Next up was my choice of undies. I chose a set in black lace. High leg panties and a half cup push-up bra that did wonders for my breasts. Then, with painstaking care, I put on my make-up. Plucked eyebrows to enhance the definition, just the lightest of foundation, a touch of eye shadow and a subtle lipstick. I didn't want to look the painted lady but even the prettiest girl benefits from a little touching up. I redid my nail varnish; my toes were fine but my fingers needed work.
I could hear Andy pacing. It was nearly time to go. Still, you can't hurry perfection and that was what I was after. My finger nails seemed to take forever to dry but eventually they were ready. I stepped into the dress and, after a certain amount of gymnastics, did up the zipper. I could, of course, have asked Andy for help but I wasn't ready for him, not yet.
I slipped on my high heeled court shoes and stood in front of the mirror. Not bad, not bad at all. 'Ready, girl, it's show time!' I stepped out of my room and into the hall only to be instantly spotted by Andy.
"About bloody time too.... Wow! Tiff! You look better than ever."
"Thanks, Andy. You look pretty good yourself."
And he had made the effort. I always knew he scrubbed up well but this was the first chance I had had to appreciate it as a woman. He looked good enough to eat and, when he offered me his arm, I was proud to be walking out beside him.
A short cab ride took us to the Blue Boar where we found Jen and Patrick. They too had made the effort to look smart and the four of us looked just so. More importantly we were getting along fine. There were still some unresolved issues between Andy and myself but those were soon forgotten.
Come eight o'clock we trotted across the road to Francini's. Andy held my arm as we crossed the road and opened the door for me when we got there. I'm not sure what Jen made of such gestures but I loved it. And then, when we got to the table, Andy held my chair for me. I felt like a million dollars.
Good food, good company, who could ask for more. We laughed, we talked, we ate, we drank, we reminisced, we enjoyed each other's company. Andy, in particular, was just wonderful. Witty, attentive, thoughtful, caring, everything I could ask for and then so much more.
All too soon the evening was over and we were the only ones left in the restaurant. We'd have stayed all night but Ricardo, the Maitre D', was politely but firmly easing us out of the door. Once out of the restaurant we bid a fond farewell to Jen and Patrick who were heading home in the opposite direction. However, I wasn't ready for the evening to end so, at my suggestion, we took a little walk through the park. Andy was concerned about me walking that far in heels but I had got the hang of them and it wasn't too bad. The park was perfect. The main walkways are well lit and it's serenely quiet at that time of night. There's a little bridge across the river and there we stopped, just standing side by side.
"Andy, about last night, would you really prefer it if I stayed as Tom?" I asked.
"Not really."
"But Tiffany's a ball busting bitch."
"Yeah, but she's my ball busting bitch, isn't she?"
"You know I am."
"Well, that's all right then."
And this time I kissed him. Just the lightest peck but on the lips. I could feel that I was playing with fire, that a kiss might not be enough but there, in the soft glow of the streetlights, it was perfect.
And, when he kissed me back, it was even better.
There, in the park, on a warm summer's night, while we were just as ardent, it was all a lot more gentle. Maybe it was because we both knew that we couldn't take it any further, not there, not out in the open. It meant that the passion was held back a notch and we could take our time. That didn't mean I didn't want to take it further. I was ready to stop being scared. I had a hunger, a hunger for Andy.
"I think I need you to take me home," I whispered in his ear after a while.
"I think I need that as well."
We broke from the kiss and, almost running, made our way out of the park and over to the nearest cab rank. Fortunately a taxi was waiting there and, five minutes later, we were pulling up at the flat. We'd hardly got through the door and we were in another clinch.
"It's got a zip down the back," I whispered to Andy as I felt his hands roving over my back.
"Are you sure?"
"Never more so."
Because we weren't willing to break the clinch it was quite a struggle to get me out of my dress without letting go of each other more than was completely necessary. Meanwhile I was working at the buttons of his shirt, at the waistband of his trousers and, together, still shedding clothes, we tottered into his room.
He was strong, he was gentle, he was insistent, he was considerate but most of all he was overwhelming. I felt small and fragile in his arms but that was fine because he treated me as the most precious thing ever. Together our bodies flowed, getting closer, closer. He felt enormous and I had a little flicker of fear but, when he approached, he was gentleness itself.
"I love you, Tiff," I could feel the tip against my flesh.
"I love you too," I pushed back, gently, just a bit. I was scared but I wanted more.
And then he took me. There is no other word for it. I opened up for him and he took me, body and soul. I couldn't help thinking of Annie's Song. Oh, he filled up my senses and then some. We moved together, our bodies as one as we climbed towards that pinnacle of pleasure. My flesh, my whole body, sang with delight as, conjoined, we could feel the explosion nearing. Yes, Andy, yes! Take me, make me yours, forever and ever and ever and...
Oh, Andy!
Everything went into overload as he flooded me with his love.
Oh, Andy!
I hung on tighter than I have ever hung on before, pulling him into me, feeling every inch, every part, every bit.
Oh Andy!
And, as it subsided, we lay there together, closer than I could ever have imagined.
I felt a tinge of regret as he slipped out of me and rolled to one side. I snuggled into his waiting arms, more replete, more satisfied than I had ever felt before. Andy looked at me and I looked back, kissed the tip of his nose and, together, we shared a giggle. It really doesn't get any better than that.
And it was so good that, as soon as we had got our breath back, we did it all again.
Oh Andy!
