#13 Becoming More Than That

Afternoon Delight

Jim entered the office and smiled to see Pam in her usual place. She beamed widely at him and he could not prevent the grin from spreading on his face. It had been a difficult night to sleep without her next to him. He almost called a few times, but stopped himself. He knew that she would be there in the morning. He decided to focus on his plans for July 4th weekend. He also decided last night he was going to start trying to come up with the right way to eventually propose to her. Jim figured that this could help stave off the sexual hunger pangs that he was already experiencing.

He walked over and Pam stood. He gave her a small kiss.

“Uh...no office PDA.” Dwight’s voice was heard across the room, “Policy stipulates that physical displays of affection are not to be tolerated in the work environment.”

Jim looked over at Dwight and raised his eyebrows. He returned his gaze back to Pam and then looked directly at Dwight with challenge in his eyes. Jim dropped his work bag, reached over and took Pam into his arms. He laid a kiss so deep and long on her that she gasped when he released her. There was a loud wolf whistle from Andy at his desk and Kelly who had been at the copier fanned her face a little. Jim smiled broadly and released Pam. He pulled his own strength together not to react to the kiss himself and walked nonchalantly to his desk. Dwight glared at him.

“Man that was great!” Jim replied, “It’s a little hot in here. You really ought to try it.” Dwight glanced over to Angela at her desk. She raised one eye brow in disapproval. Dwight quickly averted his eyes back to Jim.

“That kind of behavior is not conducive to maximum sales. One must have focus.” Dwight said.

“Actually Dwight, according to the Bureau of Sales Statistics,” Jim said, “A salesperson that is sexually charged can double, even triple his sales. It’s something to do with pheromones or something like that.”

“There is no Bureau of Sales Statistics.” Dwight replied unconvincingly, “You’re making that up.”

“The BoSS, oh no.” Jim answered he sat back and placed his hands behind his head. “They are a very important agency that helps to further sales tactics. Membership is by invitation only. They are not open to the public.

“Then how come I’ve never heard of them.” Dwight said insistent.

“Well…” Jim looked at the ceiling, “I imagine that’s because you’re not a member.”

“But you are?” Dwight asked.

“Since 2004.” Jim answered and then turned on his computer. He glanced over his shoulder and gave Pam a smile.

“I don’t believe you.” Dwight said. His voice betrayed his words.

“Well, my sales have really increased since Pam and I became involved.” Jim shrugged, “Maybe it’s a fluke.”

Dwight went online to search for the BoSS. He came up with no hits. He saw Jim smiling satisfactorily to himself. He wrote down the name of the BSS on a sticky note to research later.

Angela walked past towards the break room. Dwight got out of his seat and followed. Jim turned and gave a sly smile to Pam. Then he e-mailed Pam that he would have to move his desk back to the side because he was getting a crook in his neck.

Angela was making coffee when Dwight entered the break room. He walked up close to her and blocked any view towards Angela. He reached a hand out tentatively and let it touch Angela’s rear. Angela flinched and pulled away.

“Dwight, not in the office!” She said sternly.

“But Monkey.” Dwight whined, “Everyone knows… since Michael’s party. We can be open.”

“What goes on in my bedroom, stays there!” Angela replied coldly, “This is a professional environment. I don’t care if Jim and Pam copulate on their desks. I will not be a part of that vulgar activity.”

Angela poured her coffee and walked past Dwight curtly. He looked crest fallen. Angela glanced around and saw his face. She stopped for a second and looked at him. She gave a small smile.

“Tonight, I’m making pork chops.” She said softly. Dwight gave her a pacified grin.

Dwight went back to his desk and Michael came out into the office.

“We are meeting with the prospective new client at Chili’s at 3pm today.” Michael said loudly, “I know that many of you put in extra time on Friday in preparation. Thank you very much. Jim, you and Andy can drive us. Phyllis and Stanley I want you along. We’ve got to show diversity to the new client. You are my diversity team!” Both Phyllis and Stanley rolled their eyes.

“What about me?” Dwight interrupted.

“You…can ride with Ryan.” Michael added, “The big boss man is coming down to show us how it’s done.” He added sarcastically.

“We can let him introduce us.” Stanley said and chuckled. “Hyeee!”

Everyone laughed and went back to work.

Jim thought for a moment and then sent an e-mail to Pam. She read it and then gave a small nod to Jim. He leaned back and looked over at Dwight.

“I am feeling so ready for this meeting today!” Jim said, “I am so on my A game. I think the BSS was right.”

He looked over at Pam and said loud enough for Dwight to hear. “Pam, we on for… lunch today?”

“Oh yes Jim.” Pam said breathlessly, “I don’t live that far…I mean sure we can catch some lunch.”

“Ok,” Jim winked at Pam and turned towards Dwight, “I will so be ready for this meeting. Need to get me some lunch and will be ready to wow them!”

Dwight watched this interaction. He shot a quick e-mail to Angela asking if she wanted to meet at her home for lunch. She e-mailed back that she was taking Sprinkles to the Vet for a urinary tract infection. Dwight was disappointed. He wondered for a second if masturbation could also provide a sexual charge. He stopped himself just short of asking Jim this question. Dwight made a mental note to snag the hand cream he saw on Pam’s desk.

The morning hours went by quickly. Jim made a few more sales than usual. He wondered if that indeed had anything really to do with his own sexual rushed feelings or just the fact he was feeling more confident than usual. He had spent a few moments arranging his desk back in its old place. He could turn his head and smile easily at Pam. This got to be too easy and Jim forced himself to focus on work.

Dwight saw Jim’s constant smiles at Pam and frowned in disapproval. He watched as Jim made sales calls and noticed that Jim was closing a few more clients than him.

Noon rolled around. Jim stood and retrieved his keys. He gave Dwight a wicked little grin and walked towards Pam.

“You ready to go.” Jim asked. Pam stood up and grabbed her purse. He placed a hand on the small of her back and led her to the entrance. Dwight watched suspiciously as they left.

Once in the hall, Pam turned towards Jim. “Are we really going to go to my place for a quickie?”

“Down woman!” Jim teased, “I am merely mortal. Let me gird myself up for after work. I thought we would go to Cugino’s.”

“Oh man. That’s too bad.” Pam said disappointedly, “I would have liked a little afternoon delight.”

Jim kissed her and almost changed his mind. “You sex fiend!” He led her to the elevator. Pam reached up and kissed him as the elevator descended. The doors opened and Jim already sexually frustrated dragged her to the car. They drove to Cugino’s.

After a leisurely lunch, Jim and Pam returned. They stopped out in front of the office door. Jim loosened his tie. Pam reached up and messed up his hair. She pulled one of her shirt tails out. She applied a little red lipstick and kissed Jim on the side of the mouth. Jim grabbed her and gave her a really sensuous kiss. Pam’s eyes grew round with surprise.

“Wow, we didn’t have to pretend.” Pam said out of breath, “I would have been okay going to my place instead.”

“It’s all an illusion.” Jim laughed, “I don’t really want Dwight knowing when we have sex. Come on! I could probably never get it up again. Now behave.”

They entered the office together. Dwight looked in their direction. Jim was disheveled. His hair was messed up and his tie was loose and at an odd angle. He had a red smudge on his lips. Pam looked out of breath and her clothes were slightly wrinkled. Dwight looked angry. He glared over at Angela’s empty chair.

Jim helped Pam to her seat and then walked to his own desk. He gave a lazy grin to Dwight. Dwight glared back at him.

“This is not fair Jim!” Dwight complained.

“Huh?” Jim asked.

“Never mind.” Dwight said curtly, “But don’t think you’re the only one who is “charged.”

Jim looked over at Angela’s desk and saw that she had not yet returned from lunch. He looked at Dwight inquiringly.

“Hey, what happened to my hand cream?” Pam said. She was looking around her desk. It was missing from the place it had been before lunch. If anyone here is borrowing my hand cream, please return it.”

Jim saw Dwight’s face flush and avert his eyes quickly. He came to a sudden realization. A look of utter disgust came over Jim’s face. He looked away from Dwight. They avoided each other’s eyes.

“Pam, I’ll get you a new bottle today after work.” Jim said towards her. Pam looked a little confused and sat back in her seat. Jim would tell her later and advise her to place it in her desk in the future.

Michael came out of the office and gathered the sales team together. They went into the conference room. Ryan arrived and joined them. The planning meeting lasted until 2:30. They came out of the office and started getting their sales material ready. Michael went to his office. Ryan went to the bathroom. Jim grabbed his work bag and walked over to Pam’s desk.

“So, I’ll see you later?” Jim asked.

“Yeah, come over after and let me know how it went.” Pam said quietly.

“Do I have to sleep alone tonight?” He whispered.

“Are you kidding?” Pam whispered back, “I barely got a wink last night. We can have an occasional slumber party.”

“Well, you know I always was a party kinda of guy.” Jim said and he threw his work bag over his shoulder. He mouth “I love you” to her and she returned the gesture.

Ryan came over to the desk and said hello to Pam.

“Who decided to put the hand cream in the men’s room? Great idea!” Ryan said rubbing his hands together.

Pam looked confused. Jim got a disgusted look on his face. He gave an involuntary little shiver, glanced over at Pam and rolled his eyes. He signaled that he would tell her later.
Phyllis, Stanley and Andy came to the front. Michael led the sales crew out the door.

To be continued…