I first met him by chance. Or so it seemed at the time. I think it was something he did, going around and hitting up girls my age. He was older, much older than me and at the time I only saw him as someone who was close to my dad's age. But it was the way he spoke, his wisdom, his experience, that got me interested in having dinner with him. I should have been more careful, but it wasn't that I was against it; it just felt taboo at the time before it happened.
He was a handsome man, close to forty years old and he knew that he looked good. He bragged about the things he had accomplished but he was also fun and he made me laugh. He did have a good knowledge about the financial world which was something I had almost been interested in. I was twenty-one at the time and though I have had my share of experiences, they all were with guys around my age.
We were sitting quite close in a secluded part of the restaurant, away from prying eyes. Initially we had been sitting across from each other but as he returned back from the bathroom, he slipped into the booth beside me. I didn't object after being on my third glass of whiskey. Although I am used to drinking, I had to admit that I was tipsy at the time even though I would never have admitted to being in that state.
I enjoyed his attention as he complimented how beautiful I looked. His hand brushed the hair away from my face as we talked, and he lightly massaged my neck when I complained it hurt from staring at the computer all day. He had magical fingers as he kneaded the sore muscles at the base of my neck.
He then left his arm around me as we were talking and started to rub my left shoulder.
"Okay--well, once we've finished off these drinks, what say we walk out of here together?" He ran a finger over my wrist so lightly it made the tiny hairs there prickle.
"You know somewhere else we can go?" I asked.
"The only place I know is my condo not far from here. We could relax and have some privacy there, unless you care to suggest somewhere better." I opened my mouth, but panic and excitement stalled any words. "Is that terribly forward of me, Bonnie?"
"Yes," I said, laughing in my nervousness. "Yes, it is."
"So does that mean you're saying no to the idea?"
He delivered the line with such lightness of touch that it disarmed me. "No. I mean, I'm not saying 'no'. Not necessarily..." He smiled and swigged his whiskey. I sipped my drink and eyed him over the glass, hoping that the thumping in my chest wasn't betrayed by any giveaway tics on my face. The taste of danger was stronger in my mouth than that of the mint.
"Drink up," he said.
I swallowed the rest of my drink, enjoying the effects of the alcohol as it slipped down my throat.
"Come on. Let's go?" he proffered, standing up and offering me his hand.
His smile drew out mine. I took his hand, rising and floated from the restaurant with this handsome stranger by my side. We walked the short distance out onto the sidewalk where he had already booked a Grab. He opened the back door for me and I slipped into the car's rear and enjoyed the frisson as my companion rested his frame next to me.
He gave directions to his place which was not far from where we just had dinner.
Already the car had slipped out from the kerbside into the stream of car lights. He ran a finger lightly over my cheekbone and I clutched my purse to disguise the extent to which my body was trembling. "I know what you're thinking 'How the hell did I end up in a cab with a man twice my age who I don't even know?' Am I right?"
"Maybe," I said. My eyes did not shift from his, however thunderous my heartbeat. "A little."
"Are you a good girl, Bonnie?" he asked, his eyes looking intently into mine.
My eyes did not shift from his as my heart thundered in my chest. I knew where the night would be heading. I could walk away if I wanted, but did I really want to? I endeavored to retain my cool, if I had any to begin with.
"What do you think?"
His palm flexed to cradle the side of my face and he leaned in to put his lips on mine before I had time to react. The taste of Scotch was fresh and sour on his tongue, and his aftershave was sharp in my nostrils. The kiss was firm, slow and rhythmic, drawing from me a full-mouthed response as my body melted into his Armani-wrapped frame. His restrained hunger absorbed my senses and blotted out all sensible thought till his mouth broke from mine.
"I think," he told me, fingers still caressing my face, "that that was a good-girl kiss. Very pleasant, but good-girl nonetheless."
My response was instinctive. I didn't want to be a good girl anymore. Gripping his face with both hands, I kissed his mouth hard, plunging my tongue and lapping at his, my body pressing close to his, not caring if the Grab driver saw. My heart rate surged from my boldness with this man almost twice my age. When I let go of him, I was panting with the rush, but bit my bottom lip to disguise it. "What about that one?"
"Definite bad-girl potential," he said, voice heavy with approval.
Conversation was tough in the circumstances. I was still in my office outfit of a white blouse and black jeans that hugged my waist nicely.