Author's note: The pandemic is over, but these letters to my wife continued. This story is a bit of a slow burn. There is lots of steamy sex, but I think the build up is even sexier. This may be fun to read as a couple.
On our last night in Greece we had plans to meet up with our new friends for a late dinner not at the hotel restaurant, but at their cafe.
When we were there the first time, we only had drinks on the patio. They assured us the food was excellent, but it was more casual than the restaurant in the hotel. The last time we had dinner with them you wore the sexiest dress I had ever seen. This time we both dressed like we were going on a date back home.
You had on a shortish skirt and a white button down blouse.
If we were on a date night at home, I would been able to hold the car door open for you and had a very easy time seeing the pale blue undies you were wearing. One thing that was different from a back home look, was that you had maybe one more button undone than our local steakhouse would have warranted.
The undone button wasn't over the top, but if you leaned just the right way, I could see a glimpse of a matching light blue bra. The color looked amazing next to your deeply tanned skin.
When we arrived, Marco was there but was busy trying to get something sorted out with a wine vendor. He pointed to a table near the bar and told us he would be there soon.
"Helen should be here in a about fifteen minutes."
We sat at a table and laughed about not sitting in the middle of a U shaped booth. The bar was so close, the bartender asked us what we would like and set the drinks on the bar. I reached over and picked up your sangria and my CC and water.
This place was much smaller and had more of a pub feeling than a restaurant. We sipped our drinks and talked about how we were excited to get back home.
This vacation had been amazing, but it's always nice to go back to our own bed.
Our drinks were empty when Marco finally made it over. He flashed us a warm smile and apologized for the delay. He wondered aloud where Helen was and asked the bartender for another round.
A waitress appeared and gave us menus. You laughed out loud when you saw sea bass was on the menu.
"I don't think anything could top the fish we had on the beach!"
Marco blushed and said he and Helen hadn't stopped talking about our beach day since we said goodbye at the marina.
Just as he finished his sentence, Helen came into view just outside the cafe. She was by far the most dressed up person in the place, wearing a tight black dress that was off the shoulder and clung to her every curve.
She strolled in and apologized for being so late.
"There was a problem at the other restaurant with one of the hostesses. I had to fill in for a couple of hours."
The hostess job perhaps explained her dress a little bit, but I suspected she remembered how your dress attracted so much attention from her husband at our last dinner and wanted to wow him, and maybe me a little.
When she arrived at the table, Marco looked her up and down, then let out "Mamma Mia!"
"I didn't know what Sheila would be wearing tonight, but I wasn't going to be outdone twice in one week!"
She sat down next to Marco and took a sip of his sangria.
"Sometimes the restaurant business is more trouble than it's worth!"
I told her about my years working in bars and agreed.
Marco said something about getting me behind the bar tonight and you chuckled.
Our conversation was more like the ride on the boat than when we were in the water - which was fine with everyone. I am not sure our water level of excitement could be sustained for very long. You and I were still in Greece, but had a going home mindset.
We ordered drinks and again Marco asked us what we felt like eating and disappeared into the kitchen.
Helen joked about the sea bass as well. The three of us laughed and made a toast to the hidden beach.
The cafe was about half full with locals, none of whom could hide their glances at you and Helen. The clientele was mostly older couples having a late snack. I didn't get the impression too many beautiful women dressed like the two of you dined here frequently.
Marco appeared with a plate of snacky things and ducked back into the kitchen. You took a piece of cheese and asked Helen which restaurant she preferred.
"We started with this one, so it will always be special, but the one in the hotel is in much better shape."
I remarked that the bar looked great and had tons of character. She agreed and said that the bar was already here when they bought it.
"I'm sure that bar could tell all kinds of stories!"
I laughed and said that most of them could.
Marco came back with our meals and all of us were amazed. From the very brief descriptions we gave, he prepared exactly what we were thinking. You had beef on skewers over rice with tomatoes smothered in olive oil. My steak was huge and Helen's fish looked fantastic. He placed a plate of calamari in front of himself and gave us a heavily accented "Bon Appetit!"
As we ate and drank, any awkwardness melted away and we were back to where we were on the first night. You and Marco resumed your flirting and Helen joked that you two should get a room.
We were sitting next to our spouses this time so there wasn't as much tasting of people's meals, but when Marco told you try his calamari, you reached your arm across the table to spear some with your fork. At the beginning of the evening, I had to crane my neck to get a glimpse of your bra, but now I had quite a bit more to see. Did you undo another button without me noticing?
By the time we finished our meal (and another bottle of wine), almost everyone else had cleared out. There were three men sitting at a table having drinks, but I got the impression they would be there until Marco threw them out.
The staff began to make their way out of the kitchen, untying aprons and obviously ready for an after work drink. There were two waitresses and three cooks circling the bar.
Marco turned to me and told me my shift was starting
"Alexander, why don't you come around to this side of the bar and let my friend get YOU a drink."
I looked over at you, and shrugged my shoulders.
"This is like having to do dishes if you can't pay your bill."
After I made it behind the bar, I saw that it was set up very similarly to most of the bars I worked when I was younger.
The staff were all laughing as I tried to figure out exactly where everything was, but it didn't take long until everyone had a drink. Whether it was exactly the way they wanted was another question.
Some things are like riding a bike, and evidently bartending is one of them. I was prowling behind the bar looking for a shaker. I found one, I twirled it around a tossed a few ice cubes in the air and caught at least one of them in the shaker behind my back.
It took a few minutes, but soon I had everyone on my side. Everyone except the old men at the table. I think they were talking about Greek politics and didn't have time for the showy American in "their " cafe.
I lined up nine shot glasses on the bar and filled them with a little old timey flair by pouring them from a shaker and pint glass lifted high above. Like Helen had seen Marco prepare sea bass before, you weren't nearly as impressed as the others.
Everyone picked up their glass and, without any fanfare, drank the shot. I discretely picked up yours and tossed it back saving you from more ouzo.
It was obvious that one of the cooks and a waitress were a couple. They kissed after their shot and let out a "woo hoo!" The other staff finished their drink and said goodnight.
"Let's have another!" Marco yelled.
It was beginning to feel like a lock-in from the old days. I found the stereo, put on some Prince and turned it up. That was enough for the old men. They stood up grumbling something about "fucking Americans" and shuffled off.
When Marco locked the door behind them, I was already making more drinks. By the time the shaker was filled with some fruity, easy to drink shot that I made up along the way, everyone was up and dancing.
The whole thing was like going back in a time machine. You and Marco were dancing in front of me and he didn't look like an idiot. For a Greek guy, he could move to some Minneapolis funk!
There was no longer a question about your button, as your shirt was almost totally open now. Helen was dancing with one of the cooks and the couple was grinding into each other.