She came around the corner and spotted John leaning against the mahogany desk staring out the window.  He wore a black suit that from where she was standing, showed off his muscular form.  His back was turned to her, so she took the opportunity to steal a few seconds to gaze at him.

She wondered what was on his mind.  What he was thinking about.  Who he was thinking about.  Was it a girlfriend?  Or just a past love?  Either way, she had found her newest interest.

"Is this how you spend all your working hours?  Gazing out the window?"

Her voice startled him.  "Uh, Dr. Evans, I didn't know I wasn't alone."

"Is my presence a bother?"

"Not at all.  Please, come in if you'd like."  His smile was all it took to make her knees weak and her heart pound.  She admired his broad shoulders and deep blue eyes.

Marlena made her way to the leather chair that sat across from his desk.  He watched as she tucked her skirt under her and crossed her long tan legs as she sat.  He wondered was she naturally this sensual, or if it was for him.  "So tell me, what is a pretty doctor doing in a place like this, anyway?"

"Do you mean Echelon, or the world of Dimera?" she said as she crossed to the window.

"You don't miss a beat, do you?  So what does a lady like you see in a man like Tony.  I'm guessing it's not the money.  Last I checked doctors aren't on the bottom of the food chain.  The power perhaps?"

She turned slightly, "Dimera's always do get what they want."

"What is it that you want?" he asked with an unease that he hoped she did not sense.

"Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."  Her words were sarcastic, yet her tone was serious.

He chuckled at her statement, "If I didn't know better, I'd guess you were a politician."

She crossed her arms, "I've gotten really good at being diplomatic when I need to be."

"Is that a facade that you save for those you will never allow to get close to you?  In which case, I'm sorry I brought it out of you."

"The answer to your question is, yes, there are certain people that I will never allow in.  However, you, I hope, are not one of them."

John was intrigued.  "You hope?"

As she spoke, she made her way from the window to the edge of his desk.  John sat in his leather chair and watched as her skirt pulled up as she sat.  "Even though us Dimera's do usually get what we want, we generally like it to not come with force."

"Are you coming on to me?" he smiled.

She peered down at him in his chair, "Would you like it if I did?"

"No man would say no to you.  That is your power."

"I'll keep that in mind," she smirked.

"However, I'm guessing there are a few men left in the world who would like the thrill of wining and dining you first."

"Are you one of those men?"

"Yes."