"You're hilarious," Angela said, leaning over the chain-metal fence near the city trail.
"Thanks. It's been fun bantering with you, too." Angela had stopped jogging long enough to see what I was up to in the grass on my side of the fence. We ended up bantering for at least ten minutes as we traded jokes and observations about the people on the trail. Initially, when I heard her behind me, I was sure she was talking to someone else. Once the weather warmed up, I often saw her around. We had exchanged superficial greetings or quick, clever comments a few times but never really talked.
Angela is one of those women who has curves to die for. She runs a lot, so there's no question she's in good shape. Whether you're a man or a woman, you're obligated to look and then look again when she runs by. Being Latina, her skin is a beautiful, consistent shade of tan. She had the perfect balance of muscle and woman if you know what I mean.
Her sports bras are undoubtedly expensive but do not keep her from bouncing in the best way. Mostly, she wears black, but sometimes she'll run by in bright blue, red, or green. The lighter colors clung to her provocatively as she ran by.
I tried not to be obvious about it as I looked at her and talked. She kept her dark hair short and pulled back from her face. Inevitably, her skin was coated in a light sheen of sweat.
I hate objectifying people. But I will quickly point out that it is impossible to look away when you have the chance. Being so close to Angela gave me a better look at her.
As she turned to jog away, she stopped. "Aren't you going to ask for my phone number?"
I froze. In a fantasy, I might have asked her. Given her attractiveness and outgoing personality, I would have never dared to risk hearing a "no." She was quite a bit younger than me - and certainly more attractive.
"Uh, sure!"
Angela smiled. She quickly said something in Spanish. When I answered her back, she looked shocked.
"ΒΏHablas espaΓ±ol? Oh my God, that changes everything."
I laughed.
Angela looked at me strangely for a second and then nodded. "You know what? I like you. You're funny, and you speak Spanish."
"Likewise. I never expected to talk to you at length."
"You should have flagged me down, John." Angela shrugged her shoulders. Given the course of our conversation, my eyes lingered longer on her than they should have.
"I'm sure you get hit on more than you want to. I wouldn't add to that problem." I was telling the truth, and she recognized it.
"A gentleman, too? Where have you been hiding?" Angela laughed.
Just as I was about to respond with a joke, Angela gave me another look.
"ΒΏSabes que? You know what, screw it. This is our lucky day."
"Yes, it is," I answered, considering her offer to get her phone number.
"What would you say if I told you to take me home right now?" Angela took a moment to adjust her sports bra. The insinuation was clear. To say that I felt a tingle is an understatement. Angela's dark eyes sparkled with mischievousness as she watched my face.
When I hesitated, she added, "I'm already sweaty. We'll soon add to it. Assuming you say yes."
I smiled and moved toward the fence. I put my right hand on her arm and squeezed. "If you think I'm going to pass up an opportunity to be with you, you're crazy."
"Am I that attractive to you?" Angela seemed genuinely interested in my answer.
"Uh, everyone is interested. Have you not seen how people swivel to get a second look at you?"
Angela smiled. "Get hit on a lot, yes. But I assume it's just an availability issue. More skin equals more interest."
"Without intending to objectify you. You're beautiful. You're in shape. And your curves are stunning. It's impossible to watch you move without getting ideas."
Angela laughed out loud. "Okay. I'm pretty. But am I attractive? As for ideas, do you mean like those involving me without clothes?" Angela reached over, put her hand across my left shoulder, and ran her fingers down my arm.
I raised my eyebrows. "Are you freaking kidding me? Everything about you makes me want to touch you. Or honestly, run my fingers and tongue everywhere."
"So you have thought about me naked? Like in your fantasies?" Angela shivered. "That gave me goosebumps! You'd run your tongue all over my body even though I'm sweaty?"
"Showered or sweaty. I don't brag about my prowess or size. But you will not find a man or a woman more dedicated to getting you there with this." I pointed at my mouth.
"Damn! It's been a while for me. It's hard enough to find a man to do it, much less consistently and with passion."
"Can I ask you a question, Angela?" I agreed as she nodded.
"Why are we still standing here? I can demonstrate it better than continuing to talk about it. If you're still interested. And if you are, I don't want you to change your mind."
"I'm not going to change my mind, believe me. I've seen you around a few times. You're energetic and funny. And I don't want it to sound bad, but you seem "safe," if you know what I mean." Angela's hand traveled back up my arm to lightly brush across the side of my face.
"I am safe, Angela. Just not in the way you think." I deliberately took a long look at Angela's body as I spoke.
"Help me climb over this damn fence, would you?" Angela was more agile than I expected. She put both hands on the top of the fence and jumped with her feet going sideways. I grabbed her right arm as she reached the top of the fence. She took a small jump and landed on the ground. The parts of her that attract people's eyes jiggled deliciously.
When we got in the car, we started bantering and laughing almost non-stop until we got to her apartment.
At the bottom of the stairs, I motioned for her to precede me. "Ladies first," I quipped.
"You're going to look at my legs and ass, aren't you?" Angela turned her head to smile at me and wink.
"It would be a crime to look away from something beautiful."
Angela exaggerated the sway of her hips as she went up the stairs.
When we entered her apartment, Angela turned to me and put her hands on each side of my shoulders. "I could offer you a drink. Or I could show you my apartment. More importantly, I could show you my body, and you could show me yours. We can do the rest afterward if we have enough energy."
I leaned in and pulled Angela's face toward me so that I could kiss her. Angela surprised me by moving her hands to hold my head against her lips. She didn't waste time. Her tongue darted in my mouth and playfully teased me.
When she pulled away, she spoke in a low voice. "I'm so wet. Just so you know, the only hands that touched me last year were my mom's."