The dining room was as elaborate as the presidential suite. Patrons were dressed in a mixture of bow ties and tails, cocktail dresses and the finest jewellery sparkling under the glint of a hanging chandelier. The pomp and circumstance unnerved Therese somewhat and I was reminded of that wide eyed girl who had stood before me in Frankenbergs, all that time ago. I smiled my most reassuring smile as we were led, by a smartly dressed waiter with an oiled moustache, over to our own private table. I could practically see her breathe a sigh of relief at the acknowledgement that our table was hidden, in the back, in an alcove that made us feel like we were alone, comfortably separated from our fellow
"Some drinks to start Ma'am" He asked congenially, his question aimed in my direction.
"We'll have a bottle of champagne" I told him without looking at the menu.
"Certainly" He said before leaving the table.
"Carol!" She exclaimed, hidden behind a menu. "I'll barely make it back to the hotel room"
"It's a special occasion" I insisted. "We're drinking nothing but champagne all evening if I can help it"
"I'm feeling awfully spoilt" She said with a gentle shake of her head and a girlish smile that brought out the adorability of those charming dimples.
She looked immaculate in the warm glow of the dining room and I marvelled at her ability to look warm and inviting regardless of how nervous she was in this unfamiliar setting. She wore a beautiful navy blue dress that brought out the porcelain tone of her skin, and the fullness of her plum stained mouth. In front of my eyes she was evolving, growing in to someone I continued to admire and adore and I was full of pride for the woman she had become.
"I have no idea what to order" She commented, distracted as she pored over the contents of the menu. "I'm not used to such luxury"
"Well get used to it" I warned her, teasingly. "I'm going to wine and dine you as much as I possibly can. In fact I've rather made it my lives purpose to show you all the great trappings of life"
She smiled a warm, brilliant, smile that made me soften further. I was certainly coming to terms with the idea that I was becoming quite the sentimental romantic.
"Ladies…if I could take your order?"
"Yes…" I trailed off, taking one last lingering look at the extensive menu. "I think to start I'll have the caviar, followed by…I guess it's now or never…yes I'll have the clams"
"An excellent choice Ma'am the clams are especially delicious"
"That's music to my ears" I praised.
"I think…" Therese's voice was a nervous jumble and she kept her eyes pointed, firmly, in the direction of the menu in her hands. ""…I'd like to try the crab…"
"The soft shell crab is spectacular!" The waiter assured her with a bow of his head.
"Then I'm going to choose the clams also" She spoke hurriedly and when making her last suggestion I saw the colour rise in her cheeks. It made me feel especially protective and I was suddenly gripped by an urge to fling my arms around her and whisper sweet nothings in her ear. Not in full view of a busy dining room, i admonished myself with a pang of regret.
"I panicked" She explained, her eyes carefully watching the waiter as he retreated to the kitchen.
"Never mind. They are especially delicious!"
She giggled at this and allowed the tension to dissipate leaving her visibly relieved. "It's very fancy here Carol" She spoke the words as if they were a confession.
"It is my darling" I agreed.
Under the table, hidden by the overflowing table cloth, my feet found hers. I teased off my heels, naked feet finding hers and relishing at the sight of Therese's eyes widening in shock.
"Carol!" She exclaimed, eyes darting around the dining room with a guilty expression./
"Just a little reminder" I whispered, gracing her with my signature wink. "A place can never be too fancy when it comes to romance"
Then as quickly as that my heels were returned to my feet and a waiter was stood at our table pouring glasses of champagne, Therese's face a picture.
I sat on the edge of the bed, feeling the effects of that last glass of champagne. The room was filled with a welcoming glow and I was quite content to sit here and watch Therese take off her makeup in the reflection of the vanity mirror. She had removed her navy dress, which now lay, unloved on the carpeted floor, leaving her in nothing but a slip and her underwear. The lines of her body brought back memories of the many times I had kissed a trail along her side, stopping only when Therese had burst in to fits of laughter, insisting that she was far too ticklish. I had kissed every inch, every spot of her body, reciting it to memory where I would look back on it with great pleasure. Indeed it was fair to say that I was fascinated, entranced, by those beautiful lines and curves, so much so that I found myself love drunk at the sight of her.
I stood up, moving to stand behind her so that I could now see both our faces in the reflection of the mirror. Warm brown eyes met mine with a lazy indulgence, bottom lip snared between pearly white teeth, her signature expression of want. I allowed my hands to fuss with her hair, never losing contact with those intense, passionate, eyes. Fingertips slipped in to auburn tresses, soft sleek strands like honey to my fingertips. With a gentle tug I moved her head back until I could kiss the top of her forehead, my hand moving to caress the soft, line of her beautiful neck. She arched her head to kiss me, covering the hand at her neck with her own, clasping it with eager fingers. It was all too reminiscent of that night, our first night, in that hotel room and the memory of it imprinted itself on me like an overwhelming kiss. Life was different now, I reminded myself. The Therese that sat before me was not nervous with apprehension, not putty in my hands, but something all together more incredible. She was charged in her movements and melting in her desire for me. There was no aggressor just the two of us in a silent dual to kiss more, to feel more, to have more.
I led her to the edge of the bed and sat down at her knees, taking the bottom of her slip in my hands and removing it in a matter of seconds. It uncovered the sleekness of her toned body, as rich and as smooth as porcelain. My hands drank in the exquisite softness of her skin with great appreciation, moving, inching ever closer to her soft, full, thighs. "You're breathtaking" I gasped, looking up to meet curious brown eyes that were rich and filled with feeling. She held my face in her hands looking in to my eyes with a look of complete devotion. Those eyes. Such incredibly wonderful eyes that spoke louder than any word we could say. She kissed me, almost, harshly, mouth crushed against mine as she gave in to the passion and desire that mounted in her as my hands crept ever closer. I reached the lace of her underwear, fingers tugging until they were free, coasting along her ankles to drop to the floor, soundlessly. With great concentration I kissed the length of her thighs, warranting the deep inhalation of breath, hands grasping to find the spot at the back of my neck. She urged me closer both with the touch of, insistent, hands and her groans of delight that were low and hushed, growing louder with every brush of my lips against skin.
"Carol…" She said with a sense of frustration that made a smile pull at the corners of my lips. I wanted to take my time with her. I had sat through that dinner, drinking in the sight of her, working myself up in to a frenzy, reassured only by the knowledge that I would soon get her alone and out of that beautiful dress.
Therese's hands slipped in to my hair, pulling at the blonde locks with a gentle insistence, that line between pleasure and pain feeding in to the lust I felt. She could not wait any longer and I obliged, drinking in the heat of her, feeling my own heat rising. The hand in my hair tightened its grip and I gripped her knees to steady myself, buoyed by the sounds of her cries that shook the deepest part of me. She was heavenly, a silken softness that I could not get enough of. I did not have to question my effect on her as she slumped back against the bed, body shaking ever so slightly, her gasps filling the air.
She lay on her back, eyes closed to take in the wonderful afterglow. I joined her on the bed, my cheeks flushed, my own heart beating in my chest. Instinctively she curled her body around me, her face tucked in to my chest, delicate hands clutching at my shoulders.
Yes I could certainly get used to this.