The faces around the table look slightly less than convinced, and there’s a little bit of sweat trickling down the small of my back as the twin projectors pump heat through the room.

“So how is this supposed to be targeted to the female audience?” one of them asks. “There’s not a lot of real on-the-surface differences between your app and the competitors already on the market.”

“On the surface, you’re right,” I reply. “It’s when you get into the guts and the way the app seamlessly and uniquely integrates various systems within the architecture of the pre-existing operating system and apps that makes it a winner.”

“But what’s the marketing angle? Your user interface is rather plain. Nothing really screams feminine.”

I squirm, feeling the heat. They’re really coming at me.

“If by feminine you mean frilly laces, a lot of pink fonts and motifs, you’re right, this isn’t feminine,” I reply. “This is meant for the modern powerful female, the post #MeTooer who’s kicking ass and taking names at work and in her personal life. Because she’s making a name for herself in the office, she’s gotta look professional. So the interface does look professional . . . except that it’s going to have that perspective that’s going to give her the edge she needs in her life.”

“So twenty-first century Boss Bitch?” someone else, part of the marketing group, asks. “I like the sound of it and I think I can work with that. How’s the guts of it?”

“As good as any other app in the category, better in a lot of ways,” I say. “It’s lean. There’s no bloat, so it runs faster. Let me give you a test drive . . ..”

The meeting continues, and while there’s a few times I have to really drive my point home hard, I feel like it went easier than my last app presentation. Maybe it’s that I’ve earned at least a little cred with these people . . . but more than anything I think it’s the newfound strength and confidence I’ve had since meeting Derrick. I’ve always felt pretty confident in myself when it came to work, but I can’t help but feel him giving me more personal confidence has given me that extra leg up when talking to these guys. It’s not only that Derrick makes me feel sexy. I just feel like I’m starting to truly understand the strength and power that comes from my own femininity, and that’s a huge plus considering I create apps for the modern woman demographic.

“You know Katrina,” one of the company vice-presidents says after playing with the app for almost an hour, “this app of yours, while I guess it’s got a feminine touch, it’s just a good app for everyone. Can we consider just marketing it to the general public, or giving it a slightly different skin and releasing it again as a partner app for men?”

“We will whip up presentations for both ideas,” the marketing guru says. “Either way, with the muscle behind this hustle . . . congrats Kat. I think you’ve got your next number one on your hands.”

The congratulations go around the table, and I feel like I’m floating, damn near seven feet tall as I walk out. Reaching my cubicle, I flop down, kicking off my high heels and rubbing my toes. Another sign that I’m getting comfortable with myself, these stripper heels aren’t daily wear any more. I still like wearing something that elevates me, but only because it makes it easier to kiss Derrick.

“Tomorrow I’m wearing stacked heel boots,” I promise myself as I pull out my phone. I hit the speed dial, knowing I might not reach him but I promised him I’d give him a call as soon as my meeting was over.

Before the call can connect, one of the company Vice Presidents, a forty-three year old tech geek named Edgar knocks on the edge of my wall. “Katrina?”

“Hi, Edgar,” I reply, setting my phone down. “How can I help you?”

“I think you can help the company in a lot of ways actually.” He says. “Because your app is streamlined and clean. What would you think about being a team leader for the new game app we’re developing?”

“Team leader? Game app?” I ask, surprised. “I’d love the opportunity, but are you sure? Games haven’t really been my experience, and most of those guys have been at it for a long time.”

“That’s exactly why you’re the man . . . woman, for the job. Bring in some new blood, different perspective than what they’re used to. Maybe find a way to bring the conciseness of your coding style to the game side because they’re always working to balance the functionality with the size and speed of the game. You’ve proven yourself and I’m confident you’ll whip them into shape.”

“I . . . of course! Can we discuss the details Monday?”

Edgar nods, flashing me a grin. “Enjoy your successful presentation. We’ll talk about the future Monday morning.”

He leaves, and I blink before a small sound from my desk makes me realize . . . “Derrick?”

“Hey Kitty Kat, I got to hear the good news,” Derrick says in my ear. “Always knew you were as smart as you are beautiful.” He’s switched to his deeper, richer voice and it fills me with heat.

“Yeah well, right now I’m wearing lined granny panties and squirming in my chair because of you,” I tease back. “Thanks.”

“Anytime, love. So, you nailed me . . . I mean, you nailed the presentation I take it?” Derrick asks, making me chuckle.

“Honey, as good as I feel right now, I’m feeling like a million bucks,” I purr, dropping my voice. “I’ve got the sexiest man in the world, and I feel like I can do any damn thing I want.”

“That’s because you can,” Derrick says. “Listen, can we get together tonight then? My place, your place, I don’t care. I just want one of us to come to the other, then we both come together. Guaranteed.”

I shake my head, and look up to wave off another congrats from one of the other coders in the cubicle crew. “Sorry babe. I was already told before the meeting, the whole Geek Patrol is going out to celebrate, and it’ll be late. I think someone’s already got their Jedi robes ready.”

“Jedi robes?” Derrick asks, and I laugh.

“I’m just kidding, we’re not that far gone. How about tomorrow afternoon, I come over to your place and we spend the whole rest of the weekend together?”

I can hear his smile even through the phone, and the naughty lilt to his voice. “Twenty-four hour wait . . . by then I’m going to be ready to pound you into total submission, my little Kitty Kat. I’ve got a confession, you’ve got me addicted to your sweet taste, your tight pussy. I need you every day, at least once a day.”

“Don’t worry, you’ve got me the same way. If I’m not getting a big, throbbing Vitamin D injection at least daily, I feel empty . . . speaking of which, I’m feeling a little empty now.”

“Oh, don’t tease me,” Derrick growls. “I’m already keeping Susannah waiting for our pre-show meeting . . . and I want to give you the time you deserve. And let’s be honest, you’re not in a place to turn on your video either.”

“Nah,” I admit. “The cubicle’s a little . . . lacking in soundproofing. But later, maybe I can find some privacy to show you something.”

“Mmm . . . you know you always knock my socks off,” Derrick replies. “Listen babe, I’m thinking, if you want to stay the weekend, bring some more stuff over. You know, just in case you want to stay longer or something.”

I smile. “Careful there, love. You’re going to regret it when I bring in a hundred pairs of shoes and take over your closet.”

“You don’t have a hundred pairs of shoes.”

I laugh, mockingly evil. “Bwahaha, after this app hits number one and I get gamer coding bankroll, I might go shoe shopping!”

Derrick laughs. “Add in a couple more pairs of fuck-me pumps, and I’m happy. You can wear them while I make you scream my name in ecstasy.”

“You mean like this?” I ask, lowering my voice to my breathiest whisper. “Oh, Derrick . . . yes baby, please . . . god I need you to fuck me.”

The answering moan on the other end of the line is all I need, and I smile. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Kat.” There’s a holler on the other end of the line, and Derrick growls. “I’ll be there in a minute!”

He comes back on, slightly abashed. “Okay babe, if I don’t go now, Susannah’s going to be doing a special show tonight on castration with a pair of office scissors.”

“Can’t lose those, I need them too much,” I laugh. “Go do your meeting. I love you.”

“I love you too. Bye. And congrats.”

The line goes dead, and I lean back, smiling to myself. A great presentation, a huge opportunity, and I think a backdoor invitation to move in if I want with the man of my dreams?

How’d this happen? For so long, I thought this sort of life wasn’t possible. That I’d never have a chance to have it all, a good man, a good job, and best of all, some actual inner peace. I thought I’d always be hustling, worried about what others would say about me, that I’d never be able to get on top . . . and suddenly I feel like I am. And the view up here is fucking awesome.

The old me would be looking for the other shoe to drop any time now, but that was the old me. The new me, she’s going to celebrate with her co-workers. And tomorrow, I’m going lingerie shopping before going over to Derrick’s, so we can do our own kind of celebrating.

“Like the man said, it don’t get much better than this.”