Here's a deliciously long tale from a guest blogger Michelle. It makes me want to linger at her coffee shop! - et moi aussi.
The scent of freshly brewed coffee floods my senses. Stepping into the cafe I quickly scan the room for my target. I am relieved to see only the usual Saturday morning crowd; couples at sundrenched window seats relaxing over coffee and cake, some smiling amid shared conversation; others happily immersed in oversized newspapers; some sit alone in the dim interior, sunglasses on, black coffee held close, recovering from the night before. Their world is not my world. For an instant I am relieved. Could I return to that life? Would I even want to?
I remove my coat and drape it over the back of the lounge. A comfortable chaise with padded arm rests paired with a low coffee table. It gave an unobstructed view of both the entrance and the service counter. Her seating of choice. The gods were being kind. I breathe in deeply and allow myself a moment to relax. Sinking back into the cushions I am tempted to close my eyes. I'm tired. The last few weeks have been exhausting. But I have people relying on me. And I was running out of time. I have to make my move today or the opportunity will be lost to me.
Bvlgari. I am aware of her presence immediately. I glance at my watch; oh nine hundred hours. She is nothing if not precise. Classic black pumps, knee length tailored grey skirt, long sleeve white blouse, her blonde hair falling to well below her shoulders. No day off for her today. I tense slightly as she flicks a glance in my direction. She does not make eye contact. Merely checking available seating I presume. My surveillance has not been covert and I suspect she would recognize me were she to look. Even if she did it would mean nothing to her. Just another regular. And in truth she would be right. Until recently the link between us was nothing more than the fleeting convergence of strangers. Our last encounter changed that.
I watch her take her place in the queue. Another in the long line seeking caffeine. I briefly wish I had been able to make the rendezvous point earlier. A venti caffe mocha would have settled my nerves. But I could not afford the delay to satisfy that desire.
She is at the counter now, placing her order. I imagine I can hear her voice. Cappuccino with a cinnamon swirl. I select a magazine from the table in front of me. An expanse of white sand and water too blue to be true. Someone's version of paradise. I flip it open and almost smile at the long length of bikini clad leg and poolside margarita. Closer. I stare unseeing at the page and allow my thoughts to settle while I wait.
The metallic clank of her service number on the wooden table draws my attention. I was in her favourite seat but I knew from past experience that she was happy to share. I watch her as she presses back into the padded corner and arranges her handbag. Brown eyes meet mine and I hold her gaze. There is nothing to be gained from being timid today. She smiles slightly. She is relaxed. That will soon change. I do not smile in return. Neither one of us breaks eye contact. I notice the sudden rise of her chest. An intake of breath. I know her heart rate now matches my own.
“I saw you last night.” Her voice is almost a whisper.
“I know. I saw you too.” I am surprised by the tone of my voice; the weight of it.
“I didn't recognize you. From here, I mean. I think maybe you've been here before...” Her words trail away. She is not usually this flustered. The room is usually hers to command. Not today.
“Grab your bag.” The authority in my voice is impossible to ignore. I drop the magazine onto the table and take my coat. I watch her out of the corner of my eye. Does her hand shake as she reaches for her bag? I imagine it does. But she follows me nonetheless.
The air is cold outside. I stop in the doorway to wait for her. The warmth at my back and the heady scent of her Bvlgari perfume announces her.
“Where are we going?” she asks. I reach my arm around her in reply and press her gently forward.
“You don't want to do this in public,” I assure her. “Or, do you?” I ask after a beat. This time when I look at her I can't help but smile at the images that come to mind. She knows what I am thinking. Her step falters but her eyes never leave mine.
A hundred metres down the street. It seems a lifetime. My hand is against her lower back and her shoulder brushes against mine as we walk. We veer into the curve of the foyer. Double glass doors slide back automatically at our approach and I sense her hesitate.
“This is where I'm staying.” It sounds almost like a question.
“I know,” I reply.
She moves purposely now towards the elevator, the curving reception desk ignored. She knows. Our hands move together to press the up button. Neither one of us pulls away. The silver doors open and close around us. She hits the button to the fourth floor and then she is on me. Pressing me back against the wall. The weight of her leaving me no room to maneouvre. It had not been my plan and my instinct is to fight back. I bring my hands to her shoulders and all thought leaves me. She leans her full weight into my hips. One arm breaks my grip and the other presses against my ribs.
“Uh-uh,” is all she says. A slight shake of her head. Her face is so close to mine I can feel her breath on my lips. I don’t know if the thudding against my chest is her heartbeat or my own.
Neither of us move, both testing the strength of the other. Muscles taut. The elevator jolts to a stop and moments later the door opens. With a final shove into me she steps back suddenly. We walk the length of the corridor to her room. Neither of us speak. The silence lends a sense of control. She fumbles, not looking, in her bag for her room key. Her stance is one of wariness. I step back. One step. And give her space to let us in. She inserts the key card and the door light flashes green. Turning to press the door open with her back she watches me walk towards her. She holds the door open for us both. I appreciate the gesture.
Two steps forward and the narrow entry opens onto a dining table and kitchen. I drop my coat to the floor. Her bag follows. My steps slow and I move away from the wall. Her pace quickens and she moves to cut me off. We step around each other, circling, moving slowly towards the loungeroom. The curtains are open to blue sky and an unobstructed view of the river.
That momentary distraction is all it takes. I feel the change in air pressure before I feel her foot at the back of my leg. Her hands are hard against my shoulders as she sweeps my legs from under me. Reflexes from years of training take over and I have my arms inside her grip pressing against her throat before we hit the floor. The impact leaves me breathless. Her weight on top of me does little to help. Her hair falls around my face. I use my hips and chest to flip us over. The movement sudden and smooth. But she is expecting it. She smiles. Her eyes sparkle. My smile in return is almost feral.
I feel her hands on the outside of my hips. Her grip firm. Thumbs pressing into the curve of my stomach forcing me away. I match her strength with my own. With one forearm pressing against her upper chest my other hand curls around her neck. I allow my full weight to fall onto her. Breasts flatten against each other. Our faces millimetres apart. We breathe the same air.
Her legs tangle with mine; neither struggle nor surrender. I lower my face towards her, our cheeks brushing, my mouth against her ear. I fight the instinct to close my eyes. For an instant we are still. Then she is pure movement. My hip falls suddenly forward as her hands let go. She forces her arms between us, hands crossing, twisting at the last moment until she has my forearm in her grasp tilting me sideways, my arm spinning at the shoulder until I have no option but to roll on my belly. A stab of pain forces a groan from me. I arc my back to relieve the pressure on strained muscles. A laugh escapes me. Guttural. Joyful.
She straddles my body with her knees pressed tight into the soft flesh between ribs and hip. The pain in my shoulder fades to a dull throb. She lowers herself towards me keeping her weight low. I feel the tickle of her hair trailing across the bare skin of my neck. She pulls at my collar. Her fingers spread wide as her hand wraps around me, brushing against the sensitive skin below my ear and following the line of my carotid artery. But instead of grasping my throat her hand veers away. Following the line of my collar bone she forces her hand inside my shirt and finds my breast. Her fingers lay splayed against my skin. Possessing. Her thumb pinches my nipple. Heat flares. I arch into her and her hips press down against the curve of my arse. Her grip on my forearm loosens. It's what I am waiting for.
I wrench my arm free, curling forward, trapping her right arm with my left. My breast is still in her hand. Reaching back towards her with my right hand I can just reach the back of her head. I pull her towards me, her face buries into the curve of my neck. We exhale together. Breathless. I can feel her smile against my skin. We battle for dominance. She is unable to break my grip. I am unable to flip her weight from my back.
We laugh, almost a giggle, rejoicing in this rare matching of strength and of need. Her lips brush the edge of my jaw. Feather-light. Teasing. Turning my face towards her I allow her the victory. Her mouth inches closer to mine. Blood pounds in my veins. My belly clenches in anticipation. Instead of softness I feel teeth nip at my lower lip. I lick my lip and taste blood. Her fingers tighten against my skin and are suddenly gone. We roll together. Had it been a conscious decision? I hold her hands splayed at her sides. Eyes locked. Fingers tangled. Our chests rise and fall. Lungs gasping. Hearts pounding. Sweat gathers at the base of her throat. I run the flat of my tongue across her skin and taste desire.
Our legs tangle as we fight to press into each other. The taut fabric of her skirt a barrier between us. The swirling heat in my belly pulses and my clit throbs in time to the pounding in my chest. Her blouse has ridden up in our struggles. I am drawn to the expanse of flesh. I let go of her arms and immediately press my face to her stomach. I run my hands quickly along the length of her torso. My tongue follows, tracing a line across her belly button, up the centre of her stomach. Her breath shudders in her chest. I feel wetness pool at the sight of her. Four hands tear at the thin fabric of her shirt. It never stood a chance. Threads tear as buttons give way to desire. Pale grey satin and lace cup her breasts. My fingers trace the line of her bra, my thumb brushing the exposed curve of her breast.
I lean in towards her. Close enough to kiss her. Her mouth opens to me and then ducks away. Our cheeks brushed gently. Once. Twice. Moving close enough for lips to touch but not to taste. We smile at the same time, enjoying the game. Her hands clench the back of my neck. One hand moves to tangle in my hair, the other trails lower seeking the edge of my shirt. Seeking skin. Her fingers play at the gap of my clothing. Fingernails run along the length of my spine, then trace their way back, lower, her hand slowly rising to cup my arse.
The fire in my belly blossoms. The kiss, when it finally comes, is pure heat. Her tongue circles mine as the kiss deepens, sucking, biting. My hands are on her breasts. Her bra is undone. I fight to untangle her from her blouse. Her hands are on my arse, squeezing, drawing me in against her thigh. Her skirt is now bunched around her hips. I can feel the heat of her centre pressed against the thin linen of my pants. She is wetness and warmth against my leg.
I can feel her moan into my mouth. Our lips never break contact as we move against each other. Grasping my head she pulls me in deeper, sucking my tongue into her mouth. I abandon her breast and reach under her skirt. I cup her, and her reaction is instantaneous; her head drops back, her hips arch into me seeking release. Her moan sends sparks straight to my clit. My pussy clenches. I am beyond thought. I know only skin, and heat, and wetness, and need.
Finally my fingers find her. Satin warmth. Her wetness creates more of my own and suddenly her mouth is not enough. I need to taste her. I need my tongue inside of her. Moving quickly down the length of her body I trail open mouth kisses over her breasts and along the soft skin of her stomach. I press her skirt up further and then drag her panties down over her thighs. She lifts her legs and opens herself to me. I briefly consider removing her shoes as I run my hands back up the length of her calves before forgetting the thought entirely as I reach her thighs.
Her hands curl again in my hair as she pulls me to her. I push against the white skin of her inner thigh, moving her leg further away. My first taste of her is almost enough to make me orgasm. Instead I feel my clit throb against the seam of my pants. I press myself into her leg as I run my tongue along the length of her. I circle her clit once before pressing against her with the flat of my tongue and kissing her deeply. I move away and she growls at the loss of contact. Running the tip of my tongue along the length of her I breathe in her scent. Her hands clench at my hair. Her hips buck into me. I run my hands over the smooth skin of her buttocks, grabbing her from underneath as I dip my tongue lower. Pulling her into me I press into her pussy. I circle her vagina and her breath catches. Plunging into her I squeeze her arse as she tightens her hold on the back of my head. Her wetness is intoxicating.
I move once more to her clit. I have one leg pinned underneath me, desperate to feel her against my own aching centre. She lifts her other leg onto my shoulder resting her thigh against my ear. I can feel the point of her high heeled shoe digging into my back. I press my tongue flat against her, then flick, sucking her back into my mouth. Her breathing is ragged.
I satisfy myself with one more open mouth kiss, tasting her, before I focus my attention on her clit, pressing hard against the tiny bundle of nerves. Each movement of her hips is answered by my own. I rock against her. Hips and tongues in sync. I feel her thighs clench first. Her hands go still where they are tangled in my hair. One sudden exhalation of air and she is coming against my face, her hips jerking into me. I feel heat explode as my own orgasm takes me. We move together, shuddering, breath ragged, prolonging the ecstasy.
Moving away from her slightly I circle her clit lightly with my tongue, she trembles once more before going limp beneath me. Her hands run the length of my shoulders, along my arms and she pulls me up to join her. For the first time we are gentle. Caressing. Our kisses are slow and languorous as we take the time to enjoy the softness of the other. I run my fingers along the side of her face and brush her hair back behind her ear. She is beautiful when she smiles.
Reluctantly I stand and pull her to her feet, helping her to tug her skirt down over her hips. It is almost impossible to drag myself away from the curve of her breasts but time is short. I glance at my watch. I am late. I have to report in. They will be expecting my call.
“You should get dressed. Your coffee will be getting cold.” She smiles at that. I straighten my clothes and take a step away from her.
“I'm here until next Friday.” She says, not making eye contact.
“I know.” I see a flicker of a smile before I turn away. I grab my coat on the way out and am reaching for my mobile before the door clicks shut behind me.
The phone rings twice before he answers. I hear shouting in the background.
“Hi, love.” I say. “How was the game?”
“Hi, Mum! It was okay. We didn't win.”
“It doesn't matter about winning,” I reply, “Did you have fun?”
“Yep! And Ben's Mum is taking us to McDonalds afterwards.”
“Is she now?”
I smile. Time for a coffee after all.