Tara turned the corner to head to the elevators that would take her up to her room. She had a terrible day after visiting a potential client. She had flown into town the night before so that she could accommodate their early seven o'clock meeting.
After getting bumped twice by the airlines, her luggage being lost, and finally arriving to her hotel room after 1:30 am, she was very annoyed when she retrieved her voice mail that informed her that the early morning meeting would be cancelled, but 'feel free to stop by and someone would try to meet with you'. That 'someone' was a newly hired associate that knew nothing of her company and barely spent 45 minutes with her.
She couldn't believed she flew all the way from Minneapolis for only 45 minutes with someone who would forget she was ever there.
Feeling very low and discouraged, she pushed the elevator button. Tara waited and listened to the country band playing in the main hotel bar nearby.
She stood five feet, eight inches tall wearing a burgundy turtleneck sweater that rested loosely around her neck, black tailored slacks, black heels that she had just bought for this trip and her blonde hair worn up loosely; held up in a clip.
On one hand, she could not wait to get her clothes off and crawl into bed and forget this waste of a trip ever happened. But on the other hand, she really enjoyed listening to the band as she waited for her elevator.
The 'ding' of the elevator reminded her that she had to choose now. She decided that she'd leave the elevators and sit in the bar for a glass of wine before she headed up to her room.
The bar was dimly lit, which pleased her as she really didn't want to be noticed. She had a terrible day and just wanted to relax and have a glass of wine. There was not much of a crowd. She was able to pick a comfortable booth out of the way in the corner and immediately was taken care of by the cocktail waitress on duty. After the waitress brought her wine, Tara paid for the drink and felt that she was all set to enjoy a few songs and sip her glass of wine and just unwind from the day.
She took the clip out of her hair and let it fall to her shoulders. Then slipped off her painful shoes and leaned back in the booth and sighed.
She looked around the bar noticing the thin crowd all turned facing the band enjoying their music....except for one.
He was facing her, and no doubt watched her every move since she entered the room. When her eyes met his, he immediately gave her a smile and tipped his head as to say hello. Then looked away toward the band.
Tara was fairly attracted to him as far as she could tell with the dim lighting. He was wearing blue jeans, cowboy boots and a denim shirt that had obviously been pressed. He was clean-shaven and had all dark features .. hair, eyebrows and eyes.
Tara was not looking for a man tonight--especially after her recent separation from her husband. She was very confused about what she wanted right now in her life. She decided to finish her wine and head upstairs.
Just as she was about to get up, though, the waitress brought her another glass of wine and informed her it was compliments of the dark-haired gentleman that had captured her attention.
She didn't know what to do. Honestly, the glass of wine looked delightful and she was definitely feeling better after the first glass. She decided she would accept it and thanked the waitress.
The dark-haired gentleman got up from his chair and headed toward Tara. She realized that a slow song had just started and guessed he was about to ask her to dance.
Sure enough, he extended his hand and she looked up at him. In that moment, she could not believe her eyes. He was gorgeous! His eyes sparkled as he smiled at her and she could not resist him. She accepted by placing her hand on his and got up to follow him to the dance floor.
His hands were warm and his touch was gentle. He held her securely. Tara felt right at home in his arms immediately. It had been so long since someone held her like this on the dance floor.
It was very romantic as they swayed back and forth enjoying the closeness. Tara soon put her head on his chest. She was almost testing him to see what he would do next. He just seemed to soak up her body into his and they melted together even closer.
"Mmmmmmm", she thought to herself and sighed outloud and smiled. She smelled the cologne on his chest and knew right away it was Gio, her favorite.
She wondered what would happen if she unbuttoned a button or two on his shirt. She imagined doing so and closed her eyes and daydreamed that she would reach in his shirt and caress his soft, furry chest.
He kissed the top of her head and immediately she thought, "Oh, what the hell..."
She slowly took her hands from his waist, still swaying with him and unbuttoned a button from his shirt; and then another. She turned to face his chest to kiss it and to deeply inhale once again the wonderful cologne scent. He mistook her intentions and took his hand and gently lifted her chin to his face and their eyes locked and they both leaned in to the other for a very wonderful and explosive kiss.
It was at that moment she had thoughts of the possibility of inviting him up to her room. But...what was she thinking? She didn't know his name, where he lived, if he was married?! But she couldn't help but leave those thoughts behind. She was turned on from his gentleness and the way they seemed to click and meld to each other without speaking one word. She wanted more..
They kissed passionately and their bodies were pressed together. For a moment, they both forgot they were in public until the slow music ended and a more upbeat song started.
"Damn! The song is over!", Tara thought to herself as their lips unlocked. She feared that perhaps this was all he wanted--just a dance.
But happily, she knew from his body language, he was clearly telling her he was thinking what she was thinking.
It was a bit awkward for a moment. Then Tara led him by the hand back over to the booth she was sitting in, grabbed her shoes and purse and escorted him out of the bar toward the elevators.