It took two different buses to get from Bernie's Grill to Craig's apartment, so I didn't get there until a little after ten o'clock. He'd left the door slightly ajar for me. Inside, he was reclining in his chair, watching the black and white flicker of his little television. He got up and snapped it off when I came in.
"I brought us some food," I said, fishing a heavy paper bag from my purse. "Some mostaccioli left over from the kitchen."
"I can smell it from here. I was waiting supper until you got home...I mean,
here
."
I giggled. "It's a little soon to start calling it home." I put the package on the kitchen counter and turned on the stove. "I can heat this in 20 minutes."
Craig stood behind me with his hands on my hips as I put the food in a baking dish. Once the food was in the oven, I turned and bent to kiss him. His lips were soft and welcoming.
When I came up for air, he held me at arm's length. "You look tired," he said. "How about I get you some wine, and then a little backrub while the food's heating?"
"I think I'd like that," I said, and walked over to a straight chair, letting my hips wriggle as I did so. He brought me a glass of merlot. I sipped it, and said, "Nice. Now how about taking my top and bra off before you start?"
There was that tingle again! Taking the initiative was exciting. Why hadn't I tried this years ago?
Craig tried unbuttoning my shirt, but he had to get on his knees to do it properly. His fingers clumsily worked to loosen my bra, but I made no move to help him. This is what Queen Samara would have done.
Finally, the bra came free and I delighted to the shine in his eyes as he looked at my chest.
"Your breasts...they're so beautiful," he whispered.
I recalled a similar comment so many years ago, in Donald Whitten's car. Donald and Craig were alike in so many ways.
I held up Craig's chin with my fingers. "Why do you call them breasts? Most men say tits, or boobs, or knockers. Why don't you?"
"I think it's more respectful. To call them anything else would be wrong. Especially yours."
"Just for that, you can kiss them, but just for a second. Then I want my backrub."
As I hoped, he kissed directly on the nipples. The electric thrills echoed up and down my spine as his tongue reached out to each of them in turn. I wanted to lean back and let him have his way, but I pushed him away. "That's enough now. Rub my back. No more fooling around." If I'd let him continue, I'd have forgotten the backrub and the dinner and just want his tongue where it would do the most good.
He began gently, and only gradually dug his fingers in deeper. His hands were stronger than I expected. I wriggled my back and flexed my neck, and relaxation spread though my whole body. I sighed and murmured with the pleasure, and this encouraged him.
"Do you want to lie on the bed so I can do this right?" he asked at last.
"I'd like that, but we have food in the oven. Keep rubbing." Just then, the timer dinged. I shook his hands from my back. "We should eat. I don't know about you, but I'm hungry."
Together, we set the table and divided the pasta between two plates.
"Do you want me to put your shirt back on while we eat?" said Craig. He touched my elbow with soft fingers.
By now I was completely comfortable with my breasts exposed to his gaze. "No," I said. "Why don't you take off your shirt, too?"
We held each other's eyes as he unbuttoned his shirt, shed it, and pulled his tee shirt over his head. "Mm," I whispered, running my fingers over his chest. "Nice." As I stroked his nipples, they grew hard like little pebbles. He closed his eyes and shivered.
He helped me with my chair, poured some wine, and sat at this own chair. Watching him move, I had a wicked thought.
"Without our tops on, at least we won't get sauce stains on them." I speared a forkful of noodles and drew them slowly across my chest from nipple to nipple, leaving a trail of marinara sauce. "Oops," I said, smiling. "Looks like I've spilled some already. I wonder how I'm going to get it off me?" I dipped the noodles on my plate, and watched his eyes as I drew another line from between my breasts to the waist of my skirt.
He set down his fork and stared. I could almost see him salivating.
"Later," I said, changing my smile from seductive to innocent. "Eat your food before it gets cold."
He shoveled the mostaccioli into his mouth so rapidly I feared he'd choke. I had another evil thought, and said, "You're far too neat. I'm surprised you haven't spilled any on yourself."
He froze, and then smiled slightly. With his last few noodles, he dabbed up some sauce, rubbed it into each nipple, and drew a line between them. With more sauce, he drew a meandering line from his left nipple down to his pants.
"Naughty man," I teased.
It was torture for me to delay, but I ate the last of my supper slowly, one noodle at a time, while staring into his eyes. I could see the strain building up in him, like steam in a boiler. This was fun! Exciting, too. I already knew that tonight's orgasm would be beyond spectacular.