Stephany didn't like her boss's instruction that she would have to start working on Saturday mornings, even though he told her she would have Wednesdays off. With her husband working on Wednesdays, she would be on her own and knew Tony would hate the idea of her having to work on Saturdays, even if it was only till midday. It had started a month ago and like other Wednesdays, she was having lunch in a local coffee shop
'May I take this seat?'
Surprised by the man's request, Stephany looked up at him.
Cup in hand he was smiling as he placed his hand on the back of the empty chair. 'Do you mind if I join you?'
Without looking around to see if there were other empty seats, Stephany nodded, 'No, take it.' As she watched him pull the chair out and sit down she hoped he wasn't going to be a nuisance.
'Lovely day isn't it.'
Stephany nodded, unable to take her eyes off him.
'I'm here on business for a few weeks. Usually, I have to eat on my own, so it's nice to have company for lunch.'
'Oh!' was all she could think of to reply.
For several seconds he looking directly into her eyes 'My name is Stephen,' he told her.
His deep voice had a foreign accent, Stephany thought it was European but not German or French. Without even thinking she told him her name and forgot the idea that he might be a nuisance.
'Do you always have lunch on your own?'
'Just Wednesdays, it's the day I'm not working.' As she told him she wondered why she added that she wasn't working on Wednesdays.
'it's nice to have such attractive company for a little while during the day.'
At twenty-three and with her tall, slim figure, Stephany knew she was attractive, but to hear this stranger tell her so openly made her blush.
'Would you like another coffee?' His deep, smooth, almost whispered question interrupted the thoughts that were entering her mind.
Slightly worried by her thoughts, for a moment she hesitated. Then for the first time, she smiled at him. 'Yes please.' As she watched him leave the table Stephany realized how tall he was and how immaculately dressed he was in a dark blue suit.
While Stephen was getting their coffee, Stephanie tried to get her head around the thoughts and feelings she was unexpectedly having about him. She certainly found him attractive. But there was something else that was holding her interest in him. Something she tried not to consider. But the thoughts were already in her head.
With a smile, Stephany thanked him for the coffee and looked more closely at Stephen as he sat down. Probably just over six feet. In his mid-forties perhaps, she thought. Athletic or he took regular exercise. Nice features, slightly tanned. Such dark blue eyes.
'How long have you been coming here on a Wednesday?'
His question broke her train of thought. 'About a month,' she replied, as she looked at him over the rim of her coffee cup. Adding his smile to her list of things she was liking even more about him. Then she remembered she was a married woman and should stop this. But his smile kept her attention upon him and diminished her concern.
'What do you usually do on Wednesday?'
Her answer came easily. 'Shopping, and browsing,' she smiled. 'You know what us girls are like. It's not a man thing, is it?' she asked without realizing what she was saying. Then hoping that like most men, he hated shopping. Her husband was definitely one of them, she couldn't remember the last time they went shopping together.
'I'd like to go shopping with you,' he replied with a responding smile.
'Oh!' she laughed, 'no you wouldn't.'
'Yes, I would. I'd like to buy you something very special for allowing me to enjoy lunch with you.'
Stephanie looked at Stephen not quite believing just what he has told her. What did he mean by something very special? Something inside her head wanted to say no, but other thoughts were telling her she wanted to know what he had in mind.
'Tell me, Stephen, what would you want to buy an old married lady like me.' Oh God, that was such a stupid thing to say, as she hid behind her mug of coffee.
He gave her a big smile and reached across the table for her hand. 'Finish your coffee and you'll find out.'
At the touch of his hand on hers, she almost choked on her coffee. It was like an electric jolt that made her gasp. Instantly, as his hand tightened around hers, Stephany knew he had noticed. When she looked down at their hands and saw his large, tanned hand wrapped around her slender, pale fingers it made her pulse race. She instinctively knew he already had a hold over her.
Before she could gather her thoughts, Stephen was standing beside her. Now his hand was on her elbow, encouraging her to stand while also pulling her chair back. 'I think you are ready for some serious shopping,' his deep voice whispered in her ear.
Standing beside him, she confirmed he was over six-foot-tall, just tall enough that she had to look up into his eyes. 'Where are you taking me?'
'Not far, about ten minute's walk.'
Stephany never expected she would ever allow herself to be led into the most exclusive lingerie shop in town by an almost strange man and certainly not a foreign gentleman.
Somehow Stephen and the manager had made it seem so ordinary that a man would be buying her lingerie. Thirty minutes later they both left with Stephany carrying one of their designer bags containing four items of very expensive, very exclusive underwear. Ten minutes later they were again sitting in the coffee shop.
After their coffee was served it seemed quite acceptable to Stephany when Stephen took her hand in his. 'That wasn't so embarrassing, was it?'
Stephany smiled at the feel of her hand in his. 'No, the manager was quite wonderful.' Stephany had been more aroused than embarrassed as the manager had measured her and then discussed the different garments Stephen had suggested for her.