He saw her sitting at the bar.
Oftentimes, seeing a single woman at the bar, as opposed to just in a bar, would label her as a hooker.
But this woman didn't look like a hooker.
True, she had on a short skirt, beneath which he just caught the glimpse of lace stocking tops, high heels and a close fitting sweater. Her outfit emphasised great legs, a great chest, and even sitting down with her legs crossed, hinted at a great ass. Her hair was blonde, but cut quite short, and he guessed her age anywhere between 35 and 50.
She wasn't smoking. She wasn't continually watching men enter the bar. She wasn't fiddling with stuff or playing with her hair. She had luggage near her β she was either checking in or checking out. She seemed very content and secure in her own company. She was still and self-contained. She was drinking red wine.
He was willing to bet money she wasn't a hooker.
However, hooker or not, he felt he had to speak to her.
'Hi' he said, sitting on the neighbouring stool to hers.
'Hello?' she seemed startled that he'd singled her out, not entirely sure if she recognised him. As if he wouldn't be talking to her if he didn't know her, or she him.
'May I join you?' he asked.
'Sure. Why not' she smiled.
Okay, he thought. Definitely not a hooker - she's British. She can't be a hooker. Mentally, he hit his head with the heel of his hand. Where do these stereotypes come from?!
'I'm sorry' she said, after a silent moment. 'Do I know you?'
'No. I just wanted to talk to you. Do you mind?'
'Not at all' Again, she seemed startled as to why he'd bother.
'You're very attractive.'
Not the most original chat up line, he thought. But she seemed stumped by the remark. He was used to all sorts of reactions to his chat up lines, but not usually this blank look.
Silently she gazed at him. He could almost hear the cogs going round in her head.
'Sorry' she said again, looking him in the eye. 'I'm married. I'm not used to men chatting me up' she smiled shyly.
Chatting me up? Is that British for hitting on me? he wondered.
'Married, huh. If you want me to leave you alone, just say'
'No. I'd like you to stay' She seemed to mentally shake herself and sit up a bit straighter on her stool, thrusting her breasts imperceptibly towards him and treated him to a big confident smile.
It was as if his attention were like the sun to one of those flowers that only bloom in the light.
'Can I get you another drink?'
'Merlot, thank you' she replied.
He gestured to the barman, then said,
'I noticed your luggage. Are you arriving or leaving?'
'Well, actually, I was just about to check out when my husband called. We were supposed to be going to LA tonight, but something's come up and the meeting he was in this morning has overrun and long story short, he's tied up for the rest of the day, and now we're not leaving 'till tomorrow.'
'So. You're at a loose end for the afternoon'
'I suppose I am'
'Have you had lunch?'
She regarded him with interest. He was well dressed and successful looking β perhaps a lawyer. He was wearing a suit that made him stand out in this land of casual dressing. He was tall, fairly well built that may well turn to fat in the future, with a pleasant clean-shaven face. He had black hair and blue eyes. She judged him to be late forties.
If he found her attractive, she thought, the feeling was absolutely mutual. She had never been unfaithful to her husband, even though she was sure he was having an affaire with his secretary. Actually, who he was probably with right now.
God, she thought, what a fucking clichΓ©.
She had spoken the truth when she told him she wasn't used to being chatted up, but she was very aware that men found her attractive. She'd just never had the nerve to pursue how attractive.
Looking at this stranger, she was very, very tempted.
'No.' she said in answer to his question.
'They have quite a nice restaurant here in the hotel' he said. 'Would you like to join me?'
Why not, she thought.
'Okay. Thank you' she said.
She followed him outside to the courtyard. Big white umbrellas protected the diners from the early afternoon sun, and a fat cherub spewed water into a fountain. It was green and summery and pleasant.
They sat down at a quiet table in the corner.
The waiter brought them menus, but she suddenly wasn't hungry.
She was shocked to realise that she wanted this mans hands on her, his lips on hers. She wanted to be naked with him.
She felt a flush rise up from somewhere sexual. She couldn't remember ever feeling like this before.
She liked it.
She looked at him over her menu. He seemed engrossed. She smiled to herself β how did men manage to concentrate so intently on what they were involved in, at the exclusion of all else?
'I believe that lamb chops are very good here' he glanced up at her.
Not interested in food, and unable to help herself, she slipped off a shoe and placed her stockinged foot up under his trouser leg, feeling for the top of his sock to make contact with bare skin.