I see a lot of people ask what they do to get over writer’s block. for me, I do one of a few things. I read a book and write a review. Or I write a piece of what I might like to call fan fiction. I have met so many talented and wonderful authors through social media that push my writing in different directions it is hard not to be inspired.
This particular snippet was inspired by one of my favorite authors/blogs I follow on Twitter, Rowena Tisdale.
http://www.rowena-tisdale.com/
Her sultry and steamy writing, along with her no-nonsense female characters are highly inspiring. It is refreshing to read about women who truly want sex and are not shy about it. It got me to really think back to my early twenties where for lots of really messed-up reasons (which I discuss in other blogs) I was less than popular with the guys and pretty shy and repressed. It took me a long time to find my confidence. After reading her blogs, I couldn’t help but ask myself, what if?
What if, in my early years as a technician/engineer my boss/mentor had been a confident woman leader? How would that have changed my trajectory?
Obviously, I cannot change the past. But I can write a little fantasy about what I would have liked it to look like. Now that I am 40, and infinitely more confident than I was at 24 it’s fun to indulge. Maybe it will inspire some of the other 20-somethings, struggling to find their voice and sexuality in a world sending mixed messages about what women should want and need.
Danyjella ran a comb through her damp auburn hair while she waited for the email to connect to the server.
I’ll just fire off one more email, then I’ll head to the reception upstairs. She thought, as she applied mascara to her long red eyelashes, then tapped blush on her pale cheeks in the mirror next to the desk.
The IM window flashed on her laptop.
RO: What the HELL are you still doing working?
DANY: I’m sending you that report on the plc and relay tests you requested
RO: GURL REALLY? It can wait until Mon
DANY: Then YTF did you text me asking if it was ready to go????
RO: Just wanted to know when it would be ready
DANY: What the HELL are you still doing working? You’re 3 hours ahead.
RO: I’m the boss, wanted to stalk you and make sure you were done for the day, off scoring with hot men
DANY: HAHA! Remember who you’re talking to?
RO: I do, so are you off to have some fun?
DANY: I am. Heading to the bar for the reception I&M is throwing for the crew tonight.
RO: Great, BTW, sorry to cut into your weekend, but the owner wants have dinner to go over progress Sunday night
DANY: OK
RO: What are you going to wear?
Danyjella paused, looking down at her plain khaki pants and crimson tank top. It was the nicest thing she had at the moment. The matching cardigan she planned on wearing over the top of it was draped over the back of the chair. She looked out of the window as Elliot Bay faded from silver into navy and the lights came on across the way in West Seattle. She wondered where the rest of her stuff was. Somewhere between Anchorage and Seattle in a shipping container. She sighed and then gave a wry smile. She loved Rowena’s sense of style. The chic, vivacious woman who’d hired her as field engineer and project lead for the new office here in Seattle could get every head in the room to turn just by raising a perfectly arched eyebrow and tapping immaculately manicured nails against a crystal wine stem. Danyjella always wondered what that was like.
RO: Well???
DANY: I don’t know. Haven’t had much time to go shopping since I moved down here. My new boss is a total slave driver 😛
RO: My assistant is going to make an appointment for you with the personal shopper at the downtown Nordstrom’s in Seattle tomorrow. Make-up after! Be there as soon as they open.
DANY: Yes mummy. Make sure the appointment is early. The building manager is giving me a personal tour of the condos here tomorrow afternoon. I may put in an offer.
RO: EXCELLENT! I’ll be in town next weekend. Sending you the file Monday for a software company in Redmond I need to you review. Setting up a lunch meeting for you to head over there next week and talk with their VP. We may want to acquire them.
DANY: Sounds good. Make it for later in the week, Friday maybe. We’re testing the fire systems here Monday and Tuesday. I need to be here for that. It’s going to be hectic.
RO: When is the security system test?
DANY: Depends on how the F&G tests go. Probably not until next week. Want to integrate the generator controls first. I need to get moving. I can already feel the guys racking up the bar tab upstairs.
RO: You go gurl. Thanks again. You’re doing a fantastic job. Have a great weekend.
DANY: You too woman
Danyjella sent the email off to Rowena, then she tugged her cardigan over her tank top and slid her feet into her leather sandals. She wriggled her pink painted toes, feet grateful to be free of the steel toed boots after such a long hot day. She stretched and looked around the neatly furnished corporate apartment.
I love how close to downtown and the Lightrail this place is. I hope they can get me a good deal. She thought as she went into the bathroom to blow-dry her fine, shoulder-length auburn hair. She headed to the outdoor mezzanine bar and restaurant that was part of the new condo resort complex in downtown Seattle.
“Hey it’s Little Dipper Dany!” OT shouted as the elevator door slid open, revealing the Friday night party to already be in full swing. “Whata’ ya’ have?” The compact Irishman man asked. She smiled as she approached the group. OT barely came to her nose, but insisted on calling her “Little.” She wondered what he’d call her if she wore heels. At 5’9 she wasn’t gigantic, but tall enough for a girl.
“White wine and sparkling water. It was a hot day today.” Danyjella replied as the bartender began to pour.
“No shit it was. I’ll be glad when they get the AC fully functional in that other building.” OT replied. There were several comments of agreement from the rest of the commissioning crew.
“Should be done by Monday. They’re working on it this weekend. We’re going to test the HVAC with the fire and gas systems on Tuesday.” Danyjella said, taking a sip of her drink. The scantily clad waitresses brought out plates of appetizers for the group, while Danyjella leaned against the bar, listening to the music play over the speakers. Her mind wandered as she watched her guys hit on the girls.
Really, Jeff? You’re married. Oh yeah, I forgot. “Crew policy” If its another zip code, it doesn’t count. She shook her head as her stomach knotted. Shrugging her shoulders, she took a zip of her white wine spritzer. She really would enjoy something a little stronger, but damn, it had been hot today. Had Seattle been this brutally hot in the summers when she went to college? She couldn’t remember. She put a hand against the bar and took another sip, counting down the time until she could go back up to her room, peel off her clothes and climb into the giant tub in the bathroom and soak away all the aches from this week. Too bad the pool was closed for repairs. What a rotten time of year to be out of service.
“Enjoying the party?” A husky voice said behind her. She nearly choked on her drink as she turned around to see a wall of sky-blue buttoned-down shirt.
“Uh—yes thank you, Mr. Erikson.” She replied, recovering herself as she gazed up into the site foreman’s vivid sapphire eyes. “It was very nice of I&M to put this on for the guys, I know they’re enjoying it.” Danyjella said, motioning to her crew of technicians, scattered around the bar, drinking, playing pool and shuffle board, talking up some of the local girls.
“You can call me Isaak. We’ve only been working together all week,” he said, running a hand through his thick, golden-brown hair. “What about you? You looked rather bored.” He said, eyes crinkling as his smooth pink lips curled up in a grin.
“It’s fine. Just a little tired I suppose. It’s been a long week,” she replied, rubbing her shoulder. She looked down, thinking of Rowena and her penchant for hot guys in jeans, as she took in his well-fitting blue jeans and black leather cowboy boots.
“Hey, wait a sec,” she said, cocking her head to the side. “The email said the bar has a strict ‘no jeans’ policy.” She pointed down to her khaki pants then his jeans.
His grin got wider, and she felt her heart flutter as his eyes traveled up and down her body, lingering on her breasts in a way that made her knees turn to water. “Well, I suppose they make a special exception for me.”
“Why is that?” she asked.
He shrugged, taking another drink of his beer. “I don’t know. Probably because I own half the building. I’m the I of I&M Enterprise.”
“Oh,” was Danyjella’s only inarticulate reply. Why the fuck didn’t Ro mention that, I thought he was just the site foreman. “I—I suppose that makes sense then.” She said, shrugging her shoulders, wishing she could think up something else to say.
He frowned, then looked like he was about to say something else as a gorgeous brunette came up alongside him, putting a flawlessly manicured hand on his forearm. The metal of her gold choker gleamed against her glowing olive skin. She simpered at Danyjella, then squeezed Isaak’s bicep.
Of course, he’d be taken. Didn’t see a ring. But what the hell do I care? Not like guys like that are interested in me anyway.
“I heard you’re interested in buying into a unit in the new building,” He said, taking a sip of his beer.
“Yes, I just moved back down here from Alaska. The company’s putting me up here temporarily while I house hunt, but I really like the location and the amenities. You’ve built a fantastic property.”
“Have you tried the pool yet?” he asked, the woman standing next to him frowned and sighed, trying to get his attention.
“Uh, no. I understand the pool is closed right now. Repairs or something,” Danyjella replied, heat rising to her cheeks as he continued to stare.
“The main pool is, but I can give you access to the penthouse pool. Here,” he pulled a business card from his wallet and grabbed a pen from the bar. He scribbled some numbers on it. “This is the floor number, and the code to get in. Don’t worry about bringing a towel, they have everything you need at the spa. Its open 24/7.” The brunette squeezed his arm again and raised an eyebrow as he looked at her. “If you’ll pardon me. Please, enjoy the party.”
“Thanks, I—will,” she said, but he had already turned away.
That was really kind of him, she thought to herself, putting the card into her back pocket. She finished the rest of her white wine spritzer. Her heart sank as she watched him move through the crowd gorgeous brunette clinging to his side. He’d been flirty and friendly all week as they worked. Not that she thought she really had a shot with a guy like him, even when she thought he was the construction manager/site foreman. Now that she realized he was the VP of the company she knew he was totally out of her league. Guys like that only went for really pretty girls, not Plain Janes like her. She sighed. Get over it. She told herself
“Care for another?” the bartender asked, flashing a smile.
“No thanks, maybe just sparkling water and lime.” She replied as he refilled her. She wandered around the room, chatting up with the crew and having a few appetizers as the bar filled up with regular patrons. She noticed Isaak sitting in the lounge section in the back, the lovely brunette huddled close beside him. Meanwhile, across the table, a dark-haired man in a neatly cut navy blue suit sat opposite. Her heart fluttered as his gaze seemed to go right through her. She suddenly wished she’d had something better to wear than this plain tank top and cardigan as his sapphire eyes raked over her. Eyes that were identical in color to Isaak’s, I wonder if they’re related, she thought. He tipped his glass slightly in her direction. The voluptuous platinum blonde at his side smiled broadly, coral pink lips glittering under the now dimmed lights. Her eyes were dark and luminous as she looked Danyjella over as well, the diamonds at her throat winking as she turned her head and whispered in the man’s ear.
Danyjella froze and nodded in return, not really sure of the protocol she found herself looking around. Are they really looking at me like that?
“Hey, Little Dipper,” OT interrupted, “Bunch of us are going boating tomorrow on Lake Washington, wanna’ come?”
“Sorry OT, can’t. I’ve got to run some errands for the boss tomorrow,” she replied. “But keep me in mind for next weekend perhaps.” When she looked back, her breath came even faster as the man in the corner continued to stare. He put his glass to his lips, never taking his eyes off of her. Isaak looked up and frowned when he saw her standing there. He said something to the man in the corner that only made him smile wider. He looked away and went back to talking with Isaak. Meanwhile the blonde flipped her hair over her shoulder, dark eyes raising the heat in Danyjella’s cheeks. Then she turned her attention back to the conversation.
Danyjella shook
her head, spell broken. What the hell is
wrong with me? I need to just get a grip. They were probably staring at someone
behind me. She downed the rest of her drink and placed an order at the bar
for some food to be sent to her room later from one of the restaurants
downstairs. She made a beeline back to her room to change for the pool.
Wow, I could get used to this, Danyjella thought as she rested her chin on her arms, staring at the twinkling Seattle lights. The infinity pool glowed blue as she looked out from the 50th floor over Elliott Bay, Lake Union, and West Seattle. She could see the lights from the stadiums to the south. It looked like a Mariners game had just gotten out. Ahh, but I would be using the “regular pool” not this one. I’ll have to make sure to tell Isaak thank you.
“Enjoying the view?” A smooth voice asked from the pool deck behind her. She jerked away from the edge, bobbing in the water and sputtering as she came back up. “Whoa, don’t drown on me,” the dark-haired man from the bar said with a chuckle as he crouched down by the edge. “Though, I’ll admit, I’d love to revive you.”
“The view is beautiful,” she replied, treading water as she moved toward the shallow end. Her eyes searched the patio area to see that they were indeed alone.
“Sorry to startle you, Miss Napier,” he said, taking a seat in one of the plush blue lounge chairs.
“I’m fine,” she replied. “Pardon me, but who are you?”
His navy sports coat from earlier was gone. His white shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, sleeves rolled up “Forgive me, Rayne, Rayne Mattson,” he said, leaning back in the lounge chair and putting his muscled arms behind his head. He kicked his patent leather-clad feet up and looked down at her in the water through thick inky eyelashes.
“Ah yes,” Danyjella replied. “We’re supposed to have dinner Sunday night and go over the progress so far on integrating the controls for the new building into the existing.” She ran her hands over her wet hair, feeling at a disadvantage, half naked in the pool while their client watched.
“Yes,” he replied, “And I’m looking forward to it. I’ve read your plans, I’m sure it will be brilliant. But enough about work for tonight.” He said, leaning his head back and looking up at the night sky. The pools retractable roof had been pulled back, revealing a hazy night sky. “I don’t know about you, but its been a long week.”
“Uh, yes,” she replied. That’s why I’m here in the pool. Trying to relax. Alone.
“I’m sorry,” he said, sitting upright and leaning toward her, eyes reflecting the blue light of the pool. “You’re trying to wind down. I’m barging in. This is my favorite place to relax too.” He pointed to one of the three penthouse suites that surrounded the pool area. “I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
“It’s fine,” she said, feeling the heat rise despite the cool water. Had he been reading her mind? He had just as much right to be here, if not more so. Now she felt like an interloper.
“Are you hungry?” he asked. “I ordered dinner from downstairs, it should be here any minute. I know we’re having dinner Sunday, but would you care to join me,” his blue eyes crinkled, as he lowered his voice and leaned forward again. “A little less formally?”
Her stomach rumbled, other than the appetizers at the reception, she hadn’t eaten anything since lunch. “Sure,” she replied.
“Why don’t I go in and pick out a nice bottle of wine,” her breath caught as he smiled. “I’ll give you a little privacy while you get out of the pool and rinse off.” He rose and went into one of the corner penthouse suites. She climbed out of the pool and toweled off with the downy blue town she’d left on one of the lounge chairs and wrapped it around her midsection, tucking it securely around her breasts. She glanced in the direction he had gone. The lights glowed through the floor to ceiling windows. He moved gracefully around his apartment, picking out a bottle of wine. Grabbing her nylon bag of clothes, she walked to the spa area and rinsed quickly. She put on her simple chemise and shorts that she brought with her and pulled one of the lush robes hanging in the spa over it. She slipped her feet back into her sandals and padded out into the warm summer evening.
When she came back out to the pool area, Rayne had the small table between the lounge chairs set for two. “The food will be here any minute,” he said, smiling up at her and handing her a crystal goblet of red wine.
“Thank you,” she replied taking a seat on the lounge chair opposite of him. “So, you’re the ‘M’ then of I&M Enterprises?”
“Yes,” he replied, leaning back in his chair and sipping his wine.
“How did you and Isaak meet then?” Her eyes scanned his face. Both men were tall and muscled. But Isaak was more golden complexioned. This man was dark-haired and olive skinned, but they both shared vivid blue eyes.
His face contorted, so fast that if she would have blinked, she would have missed it. An expression of almost, malevolence. But it faded so fast she thought she must have been mistaken. A peculiar smile crossed his face. It sent a chill up her spine in that, it didn’t seem to reach his eyes. “We’re related. Isaak is my half-brother. He’s an excellent architect and construction manager.”
“And what do you do?”
“My expertise is in Business Management and Finance,” he took a sip of wine, looking her over once more. “You have a fascinating resume, Miss Napier. Ex-military, automation and electrical engineer, medically discharged. No husband or boyfriend?”
She choked on her sip of wine, “No, I’m afraid not, Mr. Mattson.”
“Rayne, please call me Rayne. May I call you Danyjella?”
“Sure.” She replied, dragging her eyes away from his face.
“Danyjella is an unusual name. Eastern European, I take it?”
“The spelling is. My family is not.” She replied. “There was a couple from Sarajevo who lived next door to my parents when my mother was pregnant. The woman’s sister was named Danyjella. My mom thought that was a pretty name.”
“It is indeed,” the tone of his voice sent a quiver through her body. They were interrupted by his cell phone buzzing in his pocket. He pulled it out and looked at it. He punched a code into his phone, and the delivery girl entered the pool area carrying multiple containers tied together with string.
“Thanks for your order, Mr. Mattson,” the slender girl said with a smile, her pink dyed hair cast in a purple sheen from the azure lights of the pool as she set the cartons down on the table.
“Thank you Jen,” he replied. He turned his mesmerizing eyes back on her as he began to serve her Dim Sum from the containers. “You’re an intriguing woman, Danyjella. Tell me a little more about yourself, I’m interested in knowing what makes a woman like you tick.”
Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for more sexy engineering adventures. Who will my alter-ego pick?