The Natural
Author's Note: This story was originally published in the zine called Compadres #9 published by Neon Rainbow Press in 1994. Enjoy :)
It was easy to see why others were attracted to him. He possessed a handsome face and his body was not harmful to the eye. As she watched him, she considered the comments she had overheard from a group of women who had sat at a nearby table; they had long since departed to return to their lives in the nine to five routine.
He was obviously waiting for someone; the way he turned his head to scout the area proved that. The quick glances at his watch showed that his companion was late.
Copying his actions, she glanced at her own watch, noting that, if it was a lunch date he was expecting, they were late. He must have sensed her motion of checking her watch straight after his, because he looked at her and raised an eyebrow. Flustered, she glanced quickly down at her nearly empty cup. She dared not look up again for the next few minutes.
When she felt brave enough, she cast him a glance over the rim of her sunglasses, licking her lips in anticipation, but he was no longer interested in her. She silently kicked herself for not returning his stare in kind when it had been tossed at her.
The waiter appeared and motioned towards her cup. She gave him a gentle smile and nodded. Returning a few moments later, he refilled her coffee and departed as silently as he had appeared.
Lifting the cup to her lips, she savoured the smell of the dark brew before she sipped at it, allowing the rich flavour to burn down her throat. As she drank, she considered the handsome man again.
Suddenly she realised that he knew she was watching him. It was hard to explain how she knew this, but she did. She leant back in her chair and tilted her head, considering her options. He did not seem to mind the invasion. With his beauty, he must be used to it. Yet... it washed over him like a wave on the beach; the actual water gone, but the knowledge of it still remained.
He was a player, that she knew. He was good at the game, she could tell that by instinct. He had ability: wore it like a coat. He knew how to look after himself and yet appeared to be gentle, considerate. She remembered the way he had moved earlier, to offer assistance to an elderly lady who was in danger of losing her shopping from a splitting bag. It was that action that had brought her eyes to rest on his well-formed frame, as he bent to gracefully pick up the shopping.
She closed her eyes and visualised the way the well-made suit moved over his body, flexing in just the right places to impress those who saw. It was an effortless display. He was so assured of his beauty that he did not act on it knowingly, merely let it flow about those who were attracted to it.
She sipped another swallow and continued her dissection of the man a few tables from her. She wondered how long he was prepared to wait for his missing companion. She considered what hair colour he favoured in his women. Blonde? His dark, swept-back locks would only be complemented by blonde hair. She sighed at her own mouse brown shade and considered buying a hat.
He was looking at his watch again, she knew that he was starting to get nervous about the extended wait. A frown of concern now filtered across his face as he looked about for his late friend.
Finishing her drink in one swift swallow, she slowly rose and walked towards him, knowing that he was about to leave. If she was going to make her move, it would have to be now.
He glanced up, surprised by her approach, but adjusting to her actions with his own, accepting and creating an image for her to see. She smiled down at him, her own image securely in place; holding out a hand she said quietly, almost shyly, "Hi, Vince, my name's Sandy... Frank sent me. He's not going to be able to make it... I'm here to," she paused and licked her full lips, "appease you." She saw the look of disbelief cross his face, heard his unasked questions: 'Who was she? Could he trust her?' Resting her hand gently on his shoulder, she continued, "Uncle Mike sends his love." She pulled out the seat and sat down, amused by his stunned look. He covered it well and returned her smile in full, yet his eyes told her that he would question her deeply, thoroughly, before he believed or gave anything away.
She knew that his cover was all-important. It had to be made to look like a natural pickup, a casual fling on a hot, sunny afternoon. 'He certainly is stunning,' she thought, admiring him even more close up. She settled back in her chair, crossing her legs sensuously as she waited for him to begin. After all, he was a natural and knew the rules of the game they played.
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