Part one
Charlotte had felt no shock at David's advance, he had been slow and measured, the act telegraphed clearly so she could not mistake his intent. For her though time stood still, as his head came closer and closer to hers. She was not sure she could have moved or spoken if she had wanted to, and she hadn't. Only the last moment had been missed as she closed her eyes in terrified, delightful anticipation. A quiet gasp escaped from her lips just a moment before their mouths touched. To be fair David had given her every chance to push him away, but she had not the strength or the wish to. Later she would face the fact that it had not entered her head to try.
Deep down she had believed there was a good chance David would try to take their relationship a step further tonight. It seemed predictable. She could not deny that she knew the risks she was taking in allowing that to happen. Charlotte had realised just before David had made his move that it was the obvious moment. Time you see was running out. It had been David who suggested at the end of the meal, that they have a nightcap in his room. It was the studio penthouse with its own lounge and he said he was eager to show it to her. Charlotte replied honestly that she was interested to see it, and as it had a lounge it did not sound too dangerous. Who was she kidding? She knew exactly the peril she was placing herself in and she felt the seductive thrill it gave her.
Earlier she had even considered how she would handle the disappointment, if at the end of the evening, David just said goodnight and walked away. Would she have been relieved or just overwhelmed by frustration? Charlotte really did not know, inevitably perhaps a strong sense of both emotions all jumbled up in her head. God she would have been hurt, her ego dented if he had headed off and not even looked back. That would have been unthinkable.
As they walked out of the restaurant he had casually offered her his arm. His second act of chivalry that evening, and she had happily taken it. She loved being with a man who looked after her. Charlotte's heart beat a little faster as they went. It had been awkward walking that way. The two of them side-by-side. They were a little too wide for the gaps in the table, and so the chivalrous holding of an arm quickly turned into the much more dangerous holding of hands. That felt more intimate, more sexual but David said that way he could guide her through the tables better. A thrill went through her body as his fingers wrapped around hers and so she did not really register his comment, and neither of them wanted to consider the fact it would have been easier to walk apart.
His hand felt so warm against her rather chilled one. She apologised for having cold hands, but he laughed and held hers a little tighter until they got into the lift.
That was how it had started, she had joked about needing her hand back and he had let go, but they had remained looking at each other. Staring into each other's eyes, they could see the others face mirrored their own, serious looking, full of desire, uncertain but animated. Then David moved forward to kiss her. Anticipating what would happen, knowing the risks, she had still let him kiss her without the slightest resistant. It was alarming, scary but thrilling and exciting all at the same time.
How could a man's mouth feel and taste so incredible? There was the same question again and she was no nearer an answer. It was a surprise though that this query had instantly popped into Charlotte's head the moment their heads had come together. She wished it meant she was detached, calm and in control. Unfortunately, it really meant she was completely overwhelmed by the swirling emotions spinning around in her mind. This was too new, coming at her too fast, in a situation she had always believed she would never allow herself to get into.
The meal they had just shared had been lovely, each dish a blend of perfectly matched flavours that had meant she had savoured every mouthful. The wines had been so well matched to the food, taking the culinary delight to an even greater height. Charlotte had no idea cooking could be this good. The restaurant deserved it Michelin starred rating without any question. However, David kissing her was pleasure on a whole different scale. She knew she had responded, responded immediately to the touch of his lips, so warm and soft, so gently probing her mouth, awakening nerve endings that instantly responded to his caress, sending messages of pleasure directly to her brain.
However, there was no escaping the fact she was in an elevator kissing a man she barely knew. Her disquiet built as the lift speeded her to his room and impending disaster. It should have been taking her back to her own room two floors lower than David's one. Where she should spend the night alone. She finally found her voice and in a quiet whisper she managed to say.
"This is moving a little fast for me." She had stopped saying anything more definite, telling herself that would not be fair on David. She did not want to hurt him. At the same moment the lift made a ping sound, which made her jump, and the lift doors glided opened. She immediately turned and looked, initially relieved there was no one outside in the corridor. Then she saw the front door to his hotel room. It was just a short walk away. She gulped and turned back to look at David. She had seen the flash of disappointment on his face at what she had said, but he had quickly hidden it. He reached out and took her hand gently in his.
"It's okay," David said, he sounded calm, and then added. "Nothing is going to happen that you're not comfortable with. I can walk you back to your room if you prefer." Charlotte felt uncomfortable at disappointing him and somewhat beholding after he had bought her such an amazing dinner.
But that was not the real problem. She wanted him so badly, had since they had first kissed. No, much earlier than that, maybe the very first time they had met. Her problem was should she allow herself to do what she wanted, or should she do what was right. Going with David would risk everything. She loved her husband, but she had had this growing crush, or even obsession with David. She barely knew him, but she wanted him so badly it hurt.
Part two
David's first sight of Charlotte earlier that evening had been from the rear.
He had suggested he knocked on her hotel room at a time they had agreed, and escort her down to the restaurant. This was his first chivalrous act of the day. He had been delighted to see she had immediately agreed, accurately guessing that she was flattered by his gentlemanly proposal. The door on which he had confidently knocked had opened immediately, and he went to greet Charlotte, expecting her to be standing in front of him. His mind still whirling as to whether he should hug her, or kiss her on both cheeks or just say a casual "hi." However, she had grabbed the door as she was passing and was walking away from it as it swung open. So, with her back to him she told David that she just needed to grab her bag.
His mouth that was about to utter a hello, stayed open at what he saw. He was stunned at how different Charlotte looked, how utterly desirable she seemed to him. For a moment he felt slightly light-headed, thrilled that they were about to have dinner together.
Charlotte's dress was backless showing her incredibly tanned and flawless skin. His eyes ran over the slight rises caused by her two shoulder blades and the depression in her skin from the vertical line of her spine. Her back was bare all the way down to the top of her waist where the black dress covered her and flowed seamlessly into the skirt. Her smooth as silk arms hung at her side, just a black bangle on her left wrist. A moment later her head turned, as she hunted for the bag, giving him a side profile of her beautiful face. The skirt was short, just above the knee and its lining was red, so as she moved there was this absorbing flash of colour contrasting with the black. David had seen her often in tight pencil skirts so knew already what great legs she had, but she had always worn tights, even in warmer weather. Now with more of her thighs on show, and her legs bare, he revised great to amazing.
Then slowly she turned to face him, now holding her bag. Presumably his face showed his shock from seeing her so dressed up and looking so absolutely stunning.
"What's wrong?" She said, her face dropped. "Is it too much? Adding very defensively. "I knew I shouldn't have worn this dress."
"No," replied David, cursing himself for giving totally the wrong impression. "It's just." He hesitated, and then decided to modify slightly what was in his mind. "You look gorgeous." Well he could not say she was desirable, not yet. He made the comment quite flatly and then shrugged, hoping he wasn't blushing. The delay in responding had not made him seem insincere, which is what he now feared, but his hesitation had actually made him sound more convincing. Coming across as someone who was simply taking a moment to work out the correct word to say. At least that is how Charlotte saw it, but then she was desperate to look good and had hoped David would say something nice when he first saw her.
He watched tensely as Charlotte inclined her head slightly to one side and then a big smile broke on her face.
"Really? Wow! Thank you," she said, a little flustered. She added in a calmer, sincerer voice. "That means so much David. It's so long since anyone said something lovely to me." She then paused before taking a deep breath. "You see this dress is pretty old. I haven't worn it since before the children. I wasn't even sure it would fit." But all David had focussed on was the way his stomach lurched when she had said his name.
Back in the lift their heads had come briefly apart, and Charlotte was thinking about how she could slow things down. David's eyes scanned her face. It was a mixture of shock and concern he thought, but it seemed unlikely she was about to push him away and then her head moved forward again. It was enough encouragement for him to close the rest of the small gap between their mouths and for him to kiss her again. Emboldened by the reassurance he pushed against her just a little bit harder, opened his mouth just a little bit more and moved his lips more enthusiastically against hers. My god we are actually kissing he thought, and she seems to like it. The lust he had felt since first seeing Charlotte that evening grew even stronger.
When they stopped kissing for a moment they simply looked at each other. Each one feeling a sense of surprise at what had happened, and now anxious about how the other person would react.
