Who doesn't know the tingle of rising anticipation that builds up during the interminable wait for that one very special package that must soon arrive on the doorstep. Then the sense of excitement as trembling fingers eagerly unwrap and lay bare that one prized, most longed-for gift?
Max felt that old familiar tingle of anticipation as he once again let his eyes take in the breathtaking beauty of the tall languid woman who lounged back into the yielding cushions of his deep green divan. He admired the way her elegant hand fluttered in the air as if to brush off some casual remark. Frederika was in no particular hurry to get on with the business that had brought them together. He was once again fascinated by the way she moved -- the easy grace of the ex-model as she settled back, deliberately placing the coffee cup on the table between them, then easing back into the leather cushion; painted lips widening in a gracious smile. A smile just for him. She was one of those women whose easy charm could make a man feel accepted -- that he was the only man in the world.
He couldn't help smiling back at the easy way she crossed those long attractive legs. She was secretly pleased to see his eyes light up at the casually provocative display she so innocently provided him with. Over her coffee cup, she watched the man, watching her.
The unbuttoned jacket of her tailored business suit fell open; the narrow skirt riding up a few more inches as she shifted in her seat. Her easy smile never left her face, as with studied nonchalance several inches of an enticing nyloned leg were now uncovered. That sliver of newly-exposed thigh filled him with incredible longing, an overwhelming desire to sample what she showed to him -- to slide a hungry hand along the length of that leg fully savoring the slick smoothness of that subtle feminine contour.
It was that certain air that Frederika had; that total lack of concern, that he found so provocative; the way his beautiful visitor managed to carry that little bit of sexual display with such aplomb, such supreme indifference. Not for the first time, he found himself captivated by those lovely legs; falling in love with them all over again. For Max loved those legs and the beauty to whom they belonged, but, alas, he knew that love could never be. For Max well knew that Frederika's preferences ran decidedly towards her own sex: choice young girls and the most exquisite women, stunning models and attractive actresses passed through those elegant hands in an endless parade.
"Frederika, how kind of you to come. But you needn't have personally made that long tiring trip all the way from Paris. Surely Hector could have seen to the delivery?"
" But Max, darling, It was no bother at all. I would be remiss if I didn't give valued clients like you my personal attention. Besides, the trains are really quite comfortable, these days; we had reserved our own private day coach, of course. And I had Hector tag along. He's really such a treasure. Then too, we took the girl with us in our cabin. It was Hector's idea that she would share our chamber. As it turned out, she provided an amusing diversion to wile away the hours. All in all, not what one would call an unpleasant trip."
"An amusing diversion?"
Frederika's knowing smile widened, her gleaming lips turning up ever so slightly.
"Yes, well traveling with servants can be such a bore, but since the girl was there; one could say we brought along our own entertainment."
"Really? Do tell?"
His bright-eyed guest shifted forward on the sofa. "Well, it was a terribly hot day. There we were, rolling through the countryside in a warm and stuffy railroad car, one of those coaches with sealed windows. Really such an annoyance! The best we could do was to draw the blinds to keep out the afternoon sun. The cars on the Blue Train are not air-conditioned, as you know. It got warmer as the day wore on. You know how it is on those long train trips: the monotonous click of the wheels, the swaying coach, the afternoon heat; it all lulls one into a kind of lethargy. Soon we were looking at each other, hopelessly bored. I put down my magazine, looked at my watch, and stretched; Hector looked up at me with that inquisitive look he has; he's such a pet, sooo sensitive to my every mood.
'Hector darling, I'm bored. Isn't there something to do?'
He rolled his eyes. 'Ah, Frederika my pet, but you are so easily bored. Hummm....what shall we do with you...what shall we do? How does one amuse a bored princess? "What to do...what to do? Yesss...I know! What our princess needs is a toy...some pretty bauble to play with. I know! I wonder if Astrid here could be asked to help out to ease your boredom.' We laughed.