Epsilon
I had set up a date with Epsilon several weeks ago; she had asked if we could meet Friday evening, since she had classes on Saturday and Sunday, and usually stayed over at her lover's on Saturday night. Friday was doable, but would have to be a little later. A week before we were to meet, she called me again, asking if we could meet Saturday evening after all. My schedule had changed, so this worked out well for me as well.
She called me when she got home from school, at around 6:45. "I've just opened a beer, but I'm ready whenever you get here." I picked her up at 7:15; she greeted me with a big, very affectionate hug. We had not, we realized, seen each other in almost eight months. I opened the door of my car for her, closed it behind her, and got in myself. She suggested Torrense, a Portuguese place near where she lived; with her navigating, we got there in about ten minutes.
We were seated at a table for five, the two of us huddled together against the wall. I ordered grilled squid, she, salmon. Our waitress recommended a very nice bottle of red wine, and brought us a small plate of black olives and a basket of bread. I had forgotten how much Epsilon loves olives; she ate almost twenty of them to my five. She fed me the last one, putting it into my mouth seductively, and asked for more. Meanwhile, we drank the wine. It was quite nice, really; between the wine and the company, this was shaping up to be a nice evening. After a glass or two of wine, the shyness we were feeling from our eight months apart had melted away into a warm glow. We held hands, flirted gently, and relaxed together.
Afterwards, we went to a nearby bar where one of her friends was having a small party. We walked arm-in-arm, prolonging the contact started in the restaurant. She introduced me to her friends, and the bunch of us chatted companionably for about an hour or so. Epsilon drank a little more wine, and I ordered us each a Perrier; I was driving, and wished to get both her and myself to our respective homes safely. Soon, it was time to leave. Epsilon had class Sunday morning too, and I didn't want to leave her too tired to study. We headed back to my car. She held my arm more closely. We got into my car, and started the too-brief drive back to her place. This lovely evening would be over soon.
"You've never seen my place, have you?" she asked me.
I hadn't.
"Come by tonight. I feel like having Earl Grey, and it's always nicer with company."
This sounded nice to me too. I did enjoy her company, and was also starting to feel quite turned on. Even cloth against cloth can be do it for me, if the right woman is wearing the cloth. But my intentions were strictly honourable; nothing could happen if I just went with her for a cup of tea?
"Turn right here, and park around back in one of the Visitor's spots."
I parked, and we got out of the car. I took her hand, and she led me to the door. She ushered me in, we stepped into the elevator, and went up to her floor. We got to her place, and went inside. I took off my shoes, and followed her into the kitchen. She put on the kettle and excused herself. I sat down on one of her chairs, and my eyes followed her as she walked down to her bedroom. She passed out of my sight briefly, but soon returned. She had changed into flannel pyjamas. She was clearly tired; it was a good thing I had no intention of misbehaving.
We talked, about nothing in particular, while the water heated. I didn't let myself look at her too closely, or too long - she looked particularly good in her pyjamas, but I didn't think I should be caught staring. Soon, the water was boiling, and she got up to make the tea. I took advantage of the opportunity to stare at her - her shape was even more pleasing from behind than from the front.
She prepared the tea. No teabags in mugs for her; she was a traditionalist. Loose Marriage Frères tea in a tea ball and a preheated teapot. She turned towards me.
"This brand takes a while to steep, but it is richer than any other tea I've ever tasted."
Her top button had come undone while she was making the tea. The additional glimpse this gave me was very promising; I could feel my pants starting to bulge. I forced my eyes up toward hers. She was smiling. I thought I had better say something; I didn't like the feeling that I was taking advantage of her in any way.
"I think one of your buttons has come undone."