The Barista

As a man, I have often fantasised about chance encounters, the type where eyes lock in instant desire and both parties act.

This modern age of consent, and understandable equality, has benefited the flirtatious somewhat. We now know, if ever we were confused, that an affirmative action is required by the object of our desire. Good things come to those that wait.

For the most part I would say the eyes I have encountered, whilst displaying signs of interest, none recently have come with a body or mind confident or willing enough to act.

That was until today. I was on the back foot to start with, undertaking a few everyday errands, groceries, a fuel stop and to collect a borrowed jacket from a neighbour.

Chasing my tail perhaps left me exposed, in between stops a barista beckoned, a caffeine hit a deserved reward but time poor it came via a takeaway cup.

The teller was bubbly and as desirable as any of her menu options, a simple flat white never seemed such an exotic choice. Order placed I attempted to hide my body in a non existent corner to allow her to serve more people. I felt a hand gently on my forearm, it wasn’t a brush, it was a genuine squeeze.

I turned into a pair of dark pools of mystery beckoning me to listen, lips secretly adorned with rich natural colour opened slightly and ready.

My first instinct was to pull away, I was in the way, she needed me to move. Something inside stopped me, a twinge of excitement like a hare in the headlights, something more attractive than the perceived risk, I wanted more.

A whispered voice, deep and alluring, demanded my attention but all I could do was watch her lips move. They rounded each syllable as each swam out song like, blood flow surged into my crotch and my heart stepped up output.

She smiled, I held her gaze and smiled back. I still had no idea what she had said I still wanted more. My expression must have told her of my confusion, I hadn’t resisted her touch, a much younger me would have recoiled but not the sensually mature me.

My coffee came and I had a choice, her continued touch or the takeaway cup. I ignored the barista obviously, she asked me to step outside and led the way, with coffee in hand I followed.

She wore a silky dress, hem above the knee, the colours and pattern spoke of confidence and adventure, the cut traced a feminine curve without due stress, no hint of what lay beneath but an extrapolation of know facts would suggest something exquisite.

My mind started to interrogate itself, did this person belong to a lost memory, a past business acquaintance, or worse a friend of my partner’s. Worse because my body had already assessed her as very appealing, unattainable is the worst kind of desire.

Sat at a small intimate table, the sun gently lighting her face, her dress slightly open exposing a tanned chest. She helped slide a stool out to see me seated across the table, my knees overlapping her petite legs, the only element of power on my side, what did she want?

‘I was delayed by my last appointment, thanks for waiting, I know you only had a few minutes but meeting face to face answers a thousand questions don’t you think ?’

On auto pilot I answered ‘yes of course’, it sounded like something I might have said on a dating app, chatting is great to establish base compatibilities but the big stuff, the intimate connection, the physical interest and ‘stuff’ really only comes when face to face.

‘You don’t look like your picture, I almost didn't’ come but I am glad I did, you have a great eyes…..sorry I didn’t mean to embarrass you’

I must have broken my gaze and looked away as she spoke, I find compliments are easier to give.

‘No not at all, I’m never quite sure what to say, it's not that I chose them, yours however are very intriguing’

‘Stop it they are black olives of nothing’
‘They suit your face, probably lucky, but an element of adventure and mystery is never a bad thing’
‘I like the way you think’ she giggled

We sat looking at each other for eternity, close up her cheeks were naturally slightly flushed, her dark hair rested just below her shoulders one side tucked behind an ear. A nose perfectly located above those delicious lips was delicate yet strong, her chin radiated her initial confidence.

This was one very pretty face, the previous blood flow already influencing thoughts, imagine being kissed by this wild animal. A deep breath.

A rotund man pushed past my back, rushing to the teller, he was out of place, nervous as he ordered a takeaway flat white.

‘You said you knew what you liked, do I come close ?’ I turned back to her eyes, held her gaze for longer than a stranger should and then replied ‘there are some things I need to check, examine some of your finer details, but right now I’d like to kiss you so I guess that's a yes’

Anna touched my knee as she had my arm, the effect was felt in my crotch instantly, if I stood my interest would be evident. I touched the back of her hand, her skin was soft, warm and yet firm. We chatted about the weather, the days events so far, our plans for later. We were both to be home with our respective partners.

She maneuvered my hand on to her knee and then returned hers to mine, the material was cold to touch yet felt like it was her skin. The hem sat beneath my finger tips, tempting. My large hand straddled the top of her thigh, my thumb feeling the soft flesh inside, she responded by opening her knees, a slight rotation of hips further teasing me. This was getting heated very quickly.

No words were required, we both knew we’d met on a different level. A welcome, surprising and exciting level, an outsider would notice.

‘You’d better go’ she said, I knew I was already late but not for anything she was aware of. It dawned on me that the unlucky guy Anna was supposed to meet would have given her contact details, walking away right now would spell the end before a true beginning.

‘Can I give you my proper number ?’ I said
‘What do you mean?’
‘I’m a little cautious at first, I only give my proper number to someone I like and want to know more’
‘and you want to know more?’ she said with a seductive glint in her eyes
‘I want to taste your very essence, freshly brewed just for me, I think it’ll be highly complex, rich in flavour and very addictive’
‘I think my undies are already wet’ she laughed