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Click hereVirginia had something on her mind. "Well, Bob, I had been detecting some, `tremors in the force' as the `dark side' raised its ugly head but from what I've been hearing the, young 'Jedi' has triumphed. Nice work." He'd had no idea that Virginia was a Star Wars aficionado.
The presentation went off brilliantly. Virginia needed to add some pieces of her own personality to it, but the changes were minor. The four worked together into the night to finalize it. The next day they pitched it to the executive committee---all were sworn to secrecy.
The four then took the show on the road, pitching it to board of directors, key analysts, potential lenders and major stock holders. Each had input, particularly as far as the financial pieces would fit, but it was a winner. Rumors leaked out and the stock price benefited from those leaks.
Two weeks later it was time to bring the troops in for the final presentation---to those who would have to buy in completely and execute the plan. It was agreed that all management folks at every level would hear it together. Virginia would deliver the opening address and announce Bob's promotion to Vice President as she introduced him. Bob would make the majority of the presentation. The top four under Virginia would then add their glowing comments. What was needed was more than consensus. What was needed was total buy in by everyone in the room.
Bob wondered, as he looked out over the sea of faces, close to five hundred, mostly female, if there had ever before been such a stunning array of women assembled in one room. Beauty and brains were in abundance. He'd met the majority of them and as was his style, had filed little bits and pieces away in his mental Rolodex.
A little over an hour later, Bob was done. There were certainly seeds of doubt in the room and some who just wouldn't be able to adapt, but overall he'd hit a home run. Molly was the last of the four to follow Bob.
"You knocked `em dead, champ!" She whispered in his ear as she prepared to add her piece.
After the formal part of the program, there was lunch. In the afternoon and during the following two days, groups would break out in separate rooms to develop questions and answers as well as ascertaining what and who fit where in the new organization chart. He'd seen Megan several times and had a chance to chat with her over lunch on one of the days. Mary sidled up to him between sessions the next afternoon.
"You want her, don't you?" Mary asked.
"Pardon me?"
"You want to steal Megan from me and bring her in to work on the steering committee. I'm more than okay with that. I need to have someone up here to look out for my interests. She's the best of my brood and, going back to our conversation a number of weeks ago, she's exactly what you're looking for."
A permanent steering committee based at the home office was formed. They in turn would communicate regularly with the larger task force which included all key senior managers and actually meet with them every couple of weeks somewhere around the country.
Bob had originally planned to ask the senior VP who had been on board from the start to be a part of the permanent steering committee but chose Molly instead; they had become good friends and worked well together. And he got Megan along with a dozen or so other managers from every level.
Over the ensuing months and weeks there were hurdles and setbacks, but within a year, the new organization was in full tilt. The new products were being well received, existing outlets were adjusting, begrudgingly to the rule changes, and the stock was taking off. Virginia ended up on the cover of several business publications. Bob's name was being whispered in inner circles across the business world. He started receiving calls from corporate recruiters wanting to snake him away. He politely ignored them.
Mary was promoted and came to the home office to replace the expected retiree. She suggested that Megan would be the right choice to replace her in Dallas. Virginia agreed. Bob would miss her both professionally and personally. She had been critical to the success of their enterprise. He had also grown very fond of her.
It was on that Friday night like so many others, as he and his team trudged out to their cars after a very long day of work that it happened. As was often the case, he and Megan ended up being the last to leave. As they prepared to say goodnight, they were in each others arms. They were still in each others arms the following morning and virtually every morning for the next week. They were desperately, madly and hopelessly in love.
For Bob, Megan had always been special. For Megan, their time working together had allowed her to get past hero worship and see Bob simply as the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. The thought of being separated following her impending promotion was more than either could stand. And so it was a few weeks later that Bob went into Virginia's office early one morning to tender his resignation.
"Virginia, we've always been absolutely straight with each other so give me a chance to explain the, `why' before you throw something at me. I'm in love; it had to happen some day. I'm hopelessly and madly in love. Megan deserves that promotion to Dallas and I couldn't stand in her way---but I don't want to spend another day of my life without her. I can't be here and have her there. Commuting romance doesn't cut it. So..."
"You're pretty dumb sometimes for a smart guy." Virginia quipped. "Love must have clouded your senses. Hell no I'm not accepting your resignation! We'll work something out. We've got spin offs to do and someone has to run them; the structure is getting unwieldy to handle from a single central location. Hell we've got instant communications, conferencing, email and all that stuff! This is the computer age, in case you've forgotten. Have you set a date---have you even proposed? Men!" Virginia said in mock disgust.
"Proposed, yes, ring, yes. Date, sooner rather than later, with her folks mulling over the possibilities."
"Well, first, congratulations! You make a gorgeous couple. And you've shared some experiences that most of us can't even imagine. My bet is yours will be one of the ones that makes it for a very, very long time. Second, go to Dallas with your bride to be! That's where you belong. There's extra office space there. Hell, you could find another job, maybe a better one---you're in demand. I don't want to lose you over this silliness. You can work out of Dallas. Most of the times you and I need to get face to face you'll probably end up flying here together. We'll make it work---you let me worry about that! You worry about becoming a husband."
It was settled. Bob and Megan moved to Dallas together and found a home. They were married three months later with Virginia as their matron of honor and many of their colleagues from the company in attendance.
Bob ultimately ended up heading one of the spin-offs, a wholly owned subsidiary of the parent company. Virginia's wedding present consisted of a substantial ownership position in the newly formed corporation. She knew she owed that special man more than she could ever repay him, but it was a start. And she too had grown to love him like the son she had never had.
Megan stayed with the company in Dallas and became a Vice President. She took brief leaves to give birth to three children, two girls and a boy. After her third child was born, she retired from corporate life and devoted all of her time to being a mommy. Well, most of her time, at least. The remainder of her waking hours were devoted to the special man she had fallen in love with so many years before, flying over that God forsaken country one night, scared to death, with a brave young soldier clinging to life on the floor behind her seat. She'd known it in her heart that night.
And so, when he thought about it, had he. Megan had always been special, his favorite, and the best he had ever had the privilege of serving with. It had just taken him a little longer to realize that she was also the only woman he would ever love and the one in whose arms he would spend the rest of his life.
- COMMENTS
Thanks for the read
Boy that Bob sure is swell. But the author left out the time he single handedly destroyed 400 enemy combatants with a nail gun and a toothbrush, while mentally composing condolence letter to their loved ones.
It says non-erotic, but it is a wonderful Romance wrapped around so rat corporate wisdom.
A Must Read!
Enjoyed the STORY, rated 5.
I tried to see what Pickles7287 stories were like, to compare, but there were NONE. Guess he is a "want to be" full of BS.
who cares about the tech military issues. this a great tale. since when has the military been perfect.
how many killed in the wars band police actions around the world because of screw ups.
5 stars
There are a lot of technical issues with this story, on several levels. I just couldn't get immersed. I'd be happy to help with the military information that you need to incorporate to get closer to accurate.
Thank you for this very pleasant story with a happy ending. My only criticism is the problems were very innocuous and hardly problematic at all. It would up the level of intensity in your story. Maybe a baseless indecency complaint? solved easily by him getting permission to have a hidden camera in his office. Once a man is accused of any improper behaviour it's a stigma that is attached to your soul. It's why and how women have the power ATM.
This was more a discussion about corporate leadership than a story. Not what I was looking for.
I just had to read this excellent story, yes a story, again. Excellent character development and an insight to corporate ideas. Having served in a public service as well as the military it was a refreshing insight. I hope your wife found it useful.
Whatever spell was cast, able to utterly enrapture people enough to garner 4.8 rating, it must have missed me by a mile. This, as an objective, academic-grammatic writing submission is pretty solid. This as a STORY is just a dry, stiff recounting of an event. The entire composition, and any character at any point, is just the exact same dull, meandering exposition, over and over. No variance in attitude, expression, delivery, tone- just the same droning from a different character name, multiple times. As sterile as an egg yoke. Q
Another wonderful story by this author. Looking forward to reading many more.
Lol, it is an advantage to be a woman today incorp world. Promoted just for the appearance.
The worst bathers of women in Corp world are other women. Vicious. Cannot stand be see other women succeed.
I love this story so much. It reminds me why people fall in love, why i fell in love.
It's funny, this story is rather light on romance. It has no erotica whatsoever but every time I read it, I am desperate for my husband to just tell me that he loves me and let me know that I am still his number one. I am not even remotely insecure in our relationship or in myself... my desirability. It's more, I love him so much. I know he loves me and wants me. There is no question. It's just... there are certain times when emotions are high and I need to have that special moment when stars align: that moment when a couple forget everything else and simply share a perfect moment of love and lust.
More than likely I will probably have to make my intentions clear. After all, Tommy isn't a mind reader. He has no idea I read this (though he knows how it makes me feel) sometimes though, my man can be pretty in tune with me. Those are the absolute best nights. I will trade making love enhanced by extreme emotion with straight sexual release fucking any day.
This site likes the stories where hard fucking, ravishing, bla bla bla is the best sex. That's awesome too but no way would I trade the bliss from the above for anything.
Excellent commentators have already said everything necessary. (Needed hug for the Captain)
1) Amazing and so true to life it reads like and article in a business magazine.
2) For those who are unaware as maybe even the person saying it: POMY (really POME but usually with a Y) is usually slany for a British person living in another commonwealth nation.
I would say this was a very lovely story but I would los some man points so I'm forced to say, this was an excellent story. 5 stars and no criticisms from me.
I really wished you had continued this story! It is a great story with outstanding people in it!!! You had laid the story in a very good plot that I really enjoyed. Thank you!
As a former military aviator (USAF, O-3, Nam, F-4), retired Exec. VP working under a female president (my wife!), let me compliment you on an excellent story.
A great story.
I got more out of it the second or is it the third read?
Thank you again.
Hard to find a better story more realistic than many and more human a few more stories as this would be all the better for Literotica
a Far better quality read than I expected to see on here. Very enjoyable: Be sure to let us know when your novel develops.
Amazing story, really enjoyed reading it. I look forward to reading the rest of your work. All the best, Meduckies.
"Hell, I learned to become an equal opportunity hugger, male or female, when they came back looking beat up, they got a hug."
Absolutely amazing. The non erotic nature of the scene was so tension heavy that I was able to cum. Beautiful, don't see work like this everyday. Will be remembering that wank for a while
A very impressive story; original, imaginative and refreshing. Five star slam dunk. I have to admit that I'm jealous. I wish I could write like this author. This was my second read and it gets better all the time. I know I'm late to this party, but the story is timeless. One of the best I've read on this site. Hope the rest of your stories are just as good. Well done.
I keep coming back b/c it helps to keep me sane.
I lost 10 " in country" and 1 the 1st month home.
I just sit rereading and the tears flow for those we lost and the ones still lost in their own minds.
Thanks again,
Sole Survivor
As a son, grandson, brother. nephew and friend of veterans, two of which where either helicopter pilot or machine gunner in various wars our country has been involved, I have alway supported military personnel and families! Great Read from a talented author!.
Thanks from Baton Rouge Cajun Guy
One of the best written stories I have read so far on this site. Stories like this are such a pleasure to read you just can't stop reading them until you get the end. This definitely get my 5+ stars vote.
6*, Hooyah, salute! nothing more needs to be said. A Dust-off saved my life.
This was lovely. I don't make my way into this category too often but I love what I have read. I figured that I would read the top hall of fame stories.
I guess I will just need to use my perverted mind to imagine the glorious hot sex between Bob and Megan. Lol
as the malls are closing and thinking of the marketing of the beauty products I used to see with a kiosk for every manufacturer and an attractive woman staffing them usually from in front of the counter. Yes change is happening.
Nice touch to write the extraction story from both pilots perspective.
Your "war stories" are really leadership stories. I enjoy them and learn from them.
Thank you
Glad he hooked up with his LT. Copilot! Enjoyed
BatonRouge Cajun Guy
So every few months I return to this nice story. One of many of the author's I like to reread.
This story by Dinsmore really keeps one's attention. I was hoping my wife would not call me for dinner before I finished reading it.
I flew with Air Rescue and Recovery in SEA. 69-70. We rescued shot downed pilots in Laos, South Viet Nam and North Viet Nam. Sometimes even extracting LRP guys. This story brought back some vivid memories. I served with a Commander almost identical to Bob in the story. Thank you so very much for such a great plot. The flow of the story was very good, the characters were excellent, the whole damn thing was just excellent!!!!
Very impressive story and really well written. Something for everyone. For all of us who have seen combat, thank you. Our citizens should never forget the scarifices that our men and women provide our country.
I think I’ve read all of this author’s stories, and this is my favorite. I wish there was a little more story to it, but it is what it is. I just wish “Dinsmore” would post more stories. I think he’s one of the best authors on Literotica.
Another excellent story with outstanding characters. I have worked with a few officers like Bob. They are few and far between and not what most would expect. Sometimes a rare jewel of an officer is promoted without the normal years in service required. You did a great job of keeping everything in line both in the military and corporate business. Thanks for taking the time to write and share. A solid 5 star effort.
I found this story #3 on the "Top Non Erotic" list which this excellent story and writer certainly deserve.
Thanks
Paul in Oklahoma
5 STARS....THANK YOU FOR TAKING US ON THIS JOURNEY....AND WE DIDN'T NEED THE SEX BECAUSE THE STORY WAS BREATHTAKING ENOUGH....I AM REALLY ENJOYING ALL OF YOUR STORIES THAT I HAVE READ SO FAR....MANY THANKS FROM NEW ZEALAND....
Damn right. Sex would have spoiled a great story, well written. I loved it.
In my opinion this should be named "Superman amongst women". Solves all the problemes singlehanded. No Drama, no kriptonite.
too quickly...I wanted more...but then maybe I'm being greedy...^^
thanks for writing a realistic and very enjoyable love story that transitions smoothly from the military to the corporate world.
BUT a lot of it is true.....The pilots were very brave with plenty of risk. We didn't get a lot of casualties but when they were desperate and we were the closest medical unit...I was so very proud of my troops, the whinny immature kids came alive....It was like magic we remembered everything we were taught and demanded EVERYTHING we had to save the troops in our care. I don't know why but I yelled at an aircraft commander once to get the injured troops to us quickly and we would save them. WE DID and he saluted me two ranks below...Surreal? After it was all over I still cry a lot...
I loved the people, their interactions, and the depth of character. Dinsmore took a suggestion and turned it into a challenge.
He Done Good!
I am only sorry this wasn't submitted in Romance in order to have had a wider audience. This story deserves to be read by more.
I liked the story, but I couldn't really connect with the characters. Probably because of the dialogue: it was sometimes hard to tell which character was talking, and that made it confusing. But I really liked the story and the sentiment.
To the idiot anonymous who commented on captain promotion times. I just checked wiki, and it states that the typical pormotion service time for a major is 9 to 11 years of service. The army would have offered him the major promotion if he decided to stay but he left. Thus you have demonstrated that your intelligence is on the lower half of the IQ scale (i.e., you are a dummy!).
To the author, don't worry about commenters who make idiot statements. This was a well written story and plot.
wow u have just reached into my heart an very gently tugged on it in a very moving way that I have never felt before with any story or novel I have ever read, I have served in the Australian military, only long enough to realize I don't have the right stuff, as a result I have a very big, squishy, soft spot for all military personnel, an u had me in tears 3 times when Megan was retelling some of her story to Mary, when the Cpt said to the Lt, take me home babe, when the Megan said she would die for him, an lastly when she said about God & heaven, an he said u done good kid.
tho curious why posted on Lit given this site's focus, unless you just want to keep all your work on one site.
Written as if autobiographical, not that's at all bad-certainly likable characters
Enjoyed the story from beginning to end. Your characters were real and likable. Understand why story not put in Romance, but could've been IF you detailed Megan and Bob's story.
Enjoyed it very much.
I have a burning question in my mind. How did you (the author) manage to make a story about corporate America both thrilling and interesting? You surely realise that you have managed to do the almost impossible, right? If you expand this into a full length book it would be a hit in my opinion. It has almost everything in it, adventure, romance, an extremely compelling story line and characters that are both human and believable. The writing is superb as well. I know there is a huge difference between the short story format and book format, but the extra effort and time that it would take to bring this story to book length would be worth it. That it might result in a financially profitable end for the author is just an added bonus.
Second reading, enjoyed it more than the first time several months ago. There are scattered in the Literoica site stories that make one ask why this story is not being published by main stream publishers. Then you realize due to the internet there are very few magazines left that publish short stories.
have to read this magnificent piece again and again.
5 stars******
Ethics and hard work lead to good things happening most of the time. This was a totally enjoyable read. Thanks for the five stars effort.
a couple others in non erotic are excellent, but this i step above all of them.
What I have just read sounds like the backbone of a damned good novel.
Cursive writing, to be sure, but accurate and hardly a word wasted.
73
HP
excellent story telling
5****************************
There aren't many stories on this site that warrant reading more than once, I can't remember how many times i've read this story.
Bob, Megan and Dinsmore. I suppose this is the third time I've read this story, all the more wonderful for the service background and the lack of overt sex.
I know it has been a while, but please consider writing in this genre again.
No matter the number of times I read it, it never gets old or stale. A simply wonderful story. Well done!
One of the very best stories I have read in Literotica.. Hope to read more of similar class/category stories.KEEPIT UP.
Thanks for sharing this well written story with us. This is one of those stories that could probably be fleshed out into a novel length tale. Some time ago I had wanted to read this one but it escaped me. I am most happy it crossed my path again, or should it be said allowed me to trip over it with recognition. It definitely lived up to my expectations. Please continue sharing your thoughts with all of us.
Very well written and very enjoyable. Just goes to show you don't need sex to have a good story.
My favorite story on Literotica by one of my favorite authors. Please keep writing.
This story is just plain wonderful! Very nicely written and very believable!
Thanks for sharing your talent!
I read and reread your stories. I enjoy them all but this one is the best. I do hope you write more of them. Given my life experiences and what I perceive to be yours we do have more than a few things in common which makes your excellent writing and story lines often very emotional for me to read, but I do enjoy them.
Thanks
It was one of my favorite to write and based on SO many real life events. The negative comments---always by people who do not have the guts to identify themselves still take their toll.
In the end, all I can say is, thank you Megan. Thank you for bringing me home.
It fits the catagory, though it could have been a Romance if written with a slightly different emphasize. I thoroughly enjoyed it and have re-read it several times.
Thank you for sharing your story with us. Maybe some day you'll share another......it has been far too long.
Well written,well characterized,and well enjoyed. Thanks,please keep writing. As others have said my only complaint deals with the story being short. I hated saying goodbye to Bob and Meagan.
Riveting characters, a terrific story and the challenges of change ! The only problem was that it was much too short ; I felt disappointed when it ended so soon.
Great story line. Loved it from the bottom of my heart. Felt every conversation and every other thing thats going on as if it's happening right befor my eyes. Thank u.
Your character development is exceptional in any setting but especially in a short story such as this. Great job and I hope to be privaleged to read many more!!
truly a great piece of work, loved it... What a shame some people don't know the 'D' of 'Literature' yet take the pain to comment (they do believe literature begins with D... LOL). Mr. Anonymous uses advanced english. Some of the words used by him will be adopted by the dictionaries post the end of humanity. ''Moore!!!''Huh...
Pity the ignorant, childish comments from cowards like "anonymous".
"What a load of arrogant pomy crap." "POMY"? What is that?
"Need I say moore?" "MOORE"? "Michael Moore"? That would be the kind of low class slime that could be expected to be used as a reference for such cowardly comments.
de Jay
Forget the ignorant comments from such perverted children as "anonymous". If they really need to feed their tiny egos and filthy minds with toilet wall writing, let them stay with other venues that cater to the lower forms of "life".
You write extremely well. Keep up the good work.
de Jay
once a good read always a good read
have you ever noticed those with snide remarks is always that anonymous guy. I figure if I have something critical to say sign my name. Snide remarks are best left in the bar-ditch and unsigned ones dont even deserve that much respect
I would expect a storyline of this quality, after all it is on the top list. It is difficult for intelligence to be covered up in an article of this length. The story held my interest and I truly enjoyed it. Kudos
This was posted in "non -erotic." The word "non-erotic" means "no sex." Still, you complain about no sex. Do us all a favor: take some money, go to the store, and get yoruself a clue.
That may have been a decent story- but it was in no way erotica. It was pretty much just bland plot- completely devoid of any sexual energy- much less actual sex.
A story needs to grab you within the first 4 or 5 paragraphs, whereas this rambled on indefinately...
This was a great story, well done! carefully thought out and had great dialog to boot. I actually liked some of the marketing ideas as well!
thanks will look for more of your work to digest!
The tale never faltered. You developed the characters and made them live. Beautifully rendered.
Read the oldest comment in this thread - Dinsmore, you are a genius
A superb officer, a pilot, with ten years of experience would almost certainly be either a Major or a LTC. typically after one years service a 2LT is promoted to a 1LT, after another year or so, at most two years officers the Army want to retain make Captain. After six years as a Captain if you don't make Major, you are released. Up or Out is the Army way. And aviators usually are one rank higher than other branches, because they command so many officers, all the pilots are at least warrant officers. And the higher pay helps with retention.
Based on my experience both as an army brat and 2 years in the Signal Corps 1969/71 military experience does not help in the business world. It may get you in the door for an entry level job, but Bob is a very, very unique individual to go from military to business at a high level without any intervening experience. Management is not leadership. Leadership helps, but Business is not about killing people and breaking things.
This is an excellent story. I have just become acquainted with your stories and am working my way through them in their alphabetical order. You have an exceptional talent that enables the reader to connect with your characters on an emotional level. You were able to hold my attention even without any sexual scenery. I am looking forward to reading more of your stories.
Thank you so much for such an entertaining story. I am a big fan.
Outstanding as usual. I read your short stories over and over. Thank You!
Excellent work. I have never served but I believe your presentation of our military people, while limited by the limits of the genre, show a side that needs to be seen by the general public. We do not often here enough about the "human" side of our military and sometimes forget that they are good people doing a tought job (and except for rare variations) doing it well. I hope as a writer you seek other outlets for your work to give the general public an opportunity to experience your work and to build a better understanding of the people that serve their country. Thanks.