She awoke with a start, shaking her head to clear the murky cobwebs that clouded her thoughts. Taking a few deep breaths she looked around, as if trying to recall where exactly she was. The details of the dim bar began ordering themselves in her head as she concentrated on what she had been doing just before she evidently fell asleep. Two empty drinks were before her, one on the other side of the booth in which she sat. She remembered coming to the bar at the suggestion of some unusual ads she had seen on the Internet. They suggested to her that the atmosphere and the clientele would provide a different single's experience from other bars, though looking around it appeared to her like just another dive – an unsuccessful one at that judging from the few clients still here.
How long had she been asleep? A quick glance at her watch showed it had been only an hour. But why the two empty glasses? Concentrating, she started to recall a few details that seemed to leak into her conscious. The other drink had belonged to man, a tall one, whom had struck up a conversation with her at the bar. He had a forceful aura about him, yet he had spoken so gently and soothingly with her. It had been her suggestion that they go sit at a booth for more private conversation. She remembered his warm smile as he offered to refresh their drinks while she saved them a booth. His hazel, deep set eyes haunted her thoughts as she sat down and waited for him. The details following his arrival with the drinks however became increasingly sketchy.
As hard as she might concentrate though, the only thing more she could remember was feeling very sleepy as he spoke about his philosophy on relationships. At first it was interesting but she couldn't remember much about it through the sleepiness that must have overwhelmed her. She groaned inwardly at herself for having been so rude as to fall asleep while the man tried to engage her in a real adult conversation. He had been so different from the other men she was accustomed to meeting. A bit older, true, but even the memory of his presence conjured up thoughts of peacefulness and security for her.
She laid her head on the table to collect her thoughts. She hadn't even had a chance to give him her number, not that he was likely to call her given her passionate display of disinterest in his company as evidenced by her inability to even stay awake to talk with him. Why was it so hard to meet someone whom she could connect with? Whom she could at last give herself completely to? She had been saving herself so long that it was beginning to seem pointless.
She was startled out of her self-pity by the distinct feeling of someone nearby and of fingertips gliding up her thighs towards the hem of her short skirt. Turning quickly away from the touch, she cocked the flat of her hand back and looked up toward the presence to take aim only to realize that she was alone. She twisted her head back and forth and even ducked quickly under the table but found no one. Despite not feeling the least bit tired after her catnap, she wondered if perhaps the drink had been a bit too strong for her and if she should just get a cab home.
Getting up, she walked towards the bartender, widened her dark brown eyes and in the sweetest, most innocent voice, asked him to call a cab for her. With a smile, the worn out gentleman nodded his head, winked and suggested she wait by the door for it.
As she stood by the door, she could still not shake the sense of someone standing near to her and caught herself several times looking over her shoulder to see if someone was there. She was just about to step outside to continue her wait there, when she caught the barest of murmurs in her ear, making her strain to comprehend what it was she thought she heard.
"To Club Xanadu," was what she thought she heard. At first the idea didn't seem particularly appealing. While never having been there, her impression was it was one of those clubs where extremely risqué behavior was openly flaunted. Not the sort of place she'd ordinarily frequent – especially alone. Yet the more she thought about rejecting the very notion of going there, the more intrigued she got. Maybe just see what it was like. Maybe it'd help take the edge off her feelings of hopelessly saving herself without actually giving up on it. And from out of nowhere, the thought occurred to her that just maybe, the man she met earlier this evening would be there.
She wasn't sure why she should think that, but the thought of seeing him again and of giving him a proper apology for her rude behavior suddenly created a sense of arousal within her. She found herself breathing a little heavier and the blood start to warm the places of her body that she dare not touch, at least not out in public. Maybe though, if that cab ever showed up, she might dare to, though just a little, in the dark backseat. The image of the man's face was clear in her mind and the more she thought of him, the more intense the feelings of security, intimacy and arousal became.
Her body shivered at the thoughts and she closed her eyes momentarily. Images of the man touching her flashed through her mind, causing her heart to pump harder. Just as she imagined his hand stroking over her flat tummy, she again felt the very real touch of someone there. For a moment she allowed herself to enjoy it, but then her eyes flew open and she stepped aside to confront the cad only to find that once again, she was alone.
She was now a little shaken at having this second episode and wondered again about just going home. Just then the cab pulled up and the cabbie jumped out and held the car door open. She stepped outside slowly, as if trying to make up her mind when he asked, "Where to Miss?"
Struggling to get her address to come out of her mouth, she heard the quiet whisper in her ear again, "Club Xanadu." Her subconscious seemed to echo with those words and the feeling of excitement washed over her anew. "Club Xanadu" she eked out as she fought to keep her hands in check from wandering over the flat of her pelvis. Instead she slid quickly into the seat behind the driver and the cabbie closed the door.
