Dinner was wonderful.
The initial nervous laughter gave way in minutes to genuine enjoyment and the ease with which the comfort level rose, surprised them both.
Of course the food was good but Steve was sure that by later in the evening he would not be able to even remember what he had ordered. His attention was focused on this beautiful feminine creature and although he knew he would be able to remember every look, every scent and every touch of his companion, all other details would be lost in the strength of these sensations.
As coffee cups were being refilled, he remembered his first look earlier in the evening. Of course there had been the photos, she had shared but they had not done her justice. Two-dimensional photos could never capture the allure of this woman. She had the rare ingredient that made a mature woman the most attractive thing in the world...an element of self-confidence with delicate feminine appeal. Most women age poorly, not in the physical sense but life experiences can harden so many. When a woman truly grows from her trials she maintains the ability to give herself and show the inner beauty. A wise man can recognize and treasure the gift.
But she had much more than just inner beauty. When he first noticed her step into the lobby he was struck by the wondrous curves of her female form. She had chosen her outfit with care; he could imagine that she did not grab the first thing in her closet, but she had considered the impression she would make. She had succeeded...first round to her!
She saw him as he stood from the low chairs arranged like hundreds of other hotel lobbies. He hoped she was impressed for he had chosen his wardrobe also. The tan slacks with the blue blazer and bright tie. An attractive but reserved combination...he hoped she was impressed but it is almost impossible to tell with a woman like her.
She, on the other hand was stunning in a dark blazer also. There was a fitted gray skirt that extended below her knees but with a slit on the side that extended high enough to be truly interesting without any question of moral integrity. The skirt followed the curve of her thigh as she walked in a way that took his breath away. The single button on the blazer was fastened but displayed a bright silk blouse with a collar that fell away from her neck into an enticing "V" showing a definite fullness beneath the blazer.
Her smile ruled the scene with a welcome that melted several hours of his nervous anticipation. Not hours, he remembered...days...weeks. Their handshake proved a delicious first sample of her warm touch. The disparity in their heights provided an exciting contrast.
They turned and walked the short steps to the restaurant. A typical crowd for the restaurant of a prestigious hotel in the city; enough activity so that they did not feel self-conscious but not so crowded that they did not have their choice of a quiet booth. He stood and offered his hand as she sat onto the soft padded cushion. She turned her legs but seemed to linger just a moment when the slit opened over her lovely thigh encased in black stockings. It had to be his imagination he concluded.
He sat quickly and answered the young waiter's smile. A glass of wine for each they decided and he paused to explain a house special. Steve struggled to pay attention but his eyes were drawn to her. She easily focused her lovely eyes on the young man allowing Steve to steal glances at the stunning features. Perhaps she had decided she was unimpressed...still so hard to tell.
After the young waiter departed the conversation flowed easily and the courses of the meal moved by almost un-noticed although Steve remembered that the meal was one of his best ever. Perhaps the mind accounts for more in taste that the food...an interesting question.
A free exchange of stories, childhoods, life-experiences with some tragedies shared to show that they were both experienced life-travelers. Almost in an instant two hours and a full meal had passed. They both passed on the offered dessert tray but opted for coffee. As the waiter left the table she decided to visit the ladies room and he stood quickly to assist her from the booth. She took his offered hand and he enjoyed his position above her as she slid to the edge, her blazer opening delicately and he enjoyed the beautiful fullness below the open neckline of her blouse. She stood and excused herself and promised to return quickly. He sat and was pleased that her destination was away from his side of the table so that he could enjoy the sensual movement beneath her skirt as she walked away. A delight.
The coffee service came and in the distraction he realized she was back at their booth. He stood quickly as the waiter stepped away and again offered her his hand. She looked up at him and smiled and teased about his gentlemanly manners almost distracting him enough to realize the blazer was unbuttoned now. As she slid into the booth she pulled the sides of her jacket apart to arrange them and arched her shoulders to straighten in the cushion. He could not help but notice the wonderful womanly curve as the silk blouse fell over the fullness of her breast.
He returned to his seat and needed a second to recover his composure. Her smile showed him that once again she had outplayed him!
Great coffee and he settled the check and asked if she was ready to leave. "The restaurant" she asked? He blushed but recovered quickly to say that she was always free to leave any time. They laughed and with an unspoken understanding stood to leave. He offered his arm and she linked her arm willing in his. They walked from the restaurant. He could feel her hip against his.
They re-entered the lobby and walked toward the elevators. If he had misunderstood, this was when she would pull away or worse yet... She did not and continued her easy laughter and seemed to press closer as the neared the elevator. A meeting must have just ended as a fairly large group of excited people, all wearing plasticized name tags with the logo of some corporation in the corner moved behind them into the elevator. Steve backed against the back of the elevator and eased Sharon in front of him to allow the others to enter. After a long day of meetings no one wanted to wait for even the next elevator.
His hands moved easily to her shoulders and slid down the side of her blazer. She backed fully against him as the group moved to allow the doors to close. He knew that she could tell that he was enjoying her presence as she pressed back against the front of his slacks.
The elevator had cleared a bit as they arrived at "his floor" and he eased her forward to indicate this was where they would leave their new friends. They slipped from the car and moved out into the openness of the floor lobby. He again offered his arm and they moved down the hallway. They paused as he slid the key card into the lock. The door opened and he pushed the door aside for her to enter the small suite.
He turned on a light and offered his hand to lead her to the center of the room. He turned to face her and offered her his other hand, holding her arms aside, stepping back and drinking in her beauty. "You are magnificent" he said and now it was her turn to blush. "Let me look at you" he continued.
