Even at her full height of five feet, six inches, she appeared much taller and she carried herself in such a manner as to turn the head of both male and female. She wasn't stunning, but confident and that was far more attractive.
Her eyes scanned the lounge, peering passed the curious patrons and soon spied him sitting in a back corner booth. Hunched over his glass, he appeared lost in some distant thought, and for a brief moment, she debated with herself. "If I leave now, before he sees me ... " She visibly shook her head and moved toward the booth.
As if he sensed her arrival, he turned in her direction and smiled. Rising up, he took her hand and said," I wasn't sure if you would come. I'm glad you did." His grip on her hand remained, as he pulled her toward the booth and motioned for her to take a seat.
For what seemed like centuries, he stared into her blue eyes without speaking a word, then cleared his throat and inquired, "Would you care for a drink?"
She nodded and told him to order for her, and as he waved the waiter over to the table, she began a slow, methodical examination of his features.
His hair was a bit long and curled slightly, just above the collar of his shirt. It was more a soft amber than brown, and with his mild olive complexion, he looked much younger than his years. He was ruggedly handsome, but definitely not what her friends would consider, "GQ." The lighting of the bar prevented her from seeing the green of his eyes, but she imagined them to be a blue-green and she longed for better illumination. His lips were full, and looked so tender, she caught herself as she began to unconsciously reach out to touch them.
The waiter dismissed, he turned back toward her and laughed. "Go ahead," He told her, "I won't bite."
She ran one finger nail over his lower lip and he reached up to capture her hand, his tongue flicking the tip of her finger.
Leaving her finger pressed against his lips, she quietly asked, "Was it difficult for you to get away?"
He pulled her against him and whispered, "It doesn't matter, I'm here now." His chest was solid and warm against the bare, exposed flesh of her shoulders, and she melted into him. Sighing, she allowed her hand to move up and through the hair at the collar of his shirt and pulled his face toward hers.
"It seems like forever ... I've waited for so long to kiss you." His whispered words made her quiver with anticipation. They moved as if in slow motion, their eyes taking in every feature.
He thought to himself, "I love these eyes, that cute upturn of her nose." His thumb tracing her jaw as he pulled her even closer, "And her lips, my god, her lips! So full, and rich. They look so soft. Inviting."
His thumb had moved from her jaw to her lips, and as he caressed them gently, time seemed to have stood still. His mind was reeling, his senses alive. A heady combination. Opium perfume, the slight musky scent of the bar, and the proximity of a woman he'd only dreamed of having in his arms. All of it seemed somewhat surreal, but here she was. Touchable. Real. His finger slid down her neck, and as he felt her pulse racing, he knew she wanted him as much as he wanted her.
His breath was warm and smelled of spicy rum, and she wondered if he would taste the same. His words still hung in the air and danced around the cloistered booth they shared. " ... I've waited for so long to kiss you."
She'd waited just as long and was finding it difficult to believe that they were finally together. She was afraid that if she closed her eyes and then reopened them, he would be gone and this would have been just another dream. Like so many they'd shared in their virtual world.
In that world, there had been no restrictions or constraints. In that world of bits and bytes, they openly spoke of their appetites and desires. Neither of them wanted future, only the here and now of the unbridled, the reality of no holds barred passion.
Her hand covered his as he slowly stroked the base of her neck, and fingering the simple white gold band he wore, she asked, "How much time do we have?"
As his lips ran along her cheek, and up to her ear, he softly replied, "I have to be back in an hour."
She whimpered as his warm breath settled on her ear, and couldn't hide her disappointment. She had cleared her schedule for the evening and had hoped he would do the same. Time always seemed to be the villain.
He pulled back slightly, noticing her hesitation and again allowed his thumb to sweep softly over her lips. Sighing, he said, " I know."
She parted her lips and gently bit down on his thumb, and began to slowly suck his thumb into her warm, wet mouth.
His moan was quick and audible and his breathing became ragged as he allowed her to give him but a taste of the pleasure she long to provide.
The waiter coughed slightly as he set her drink on the table. "Will you be wanting to start a tab or shall I collect the bill now?" The waiter asked, his eyes twinkling.
"I'll take care of that now." Her companion answered as he pulled out his wallet and placed a twenty on the table. The waiter slid the money from the table, and as he turned to walk away, they heard him say, "I thought you might."
They glanced at each other and snickered slightly.The sexual tension of the moment broken as she placed her hand on his upper thigh. He held her tight and resting his head on tops of hers, moved her hand up to feel him straining against his slacks.
"See what affect you have on me?"
At that, she threw back her head and laughed aloud. "No baby, you're just easy." And she pressed the palm of her hand into him. He groaned and moved in his seat, wanting to feel her warm hands on his flesh, but knowing this was neither the time nor the place.
Sensing that he was uncomfortable, she ever so slowly slid her hand down and placed it on his knee.
"Better?" She asked, with a smile on her face.
"No!" He replied forcefully.
The waiter returned and placed the change on the table. Noticing her hand was hidden from view and he smiled broadly and quietly walked away.
"You don't think he ...?" She found she couldn't finish her question as they both exploded into laughter.
"He can only wish, as do I." He answered back.
She gently ran one nail across his cheek and softly said, "Me too."
"I still haven't gotten that kiss." He whispered and as he leaned down to touch her lips, he pulled back suddenly and cursed. "Damn it!"
Reaching into his jacket, he pulled out his silent pager and quickly read the message it displayed. He looked up and around the bar, searching for a telephone.
"Forgive me babe, I didn't bring my cell phone and I have to answer this page." He kissed her forehead and excused himself from the table.
She collapsed into the back of the booth, thankful for the respite. It was obvious that they both were hungry for one another and had he continued to hold her close, she knew she would have been bold in her caresses.
Her eyes closed, her head resting on the back of the seat, she breathed deeply and tried for some semblance of control. She felt him slide into the booth and turned her head slightly toward him.
"You have to go, don't you?" She asked, her eyes still closed.
He placed his hand behind her neck and moved her head into his shoulder. His lips resting in her hair he answered, "Yes."
Sitting up straight in the booth, she smoothed the hem of her dress and reached for her handbag.
"Walk me out?" She asked.
"Of course I will." He replied and moved to stand next to the booth, his hand outstretched.
Quietly they walked hand in hand to the exit and out to the curb of the street.
"I'm parked over there." He pointed to the opposite side of the street.
She nodded silently and absentmindedly pointed off to the left, "I'm over there."
He took her by the shoulders, and turned her to face him. Gazing down into her eyes, he once again apologized for having to go and she immediately stopped him with a finger to his lips.
"It's okay ... really. I understand." She smiled up at him. "Another time perhaps."
He squeezed her hand and began to move away. And as their arms reached as far out as they could, they both let go and walked off in opposite directions.
He stopped as he unlocked his car. His eyes searched for her figure in the dark, and softly he called out to her, "I never got that kiss."