Try that again

She sat quietly at the bar.  Although she rarely started conversation, she enjoyed it when prompted. She was polite, friendly; good company.  Eric tended bar and knew all these things; never minding the slow Wednesday shift because of Maura. Often, she stayed late; laughing and flirting. It only took Eric a few weeks to realize he was only half kidding.


The door opened to let in the stranger.  He was glad to be out of the miserable winter weather. He stopped short hearing her unmistakable laugh. Scanning the bar, he laid eyes on her laughing with the bar tender. Considering a quick exit, he instead found himself pulling up the stool next to her, ordering his usual drink for them both.


She ignored the man at first, taking no notice of him and preferring Eric's company.  He was cute and fun She got a kick out of their innuendos, knowing full well in her heart, she was only half kidding. Eric poured another drink, setting it down in front of her.  She snorted softly into her glass and tapped the bar. 


"Eric, please. I need to get down the street in a straight line. What happened to our two drink max? I may become leery of your intentions ... or hopeful " she sorted through her money and began to push it forward.  The stranger covered her hand startling her.


"My treat." he said quietly. His eyes sparkled  seeing see her face register recognition.


Maura recoiled. Her cheeks burned as her stomach tightened hotly.


"Thank you. No."


"I insist." he touched her arm; spinning in his seat so that it appeared she was sitting in his lap. She shifted, focusing too intently on the tumbler in front of her.


"Then- just thank you."  her voice had lost its warmth and strength.  Eric hovered over his glasses watching her closely. He could feel sadness wrap around her, drenching the bar. 


"How've you been Maura? You look great." the man breathed deeply, remembering her perfume.  He inched in, closing the gap between them, brushing her thigh with his hand. Her body stiffened.


Eric bristled feeling Maura's discomfort.


"Fine. You?" she felt naked despite the heavy sweater as his eyes roamed her body.


"No complaints." he chirped beginning ramble about himself. 


To Eric, it looked as if Maura were undergoing a root canal sans anesthesia.  Her eyes drooped; her mouth turned down. She fiddled dryly with her drink. The stranger bought her another.  The bar keep set it down knowing she wouldn't touch it. She looked up and smiled weakly at him. He touched her hand softly. The man grinned mistaking her look as an invitation. He leaned in, draping his arm across the back of her chair, whispered against her neck and attempted to kiss her.  Before Eric could react, Maura  snatched up her glass and dumped it in his lap.  She sat stoically, staring at him with disdain.


 "I don't think so. Not ever again, you presumptuous ass."


Eric tossed a towel in the direction of the stranger wordlessly who wiped his crotch. "No wonder you're alone. You bitch." he growled and reached over to polish off the drink he'd purchased.  The man angrily flounced out back into the wintry storm finding it offered a warmer reception.


Maura turned, blinking quickly. Eric noticed the tiny splashes on the bar.
 "Who was that?" he asked.


"No one now." she sighed raggedly and wiped her eyes.  "There was a time when I would have sold my soul to have him touch me, want me...now I ..."


"Don't worry about it." Eric waved and for the first time came around the bar.  He sat next to the leggy blond he admired from afar. "He's not here and he's nothing. "


Glancing at the clock,  he stood, and switched off the lights.

'What are you doing?" she asked quietly.


"It's slow and I'm tired." He tossed nonchalantly. "Grab your coat. I'll walk you home."


She dabbed her eyes again "You don't have to. I'll be fine."


He held the door. "Not negotiable." He motioned for her.
She permitted him to usher her out the door, down the street in comfortable silence.  At her door she turned; the snow glistened and blew around them.


"Thanks." she smiled


"Any time.  I'm sorry."


"Don't be. It wasn't you. I could have handled it better, but after all this time, I was really just in shock to see him."


"He made an ass of himself tonight."


"He's very smart and nice; as long as you have something he needs or wants.  He's manipulative and loves the power behind a well-told half-truth."


"Charming."


" I used to think that. Everyone makes mistakes. I loved a man that never existed. I'm alone because of him."


"No.  You're alone because you don't yet see I'm perfect for you.  Once you do, you will throw yourself at my feet." She smiled brightly.


"S'at so? And you will realize you don't want to live without me and will beg to be at my side for all time?" her grin was lop sided; sexy. He smiled at the warmth it stirred deep inside.


 "Yes. I will Maura." His hand wiped away the last of the tears. Leaning in not much differently than the unwanted stranger, Maura did not pull away.  She lifted her chin and for the first time in a long time, felt the warmth of a gentle kiss. The shiver began at the top of her head, warmly rushing down her spine.  She felt his hands around her waist and thought that her clothing was incredibly bulky.  Her veins sizzled as he softly traced her mouth with his, then kissed her cheek, pulling her to him; hugging her.  She thought he was shaking too. 


"Oh my." she said softly.


"Yes. Oh my."


She pulled away slightly, despite his hold on her.  He was afraid to lose this moment, but she took his hand, pulling him along as she jingled her keys to open the door. He followed behind her, his heart pounding.


She laid the keys on the side table. "Try that again." she said softly

He leaned forward and kissed her fully; his mouth warm and sweet. His hands slowly pulled at the buttons on her coat. Deciding that he was not moving fast enough, she peeled out of it returning to pull at his jacket and shirt. Quickly, her fingers wrenched the buttons free. Her mouth became hungry and searching. He took her lead, beginning to paw at her, his hands roaming roughly the seams of her clothes, craving the feel of her body against his. He muffled her name against her hair and shoulder as the last of the cloth was shoved to the floor.


Now there was skin and caution. For a minute, Maura hesitated but Eric had slowed his frantic pace, taking the time to appreciate her body and what she was giving to him.  His fingertips trailed along her arms causing goose  bumps to race him to her hips. He gently rolled his hands back behind her to pull her to him. He barely kissed her as he scooped her up to carry her down the hall. She wrapped her legs around him, giggling as he cupped her backside


"Where?" he asked quietly.


"Down the hall to the right." she whispered showering his face and neck with fiery, promising kisses.


He found her room and lay her gently on the bed, standing in his white shirt, hastily untucked and jeans. He leaned above her nuzzling her chin and throat. He felt her belly flutter as his hands explored more patiently the curves of her hips and lines of her panties. He kissed her slowly where ever he touched her; loving the sound of his name as she whispered it, doing as she asked. Her body was warm and sweet, stronger than he'd thought.  His touch was slow; careful even when she had almost begged him with a purring "please".


"Not yet..." he'd teased. His tongue and mouth not through exploring her shape; her most intimate places.
She rose up to his touch, her breath a small but sensual gasp. Maura clutched the sheets and moaned. Desire burned through her body. Her lip quivered and her mouth was dry. She had quite forgotten what it was to want.  Rolling away from him when her body could take no more, she knelt on the bed looking at his beautiful tender face.  She pulled his shirt over his shoulders and down his arms. Slowly she tugged at his belt, pushing his jeans over his hips hearing them clunk to the floor. Her breath feathered along his flesh; her kiss, soft but eager.  She felt his body tighten as she gently explored him, raking his hands through her hair, watching as she savored the taste of his excitement. He groaned at the warmth of her mouth and softness of her skin. Slowly she pulled away making room for him in the blankets.


He stretched out above her in almost push-up position; his knees nestling inside hers. She kissed the hollow of his shoulder, nibbled at his ear and whispered how she needed him. Her nails snaked along his biceps, across his shoulders to pull him down slowly on top of her. He felt her legs encircle him, inviting him closer; her hips tilting enough to leave no question of her desire for him.


Their movement was slow at first but quickly, Maura's rhythm became more steady, urgent. Her breath was ragged. Her grip tight and insistent. She was losing control. Eric gladly joined her. His mouth crushed hers hungrily. She gasped and grabbed him, her body shaking with her final throws of passion. He pushed hard against her as his own body climaxed, growling her name.  Panting heavily, their kisses and surprised half laughs interrupting the breathy words of  "Oh my God." , "Yes" or "Please."


He rolled to her side and stroked the flat of her stomach. He could still feel her shaking as she brushed his dark hair from his face. Her smile was sweet and sleepy. He kissed her forehead and grinned as she spooned against him. She pulled his hand up and held it between her breasts, kissing it tenderly.


"You just let me know." she giggled, wiggling against him.


"Know what?" he asked softly nuzzling her ear inhaling deeply the smell of her; relaxed and sensuous.


"When you're ready to try that again..." and she reached for him.



Not a bad way to begin the week, right? Ha. I hope that you had a wonderful holiday. I have a couple I need to "marinate" and post, so let's hope this week is easy and I can get them here soon.  Come back and see me soon. I like it.