Life had become stale, predictable. The same routine every day, the same things to "look forward" to. The same faces, the same expectations, the same everything. She was in a rut and felt it every day.
Don't misunderstand, there was so much in her life she loved. She loved her husband, her kids, her house. She had a great but stressful job that brought in good money. She wasn't dependent on anyone, and had so much to be thankful for. But there was definitely something unfulfilled inside of her, and -- she could tell -- inside her husband as well.
He had become frustrated and distracted lately. She knew something had been on his mind but she didn't know what. Was he cheating on her? No, he wouldn't do that, she knew better. Still, there was something...
Chapter 1: Introductions
Alice and Jim hadn't had a date night in about three months. Circumstances with work, kids, and life just always seemed to get in the way and Alice had been exhausted. She really wasn't looking forward to going out tonight but Jim had asked and she was feeling guilty. She had reluctantly agreed to go, and now as she was getting ready she was regretting it.
Jim had told her where they were going but she hadn't really been paying much attention. Some boring bar there there wasn't even a dance floor. He wanted to play pool apparently. Fine, then, dinner and pool. At least there will be beer, that'll make it tolerable.
Alice finished putting on her make up and took another look at herself in the mirror. *I'm gorgeous* she laughed to herself. She knew Jim thought so. He generally couldn't keep his eyes, or hands, off her. She would always catch him watching her, mentally undressing her, and admiring her from wherever he was. It both flattered and annoyed her. She loved the attention but just something about how constant it was bugged her. Like she was being put on display and constantly scrutinized. So irritating!
She shook off the thought and continued getting ready. She knew Jim wanted her to dress in some kind of revealing outfit. But fuck him, *I'm going to be comfortable* she thought. A nice top, her favorite jeans that made her ass look hot as hell, and her nice leather jacket. *Perfect*.
Jim, of course, had been ready to go almost an hour ago and was sitting out waiting for her. As she walked out she saw him and paused for just a second. Despite the fact that her husband of nearly 5 years annoyed her, she loved him and trusted him completely. He was handsome, and smart, and though she would never admit it to him, he made her laugh -- but don't encourage him!
He was dressed as usual. Jeans, simple t-shirt, shoes. She'd always wanted him to spruce up his style but he never bothered to spend money on himself. He spent money buying her clothes, lingerie, and gifts all the time, but never himself. She loved him, that was for certain. But she really didn't want to go out tonight!
Within minutes they were off. Driving to dinner there was no conversation. Alice put music on in the car and Jim reached his hand over to caress her leg while they were driving. Typical. Ordinary. Boring. But she loved this song! *I just hope he doesn't start talking in the middle of it!*
Dinner was decent and simple and unremarkable. Neither of them had wanted to eat much so it was quick. To Alice, Jim seemed... Distracted. There was something on his mind but she couldn't place it. He seemed nervous and anxious. And as usual when he was nervous, he talked too much and too fast. He was already irritating her but what was new? This man she loved drove her crazy. Was that normal? *I'm not normal* she mused then turned the music up louder.
Jim then suddenly announced they were here. *Where?* Alice looked around and couldn't really see any bars or clubs. There weren't a lot of people around. *Where the hell are we?*
Jim parked and came around to open her door. He was smiling. Why was he smiling? What was happening right now? Alice was confused. "I thought we were going to play pool?"
He smiled and reassured her, "We are, just not at the normal place. It's right up here." Jim gestured to a small unmarked door in the alley near where they had parked.
*What the hell? Where are we? Is he going to murder me or something?* She was confused, but he had truly surprised her. This was not normal. This was definitely something new. She was intrigued.
Jim extended his arm to her, "Trust me. This place is good" he reassured her as they walked to the door. "It's a speakeasy I discovered a few weeks ago. I met the owner, we got to talking about it, and he invited us to come. Getting an invitation is the only way to get in."
"You didn't tell me anything about that? What kind of speakeasy?" Alice was truly shocked that Jim hadn't said anything previously. He was always talking and sharing too much info but *this* he keeps quiet? And why is he acting so nervous still?
Alice waited as Jim approached the door and rang a tiny door bell at it's side. A moment later she heard the door being unlocked and watched as it opened. What happened next caught her completely off guard.
The man in the doorway was... Gorgeous. She was dumbstruck for a moment. Despite being likely twice her age, he was handsome, distinguished. He was dressed exquisitely head to toe in a tailored suit, he had a short goatee, gorgeous blue eyes, and a rough but distinguished look to his face. For just a moment she forgot where she was. *Fuck this man is sexy*
Jim's voice suddenly brought her back to the moment. "Alice, this is Tim. He's the owner."
She looked at Jim first, then shyly reached out her hand to greet this handsome stranger at the door. Instead of shaking her hand, he took it and kissed the top of it. "Hello, Alice. You're not going cause trouble in my bar are you?"
"What? Trouble? No, of course not" Alice struggled to gain her composure and looked over at Jim. He had a grin on his face. *What the hell is going on?*
Tim smiled, "Aw, I was kind of hoping you would. Come on in." He pulled the door open wider and gestured to come inside. Alice stepped forward and as she walked through the door, she couldn't help but feel this uncontrollable excitement well up inside her. *What is happening?*
Suddenly, Alice felt something new. Like she had fallen down the rabbit hole into some new and unexpected world.
*This is new* she thought. She looked back at her husband following her down the hallway as they followed their host. He was just staring at her, a smile in his eyes that she hadn't seen in a while.
Alice had no idea what adventure was about to unfold before her...
Chapter 2: Tensions
The hallway seemed to stretch forever as Alice and Jim followed their host into the speakeasy. But perhaps it just seemed that way? Alice was lost in thoughts she had found to be totally unexpected.
It took her a moment to realize that Tim, this handsome older gentleman, had taken her by the hand as they walked. She glanced back at Jim behind her. He was looking back at her with a slight smile on his lips and a mischievous glint in his eye.
They reached the end of the hallway and entered the main part of the speakeasy. It was decorated exquisitely. Dark but not brooding. Intimately lighted, a soft music playing in the background but not overpowering.
Oddly, even though there was a bar, there were very few people that Alice could see. The tables were situated in private booths around the room that Tim referred to as "confessionals". Alice laughed at that -- a free, honest laugh that was music to Jim's ears -- he loved seeing her enjoying herself.
Another detail that caught Alice's attention was that every table had a dedicated waitress -- and every one was gorgeous, young, and dressed provocatively, but graceful as they went about their business.
Tim showed Alice and Jim to their confessional table, and as they sat he began to tell the story of his speakeasy. It was a well rehearsed story that he had told a thousand times, but Alice found herself caught on his words and the sound of his voice. She could feel those words stoking a fire inside her.
A minute later, as if on queue, a young waitress came up behind Tim to his right, and a bartender came to up his left. "May I introduce Karen, your waitress for the evening, and Bobby, your bartender. Bobby will make any drink you'd like, and Karen will take care of any thing you need."
"But what if I want you to take care of things for us?" Alice joked -- far more flirty than she had anticipated. "I'm not going anywhere, dear. I'll be here," he motioned to the open room, "But I've got something to do then I'll be back." And with that he walked away. Alice watched him as he left... Becoming increasingly less aware that her husband Jim was still sitting there with her.
Reality snapped back as the bartender Bobby stepped forward and asked the couple what they would like. Jim spoke first, "Old fashioned, please."
"And for you, miss?"
It took Alice a minute to catch up. She had been lost in a thought after watching Tim walking away. "I'm sorry, beer please. Heineken?"
Bobby nodded and immediately moved away. Karen stepped forward and introduced herself. Seeing her really for the first time, Alice was instantly on guard. Karen was wearing a short tight dress that barely covered her. She was wearing boots that came up to her knees, and had long brown hair down the middle of her back. *Jim better not try to flirt with her!*
"If you need anything at all, just let me know. I'm here to take care of you!" Karen said with a smile. Alice realized that Karen had been staring at Jim the entire time. *Oh my God that bitch.*
Alice could feel herself getting irritated. The good feeling, that fire inside, that she had felt while Tim was there talking to her had faded as quickly as he had walked away and she found herself wanting it, wanting him, to come back.
Karen walked away and Jim finally spoke, "What do you think so far? Nice place huh?"
"Yeah, it's really nice. I love how it looks in here."
"Do you have any sins to confess?" Jim asked playfully.
"What? No! What do you mean?"
"We are in a confessional booth, remember?", Jim pointed to the small intimate booth they were in. From the opening, Alice could just barely catch glimpses of others in their booths. It really was private, and she really liked it.
"Oh, that, no, I don't have any sins to confess." She paused. Then quietly and quickly, and without really knowing why, she added, "At least not yet".
Moments later Karen returned with their drinks and immediately dashed away.
Much to be Alice's delight, Tim reappeared, leading another couple to their own private confessional. A slight twinge of jealously welled inside her as she watched and listened to him quietly giving the newcomers the same introduction he had given them. And just as before, Bobby and a waitress appeared right on cue.
But, much to Alice's delight, rather than walking away and leaving as soon as he was done, Tim turned to her and smiled, and a second later was walking back their way.
"Jim, would you mind terribly if I gave Alice a tour? There's quite a bit more to look at."
Suddenly that fire had lit inside Alice once again. She felt giddy, excited. *Oh my God, why am I feeling like this?!*
"I'd love to!" Alice said quickly, not waiting for Jim to respond. "But only if you show me everything! Even the places no one else can go!"
"I'll show you my office, then" Tim laughed.
"Go for it," Jim smiled back. "I'll be here waiting."
As Alice moved to exit the booth, Jim gave her a quick kiss and told her to have fun. Alice stood and took Tim's outstretched hand. As he began leading her out of the room, her heart was racing. The fire was building inside her, and she couldn't help but wonder what was going to happen next.
