Clay, a fellow realtor at London House, the most successful real estate agency in West Los Angeles, had last Tuesday lured Alex to a biker bar in the San Fernando Valley. The evening began well for the coworkers, playing pool and mixing it up with some of Clay's buddies. His imposing physical presence provided her with a feeling of security, his athletic build and rippling muscles serving as an effective deterrent to unwanted advances.
As the evening wore on, Clay became increasingly drunk, leaving her to fend for herself. Todd, one of Clay's buds, had accosted her, shoving her into the bar's seedy restroom, and evened a score. Clay had hugged and kissed Todd's old lady a few months back, now he returned the favor. Todd kissed, hugged, and dry humped Alex in the woman's restroom, just stopping short of actually fucking her. It was her first taste of public sex.
The restroom attack, combined with Clay's drunkenness, left Alex feeling increasingly vulnerable, so she ducked out the side door and jumped in her car. Before speeding off, Todd appeared at the driver side window, waving her forgotten leather jacket. "Damn," she blurted. In her haste to leave, she had left it behind. He wanted a ride home, but more urgently, she needed to escape the sleazy biker bar before Clay and his buddies came looking for her. Todd had earlier kept his word and exhibited some restraint, engaging only in what he called "hugs and kisses." It turned out to be much more intense than hugs and kisses, but he revealed a hint of honesty. She felt she could trust him.
Outside his apartment, Todd grabbed Alex's keys and insisted she come in for coffee. Her driving was erratic, so he convinced her to sober up before hitting the road. Unknown to her, the coffee was spiked with a generous amount of brandy. The two savored the hardy brew, shared a joint, and talked easily about themselves. She was a young widow with limited sexual experience. He had been an active member of the Gypsy Jokers, an outlaw motorcycle gang, and a football player at Penn State, graduating with a degree in psychology.
Todd displayed infinite patience and sensitivity, first engaging her in lively conversation, and then affectionate kissing and petting. The sensual foreplay slowly morphed into mind numbing sex. His snoring awoke her at 4:30, leaving her little time to return home before the morning rush hour. She was sore, upper thighs slightly bruised, breasts tender and reddened, but deeply satisfied. She left a note that read: "Thanks for the incredible fuck. Call me." She impulsively wrote down her home phone number.
Alex awoke at noon, hung over, aching from last nights encounter with Todd. She showered, put in a half day at the office, successfully avoiding Clay. She was still mad at him. Before returning home, she visited Lily, her favorite masseuse, for a life rejuvenating massage.
By seven, Alex had taken a Jacuzzi, sorted through her mail, and listen to several phone messages, all concerning real estate. She was nursing a cup of tea when the phone rang. She picked up on the third ring. It was Todd.
"Jeez Alex, thanks for the good time last night."
"Oh Todd, forgive me."
"Why?"
"I think I had too much to drink. The evening is mostly a blur," she lied. She remembered quite clearly the events at the biker bar, and especially the sensual foreplay and wild sex at his apartment. She was still sore from the night's activities. Images of last night's sex suddenly embarrassed her, compounded by the fact that she was now talking to the man who had so superbly ravished her willing body.
"To me it was a ball buster."
"What?"
"Alex, you fucking drained me."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"That's a good thing. Listen, I've got a favor to ask you."
"That's what got me in trouble last night."
"Saturday night, the West Coast chapter of the Gypsy Jokers is throwing a surprise party for the chapter president. I'd like you to be my date."
"Thanks for the invitation, but I don't think I'm up to a biker party."
"It'll be a blast. I'm on good terms with the club."
"I thought you said you were an ex-biker."
"Once a Gypsy Joker, always a gypsy Joker. I'm just on inactive status, supporting my brothers, but not on a daily basis. Anyway, I'd love you to come."
"I'm sorry. I'm still trying to recuperate from last night."
"Hey babe, you were digging me last night."
"I was drunk. You took advantage of me."
"So, why did you leave the thank you note? You said, and I quote, 'Thanks for the great fuck'."
"I was still drunk. The liquor was speaking for me."
"That's not how I see it. So, is it no?"
"I'm not crazy about the biker party, but I would like to see you, this time sober." Alex didn't want to drive him away, but she needed some time. Her life was suddenly becoming too complicated. First it was Vinny, the East Coast mobster, then Clay the pesky realtor, and now Todd. She had been married for ten years, and a grieving widow for one. The last few months, however, were insane. She needed to slow down.
"It sounds like no."
There was a moment of silence before Alex spoke. "I need some time."
"Why don't you sleep on it. I'll call you tomorrow."
"Thanks, Todd. Sometimes a girl needs space."
"Got yah. We'll touch base tomorrow."
Todd was gone, leaving her the space she needed. She felt frustrated, out of sorts, definitely ambivalent about the biker party.
Alex put in a long day at London House, closing a big real estate sale, the biggest of her career. She was elated, but didn't have anyone eager to celebrate her big sale. Her coworkers, actually vicious competitors, were more envious than elated at her recent coup. She returned home late, soaked in her Jacuzzi, and savored a glass of cabernet. Downstairs she lit a fire and poured a second glass of wine. Before taking a sip, the phone rang. She picked up on the fourth ring. It was Todd.
"Hey Alex, it's Todd."
"What's up?"
"I'm following up on last night's proposition."
"Oh, you don't give a gal time to catch her breath."
"Sorry, I've been bothered by your reluctance."
"What?"
"You seemed standoffish last night."
There was a slight pause and then Alex said, "I was just hesitant about going to a biker party."