OK, sometimes I can be a little dense.
I’ve always considered myself to be a fairly perceptive person. I’m aware of my surroundings and usually able to discern meaning from context, to condense fact from the vapor of nuance. I suppose that it’s when the nuance is aimed at me that I develop a blind spot.
Tracy had been cutting my hair for about a year. I have very difficult hair to cut well; it’s stick straight and very thick. A bad cut will leave me looking like a mop head or an 80’s punker. Quite simply, Tracy’s the best.
Tracy works out of a fairly expensive salon on Newbury Street in Boston. It was fine when I worked in the city, but now that my office is in the ‘burbs, it’s a bit of a pain to get in for a cut. I do it though; she’s that good. I just have to plan things a little more carefully. Usually that means appointments after work. Often, I’m Tracy’s last cut of the day. She never seems to mind and I always tip well.
Tracy’s studio is one of those very hip, very trendy salons. All of the cutters dress like fashion models, the décor is impeccable and the prices match the décor. I don’t mind though, I just go because she gives me the best cut I’ve ever had. OK, that’s not entirely true. Spending a half hour in Tracy’s company is a treat by itself. Tracy is a beautiful young woman, mid-twenties. She’s tall, as tall as I am, with long, dark hair, cheekbones that could cut glass and bright blue eyes. She’s always dressed as if she’s going to a nightclub, not like she’s at work. She’s bright and quick. Always ready with a quip or a joke that’s topical and funny as hell.
I guess we’ve carried on a flirtation since about my second cut with her. I honestly never thought much about it. I assumed it was all part of the service, part of her shtick. Just being friendly with a regular. I mean, hell, I enjoyed it, but I’m not vain enough to think she actually meant it. OK, so maybe I need a little more self-confidence.
The salon called me at work the other night, asking if I minded pushing back my appointment an hour, from 6:00 to 7:00. I was a little surprised as I thought 6:30 was the latest they took anyone, but agreed nonetheless. Actually, it worked out better for me as I was pretty backed up at the office and could use the extra time productively. I’d just grab a quick bite after my cut, a late supper.
I zipped into town, found parking near the studio (no mean feat) and made it about ten minutes early. Tracy was just finishing up a middle-aged woman as I walked in the door. The receptionist smiled at me and said hi as I hung up my coat.
“She’ll be right with you Bob,” she greeted me.
“Sure, no problem,” I replied, taking a seat.
I like to watch Tracy work. She’s very easy on the eyes. She was kind of monochromatic this evening, all done up in shades of gray. Trim gray knit pullover sweater (look for the bra line – hmmm, none to be seen); gray wool skirt, tight over her hips, stopping about two inches above the knee and gray stockings. Nice pumps, also gray. OK, I guess it’s a gray day, but she sure made gray look better then I had ever seen. I liked the effect.
She showed the lady in the chair the back of her ‘do with a hand mirror. The lady said nice things to Tracy and, leaving a tip, went to the receptionist to pay.
Brushing a few stray hairs off of her sweater, Tracy turned to me with a smile.
“Hi Bob! Why don’t you come over to the sink.”
Yep, no bra. She’s not too big, but what was there was nice. Just a hint of nipple under the tight sweater.
“Hi Trace, you look pretty today,” I said, stepping over to the sink.
“Do you like it?” she asked. “I wore it just for you.”
“Uh huh, sure you did,” I said with a smile.
“Well who else would I wear it for?” Devastating dimples. “Have a seat and I’ll be right with you. The shampoo girl went home an hour ago so you’re stuck with me washing you tonight.”
Tracy walked over to the receptionist and talked to her briefly. She turned and winked at me and with a “Be right back,” stepped into the ladies room.
Mary, the receptionist, did a few things around the desk, and then got her coat and things from the closet. She called into the ladies room, “Don’t forget to lock up!”
“I won’t” was the muffled reply.
“Bye Bob,” Mary said with a smile and a wave as she left.
“’Night,” I replied. Wow, I guess I really was the last appointment.
Tracy came out of the ladies room and walked back to me.
“Gee, I hope my coming this late hasn’t put you out,” I said.
“Don’t be silly,” she replied, “you’re a good customer. Mary screwed up and over-booked me, I know you like late appointments so I took a chance you wouldn’t mind being bumped, besides, I like having you as my last appointment,” she said as she pushed me back over the sink. She ruffled my hair and started the water. “Wow, your hair grows fast.”
I love having Tracy wash my hair. Don’t let anyone kid you; having your hair washed by a pro is a sensual experience like no other. I don’t care how manly a manly man you are, you cannot help but enjoy having your hair washed by a woman who knows what she’s doing.
Tracy knew what she was doing – and then some. She leaned over me, massaging my scalp. Her breasts brushed my left arm. No question; braless. I tried to remember if I had ever noticed her being without a bra in the past. I could not. Believe me, I would have remembered. Her hands made slow, sensuous strokes across my scalp. I melted into the chair. Her breasts brushed me again and yet again. Just as I was starting to wonder if she were doing that on purpose, she stood and rinsed my hair.
“OK tiger,” she said brushing my hair with a towel, “move on over to my chair.”
I stood and walked to her station, sitting down facing the mirror. She stood behind me, our eyes met in reflection.
“The usual?” she asked, touching my head.
“Yes please.”
Tracy opened her drawer looking for her scissors. Not finding them, she walked to the next station. I watched her in the mirror. Yes, I am one of those creeps that look for panty lines. I expect to be on Jerry Springer shortly: Tonight; Men Who Stare at Women’s Asses to See What Kind of Underwear They Have On. I couldn’t see a line. Hmm, pantyhose with no panties.
Not finding the scissors, she opened a cabinet door and bent over. Yep, no lines. She rooted further in the cabinet, her skirt rode up her thighs. What’s this? A flash of white thigh above gray stocking? Yikes, not pantyhose, but thigh-highs! But that means….
“Ah ha!” she announced triumphantly standing up, holding a gleaming pair of stainless steel scissors. “The little bitch thought she could hide these on me!”
Tracy combed my hair into sections and started trimming away while my mind fixated on that glimpse of bare leg.
“You’re quiet tonight, anything wrong?” she observed, sounding concerned.
“Nope,” I replied, smiling at her. “Just thinking on how pretty you look tonight.”
She actually blushed. “Well, like I said, I wore this for you, I thought it would be something you might like.”
My God, she was actually serious.
“Well, you picked right,” I smiled. “Do you always work this late?”
“Not usually, but since I went to the trouble of dressing up for you I didn’t want you to have to re-schedule your appointment.”