contain mature content or naughty bits and as such may corrupt you if you’re under 12, 16, 18, 21 or 25 depending where you live thus they are not suitable for you so put them back on the shelf and let them age for a year or two.

They were sort of scribbled for fun. They were first posted on asstr.org. If you’ve paid money for this book just be aware the author has not received any payment. In fact no one has permission to charge money for this book and copyright is retained by the author. All copies must be of the complete document. Asstr.org accepts donations if you’re feeling rich or even if you’re not.

Luv Karen

Jessica looked at herself critically in the full length mirror. Not bad looking at all. Who was she trying to fool, she was an absolute knockout, she still practised her ballet to keep her slim and help keep her movements graceful, her long blonde hair was the envy of practically all the females she knew. She’d even done a little fashion modelling from time to time. At eighteen being a VP’s executive assistant had sounded glamorous, at twenty one she had felt dissatisfied with her current job. Her VP played golf most afternoons, networking he called it, left for lunch at 11:15 most days which left about twenty minutes for Jessica to get him to sign anything important after he arrived in the late morning each day. When she’d tackled him about it he’d just said “Sign them for me. You know as much as I do about these things.” So basically she had. She soon found out that in fact all he ever did was to sign off on others recommendations.

One lunch time she’d been taken along for decoration to the most elegant restaurant in town and noticed one of the slime balls who’d tried to goose her in the elevator sat in a corner with two others looking very pleased with himself and he didn’t pick up the tab either. She’d crossed to the washroom and smiled her best coaxing smile at the waiter on the way back. “Two Sun Micro Systems salesmen and a client Miss, not regulars, the sort who like to impress so hand over a tip the day before so that the head waiter will remember their names.” Jessica smiled once more and thanked him. Being beautiful did have its compensations. Back at the office she wondered off down to the floor where the creep had got off. Fortunately she was often mistaken for a student who had got lost, she‘d practised her little girl lost look in the mirror amongst others. Finally she had a name, one that she remembered from one of the proposals that had come up for signature. She also had a second name, Carlos, apparently a very technical Windows whiz kid according to the lady who ran the Avon catalogue. She dropped by his cubicle. “If you come up to the 17^th floor board room at lunch time we could have lunch together.”

“Mr. Harrison’s secretary calling, I’m afraid he’s been called to an urgent meeting so asked me to cancel his lunch time appointment with you. He sends his apologies and mentioned if you’d like to come in and brief me I could brief him later.” Ralph was thrown for a moment, Harrison, Harrison some sort of VP, well he was quite certain he didn’t have a lunch time appointment with him. “I thought you still might like to come at the appointed time 12 noon? 17^th floor board room?” Ralph agreed quickly and grabbed his sales technical support guy. “You know that ploy we use sometimes when we are trying to get into see someone that is impossible to see of turning up at their door at lunch time and saying we’ve arrived for our appointment?” “Yes.” “I think someone has just used it on us and I wonder why?”

Jessica had done her homework and on the white board was scribbled the network configuration, the major databases with volumes of data and number of users and suggested servers lifted from the proposal. She arranged the board room to be catered for four people the fourth being Carlos, who when she’d checked the org chart was buried three layers below slime ball.

She closed the covers on the white board and awaited her guests. A suitable lunch for a VP and guests rested in the heated trolley at the side. No one would question a request for catering from the VPs secretary.

“Good afternoon, I’m glad you could make it and I trust it won’t be too much waste of your time.” She greeted the salesperson and Technical sales support. “Now I suggest lunch first whilst it’s hot. Hi Carlos, grab a plate serve yourself and take a seat. I hope you didn’t mind me inviting Carlos but we’d ordered lunch for four and he always looks as if he could fit another meal inside.” They sat down and Jessica did her hostess bit putting them at ease with small talk, chatting about things in general. Finally after feeding them the delicious chocolate cake she raised the topic. “Now I know that the VP was interested in hearing your suggestions for our new infrastructure and databases. In particular how we could ensure the security of our systems. Perhaps you could use the white board behind you to sketch out your ideas?”

The two Microsoft sales people glanced at each other not knowing what to say until finally the technical person got up and walked over to the white board and opened the covers. His eyes lit up when he saw what was there. “I assume you use Exchange mail servers with Active Directory?” Jessica looked lost but Carlos nodded his agreement. “So our proposal would be to base your database security on single sign on using your existing Active Directory groups after forcing strong passwords if you don’t already have that as a policy. We find that typically using a separate database userid means 300 people should have access to the database but there are 600 valid userids and no one knows which ones are needed and which ones aren’t.” “I’d heard that only Oracle databases running on Unix can provide the sort of performance we need.” The technical guy walked over to her lap top and typed in www.tpc.org and brought up Oracle Enterprise Edition on the server named in the white board. Then he brought up the SQL server results the number of users on the SQL server side were greater, on the cost side though the price per transaction was very different. Carlos was looking round for something to scribble on so Jessica passed him a large envelope and he started making notes. The sales person took over and hit his stride throwing out words such as ITIL, MOM, SMS, Biztalk, Microsoft Identity Integration Server, Helpdesk integration, Visual Basic programming with the Microsoft office suite to give an integrated robust environment. He paused for breath and let his technical person take up the thread once more. “Of course you’d want to consolidate the database servers to two fast single quad processor servers with 48 gigs of memory, that should replace the dozen dual slower processor servers you have listed with one gig of memory on each, same or better performance but much lower cost in both server hardware and software licenses. One is for the databases, the other holds a copy for the report writing and would be used as a backup machine. The other software would be fine on a second similar machine running virtual servers.” Carlos nodded and Jessica after asking did it matter which brand of server they brought and been told, “No, Dell, HP, IBM are all good.” concluded the meeting thanking them for their time. She borrowed Carlos’s envelope to make a quick photocopy of it then Carlos disappeared back down to his office.

She hit the web with her calculator and added up all the list prices unless she was very much mistaken the numbers were way down on Slime Ball Smythe’s proposal. She looked again, Slime Ball’s project depended on getting extra funding from the reserve fund before year end. She glanced through the previous requests for additional funds that had come it from other projects, it seemed very reasonable to release the funds they had requested. Slime Ball had submitted his project late close to the dead line so there was no time to question. Oh dear the reserve fund was out of dollars before she could consider his request.

She rang Carlos’s boss. “Mr. Chaddington, it’s the VP’s executive assistant, I have a slight problem with Mr. Smythe’s proposal, I realise it’s very capable of meeting the requirements but could you find me an alternative one from Apple or Microsoft or someone? It doesn’t need to be detailed just a back of envelope type thing from one of your technical people with a note from you clipped to it saying it’s an alternative proposal but you don’t feel it can meet the database performance requirements. Could you deliver it in shall we say an hour’s time. It’s just to say we’ve considered an alternative. Thank you so much.”

She sat back to await the results. Carlos’s envelope with the precious note with the word proposal on it arrived within the hour. She scribbled a note on the alternative proposal from TPC.org and filed it. Slime Ball’s proposal was filed with a note saying awaiting funding, and a requisition sent down to purchasing with everything mentioned on Carlos’s envelope times two so the developers would have something to play with.

The day after year end, Slime Ball came crashing through the door and demanded to see the VP. Jessica ushered him in.

“Why was my proposal rejected!” The VP looked at Jessica. “It hasn’t been rejected, it’s just on hold, we are just awaiting funding in this new year, there wasn’t sufficient funds available in the final quarter.” “But an alternative proposal was put through!” The VP asked for the file. “Ah this one with a note on it saying it couldn’t possibly handle the database volumes, well some one must have made a mistake, it happens at year end.” Slime Ball looked at the hand written envelope, “Carlos, damn programmer, I want him fired!” “Well why don’t we do this the civilised way, give him the project to make it work then fire him when you’re vindicated. I mean to say what have we to lose. He’s not an experienced project manager I assume and how many projects have you seen come in on budget and time even with experienced project managers? No this way we cover ourselves.” Slime Ball went off pacified.

The VP turned to Jessica and held up the second file. “Is there a chance this might work at a lower cost?” Jessica nodded. “You’d better get this Carlos a project team then hadn’t you? If it doesn’t then your new dress code will not include knickers and you know what that implies?” Jessica looked at him with wide open eyes. “Just motivation my dear I know you can pull it off, either way I win.”

She scurried down to Zoe, guardian of the Avon catalogue whom she sensed knew far more about what was going on in the company than anyone else and explained her problem. “Why don’t you arrange for pizza and soft drinks in your board room for tomorrow lunch time and I’ll send out a few invitations. In fact why don’t I invite Carlos to drop by and see how much he knows. We could ask him who he’d like to invite. Also we you could ask Linda, I think she’s bored at the moment and whilst she’s due to retire in two years she is a very experienced project manager. I suggest we include one or two people from the client areas who know what the clients really need rather than the list of requirements made up by managers.” Jessica wondered about the wisdom of including people other than programmers on the team but when Carlos arrived and they had explained about the project he was all for it. “The programming won’t be that difficult but figuring out what the client wants and get them to test it will be. Besides if they feel in control they’ll accept the end result better, but who is going to manage it? I’m not a manager.” “Let’s talk about it over lunch tomorrow” counselled Zoe.

Jessica looked round the board room, there seemed to be more ethnic groups here than she thought worked in the company. Zoe had issued the invitations so she started the conversation off. “Guys or rather ladies, Alain, Antonio and Carlos. Carlos has been given a project to do and we wondered if you’d like to help out.” Eyebrows raised round the table. Jessica interjected. “Carlos has been given the project by Mr. Smythe in the expectation that it will fail.” “Wow sounds like the career opportunity of a life time, but thanks for the pizza.” “There must be more to it than that. Why the pizza and why the odd group of people here. If it’s a Mr. Smythe project why are there non-programmers here?” Asked Linda.

“OK guys but the story doesn’t leave the room agreed?” They all nodded their agreement. Jessica told her tale about being goosed then the restaurant and feeling suspicious about the salesmen and Mr. Smythe meaning that the company might not be getting the best deal. So she’d called in Microsoft and had been given the shopping list. She projected the shopping list on the screen from her lap top. She’d invited Carlos so she wasn’t the only person there and also because of his knowledge and expertise. Then Mr. Smythe had set Carlos up and she’d felt responsible.

Linda looked round the room, “Could it be done with the resources we have?” Carlos thought technically it probably could be and the other programmers agreed with him. “We have the programmer estimates from the old project and we have that as a budget.” “But the project manager probably underestimated them by 30% knowing that the company having invested so much would have to give him the rest to finish the project.”

Chantal, from one of the client groups, piped up “My sister was telling me about the fancy reports she does with SQL server and sends them to an email group. My boss would love that he’s given up asking for those sort of things. Count me in and I could even squeeze some extra resources out of him.”

Melissa picked up a pen and headed for the white board and drew a chart that showed the earlier you caught a system problem the cheaper it was to resolve. “OK guys if we use the expertise we have around the room and prototype this then refine it we could have something useful working very quickly.” “How quickly?” They looked at Carlos. “Two weeks I could have the data from the existing databases into the new database with Biztalk and the report writer set up. After that we just add bits in as we go. We already know the data structures from the existing systems but I’ve never managed a project.” Jessica started to feel the conversation was going over her head but Zoe gave her a reassuring look.

Rose interrupted, “We could use our people’s method of running the project. If we went hunting it was the best hunter who led, if fishing the best fisherman, when talking to the white men, the best liar.” General laughter broke out. Linda expressed a willingness to handle the gnatt charts and day to day running of the project.

“The last place I worked at we could telework and I know I got twice as much coding done when it was quiet at home than I ever did in the office.” “Won’t Smythe sabotage us when he sees how fast we are going?” “I used to work for him and he’s rigid, one third of the time get the specs, one third code, one third test. So we just get Carlos to be vague and say we’re 90% finished on the specs until half the allotted time has elapsed by which time we should practically be in production.” “How can you be 90% finished for such a long time?” “Lots of projects are 90% complete for years.” “Oh.”

“So all we need is Carlos to agree to wearing the manager’s hat and we have a go.” Chantal and Yvette after exchanging glances walked across to Carlos and took a seat besides him, one either side. Jessica wasn’t quite certain what was being whispered in Carlos’s ear by Chantal as she stroked his cheek and kissed him on the lips, but she noticed Yvette’s shoulders move as she leaned in from the other side her hands hidden under the table. She blushed as she realised what was happening and turned away towards the rest of the group.

“I have access to the training budget if we need any training.” She suggested just for something to say. The programmers all sat up, “Why didn’t you say so before, I’m in.” “God training, I haven’t been on a course for years. Where do I sign?”

Chantal interrupted “Carlos feels happy to wear the manager’s hat, we’re going to find him a corner in my office where no one can find him and Yvette and I can look after him.”

Needless to say the project took on a life of its own. When it came up on the agenda at the VP’s senior managers meeting three months later one of the clients simply said “Well I’m more than satisfied with what’s happening shall we move onto the next item.” Mr. Smythe was shocked IT projects never got by without all sorts of questions from this particular group. The VP looked round “Any dissension? Right we move on to parking spots.”

At the next monthly meeting the project was accepted as complete but the project team was asked to take on the task of rewriting the existing Oracle databases on the UNIX servers.

Six months later the Unix and Oracle groups were disbanded, and since Mr. Smythe’s position was now no longer needed he was offered a transfer to a remote location to manage the physical building at his existing salary. Jessica still smiled when she remembered his reaction and the way he had stormed out of the office telling the VP exactly what he could do with his job. Jessica helpfully quoted his exact words in writing in the letter that accepted his resignation.

Gradually the VP turned more and more of the day to day running of the division over to Jessica and she in turn relied on those managers whom had benefited most from the change in computer technology. Chantal and Yvette had arranged for Carlos to have an office with a closed door and gave him the quietness he seemed to need to think up his new ideas. The division was almost running itself and Jessica took time to take stock of her life. She knew that by the age of thirty she would begin to lose her looks and felt that she ought to be doing something more with her brain. Four years at University would be expensive and she only had seventy pairs of shoes in her wardrobe. At the rate her heels came adrift they might last her two or possibly three years.

She talked with Zoe and Zoe suggested perhaps if she was to take a year’s programming course with her background in how offices worked she should do quite well, plus it was a lot cheaper than a university course.

She signed up for a year’s course on becoming a computer programmer. She carefully put her letter of resignation in the VPs signing book so he’d sign off on it without reading it and forwarded it onto Human Resources on her last day knowing it would take two or three days in the internal post before it arrived.

She looked round her first class. She was a little older than many of the students but she thought she’d manage to keep up. She was surprised to see the CEO of her old company at the door of her class on the second Monday and slipped out to speak to him. “The place is in a shambles come back at once and straighten it out.” “You mean he can’t manage without me?” “He left the company, early retirement on health grounds first thing this morning.” “I’ll come back as VP if you like? You know I can do the job.” She said hopefully. “I dare say but I daren’t appoint a young blonde to the job. Do you realise we don’t have any females above the supervisor grades? We just aren’t ready for female managers.” Jessica wasn’t particularly feminist but some how the statement grated. “I’ll double your pay.” She thought for a few seconds then thought again if it would just be red lined and never raised. She simply didn’t trust him. “I’m sorry but I’ve set my heart on becoming a programmer. Bye.”

She was far better at organising her work than the others but she found debugging frustrating and was almost at the point of giving the entire course up as a bad job when some one looked over her shoulder at her ten line program and whispered “Check the spelling of the variables.” She turned and watched him walk away then turned back to her program listing, and there it was the elusive bug that had been driving her mad, the same name but all lower case in one place and a capital letter in the front in another. God were all computers particularly stupid?

Next time she had a particularly tricky problem she looked round for her angel and followed him back to his office. “I’m not a lecturer, just a programmer.” “But you could help me?” She gave him her big round eye look and perched on the edge of his desk thanking heaven she’d wore a skirt that day. Skirts were so easy to display her perfect thighs especially if you let them ride up. “Read out the program to me.” As she read it out the answer jumped out at her. “Oh why didn’t I see that before?” “But you did find it yourself didn’t you?” “Yes I suppose I did. Do you have a microwave near here?” “It’s not for student’s use.” “But if I brought in lunch for you tomorrow I could cook our lunch in it?” He laughed.

She rang Melanie that afternoon and had Melanie put something together for her. In return she’d organise Melanie’s tax return and sort a few other things out. She’d always meant to learn to cook a few impressive meals but some how she’d never found the time.

He’d eaten every morsel off the plate then looked at her. “Shall I cook tomorrow save you having to beg some one else to cook for you?” “How did you guess?” “The look of surprise when you took the first forkful.” She felt awful. “It’s alright I appreciate the time and attention. I also enjoy cooking. It’ll cost you though.” She looked doubtfully at him.

“My cousin recently got engaged and the party is on Saturday. I’ve never been one for flaunting girlfriends much but if I go alone she’ll make all sorts of digs at me, but accompanied by you dressed up to the nines that should take the wind out of her sails nicely.” “You’re not very nice sometimes.” “You haven’t met my cousin, she’s as hard as nails and can be quite nasty. I feel sorry for Joe he deserves better.” “Regular lunch and I can ask questions about my programs?” “You do drive a hard bargain but yes I agree.” She asked lots of questions about where the party was to be held and who would be there. In particular she grilled him about what he knew about the happy couple. “I’ll pick you up at seven.” were her parting words.

She’d done a modelling job once with a supercar at one of the local dealers. Whilst hanging around waiting for the car to be unloaded, manoeuvred to just the right location by the photographer and given its final wax polish before she draped herself over it she’d been bored enough to read the salesman’s handbook and watch the accompanying DVD. When a customer had asked questions and the salesman was busy she’d answered them and just to keep him there then she’d used one of the recommended closing routines in the book as an experiment and found she’d made a sale. She’d apologised to the manager but could he finish it off. Since then the dealership had invited her back occasionally when it was their turn to have the supercar on display for a week. Provided she drove it very carefully she would be allowed to borrow it in return for being at the dealership the following day.

She arrived ten minutes early, well being well organised she’d allowed a few minutes in case she got lost. Michael let her in to his apartment and disappeared into the bedroom to finish getting dressed. Jessica browsed through his CD collection and saw nothing later than 1870, apart from a little Jazz. The book shelves were much more interesting and she was just on the point of pulling one out when Michael came out and said he was ready.

Michael got handed the owner’s manual as he stepped into the low car. “Is there something about how to turn off the amber light on the dashboard in there?” she asked. “I borrowed the car but I’m not sure about all the controls.”

They arrive safely and parked well away from the other cars. Just in case some one opened a car door a bit close and scraped the paint.

“Michael how glad we are to see you, all alone as usual?” “I brought Jessica with me she’s just changing her shoes, here she is.” Jessica strolled up in a long coat that covered her evening gown and held out her hand. Michael’s cousin brushed past her to greet some guests coming up behind. “Right war is declared.” She whispered to Michael.

Amber took Jessica’s coat from her and gasped when she took a look at her gown. “She won’t like that in fact she might even throw a temper tantrum.” she blurted out. “Does it bother you?” “No considering Joe and I were going steady until she trapped him. I don’t think he’s even seen her throw one of her temper tantrums” “Want him back?” Amber smiled broadly. “Look after Michael for me and we’ll see what we can provoke.” With that Jessica moved off into the throng feeling confident in one of the designer dresses she’d been given after a model shoot ignoring the looks of feminine envy that radiated from around the room. Michael pointed out the family members. Her first target was Michael’s aunt who was looking put out by her dress. “You must be Michael’s aunt?” “Yes and you are?” “A close friend of Michael’s but we haven’t announced anything yet.” Michael’s aunt, at those words which suggested no competition for her darling she visibly thawed. Michael caught a few words from time to time. It looked like his aunt was having the butter dish poured over her. After a few minutes of flattery she moved onto his uncle, who was stood neglected nursing a glass of scotch as he supported the wall behind him. “Michael’s uncle I assume?” a hump confirmed this, “What are you up to?” “Oh just trying to get to know a little more about Michael’s family and hence about him. Besides you’re probably paying for all this and it’s always nice to say thank you to people with money.” She placed her hand gently on his arm and smiled at him. She worked her charm on him drawing him out based on the scanty information that Michael had fed her until he was thoroughly captivated.

She moved off to circulate Michael appeared at her side with a glass of coke. “I opened the sealed bottle myself as I know you daren’t drink a sip and drive that monster outside.” She smiled gratefully at him her real smile rather than her social graces one. “Two down one to go.” She murmured and slipped off into the far corner where she perched herself on the arm of a chair. “Going by your handsome looks I’d say you had to be Michael’s granddad.” She smiled down at him. “Should you be dancing with all the other bright young things?” “Possibly but I thought I’d take the chance to meet you first just in case I get serious about Michael.” He raised his eyebrows, “And if not?” “Well you might even be interesting enough to cultivate yourself. I mean you must have been young enough for Woodstock?” “And just what do you know about Woodstock?” “Oh we studied it in modern history to look at social trends, but I suspect it would have been much more interesting to have been there.” A passer-by bumped her slightly and she fell down into his lap. “Oops, you don’t mind do you?” She put her arm round his shoulders to steady herself. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a pretty girl curled up in my lap.” “If you’re going to pay me compliments like that I’m staying” she laughed and placed her hand over his on her thigh. “I think you’ll find it more interesting here.” She moved his hand three inches higher so it was over her stocking clip. “Three guesses?” He looked at her. “You’re a bad girl aren’t you?” She wiggled her bottom in his lap in reply. Michael glanced up at her performing what appeared to be a slow lap dance in granddad’s lap. He closed his eyes and turned back to Amber who was also watching with interest. “How did you meet her? I mean to say Andrea is always going on about you being unable to pick any one up.” “I whispered something in her ear and haven’t been able to turn round since without her turning up.” “Well she’s charmed three members of the family so far. I wonder what comes next.” Michael dreaded the thought but he had asked her and it did add entertainment value to the evening. He moved Amber onto the dance floor and waved his arms about.

Jessica meanwhile was getting granddad to reminisce about the short skirts and stockings that had characterised the 1960s. Eventually she lent forward and kissed on the cheek. “I ought to go and see what Michael is up to but it’s been fascinating hearing your stories.” She got up and lent forward “I’ll just give your thighs a little rub to get the blood flowing again shall I?” Michael moved Amber to screen them from the rest of the room as Jessica gave granddad his gentle massage.

“Mike did you really arrive in those cool wheels outside?” “Not guilty Jessica’s I’m afraid.” “Some one mention my name?” Jessica slipped her arm in Michael’s. “You really own those wheels outside?” “No not really they turn into a pumpkin at midnight. I asked my fairy godmother for a four-in-hand coach but apparently there was a shortage of foot men so she gave me a self drive horseless carriage instead.” She looked at the slack jaw “It’s real though, complete with the intercooled supercharger.” She started into her sales patter and soon had more than half the males in the room hanging on her every word. Glancing across the room she saw Michael’s cousin without her attendant court. “One, two, sky blue, all out except you. Be an angel and ask Michael’s cousin to dance? I’ll make it up to you with a slow dance later.” The unfortunate male was dispatched from the group. At the end of the number he turned away to the group. “I’m surprised you managed to tear yourself away for so long.” “Oh its OK, Jessica thought some one ought to dance with you but she promised me a slow dance to make up later.” He closed his eye suddenly realising just what he’d said. “She did did she.” The battle gleam shone in her eyes. Her father winced as he could see a storm coming, his dreams of a peaceful existence when he married her off receding in the distance. He had an idea Joe hadn’t seen his daughter in full tantrum. “Andrea dear could you spare a moment.” He called out hoping to avoid a scene. Andrea ignored him and stalked across the room. “Guys grab a girl and hit the floor the Princess looks mad.” Jessica grabbed hold of Joe “Quickly, dance with me.” She twirled him in the opposite direction but Andrea was not to be thwarted. “How dare you send your rejects over to dance with me!” She screamed. “And you convorting with the slut take this.” She pulled the diamond ring off her finger and hurled it at Joe. Jessica quickly caught it and held it in her hand.

Michael’s granddad took exception to his granddaughter’s behaviour and calling that nice girl who’d taken an interest in him a slut. Soon Andrea was having a shouting match with her family. Jessica guided Joe out towards the front door where Amber had their coats waiting for them. “Did I do something wrong?” Jessica asked innocently. “My god does she have tantrums like that often?” Joe asked in an amazed voice. “What did I see in her?” “Want a lift home guys?” Jessica guided them to the low slung exotic car. “I think I ought to be going before she comes out and scratches the paintwork with her hair brush. Joe if you climb in the back perhaps Amber could sit on your lap?”

They took off in a roar, before slowing down slightly on the main road. “Who wants dropping off first?” “Well if you could drop us both off at my place.” replied Amber “We’ve decided that Joe isn’t safe by himself so he’s staying with me until we get married.” Jessica passed over the diamond ring, “Interested?” “Certainly that’s a good diamond ring besides every time I flaunt it in front of her it’ll remind her of what’s she’s lost.”

After she dropped them off she turned to Michael. “That was what you wanted wasn’t it? To see your cousin upstaged and brought down a peg or two wasn’t it? Or did I go too far?” “No not at all. I hate to say it but she deserved everything that happened. If nothing else you rescued Joe from an infatuation and a bad marriage and I like Joe. Now what do you fancy for lunch on Monday, I was thinking about a chicken dish?”

The nine months of course rolled by quickly and by the end Jessica was feeling more comfortable with programming although she did find it frustrating that computers didn’t seem to respond well to a pair of fluttering eyelids. She’d planned to take a two week vacation at the end of the course, it seemed that one year course programmers without experience were not in high demand by employers, even ones with beautiful eyes.

It was Joss who found the answer. His mother had been networking on his behalf and he’d been interviewed for one job only to find that his qualifications were far short of what was required. What had been offered though was the temporary position of team leader if he could find eight people who hadn’t been in work during the last year. The stated job was data entry but it had been put to him that there really wasn’t enough data entry work to keep eight people busy for six months and that if he could find programmers they would be programming for at least half the time under the supervision of an experienced programmer who had a rewrite to do. This would give them some experience which might make it easier to find work afterwards. Jessica decided to go on vacation and start the little over minimum wage job two weeks later if nothing better had turned up by the time she got back.

She rolled up two weeks later and immediately felt much more comfortable in the office environment than she had at college. This was the world she knew. Dressed in her heels and a knee length skirt that could be allowed to ride up and show an inch or two of perfect knee cap she felt ready to tackle any manager. Give her a week to figure out the office politics and she’d be able to manipulate her way to comfort and power. She found their semi open plan office easily and entered to find the gang had settled in nicely. She was introduced briefly to the programmer, a guy called Dave who was quickly called away to solve some one’s problem. To look busy she grabbed a pile of documents and starting keying them in, well with her 120 words per minute typing speed the work went quite quickly. At lunch time one of the gang filled her in on what was happening. Dave apparently knew his stuff and had been very helpful and in return they had been doing data entry, well Joss and Simeon hadn’t been doing that much since they said their typing speed was so much slower than the rest. When Dave had picked up on that he insisted that they spent the same amount of time doing data entry as everyone else even if they didn’t get that much done.

That afternoon she was shocked to see he didn’t seem to get a minute to himself, it was a consent stream of interruptions, even when he’d picked up his coffee mug one of her fellow students would come it with a question and the coffee mug got put to one side. She slipped into admin assistant mode and after stealing his coffee mug, she filled it up and slid it back onto his desk besides him together with two chocolate biscuits from her private supply.

At four pm the office suddenly emptied leaving just herself and Dave. “I’m sorry I didn’t have time to talk today, we haven’t really any office space left either. I’ve split the project up and assigned parts to the others the only thing I have left in the core bit I was going to tackle myself. Would you mind sharing my office and working on that with me? If so I suggest if you could work seven thirty until three thirty it would be quiet first thing when the mob won’t have arrived and we can go through things together. Oh and thank you for the coffee it was very much appreciated. If you’d like me to run through things this evening I can do then you could take off early tomorrow afternoon to compensate.” “Are you married?” “No, sounds an odd question.” “I was going to suggest treating you to egg and chips at my old college canteen.” “A sort of working tea? Sounds a perfect idea.”

The overview Dave gave her helped her put things in context. When she started to write her first program Dave suggested just copying an existing one to get the red tape in rather than spend time working it all out. She’d looked at him with an incredulous look, and then the penny dropped; she wasn’t being marked for what she wrote only to get it working. She organised the others so that Dave was not bugged before ten am or for the first hour after lunch but apart from that he was fair game. That seemed to work well with Dave getting some time to himself and being able to concentrate on his coding and design work. She was really pleased with her program until Dave looked through it and asked what happen to the last record read in, then she felt really annoyed with herself. She’d forgotten to copy it out but as long as she corrected it and ran test data through after writing down what to expect before it was processed he seemed quite pleased with her work.

One lunch time she was coming back to the office after buying a sandwich when she noticed Dave standing behind Rachel, one of the research assistants and fondling her right breast from behind. Rachel gave her a warning look and Jessica slipped back into her shared office without saying a word.

Later she dropped by Rachel’s office. “It’s taken me two months of gradual encouragement to get him to go that far so I didn’t want you upsetting all my plans.” “Who me, but what are you planning?” “There’s been permission granted for two new positions opening up in six months time. One is research assistant the other is programmer and Dave’s on the board for both. After five years of casual positions, including working for an agency sitting at the same desk I think I deserve a permanent job but rumour has it there are a couple of PhD qualified people who want to get in and have applied. I’m hoping desperately they put a bit of emphasis on relevant experience and anything I can do to influence a board member is going to be done.” “Including?” “If I can mange it including though at the present rate of progress that maybe difficult.” “Do you think I should as well?” “It wouldn’t hurt would it?” “Difficult, I’ve never actually done it, so I’m not exactly certain how to seduce someone.” Rachel looked at her is disbelief. “With your looks? I’ve seen you twirl the males in the office round your little finger.” “Well yes but I’ve always managed to get any amount of male attention I want without actually delivering if you know what I mean.” “Perhaps we could work on him together sometime and I could give you a few tips on what to do? It can be quite fun. Oh my apartment buddy is moving out at the end of the month and I’m looking for someone to share with.” Jessica grinned and raised her eyebrows in agreement.

Jessica and Rachel become fast friends over the next few weeks and when Melissa brought in her new baby Rachel introduced her to Jessica and persuaded Jessica to hold the child. This was fine until Melissa’s son brought up raspberries Melissa had been feeding him on all over Jessica’s dress. With a cry of “Men, you just can’t trust them!” Melissa scooped the baby away whilst Rachel helped Jessica out of her dress and went to rinse it out in the wash room. Jessica sat on her chair in her underwear and awaited the return of her dress.

David came first. “Sit, face your screen and don’t say a word.” Commanded Jessica then carried on working ignoring the glances that David threw at her. It was some time later that she spotted Tiffany, the office gossip, approaching in the distance. “Stand and face me.” There was a hint of desperation in her voice and Dave responded immediately, “Now kiss me.” Jessica threw her arms round his neck and kept his back towards Tiffany. “Oh you’re busy, I’ll come back later.” Jessica heard Tiffany’s voice and she collapsed with relief against him. “Hi guys, am I interrupting something?” Jessica answered Rachel “No but Tiffany was approaching and whilst I can live down throwing my arms round Dave’s neck because I got a program right I don’t think I could explain being in his office in my underwear.”

Dave put her back a step, “It’s very nice underwear, I hadn’t even realised you wore stockings. Mind you when I did some sort of management training course they mentioned that supervisors were supposed to make the requests not staff.” “Oh you mean Sit, Stand, Kiss. Well what else was I supposed to do?” “And you must confess it is very nice underwear even if I couldn’t wear it.” “You look a size to me?” Rachel slipped behind Jessica and slid her fingers under the panties, “See how flimsy and transparent they are well, Jessica’s blonde pubic hairs don’t show up much but my darker pubic hair would cause a riot and her breasts are smaller so her bras can be less substantial, so her nipples can show more. Just put your hand on her breast and see how thin the material really is.” Jessica held her breath has Dave cupped her breast, “Now run your fingers over her panties, doesn’t it feel as if there is nothing there at all?” Jessica blushed furiously as Dave’s fingers explored. “I see what you mean.” He grinned.

Rachel looked at Jessica and realised exactly where Dave’s fingers were “Whoops you mean. Sorry.” She said to Jessica. “You weren’t to know, they’re a set I got from a lingerie designer in lieu of pay for a catalogue shoot, they look respectable enough its only if you run a finger down the front that it becomes apparent they’re really crotchless.” Jessica turned to Dave, “Time for me to put my dress back on and you two to stop making comments about a lady’s undies.” She reached forward and picked a tissue up from the desk. “Hand out.” She commanded and dried the juices off Dave’s middle finger. “There now all dry again.” Rachel helped her slip her dress over her head and to do the zip up the back. “Mind you I suppose it spoils the birthday surprise I’d planned for you.” Dave looked puzzled so Jessica sat down and accidentally showed two inches of thigh above her stocking tops. “Hey you’re good.” Commented Rachel “It would take me hours of practise to accidentally show exactly two inches like that.” Jessica made a small curtsey. “It’s the ballet moves that help I used a… but I mustn’t give all our secrets away. Stockings keep the tops of my legs cooler and besides its fun thinking how many heart attacks I’d see if they knew exactly what I was wearing underneath.”

The next morning when she saw Dave she asked him mischievously “Have you recovered from yesterday yet?” “Almost, I enjoyed the whiff of perfume although I think it almost knocked me out.” “We’d better try to build up some immunity to it then hadn’t we? The prescription is a two minute hug with your nose nuzzled against the back of my neck each morning.” She said half jokingly. Dave slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her close so he could nuzzle the back of her neck. “I like this prescription. Best be first thing before the others come in each day though.” Jessica just basked in the attention.

Fall drew to an end and soon they were planning the Christmas party. Jessica discussed with Rachel the possibility of seducing Dave somehow. “Well traditionally we have a pot luck meal and Dave has a single glass of wine with it so no hope of getting him drunk and doing the dirty deed. Besides which he usually sneaks off afterwards back to his computer saying the response times are so much faster when no one else is on the network. You know I’m not certain I could seduce him in cold blood.” Jessica mulled over an idea or two, “But if you were aroused first?” “God yes.”

She was thinking back to her modelling days and the tricks they used to get the perfect shot next morning as David was giving her her morning nuzzle when she asked “Have you decided what you giving Rachel for Christmas? Or would you like me to do your shopping for you?” Dave tweaked her nipples and whispered, “Done, I suppose I’d better ask Rachel to get yours?” “Oh that’s OK I’ll ask her for you.” And she leant back into him and let her imagination run wild about how he’d savage her if only they weren’t in the office. Later she bumped into Rachel and murmured she had just the perfect present for Dave to give them both in mind but thought perhaps she could give him Rachel, and Rachel could give him Jessica, “Wrapped in a pink bow of course.” She joked.

“Well here is Dave’s Christmas present to you that he hasn’t seen yet. Are you going to wear them for him?” Jessica offered Rachel the three items of jewellery as she came out of the shower. “They look like ear rings but I don’t see how they fit on.” “I’ll show you.” Jessica lent forward and took Rachel’s nipple in her mouth suckling on it to make it hard. Then she hung the nipple jewellery over the hard nipple before doing the other one. “My god I wasn’t quite expecting that.” “Take a gentle stroll.” As she walked so the hanging jewellery tugged gently at her nipples. “My God.” “Aren’t they just great? We used to use them when I was modelling and the photographer wanted a really sexy pout, one that looked genuine. They really keep you warm.” “But how do I wear a bra with them?” “No problem, I’ll lend you one of mine.” Jessica disappeared into her room coming back with a handful of underwear. “But mine are a bigger cup size than yours.” “Details, details, try this one on.” Jessica helped her slip her arms through the straps and clipped the front opening clasp together. “There perfect.” “There isn’t much of it is there? In fact my nipples are completely exposed.” “Well yes but the jewellery fits doesn’t it? A blouse over the top you’ll be fine.” “A blouse, God everyone will be able to see my erect nipples and know I’ve got something extremely naughty on.” “That’s half the fun, put a cardi over the top and you’ll be a bit warm that’s all. In fact if you wear the matching garter belt and black stockings you’ll be cooler than tights plus every David’s wet dream.” “Well if you’re dressing up the same I suppose I could do. I’ve never thought of myself as somebody’s wet dream before.” Rachel said with a grin.

Jessica drove them both into work, Rachel didn’t think she could concentrate with her nipples being gently tugged every time they braked or accelerated sharply. “My god you did that on purpose!” she exclaimed as Jessica blew away a lowered Honda Civic with a couple of teenagers in on the lights. “Well it’s their own fault, if they hadn’t spent so much time staring at you looking hot and more on watching the lights they would have been away first.” “I’m sure it’s not environmentally friendly to burn up gas on the lights, besides you’ve probably damaged their egos.” Rachel replied primly, whilst blushing, secretly pleased at the male attention she’d received from the car along side.

They carried their share of the pot luck lunch in from the car and dropped them off with Jennifer who was organising the lunch as normal telling Jenifer that Dave’s and their contribution were together. “Thanks guys. By the way does Dave even know it’s Christmas lunch today?” Asked Jennifer. “You guys are far too protective of him.” Jessica just grinned “He’s ours and don’t you forget it.” and guided Rachel towards Dave’s office.

Dave didn’t look up from the screen as they entered his office. “Hello Jessica, hello Rachel, how are you today?” asked Rachel. “It’s no good you know the only way to distract him is like this.” Jessica placed Dave’s hand around the mug of fresh coffee she’d placed on the desk brushing his shoulder with her breasts as she did so.

“Oh hi guys, I think something’s happening today I’m getting really fast responses on the server, almost is if no one else is using the computer today.” “It’s probably because it’s close to Christmas and people are planning their Christmas lunch today. Jennifer said thanks for your contribution by the way.” Dave looked guilty “Oh dear I meant to bring something this year.” “Never mind it’s sorted. Just admire Rachel’s dress and the price is tea at Rachel’s.” “I don’t think I should I mean people might talk.” “I’ll come and chaperon her so her honour will be safe.” “Rachel your dress is very nice.” He turned back to his screen whilst Jessica raised her eyebrows at Rachel who simply shrugged and whispered “At least he’s not looking at someone else’s dress.” Quiet descended on the office as the three of them settled down to do their normal work until lunch time.

Jessica quietly stole Dave’s wireless mouse then waited for him to realise it was lunch time. “Thank you for my jewellery, I’m wearing it especially for you.” Whispered Rachel in his ear. He looked up surprised he couldn’t see any sign of it. She guided his hand under her cardi so he could feel her nipple and jewellery that was clipped to it. There was stunned look on his face. “You better feel mine as well.” Jessica guided his hand first over her breast then she simply got up and still holding his hand she led him towards the Christmas lunch.