Check, Please

The quaint Italian restaurant was nearly empty, with plenty of seating available inside and out. Zoe always loved the romance of a meal outside on a summer night, the sun disappearing, the moon and stars lighting the sky. The cool night air caressed her arm, causing tiny goosebumps that made her soft blonde hair stand on end. Ben took his dark brown eyes from her face for a moment and noticed, placing a hand on her and running it softly and slowly from elbow to wrist, collecting her chill and making her burn instead. He looked back to her face, her eyes, so green and mysterious. Her lips wet with white wine and desire.

Zoe closed her eyes, taking in the feel of his touch. She felt the heat throughout her body, and shifted in her chair, inching closer to him. She gently crossed her legs, making sure to touch his in the process. Her short black sundress lifted further up her thigh, and she saw Ben looking at her with such hunger she blushed. 

Ben took a sip of his bourbon to try to refocus, but he couldn’t stop looking and wanting, needing the woman next to him. Without realizing, he found his hand on Zoe’s leg. They locked eyes, and tried to make conversation. 

“How long will you be out of town next week?” she asked him. 

“Three days. Early flight on Tuesday, a few meetings that day and Wednesday. Just a travel day on Thursday,” Ben replied. He saw the look of disappointment in her face, and erased it with a move of his hand to her inner thigh, teasing with his fingers as he slid it further and further. The tablecloth moved slightly as Ben’s hand moved to Zoe’s other leg under the table. He thought about what it would feel like, what it would taste like, if he…

Zoe smiled a wry grin. She uncrossed her legs letting him explore, and took another sip of wine, resting her arm on the table just close enough to Ben’s other arm that she felt the energy of their connection without even a touch. 

“I’ve never been to Chicago. Will you have time to get out in the city at all?” she asked. 

“Probably not. Just dinners with clients. The food is pretty good there though. Do you have a busy week ahead too?”

“No. I only have two shifts at work this week. Things have been slow, and they’re cutting back our hours a lot. But that’s ok, I told Jess I would come over this week to give her a hand with the baby. Sometimes she gets really overwhelmed. She’s been like that since college really, always in a panic over a test or a deadline. She’s happy I’m coming to handle things, as usual.” 

“You’re a great friend,” Ben said and squeezed her leg, making her move into his touch. Their faces were close. Zoe thought about leaning in, taking his face in her hands, pressing her lips to his…no, not yet. 

Zoe lifted her glass, and as she tipped it to her lips, a drop of condensation fell to her bare chest. Ben watched as it slowly made its way down, down towards her cleavage. Her dress was cut low, and he could see the tops of her breasts held firmly, pushed upwards in the tight fabric. The water droplet disappeared into her, leaving a wet trail. He followed the trail with his finger, her breath held, nipples hardening with expectation. He stopped his finger at her dress line. She released her breath slowly. 

“You dripped a bit,” he whispered. 

“You’re right. It seems I’m a little wet now. It’s this night air…” she replied softly, her voice trailing off. 

They moved closer, drawn by a pulsing need making every part of their bodies electric. Their legs touched, skin to skin, and their hearts raced. Zoe could feel drops of perspiration tickling her back, dripping down towards her bottom very slowly. Like soft fingers gliding intentionally. 

“Can I fill you up?” Ben asked, reaching for the bottle of wine chilling in ice next to the table. 

“Yes, please, all the way,” Zoe nodded, and took a piece of ice from the bucket. Ben watched her, moving closer. 

“It seems like it’s getting hotter tonight. Maybe we should have chosen a table inside with air conditioning,” Zoe said and moved the ice across her lips. Water dripped down her fingers, and slowed as it reached her wrist and bare arm. She then moved the ice slowly across her chest, now reddened with heat. She traced a line from one side to the other, streams of water dripping down. She kept his gaze as she put the ice in her mouth, and slowly sucked the liquid off her pink nail polished fingers. 

Ben watched her and felt a tightening, trying to loosen his shorts and adjust. This was just getting bigger than he was ready for right now. 

     It was getting uncomfortable. 

“Sorry that took so long! GiGi was just a mess and not cooperating when I tried to change her!” Jess said as she approached the table. She gave Ben a kiss on the cheek, clumsily flopped into her seat, and abruptly handed GiGi over. He took her and kissed her tiny head, little brown hairs standing on end. 

“No problem! Ben was just telling me where his trip is next week, the one you told me about. I guess that’s what you get when you marry a successful salesman! Always on the move, one place to another…” Zoe said with a forced smile. 

“Yeah, I knew what I was getting into. Luckily, I have you to keep me company when he’s gone! And thanks for joining us tonight. Ben keeps saying you need to come out with us more!” Jess said as she took several gulps of Coke, nearly knocking over her cup as she clumsily clanked it back to the table. 

“Yes, we’ll have a great time, just the girls!” 

Ben handed GiGi back to Jess, who had taken out a bottle and cloth for her shoulder.

 He dared a glance at Zoe. She dared back.

It was getting uncomfortable.