The dimly lit room was filled with the sounds of people talking, laughing and generally having a good time. There were several brightly lit areas where lamps hung low over the pool tables in the back, illuminating the games that were in play. It was at one of these tables that Michael Hawthorne could be found, deep in concentration. He could be seen, almost every Friday night playing a few rounds of pool while sipping on a beer. Mostly he played alone but was not against having opponents. Quiet and reserved, there were few things that broke his concentration on his game.
Something that always broke his concentration was Alyssa Thompson, co-owner of the pool hall. She was always smiling and cheerful, making sure everyone was having a good time. Her looks often garnered unwarranted solicitations from some of the patrons but she always shrugged them off by telling them that she had a boyfriend. She was slim but nowhere near anorexic. Alyssa had soft curves that made it easy for your eyes to wander up and down her body.
Michael caught himself staring at her body. She was mesmerizing in her tight faded blue jeans and black spaghetti tank top that showed off a nice portion of her cleavage. A smile crept onto his lips as he wondered what it would be like to hold her. Immediately his thoughts vanished when he realized that her bright hazel eyes were making contact with his dark chocolate brown eyes. He missed his mark and hit the cue ball into the far corner pocket, blushing at the fact that he had let this creature of beauty distract him so.
Alyssa knew she was teasing him and walked up to him. "Evening Michael, care for another beer?" Her fingers traced the curve of the empty bottle.
"Sure, thank you." Michael was nervous and avoided eye contact with her. He waited for her to leave before he reached into the pocket and pulled out the cue ball. As Alyssa returned her set the stick onto the table and reached out for the beer.
She handed it to him, keeping her fingers wrapped around it for a few seconds longer than usual. "Would you mind if you had someone to play with? Its kind of slow tonight and I haven't played in awhile."
"Sure thing. Would you like to break or should I?"
"You go ahead. I never really liked breaking."
"Suit yourself," he answered as he racked up the balls and prepared for a shot. "Forgive me if I don't play at my best, after all, its not everyday I get to play with a beautiful woman." Immediately he wished he hadn't said that. He waited for her to leave him and was stunned when she just laughed and told him to break and stop flirting.
She watched him intently as he prepared for his shot. She watched his muscular arms flex as he stretched to put the right amount of power into the shot. She looked at his rear as he bent over the table and found herself starting to desire him more. Alyssa had been watching for the past few months, always staying in the shadows until tonight. After catching him watching her, wanting her, she felt her need for him awaken from the slow burning embers to the full raging fire that burned within her.
They played their game for the next twenty minutes until the last of the balls had been shot into the various baskets. Alyssa had to close the place down as it was midnight and took Michaels empty beer bottles with her. He racked up the balls on the table and handed two twenties to the cashier, whose name he could never remember. He started to walk out the door when he heard his name being called.
Michael turned around to see that Alyssa was waving for him to come back to the bar. He was puzzled and walked back to her.
Alyssa had decided that she should take the initiative. She wanted him and was tired of waiting. Michael was a very decent man but her animal instincts were taking over and she wanted him. She smiled as he walked up to her and asked him if he wouldn't mind staying to talk and was overjoyed when he agreed. Alyssa hurriedly finished closing up and kicking out the last of the stragglers. She thanked the other employees as she closed and locked the door behind them as they left, leaving her alone with him.
Alyssa asked, "Care to play another round? I won't charge you."
He smiled and said that it would be nice. They began to play another game as they talked, becoming more comfortable with each others presence, opening up more and more as the night went on. One game became two and before they knew it, they had completed four. On the fifth game Alyssa came across a very difficult shot and was trying to judge on the best angle to take it.
She bent over the table and stared at the balls, trying to think of what course of action to take. "I know its against every rule in the book, but would you help me here? I have no idea what to go for."
He stood behind her and bent down slightly, his chin just over her shoulder and looked at the predicament that she was in. He reached over her and with his hands, guided hers. Michael inhaled her sweet scent as he showed her how to play this shot. It was intoxicating, much more so than any amount of alcohol he could drink. Her dark brown hair, long and straight, tickled his arms and smelled sweet like fruit.
Alyssa felt his breathe on the nape of her neck and could feel her heart quicken. Her body began tremble with excitement from the closeness of his touch. It disappeared suddenly.
"I should go, it's getting late and besides, I don't think your boyfriend would appreciate me being her alone with you."
"Please don't, I'm enjoying my time here with you, besides, I don't have a boyfriend."
"You don't? But I always hear you tell -"
