It had started with a story, published on the 'net. Jen had read my efforts and sent me an e-mail, at the website. One thing had led to another and soon we had exchanged stories and a picture of ourselves. Gradually, we had become friends and then virtual lovers. Although we had yet to meet, I had seen her wearing nothing more than a wide smile and I knew she had to be a very special person. Jen had suggested that it was time to meet and had promised that she could make reality better than any fantasy.
This was how I came to be walking into a bar, near a railway station, in a town I hardly knew from a dot on a map. I blinked as I crossed the threshold, trying to accustom my eyes to the dimness. I scanned the room, my eyes flicking over the drinkers at the bar, sinking a swift beer in their lunchtime. The only seat I could not see the occupant of was in a corner booth, close to the jukebox. I walked slowly over, pausing at the counter to order coffee from the bartender. Carrying a steaming mug of surprisingly good, freshly ground, coffee, I approached the booth.
Jen was sat, with a glass of white wine in front of her. I could see her wristwatch, peeping from below the cuff of her silk blouse and I guessed that she had looked at it, just as I came in. I coughed and she looked up at me, her lips curving slightly in a polite smile, which became broader as she recognised my face. Jen slipped out of her seat and slipped her arms around me, hugging me gently and planting a delicate, fragrant kiss on my cheek. I could smell her perfume, fresh and slightly lemony, and feel the vitality that coursed through her body.
"Jen, it's good to meet you. You're even more lovely than your picture suggests." I told her, my voice just loud enough for only her to hear.
"Thank you," she laughed, "You're quite dashing yourself."
I spent a moment feasting upon the sight in front of me. Jen had chosen a white silk blouse with mandarin collar, with a dark blue suit, skirt and jacket, A pair of sapphire earrings glimmered behind the heavy curtain of hair. She was even more slender and willowy than her photographs suggested, and I felt lumbering and awkward, next to her natural, almost feline grace. I guessed that her hose was silk and the heeled pumps were fine leather.
I could feel Jen's eyes roving over my own appearance. I had chosen a very pale blue cotton Oxford shirt, a co-ordinating necktie and a very dark charcoal suit with a vest. I took my spectacles off and polished them on the silk handkerchief that I kept for the purpose and let her look at my grey-blue eyes, before slipping them back on.
I sipped my coffee and watched as Jen curled her long, elegant fingers around the stem of her wineglass. She sipped, pursing her lips and letting a thin trickle of wine into her mouth. I imagined the taste of her mouth and remembered how, a moment ago, her body had been pressed lightly against mine. I thought of the key to the hotel suite I had booked, in my pocket and my breath caught in my throat, my mouth suddenly dry. Jen looked up into my eyes and I was sure, by the knowingness of her smile, that she had read my thoughts.
Jen set the wineglass on the table and reached out to touch the back of my hand. The touch of her fingertips burned like ice, sending sparks of desire through my body and igniting a furnace in my loins. She slowly stroked her fingernail along the back of my fingers, touching me so lightly that it felt like a breath against my skin. The scent of her perfume seemed to sharpen a little and it became more intense. She closed her eyes for a moment, catching her bottom lip between her teeth and drawing in a hiss of breath. I frowned in concern.
"Are you alright?" I asked, "You seemed to have a twinge."
"I'm ok," Jen answered, "it's nothing really. Have you finished your coffee? I hope you have something interesting planned for the afternoon."
Smiling, I stood up and offered her my hand. She slipped her fingers into my palm and rose to her feet, as I curled my fingers over hers. I tossed a couple of notes onto the table and led her out into the daylight. Less than fifty yards away, in the parking lot, I had a car waiting. It was hired, because I had taken the train into town, but the hire company had exactly the car I had requested. Jen's eyes shone as she looked over the gleaming, dark blue, Jaguar. The paintwork was almost as dark as her suit and the chrome spun rays of afternoon sunlight across the pavement. I opened the door and helped her into the passenger seat, then hurried round to slip behind the wheel.
Jen leaned back in her seat and looked out of the window as we drove. The quiet between us was not hostile, nor oppressive, more companionable. I felt the gentle press of her fingers, as she rested her hand on my thigh. Classical music, I cannot remember what tune or even the composer, drifted from the car CD player. The drive seemed to last forever and, at the same time was over all too quickly. I steered the car under the portico of the hotel I had chosen and handed the keys to the doorman. We crossed the lobby to the elevators and slipped into a waiting car, just before the doors closed. Jen had a leather purse tucked under her arm and I could feel the corner brushing against my suit jacket, as she moved closer to me. The scent of her skin and hair seemed to fill with a fresh sweetness and I wanted to pull her close to me, so that I could feel her body pressed against me.
The elevator door slid open and we stepped out into a quiet hallway. I took Jen's hand and led her down the corridor to the suite I had chosen last night. Unlocking the door, I gestured for her to step inside. The door clicked shut behind me and, at last, I had Jen to myself. I caught her by her hands and drew her close, sliding my hands around her waist. She opened her mouth to speak, but my lips were on hers and we were kissing, passionately. My tightening my arms around her, I pressed my tongue against her lips. She opened her mouth and sucked gently on my tongue, drawing it inside. Our tongues explored each others mouths, probing and twining together.
