Zeb Carlow made his way inside my cube, up to my desk and asked, “Charlie, can I speak to you in private for a moment?”

Frankly, he could have done anything he wanted to with me, since I had a crush on him. Some guys were cute, others were handsome, but Zeb just happened to be hot, and someone I wanted to touch, kiss, and ...

I agreed, following him into the conference room, which was perpendicular to my small cube. Once inside the room he closed the door behind us. He sat on one side of the oblong table and I sat on the other side. He stared at me with his beautiful blue eyes, grinned from ear to ear, and said, “We have a little problem.”

I briefly looked away and at the murky Ohio River, paused, then to the man of my dreams, and asked, “What kind of problem?”

He knew about my ogling and obsession with him. I was pretty sure that just happened to be the nature of him wanting to meet with me, in private. Zeb had planned on ripping into me about crossing a line between coworkers, desiring his bottom like a porn star, and how it was inappropriate of me to want my body to mesh with his in the most undignified and sinful actions. He was probably going to tell me that my career at EyeZeal was beginning its end, and that he was going to turn me into human resources for sexual harassment.

He told me, “Come over here to my side of the desk.”

I listened, cozying up to him, standing with my crotch next to his face.

He pulled out his cellphone, pressed a few buttons, and showed me the screen.

The Fairendale account appeared on the cellphone’s screen, which was in the red. The detailed numbers and information told me that their account was past due by ninety days. Over twelve thousand dollars was owed to EyeZeal.

“Jesus,” I told Zeb, looking at his phone. “They owe your dad’s company some cash.”

He looked up and along my chest, into my eyes, and said, “As you already know, the Fairendales usually purchase six graphics from us a month. We’ve stopped supplying them with graphics for a week now. My dad wants the bill paid in full, or at least half of the owed amount, before we continue doing business with them. You know how he hates outstanding bills.”

“What’s this have to do with me, Zeb?” I asked about the account; a small reminder to him that I designed glasses and wasn’t a bill collector.

“I was thinking you could go on a road trip with me.”

“To Aaron Fairendale’s Eye Boutique to collect some funds?”

“Exactly, Charlie. Your smile and charm can get me far. Frank Fairendale, Aaron’s younger brother, will fall in love with your Superman looks. He’ll get Aaron to write us out a check on the spot once he falls into your blue-blue eyes.”

I told him, “Don’t cut yourself short, Zeb. You’re a good looking guy.”

“Thor looks ridiculous with his hammer.”

“Correction. Thor is a beautiful man.”

Zeb licked his lips. “You’re a nice guy, Charlie. Thanks for the compliment.”

I wanted to tell him that he was fuckable, and thanks for the many wet daydreams he had supplied me with at the office. Unfortunately, office talk wasn’t that casual. Instead, I said, “When do we leave?”

“So you’ll go with me?” A beaming smile accessorized his face, thrilled with the idea of spending the day with me.

“Of course, I’ll go with you. Spending the day outside of the office will be fun. I’m sure the two of us will have a great time together.”

He nodded, kept smiling, and said, “That’s good to know, Charlie. You’re always so positive. Columbus is about three hours from Pittsburgh. If we leave at eight, we can get there just before noon, and be home by eight in the evening, at the latest.”

“Sign me up, guy. I’m ready.”

“Again, you’re always bubbly and positive.”

And horny, I thought. Crazy about the man. Semi-hard for him. Only him.