It had been a long week. Eight hour days in trial had forced me to return client calls well into each evening. By the time I arrived home at night I was too tired to do much of anything. On the other hand, I was out of bed every morning before 5:00 a.m. making final preparations for the next day's events in court.
Finally it was Friday and by 7:00 p.m. I had returned by last call, finished my work and it was time to relax. I was tired. I thought about driving home, but decided I really didn't feel like being alone for another night. I hadn't been to the pub at the Black Swan recently and decided to give it a try. The Black Swan is one of Kalamazoo's finest restaurants but definitely not a place to go alone. Besides, I had little interest in a big fancy meal. Fortunately the Swan also has a small English style pub attached to it. I knew I could get there what I really wanted: a beer, one of their excellent prime rib sandwiches and if I were lucky, maybe a bit of conversation.
I arrived, parked, opened my door, had a second thought, had a third thought and decided, what the Hell, you've earned it.
I walked into the pub, found a stool at the bar, and ordered a cold bottle of Paulaner's Salvator, Germany's first and only authentic dopplebock. That first long, malty, almost caramel pull, hit the spot so perfectly that it seemed to melt away the long week. A few minutes later after gulping down my last drop of nectar, I closed my eyes and held the cool bottle to my forehead. I stood and literally shook the stress from my body like a dog shaking water from his fur. It was then that I heard a giggle off to my right. I lowered my bottle to the bar and looked over my shoulder to see whom it was who had found my actions so amusing. I found myself staring into a pair of deep blue eyes and two full, smiling lips. Before I could say anything she quipped, "Did you have that bad a day?"
I turned away raising my hand to get Michele, the bartender's, attention, "Yea, a long week."
She replied, "Well, watching you was pretty funny."
Curtly, "That's exactly what I'm here for . . . your amusement."
From the corner of my eye I could see the smile leave her face as she fell silent for a moment and then added, "Sorry, didn't mean to bother you. I was just trying to make a little talk."
I finally got Michele's attention and she approached asking, "Another one Jake?"
"Please."
Out of curiosity I glanced over at Ms. Blue Eyes and secretly gave her the once over. She had turned on her bar stool so she faced away from the bar. Not too bad I thought. Cute face, nice full breasts and she definitely had it going on from the waist down. She wore a clinging navy dress which was just long enough for business purposes and just short enough to make a guy wonder. Her legs were bare, crossed and as my eyes followed the curve of her calf, I caught the matching, heeled sandals. Her hair: full, thick, wavy and red, falling just past her neck. What attracted me most were those legs: very smooth, very toned, and very tanned. It was obvious she took care of them the legs of an athlete. When I looked back up she was staring at me. A shy little tease crossed her lips. I looked away. Michele set the beer in front of me. "I'll add it to your tab Jake. Oh and by the way," lowering her voice and nodding her head almost imperceptibly sideways, "she's a nice lady."
Looking up and after pausing for a moment, "Thanks Michele."
After a quick first swig and another lingering glance at those wonderful legs, I finally turned. "Hey listen, we got off on the wrong foot. I'm really sorry about what I said earlier. I'm Jake."
She gave me one of those quizzical sideways looks and after an uncomfortable moment of silence, she smiled, held out her hand and drawled, "I heard, I'm Suz."
I smiled and shook her hand. "Glad to meet you Suz and again I apologize for my sour disposition."
She swivelled on her bar stool so she faced me with those lovely legs crossed in my direction. "Fair enough."
I just couldn't help continuing to stare at those long, sexy legs and quickly enough I caught a hint of excitement beginning to stir in my stomach. "What are you drinking? It's on me."
A smile, "Oh, Toasted Head chard and thank you."
I called Michele over and ordered Suz's wine and a third Salvator for me.
We continued to talk and drink. She was an absolute pleasure, something I hadn't experienced in way too long. I found myself becoming less inhibited as the evening progressed. [An easy feat sucking down Salvator's which have an alcohol content almost 50% greater than American beers.] I forgot about the day and actually was beginning to enjoy myself. After an hour or so and another round of drinks the conversation began to rise to a more personal level.
"What excites you?" Suz caught me in the middle of taking a drink as I almost sprayed her with a mouthful of beer.
Wiping my mouth with a napkin and turning to her, "Well lets see, what excites me, hmm: the William Tell Overture, a fine older California cab, a great steak from any Capital Grille, winning almost anything, first kisses and," pondering for only a moment, "interesting sensuality."
Suz raised her eyebrows and gave me one of those grins that all guys recognize as being more than just a facial expression, "I like those, especially the last two."
I stole another long stare at Suz's legs and realized that some time ago we each had turned on our stools so we were facing each other. I was beginning to wonder if Suz had noticed my staring at her legs when she unexpectedly scooted her chair in closer. Without thinking I spread my legs slightly making room for hers to slide between mine. With her left leg crossed over her right, her knee was mere inches from my groin. She smiled, knowing exactly where she sat, and continued talking to me nonchalantly. I was becoming aroused, what with listening to her beguiling southern drawl, watching her and knowing her leg was almost touching me. She knowingly began swinging her leg ever so slightly, occasionally running her hands up and down her shapely thigh and calf. With Suz's teasing and my Salvators, it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep my mind on our conversation. I also could see Suz's beginning to take notice of the bulge growing between my legs, as her eyes seemed to be lowered more often than they were looking into my face.
I realized our faces had moved closer and closer to each other as the barroom din had increased.
Without thinking I scooted forward to the very edge of my stool and unexpectedly felt Suz's knee pressing against me. A gasp of embarrassment escaped my throat at the same time my lips were mere inches from her ear. She responded with a knowing giggle. I pulled back immediately only to see a smile crossing her face as she looked down into my lap. She slowly raised her eyes to meet mine, raised the index finger of her left hand and seductively gestured for me to move closer again.
My heart raced as I leaned in and Suz slid one hand onto each of my shoulders. I felt her press the front of her knee into me as she whispered into my ear, "You've been staring at my legs all night long Jake. You tell me now, how does this feel?" She began stroking me up and down by raising and lowering her knee.
Swallowing hard, "I've always loved legs and yours are well beyond special. I'm only a guy and I just couldn't help but stare." Gaining a bit of confidence, I challenged, "Oh, and if you're curious, your knee feels absolutely exquisite right now."
"Jake, you can reach down and touch my legs if you like."