This story is for my new friend "Anthony", whom I've never met but like immensely. I'm imagining his appearance -- he may well look completely different to the placeholder that's formed in my brainpan. The female in the story goes unnamed, in part because while I'd love to be her, I simply hope that he is able to make this connection with someone someday. He's a good'un and I wish him all the best, no matter what.
The ice settled in his glass as he tapped it on the bar, and he waved the approaching bartender off with a frown. Maybe this wasn't such a hot idea. His wife didn't deserve to be cheated on, even if their relationship wasn't what it was before the kids. Even if sometimes the purported joys of family life were less than he'd hoped. Of course, he loved them but...
"Anthony."
The husky female voice behind him went straight to his groin.
"Soda with lime, please." The bartender nodded to the space behind him.
He could feel her warmth as she shimmied onto the next stool, saw her long dark hair as she turned to accept her drink.
"I'm glad you could make it." The eyes twinkling at him were the deep green he'd seen in her photos online. "And I'm glad I could too," she said, smiling.
He couldn't help but return a wry one of his own. "To be honest, I'm not sure I should be here."
She paused, then nodded. "I understand. Let's just talk a bit. It's been so much fun emailing with you, and I'm fine spending this time in perfectly platonic chitchat with my friend. No guilt necessary." She sipped her drink. "Your 'roads less travelled' feeling a bit murky?" she winked.
"I suppose so," he sighed.
"Well, you
are
a good man." She tipped her head, lips pursed. "Tell me how your work's going. You were slaving over a grant proposal last time we talked. How's that wrapping up?"
Over the following hours, they fell into increasingly easy conversation. Stories of hilarious mishaps on the job had them snorting with laughter, and the warm hand she laid often on his arm eased him. The year they'd spent emailing had shown him a woman in love with the world, who found something to treasure in every situation. It seemed to pour out of her now, enveloping him in curiosity and peace.
He sighed happily and leaned against the back of his stool, rubbing his neck. "I wish I could get one of those famous shoulder rubs you teased me with when we first met. Bending over paperwork this week has me all bound up."
"I don't see why not," she said, finishing her drink. She stood. "Come on up to mine. I'll get you sorted out. And I promise not to molest you below the belt." Her eyebrows waggled over a cheeky grin. "Unless you ask for it."
"You cheese!" he laughed, following her to the hotel elevator. He watched her wide hips swaying as she led the way, her hair shining down her back and over her bottom. It looked soft. Everything about her seemed soft and welcoming. He wondered how she would feel in his hands. Would it be so wrong after all to have a little taste of a different life? Just a nibble?
In her room, she looked around and spotted the ottoman. "Sit, get comfortable," she commanded, pointing to it. "Shirt on or off?" she asked. "I can do either, but if it's off, I have a massage oil I think you'd enjoy."
No contest there -- he got right to work unbuttoning while she dug the bottle from her bag and disappeared into the bath to fetch a towel. He sat to remove his shoes, then stripped off his tee.
She approached his lean form from the back, running an admiring hand over the muscles of his shoulders. "Rock climbing agrees with you, my friend. Point to where it's the worst?"
He indicated the areas, sitting upright as she requested. She poured a little of the spicy-scented oil in her hand and rubbed to warm it. Then, she got to work.
Her hands were strong as she made long soothing strokes over the tightness in his shoulders, neck, upper back and chest, her thumbs finding the knots in his muscles and digging at them till they smoothed away. His eyes drifted closed as he relaxed into her touch. He was unwinding, slowly... slowly...
"How are you feeling?" Her voice was low and breathy. "You're very nice to touch, you know."
"I have turned into a pool of warm Jell-o," he sighed. "Your hands..." He reached down behind him and found her legs, giving them a squeeze.
"Would you like me to do your head and face?" she asked, wiping her hands and his shoulders with the towel.
