Another weekend party at the neighbors.
They were a young couple, in their early twenties, and very friendly. Teá, of course, wanted to go party. I wasn't so sure. Of the two of us, I'm the more antisocial, preferring more intimate gatherings to the usual loud parties couples their age seem to throw.
"For fucks sake, are you 32 or 102?" Teá had asked. "Don't be an old fart. You'll have fun. Besides," she leaned in, eyes shining mischievously, "Leigh is exactly the type of woman you used to . . . enjoy. And don't think I haven't seen the way you two look at each other."
I smiled in spite of myself. Teá loved to tease. It didn't hurt that she was right. Leigh was exactly the type of woman I would have gone for when I was single. Petite, athletic, small breasted. Not at all like Teá's incredibly sexy curves.
"Alright, alright, I'll go," I answered. "But if it turns out to be full of 50 college boys taking turns doing shots and barfing in the pool, I'm outta there."
She laughed. "Sweetie, if there are 50 college boys at the party, I won't NEED you to be there . . ."
I grinned and smacked her on the ass.
"Mmmmm, save some of that for later . . . old man." She was five years younger than my 32 years, and loved teasing me about it. She bit my neck playfully. "Now go get ready."
I dressed casual. Button-fly jeans, and a black t-shirt, with a pair of black hiking boots. Teá, of course, dressed a bit more elegant. A flowing, long, lavender skirt that accentuated her figure, and a clingy, white camisole-type blouse. She wore her deep brown hair loose to her shoulders, and topped the outfit off with a pair of white wedge-type shoes.
"You look beautiful," I whispered to her as she came down the stairs.
"Thank you," she smiled. "You don't look so bad yourself." She rubbed the light stubble on my chin. "I wish you would have shaved, though."
I smiled and shrugged. It was an old argument with us. I shaved for work, and any formal occasion, but otherwise I didn't bother. She had come to accept it as a personality quirk, albeit one that still elicited the occasional comment.
She shook her head and smiled. "Let's go."
I held out my arm for her. She took it, and I led her outside.
It was a short walk to the neighbor's house. The house seemed kinda dark for a party, and when we got close to the door, we could hear music coming from the back yard. Shrugging to Teá, I led her around the house toward the gate in the six foot stockade fence. Deciding it would be silly to knock on a fence, I pulled the gate opened for Teá, and we stepped through together.
I was pleasantly surprised. There were only about 20 or so people there. Most of them lounging on lawn furniture, or talking in small groups. There was, of course, alcohol, but it was hardly the scene I had expected. There were several people there who seemed to be in their early thirties.
"Teá!"
Leigh came walking over, and my jaw nearly dropped. She was wearing a white skirt that came to just above her knees, with a black tank top and a pair of sandals, her brown hair straight and loose, and coming past her shoulders. Her green eyes sparkled, and her full lips curved into a smile. I had met her a few times over the winter, and found her attractive, but this is the first time I had seen her since it turned to spring. Her body was on display with the warmer weather, and Teá was right. Leigh was exactly the type I would have chased.
"I didn't think you were going to make it."
Teá smiled as Leigh came closer. "I wasn't sure whether or not I'd get grumpy out of the house, tonight," she said, gesturing to me.
Leigh laughed, and looked at me. "Well, I'm glad you did. Hi John."
I returned the smile. "Thanks for having us."
"My pleasure." Her eyes slid down my body quickly, before she turned back toward Teá. "Would you like some wine?"
"I'd love some," Teá answered.
We followed Leigh to the bar they had set up, my eyes slipping low to watch her tight rear wiggle in the skirt. Teá squeezed my arm and chuckled, knowing exactly what I was looking at.
Leigh stopped at the bar and poured a glass of wine for Teá. I took a beer.
The two women quickly slipped into some small talk and I looked around the yard. I saw Derek come out of the house, his eyes scanning the yard, no doubt for Leigh. He spotted us quickly, and began to walk toward us, smiling. I nodded a greeting and held out my hand to him. He took it and shook it firmly.
"Enjoying yourself?" he asked.
I nodded. "Thanks for the invite."
He shrugged noncommittally. "Leigh usually handles the guest list."
"Hey, baby," Leigh said, smiling up at him and sliding into his arms. "Where you been hiding?"
He kissed her cheek. "Just tired. I'll be alright."
Leigh frowned slightly.
"Now, now, Derek," Teá stepped close to him, threading her arm in his, causing his eyes to widen slightly. "Plenty of time for sleep later. For now, you have to introduce me to your guests."
Teá led a slightly bewildered Derek toward a nearby cluster of guests. I grinned at their retreating backs. "I almost feel sorry for him. She'll have him up 'til sunrise if she wants it."
Leigh laughed, and looked at me, smiling.
My eyes met hers, and I took a sip of my beer. Her green eyes held mine for a moment, before she looked away, a slight blush forming on her cheeks. A small, half-smile formed on my lips. Teá had always told me that my eyes had a penetrating quality that made them seem to have the ability to look right through you. To read your very soul . . . your thoughts. What intrigued me was just what thoughts were in her head to make her blush.
She glanced back to me after a moment, tossing her head slightly.
"Would you like to meet the other guests?" she asked.
The small half smile never left my lips, and I shook my head slightly. My eyes never left hers. "I'm fine where I am." I've flirted with Leigh since the first time I met her. It was always fairly innocent, though, and was always returned. I always enjoyed it—what kind of man wouldn't enjoy flirting with a sexy younger woman?—and it was obvious by her reactions that she did, as well. This time, however, things seemed different. The blushes, for one. And the way she couldn't quite hold my eyes. I probably shouldn't have continued, but I couldn't seem to stop myself. She smiled, but it was still an uncomfortable smile. I decided to let her off the hook. Temporarily, at least. "But, if you want to mingle, we can."
She looked at me a moment, licking her kips slightly, then shrugged and looked away. "I'm fine . . . I've already said my hellos." She tried to appear calm, but the way she began chewing her lower lip slightly gave away the lie.
I thought I'd try to put her at ease a bit. "So, how do you like our little corner of the country?"
"I love it," she answered. "I'm glad we came here." She visibly relaxed, as if thrilled to have a safe subject to speak of.
"So am I," I answered, my voice low, like a caress; my eyes still looking at her intently. She still didn't meet them, fully. Just glanced at me occasionally. Her face was still flushed. I began to feel a bit guilty. "It's a nice little community. Plenty of good people here."
"Leigh!" Derek called out from a nearby cluster of people. "You've got to hear this!"
I tilted my head to the side slightly, and held out my arm to her. "Shall we?"
She hesitated only a moment before slipping her arm through mine.
* * *
The night wore on. Oddly enough, I spent most of my time talking to Leigh. Teá was always on the move, being her usual social butterfly self. But I didn't mind. Leigh was ravishing. And as the night wore on, and the alcohol was disappearing, she became more and more relaxed around me. And the more relaxed she got, the more she settled back into the young woman I had come to know. And my flirting began to be returned.
At first it was harmless compliments. My eyes, or the tattoo of the eagle on my right bicep. Then it became a bit more risqué . . . like the way I filled out my clothes. The more we talked, the more she forgot about the rest of the party. All except Derek, of course. She seemed to be on the constant lookout for him. I got the impression that flirting with me right under his nose was arousing her in some way, and at the same time, she was loathe to get caught doing something seemingly indecent.
I wasn't the only one that noticed, either. Teá snaked her hand around my arm while I made my way back to the bar alone.
"Enjoying yourself?" she purred in my ear.
I smiled. "I'm having a pretty good time, yeah. You?"
"Oh, I'm doing just fine."
We walked on a few steps in silence. Then . . .
"You going to fuck her?"
I missed a step, and nearly dropped my empty bottle. I shook my head. "Jesus Teá."
She laughed, a low throaty laugh that reminded me of my last experience with another woman. The one I keep jokingly referring to as the Kit episode.