Simone sat in her chair, deep in thought, considering what her evening had in store. She was dressed in her favourite LBD, (little black dress) that was short enough to show off her attractive legs, but long enough not to be seen as tarty. Her underwear consisted of new black silk bra and pants; a treat to her self in an attempt to raise her spirits, not to encourage her new man. A pair of sheer black tights and black shoes finished her attire.
She was due to attend a works dinner with Stuart, a man she had been dating for about a month. They had met at a mutual friend's dinner party and at the end of the evening he drove her home. He asked her out for a drink the next night, which she had declined but they swapped phone numbers and she agreed to see him the next weekend. A pattern of drinks, dinner and the cinema had been established. They had their first kiss on the third date. He tried to invite himself in for coffee on the fourth. She gave him a lame excuse and rebutted him. On the next date he was more withdrawn and reserved, and made no attempt to force the issue as he kissed her goodnight at the end of the evening.
It wasn't that she was a virgin. She had lost her cherry to an older and more experienced (and married) man just after her 16th birthday, some eight years ago. A number of lovers had enjoyed her charms since, and she had enjoyed their company and attentions too. It was just that she didn't want to jump into bed with anyone and there was something holding her back from turning what was a nice and pleasant relationship into a physical one. But maybe tonight would be different. She felt she was ready to take the relationship to the next stage.
Her mind focussed on the evening ahead. Stuart was due to pick her up at 7.30 pm, drinks at 8.00 pm and sit down for dinner at 8.30 pm. The meal should be over by 10.00 pm and then dancing, something she hated with a vengeance, until 2.00 am. All she knew about Stuarts work was that he seemed to be an up and coming finance manager in a firm that specialised in taking controlling stakes in companies that were in trouble. They would help the company get better and then sell the stake, hopefully at a profit. Simone was a book keeper at a small solicitors so had some idea what the company did, but had no idea who the other people would be at the dinner. She was also concerned, that in addition to her hatred of dancing, she struggled with remembering people's names and she was sure she would be bombarded with names as she was introduced to people.
Her thoughts and fears were interrupted by the ringing of her mobile phone. It was Stuart.
"Hi, it's me," he said. "I'm in a cab downstairs. Are you ready?"
"Yes," she replied. "I'll be right down."
She disconnected the call, picked up her bag and left her flat. Stuart was standing by a taxi smiling at her as she approached.
"You look amazing," he said as he kissed her gently on the cheek and admired her outfit, opening the door and guiding her into the car.
"Thanks," she smiled, "you don't look too bad yourself," she added looking at him smartly dressed in dinner jacket and bow tie.
He held her hand as they took the short drive to the hotel where the dinner was being held.
"I've booked a car for later," he said to the driver as they arrived. The driver nodded. "I thought booking a room would be a bit presumptuous," Stuart said to Simone.
She didn't comment but accepted his hand as they walked through the lobby of the hotel and towards the bar.
As they entered the bar, trays of champagne were everywhere and she grabbed a glass and sipped it slowly as she was introduced to numerous people. Try as she might, she couldn't remember their names and thankfully, they were all soon asked to take their seats for dinner. The next challenge was the introductions at the table. There were eight others on their table and fear struck Simone as she hoped she would not make a fool of herself and introduce herself to someone she had already met. Thankfully, Stuart must have sensed her fear as he introduced her, and in doing so made the comment such as "this is Sally of course who we just met" if appropriate.
The meal was served, accompanied by fine wines, and Simone started to relax.
Before she knew it, the dancing started and Stuart invited her to dance.
"Do we have to?" she asked.
"No of course not," he replied. "You OK?"
"Yes, I just hate dancing," she laughed looking embarrassed.
"Me too," he smiled. "Let's go to the bar."
They walked out of the room, looking at the dancers, some good, some bad and most very drunk!
He ordered some champagne and they laughed at their mutual dislike of dancing and were soon joined by other couples who took the decision to chat rather than dance.
One of the men, George, who was clearly on the way to being very drunk, let the group know his view on dancing: "They say you can tell how good a person is in bed by how well they dance," he said, adding, "so we must all be crap in bed as we don't want to dance."
"Speak for yourself George," one of the other men laughed.
""It's all about the movement," George continued, swaying his hips in a suggestive way as he spoke.
"George, pack it in," one of the women said in a harsh voice. A woman who Simone assumed was his partner.
"Am I embarrassing you?" George slurred
"Yes," she hissed.
"Well don't worry," he added. "I'm probably too pissed to get it up so you wont know if I am good in bed or not."
"No change there then," she said looking at him in disgust.
A silence now hung over the group like a thick fog.
"I think it's time we made a move," one of the men said looking at the attractive lady to his left, who nodded and now looked relieved.
"Yes, we should be going too," Stuart said, looking at Simone.
The two couples headed to the door and the other man said, "I have a car and haven't been drinking, can I give you a lift?"
Stuart looked uncomfortable, but looked at Simone, "that would be great if it's not too much trouble," Stuart said without emotion, adding "I had booked a car but they needed 15 minutes notice so I can cancel them, no problem."
The four of them headed into the car park and a nice new and shiny Range Rover.
"I'm Fred and this is my wife Jane," the man said to Simone, holding out his hand to shake Simone's hand.
Stuart and Simone got into the back of the Range Rover, Fred and Jane sat in the front.
"Yours or mine?" whispered Stuart.
"Mine," answered Simone.
They directed Fred to her flat and were soon there, Getting out of the car, Simone got her keys ready. "You had better come in," she said quietly.
She unlocked the door and gestured for Stuart to come in and take a seat.
"Coffee or something stronger?" she asked.
He smiled. "Coffee please."
As she went to the kitchen to make the coffee she wondered what the next few minutes would entail. Would they go to bed? Was she really ready?
Her thoughts were interrupted by Stuart joining her in the kitchen. "It's a nice flat you've got here," he said standing beside her.
"Thanks, I am very happy here," she replied turning towards him and noticing he had removed his jacket and bow tie and undone the top three buttons of his dress shirt.
With the coffee made and poured they walked back to the lounge.
"Sorry," Simone said smiling "these have to go," as she removed her shoes and tucked her long legs under her as she snuggled onto the armchair opposite where Stuart sat.
"I hope tonight wasn't too bad," Stuart said sipping his coffee thoughtfully.
"No it was fine, I enjoyed it, especially as you have the same dislike of dancing," she laughed. "I bet that George will be in for a tough time," she added. "And a sore head in the morning!"
"Yes, I think you will be right there," he smiled. "That was a very inappropriate thing to say, I do apologise on his behalf."
"God, no need. I have heard much worse and I'm not that easily offended!" she replied smiling at Stuart.
"Interesting concept though isn't it?"
"What is?" she asked.
"A person's ability on a dance floor giving some indication of their ability in bed," Stuart said.
"Rubbish," she laughed. "It's nothing to do with a dance movement. It's..." she stopped herself.
"Yes?" he enquired.
"Nothing," she said looking embarrassed.
"No, go on, what were you going to say."
