A glass of Merlot for Todd

Claire was sitting in a burgundy velvet booth waiting for her date to show up at Harvest. She couldn’t believe that she was dating again, her relationship with Kevin was supposed to last forever. Then Kevin came home one day and broke the news to her that he met someone, and she was dazzling. Claire didn’t want to be one of those overly emotional women and lash out and throw things. She didn’t want him to win, and so, she stayed calm while remaining controlled, this would blindside him. This option to behave with decorum would slowly bother him in a way that suggestive itching can bother someone to start scratching. So, here she was sitting at one of the finest restaurants in Seattle, waiting on her first date in four years with Todd.

The waiter came by and noticed she was nervously drumming her fingers on the table and asked, “Good evening Miss, can I interest you in a glass of merlot?”

Claire says, “I don’t know I’m not really a fan of merlot. My first experience with merlot was unpleasant, when I first turned 21 and it tasted like red dye that burned with a bitter quality, worst first impression of alcohol. I can thank my sister for that memorable experience.”

Waiter, “Oh, so sorry Madame, could I offer you a sample of it first before you commit? I promise you that this particular variety is quite exquisite.”

Claire seeing that there was no reason to refuse such a suggestion, conceded in sampling it. Hey, everything else I have done up until now seems to have turned into a disaster, why not go out on a limb and take a risk? Maybe, I’ll really like merlot, what the hell?!

The waiter returns with the sample and to Claire’s amazement she was hooked. This is the best sample of red wine that I have ever tasted! Thank you, I would adore a glass of this smooth and playful merlot. The waiter seemingly pleased, quickly left, and returned with a rather robust glass of wine.

Claire had drunk about a third of the glass when she began to feel as if she were sinking into the plush velvet seat of the booth. The restaurant had a jazzy saxophonist playing rather softly in the far-right corner. The ceiling in the restaurant was a rather remarkable antique and brass with glass panes to view the stars. She was beginning to relax and feel calmer, swooning to the vibrating saxophone, when suddenly the host appeared with her date. Todd was more handsome in person than the picture posted on DreamDate.com. He was tall, athletic but not bulky, and he had the sweetest colored lips that curled a little from end to end. This gave him a charming but mischievous allure. When Claire’s eyes locked with his it was a great and intense heat as though he were the sun melting all her cares away. As Claire sat in the booth, Todd stood there smiling, and when his eyes crinkled it was in a sort of sexy experienced way.

“Hi, I’m Claire Faux, you must be Todd Hendrix, it’s so nice to finally meet you. This is my first time using a dating website but I’m starting to wonder what took me so long! How has your day been?” Todd sits down and continues to gaze at Claire with vivid curiosity. He says with a smile, “Hello Claire, you look gorgeous this evening, what are you having?”

I am having a glass of their special tonight, a merlot, usually I don’t have a taste for it, but this one is noteworthy. I’m feeling a little adventurous and bold this evening. What are you thinking of having as your aperitif? I mean what are you in the mood for? As Claire’s eyes sparkled, Todd says with confidence, “I think I’ll have an old fashion. I’m craving something subtly sweet tonight besides your heart shaped lips.” Woah! Did she just hear correctly? Claire began to feel her heartbeat rather quickly, is this guy for real? Her thoughts begin to pick up like a heavy uncontrollable wind. Do I really want this to happen? Is this the kind of connection I want to pursue? Do I want to start out physical? All her thoughts began to glue together and fuse until she could no longer identify with them.

Claire says, “Let’s just see where this night takes us.” When she reaches for her glass of wine her fingers brush against Todd’s, as gentle, and as slow as the sweat drips from his rock glass. Todd and Claire continue to have a pleasant date over dinner with lively conversation about their passions. Todd discussed his love of running and sailing, his involvement with sustainable energy, and close relationship with his siblings. He seemed to be exactly what Dream Date advertised which almost seemed impersonal considering people are not objects and they have complicated parts to them. Claire knew she was complicated but not in the demanding sort of way. Claire discussed her love of food and its relationship to a physically active lifestyle and how she loves to hike. She also discussed her career as an audiologist with a minor in linguistics. As the evening turned to night, she began to become nervous all over again, the dinner was coming to an end. Claire was nervous about what would come next. Would he suggest a sleep over or just sex? Would this turn into a second date?

Todd moves around the booth closer to Claire and playfully moves his arm around her shoulders. She can smell his aromatic and woodsy cologne, his fingers begin to massage her arm, and she can feel him looking at her. Claire’s eyes begin to slowly climb up his chest, to his lips, and finally look into his hazel eyes; she knew that she was going to be out of control. Todd, tenderly cupped her face with his hand, coaxing her face towards his own lips. It was like sinking into a warm bubble bath, delicious and reviving. As he moves from her lips, trailing soft kisses up the nape of her neck, he whispers in her ear, “Let’s continue this back at my quiet apartment and I’ll take good care of you.”

All of Claire’s walls came tumbling down, she walked closely with Todd to his car, and he opened the car door for her to get in. She takes a deep breath and lets it out before he rounds the car and gets inside. After Todd puts the key in the ignition and starts it, he leans in towards Claire and he gives her another long slow seductive kiss while she nibbles his lower lip.

He says, “You’re going to get me into trouble tonight.” Speeding down the dark interstate and finally taking the last exit to his place, you could feel the intensity inside that car, and it wasn’t just the engine. After parking the car and opening the door to help Claire out, he takes her hand into his, like it had always belonged there. When they finally enter the apartment, it was like entering a whole new private world.

I have had a really great time, Todd; what a great apartment!

You really like it? I try to keep things simple with clean lines. You look good in it too.

I do? Let us play a game. The game is for every question you guess correctly I’ll remove something, and for every question you guess wrong, you must remove something. Seem fair?

Fair for whom? I’m pretty sure I have this nailed.

What was my major in college and what do I do for a living?

You are an audiologist, and you help people with speech therapy. Claire removes her heels, slowly and one at a time.

Where did I get my degree?

You told me Seattle State. But…I’m not sure. That’s incorrect. Todd begins to remove his shirt first instead of his shoes, he thought this would distract Claire in a good way.

Claire, even in the dark, can be seen blushing. It’s been so long sense she was intimate with anyone because Kevin was sneaking off with Kelsey and doing god knows what?

You still want to keep playing, Claire? Claire says, “What is one of my hobbies?”

You love taking pictures and especially of landscapes. You love the way the sunsets and changes the atmosphere of the city. That’s excellent and since you remembered more than I expected, you get a bonus. She took off her dress and undergarments.

Todd, for the first time that night became serious, and began to move closer to Claire with purpose. Honey, let me take care of you, and as he bent down, he lifted Claire up and onto the bed. They made love for an hour, discovering each other, and their little quirks. When they finished Todd got out of the bed and poured two glasses of Merlot to celebrate the occasion. Todd winked and toasted, “To Claire, may we have many more bold and adventurous moments.”