The late autumn leaves crackled across the pavement, flung from their perches on the old maple and oak trees above and scattered across the sidewalk by the suddenly cold November breeze. As he made his way up the walkway toward the front door of the house, the young man felt a chill roll down his back. Winter announcing its intent to orchestrate a hostile takeover of what had been a gentle fall.
He arrived at the summit of the four steps that marked the end of the walkway, stopping before pulling open the storm door to run his hand through his dark brown hair. He gently lowered the gold latch of the storm door, then turned the knob of the freshly-painted white front door, pushing it open. While he had expected to have a good time tonight, the noises he heard upon stepping into the foyer ratcheted his expectations higher still.
Ice cubes rattled in glasses, heels clicked across hardwood floors, and music flowed from the speakers tucked in the corners of the living room and kitchen. He scanned the living room to his right as he walked down the hall toward the kitchen, looking for Paul or Cathy, the hosts who were kind enough to invite him. He and Paul had been friends since he had moved into the neighborhood two years earlier, and the two could often be found on the golf course on warm summer afternoons or enjoying a beer and a football game together when summer gave way to fall.
He noticed how attractive some of the neighborhood wives were, thinking in a couple of cases that it was amazing what makeup and dim lighting could accomplish. He walked back into the kitchen and found Paul. The two shook hands and exchanged pleasantries while Paul made him his cocktail of choice: Tango and tonic.
"Hey, John, what's been going on?" Paul asked as he finished mixing the drink, then handed it to him.
"Not a whole lot, man, just working, heading to the gym when I can, the usual." John turned to see who else was in the kitchen and found himself immediately drawn to a gorgeous blonde standing on the opposite side of the room chatting with Christy, Steve's wife, who lived across the street. She was simply stunning. Her midnight blue dress hugged her body without being trampish. She wasn't afraid to show a little cleavage, but was the epitome of elegance and class. As she turned, his eyes caught a glimpse of her perfectly round and toned ass, and he couldn't resist letting his desires be known for any longer. He turned to Paul.
"Hey, Paul. Who's that gorgeous woman talking with Christy?" he whispered, still admiring her luscious and athletic body, her golden locks flowing down her partially exposed back.
"That's Sarah, she plays tennis with Cathy and lives around the corner."
"I knew I'd seen her somewhere. It was at the gym. She's always the hottest one there. How come Cathy's never introduced me before?" he asked, almost sounding betrayed.
"Well, she is married, you know," Paul answered.
"Oh yeah? Who's her husband? Is he here? I'd love to meet the guy who gets to enjoy that every night."
"Cathy told me earlier that she'd be coming along, he's out of town for a week or something like that."
John's eyes remained locked on her, and he decided he had to take a chance. He had broken up with his girlfriend a month earlier, and was starving for a little thrill, even if it only came in the form of a close up view of a gorgeous woman. He began to walk toward her slowly, using his blue and white striped button down shirt and khakis to dry his right hand; he was unable to tell whether the sweat was coming from his drink or from his newfound excitement. He finally arrived upon the source of his stimulation, and elected to say hello to the familiar face first.
"Hi, Christy, how are you? Good to see you," he said, extending his hand and softly clasping hers. He quickly turned his attention to the true purpose for his arrival. "I've seen you before, but I'm not sure we've ever met. I'm John, I live across from Christy and Steve."
Her dazzling eyes locked onto his as their right hands met and lingered against each other just a little while; he felt a bolt of energy surge throughout his body and could only hope she felt the same. "I'm Sarah, I think I've seen you before at the gym. It's very nice to finally meet you."
Her sultry yet sweet voice intrigued him further and the group made small talk for a little while, talking about work and kids and weather, all the banter usually heard at parties full of people unfamiliar with each other. "I'm going to grab another glass of wine," Christy told Sarah. "Do you want anything?"
"Sure, I'll take another," she answered, then handed her glass to Christy. She turned her full attention to John. "Are you here with anyone?" she asked. He could have sworn there was a hint of something other than curiosity in the tone of the question, something beyond simple interest.
"Actually, no, I'm just getting out of a relationship."
"I'm sorry to hear that," she said, a look of concern forming.
"Oh, it's fine, really, it's better for both of us. What about you?"
"I'm married, but my husband's out of town for the week, so I just came stag tonight." She winked, causing him to smile and blush just a little.
"Oh really? So, when the cat's away..." He cocked an eyebrow, quizzically.
She laughed. "Well, not exactly." The two shared a little nervous laughter, and he put his left hand on her right forearm, allowing his fingers to glide over her soft skin for just a couple of seconds. She did nothing to rebuff his touch, and he began to feel emboldened.
