It had been several years since he'd traveled there, so the SoCal conference he was scheduled to attend was a welcome break despite all the hassles associated with flying. And because he enjoyed the little treasures the Golden State provided, he decided it would be work first, then several days getting reacquainted with his favorite parts of the state. After the conference in San Diego, he'd head up the coast thru LA, Ventura, and Santa Barbara, before spending the night in Santa Maria.
He recalls how work and fun had collided nicely several years back when he had several days on the job in the Lompoc area, and was able to lodge in the same area where one of his favorite movies, "Sideways", was filmed. Yes, he'd visited the area wineries, loosely retracing the steps of Miles and Jack, and even dined at the Hitching Post, savoring their house wine, and bringing some back to the east coast as a topic of discussion with friends, before finally consuming it a few years later. He'd also found the movie's "Maya" character interesting, wondering what it would be like to find someone who was educated, pretty, and shared an interest in wine. Someone who shared a lot of the same interests, whom he could enjoy discussing everything from wine to current events. And who knows what else...
Ever the planner, and knowing he'd spend a couple of days transversing Napa and Sonoma Valleys, he made sure to make hotel reservations to ensure he could enjoy the valley's liquid fruits, and not have to drive too far. Always one who enjoyed the traditions and history of the older hotels, and having stayed often at the Hotel del Coronado, as he did the first few days of this trip, he hoped to find something similar near the wineries. He always liked the furniture many of these older hotels offered; large, Victorian beds and antique-style footed bathtubs. In his mind, there was something mildly erotic about such places, from the natural wood to the service the staff provided, seemingly taking pride in working for the establishment they were tasked to care for. "Tasked" seemed too harsh a word, since they made it appear their work was a labor of love. Taking pleasure in caring for the facility was probably more apt.
The two days of business seemed to go by quickly, with everyone satisfied their particular issues were aired, and many would be addressed through a list of action items and deadlines. Then it was up the road, taking in the scenery before settling for the night in Santa Maria before heading into true wine country. He even drove past the legendary ostrich farm Jack ran naked through during the movie. So silly.
Finally, it was Valley time. While there were a couple of his favorites in both areas, he knew the wineries and people were more friendly, and seemed more fun in Sonoma. At his second stop he saw a small gathering of folks at the bar who seemed to be more interested in hearing the person at the center of the group speak, than the server behind the counter. While the server ensured everyone's glass contained wine, even she seemed captivated by the young lady who was instructing the patrons.
A few of the patrons were a bit tall, so he moved to the other side of the room before he got a fuller view of her. A slim beauty, drop dead gorgeous actually, carrying on an animated conversation, holding up her glass and showing each of the others the wine, describing its appearance, how to swirl the glass to bring out the bouquet and, when sampling, to really focus on the flavors throughout the entire tasting process. With a stylish self-assurance, a very nice summer dress and some of the sexiest heels he'd ever seen strapped to an ankle, she definitely had everyone's attention. He was becoming more enamored with her by the moment. The way she moved and spoke. Hell, just the way she appeared so alive and yet so comfortable in her surroundings were a mental turn on for him. He almost forgot to taste his own wine sample as he watched her. Soon, the group left to continue their tour of the property but she stayed behind, standing alone at the bar and occasionally conversing with the server. He was smitten, and just had to get closer and talk to her.
As he neared she looked his way and smiled. He started to feel a desire he hadn't known in quite some time. Her smile grew as he said hello, and told her how impressed he was with her knowledge of wine, and asked how long she had worked there. She tilted her head back just a little, laughed lightly, and then turned to him and said her name was Michele, and no, she didn't work at the winery. She just had a deep interest in the grape and what it could produce. I quickly glanced at the server, who nodded with a smile, stepped away and began tending to something, perhaps preparing for the next group of guests.
Michele said she was from the LA area, was getting away from the rat race for a few days, hoping to have a little fun in a relaxing way. All the while displaying a soft, yet sexy smile, she asked him how he ended up at this particular winery. Never at a loss for words, he told her he was from the DC area, visiting the state for business purposes, and was now taking in some guilty pleasures. While he can't recall what made him say it, he volunteered that he was unattached and traveling alone. He could have sworn he saw a twinkle dance across her lovely eyes when he said this, and her smile seemed to widen, in an almost determined kind of way.
Or, was it just his vivid imagination?
Soon the conversation moved from wine to each of their particular likes and dislikes. If it was possible, Michele seemed to perk up as he described his love for older, historic type hotels, and the reasons why. Having talked for what seemed like hours, getting to know each other better, he suggested they get some dinner. Michele, with an adoringly mischievous smile, said she was more interested in seeing the hotel he was staying at first, and maybe they could get something to eat a little later. He reached for her hand as they walked out to his car together, and after only a few steps she slid her left hand up his arm, moved even closer, and reached across herself with her right hand to grasp his arm just below the elbow, and laid her head on his shoulder. He hoped she wouldn't notice the immediate bulge growing in the front of his pants as they neared the car. Opening the passenger door for her and holding her right hand with his left, he watched more of her slim legs appear as she sat down and her dress rode up above the knee. All the while she was watching him watching her, with an ever-growing smile. If he wasn't careful, the object poking at the material in the front of his pants could close the door on it's own. He walked behind the car on his way to the driver's side so he could adjust everything that seemed to be straining against his pants.
On the short drive to the hotel they talked about everything they saw, each pointing out different landmarks and asking questions about each, all while her left hand rested on his right leg, just above the knee. His concentration broken, his thoughts jumped back and forth between getting to the hotel safely and if her hot palm just, almost imperceptibly yet teasingly, moved higher up his leg.
Or, was it just his vivid, almost hopeful imagination?
Upon arrival he quietly cursed the valet because he didn't get another chance to look at her legs, and any other treasures, as she got out of the car. Did she give a glimpse to the valet, perhaps? Stop the self-teasing, he told himself. Refocusing on the here and now, he noticed how she took a genuine interest in the hotel's architecture and layout, pointing out the features that caught her eye. Once again, he was impressed with her intelligence, something he found very sexy in the women he'd known who possessed it. She exuded style and class.
