I was in this huge crowded casino in the Bellagio. There for a conference all her colleagues convinced her to go down to gamble. They wanted to dress up and drink and play the tables. None of it appealed to her...ok, she liked to dress up. That appealed to her. So I put on this sleeveless, low V-neck cocktail dress that came in at my small waist. My colleagues might be shocked at my chest as they've only seen me way covered up and minimizing, but hey -- Vegas is Vegas and I really liked this green dress. A little sparkly necklace with a pendant that dropped at the start of my cleavage, a dab of body oil and some sandals. Vegas was hot and I wasn't bothering with hose. In the mirror, I applied some light makeup and it was sufficient. She checked herself one more time in the mirror and nodded sufficiently. If I were going to have a dreadful night, at least I looked halfway decent. Strike that, I looked good. A dab of red lipgloss and I was on the elevator.
Damn this place was gigantic. But it seemed that everyone was headed to either the restaurants or the casino. Texts from my colleagues let me know they were already in there and where I could find them. I headed in to the room.
It was packed. And all the workers seemed to have large, surgically-enhanced everything making me think a T-shirt saying "unenhanced" would be hilarious here. Gotta keep my sense of humor.
I stopped at a blackjack table and chose to watch. Those around this table were all dressed up as opposed to the mixture of the rest of the casino where anything goes regarding clothes. But this table were three men in suits and a few women elegantly outfitted and bejeweled. I must have come across a high dollar table. The one man that I was watching had no facial expression as he won and lost, betting hand after hand. I could read NOTHING on his face -- almost jealous because my face was a tell-all book. In the next 15 minutes I watched this man in his fancy thousand dollar suit lose $50,000. He didn't smile, frown -- anything. He was just a statue there, but he lost enough money to make a big difference in people's lives and didn't blink an eye. I felt sick. Literally, get of there fast sick!
I tried to find the exit through the maze of people and tables. And in my haste ran straight in to you. And as soon as I did, someone pushed me from behind further in to you having you have to steady me so we both didn't fall. I was somewhat smashed in to you and tried to straighten out. Strong arms steadied me and your eyes on mine -- "are you okay? There are some folks here in a big rush."
Something about still being smashed in to you, your hands still on my arms to steady me, your green eyes close up, and your raspy voice I felt this immediate reaction -- one I was NOT used to. One that had been a stranger for some time. Ok, Marci, pull yourself together. I steady myself and you ask again, "Are you okay?" and you smile...then your eyes wander down. Instead of feeling the cringe I so often feel when that happens, I enjoy the movement of heat that is swirling now within me.
"I am. I'm fine. I was in a rush to leave and then apparently everyone needed to be in my direction. I'm sorry for bumping straight in to you."
You eye my cleavage more obviously now and smirk, "Trust me. That was all my pleasure. Glad you're okay. Do you mind me asking why you were leaving?"
I told you about the man at the blackjack table and you nodded. "You don't know if before you got to the table he won 10x that much or even lost it. Gambling can get really ugly. It's not for me."
"Me either!"
"Why don't I escort you out of this madhouse then so you don't get stampeded and perhaps we can find a quieter place to talk." You didn't wait for my nod, you just confidently led me out. I texted my colleagues that I was no longer going to the gambling room and to enjoy their night.
Without any trouble, you hung on to my arm and guided me out of the maze of the gambling room to the open area of the hotel. It was so exquisite. You find a small side area with some couches and tables. We sit and out of nowhere one of the "enhanced" cocktail waitress asks if we want anything. We order a drink and she's off.
The conversation is way too easy for a stranger, but the commonalities were there. The work conference, the lack of gambling interest, food, football. But with each easy conversation the chemistry built. There was some fun sexual innuendo and you read my responses. Perfectly. Too perfectly. I felt myself blush....flush....whatever and I excused myself to the ladies room where, as I was washing my hands, I looked in the mirror. The flush on my face was so obvious. My nipples were poking through my bra. I found you oh so attractive, but it was more than that. It was as if our chemistry lit up the room. It was definitely causing a river inside me. It had been a very long time since I felt any of these same feelings and I didn't even know what to do with them. I realized I didn't even know your name. Not knowing where the evening was headed, I went back to the couch and you stood up -- gentlemanly. But when I sat down, you sat closer to me. And instead of picking up the conversation, you brushed your thumb on my flushed cheek and said, "You're very warm." My mouth had no more fluid in it. Swallowing and trying to find some, your thumb just brushing my cheek. "Hot, actually." Your eyes in to mine. Where was this coming from, this insane desire. And being read so easily. You seemed so calm and I was a trembling bundle of nerves.
"I should go."