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10.
I ordered a dozen pair of the hose and as many suspender belts. I tipped the salesgirl generously and she promised a next day delivery.
"I'm glad you're hungry," She declared, " because I'm treating you to lunch.".
"Fair enough. How doe's Paul's sound?"
"I've never heard of it but if you like it, Paul's it is." She said.
I whistled up a cab. I didn't feel like driving the noon crush or hassling for a parking slot.
Paul's was located in a trendy area on the waterfront. It was one of the oldest eating establishments in the city but so expensive that it didn't surprise me when she was unfamiliar with it. When we walked in the Maitre d' recognized me.
"I'm sorry, Charles," I said. " but I have no reservation. Is there any way you can squeeze us in?"
"You know I always save out a few tables for our best customers, Mr. Cameron."
He led us to a window table with a view of the boardwalk along the seafront. The menus were jacketed in leather and required two hands. I already knew what I wanted but I let Miara study hers. She lowered it in exasperation.
"It's French and there are no prices." She whispered.
"Paul is also French and priceless." I whispered back, " My French is passable. Why not let me order?"
She really had no choice. The waiter arrived and introduced himself as Claude. I ordered a 1988 Haut-Brion and a Chateaubriand for two.
"That was more than passable French, Alan. How many languages do you speak?"
"Some Spanish, Arabic and I can ask for the toilet in German." I shrugged. "Very useful in the import-export game."
"Ah yes," she said, "The mysterious import-export game."
"It was not as romantic as it sounds. I was just an itinerant peddler with a passport full of visas." I said this with no false modesty and then changed the subject, " What is your most recurring sexual fantasy, Miara?"
"Alan, is sex all you ever talk about?"
"That is not our problem." I told her. "Our problem is that sex is what you have never talked about. So be a good girl and quit stalling. Tell me your darkest, secret longing."
I knew I could get her to tell me but first she would have to shift aside layers of repression.
She was momentarily saved by the arrival of the sommelier with the wine. I indicated that he should give us his opinion for Miara's benefit. I doubted she had ever observed the ceremony by which a restaurant cutely lets its guests know that it will cost them 500 dollars to consume a 250 dollar bottle in public. After the cork was withdrawn it was given a long moment of inspection under the steward's educated, Gallic beak. Next a small amount of the wine was poured into the small crystal taster's cup attached to a silver chain around his neck. The dark violet liquid was held to the light, its clarity scrutinized by a stern looking eye. The nose demanded another turn and tested the wine's bouquet. The taste buds then called for its contents to be poured over them. The mouth went through various contortions, as the wine was sucked, swirled and even gargled, before finally breaking into a wide smile.
"It is a fine bottle, Monsieur. Harmonious and balanced I would say." He assured us as he poured for Miara and then myself before departing. I raised my glass to her.
"To the fantasy you were about to share with me." I said, smiling at her.
She made no reply but sipped appreciatively. Claude arrived with two bowls of crab bisque.
"Claude. Take the lady's coat please." I directed.
"No I'm fine. It's chilly in here." She protested.
"Nonsense. It's warm. Give him your jacket" I insisted.
Claude continued to stand behind her waiting. Reluctantly, she surrendered it. I smiled as once again the round shadows of her veiled nipples were revealed.
"Claude, what do you think of my friend's new blouse. Do you think it suits her?" I asked.
The waiter paused and appraised Miara's appearance as if such a request was quite common. I watched the rosy flush of embarrassment climb from the deep V between her breasts all the way to her cheeks. She might as well have been naked from the waist. Her awareness of this became even more obvious as her nipples rose, making tiny, twin tents of the flimsy material.
"Mademoiselle looks lovely in it." The waiter said subtly and moved off with her jacket.
"That was uncalled for, Alan. You know this blouse is indecent. I feel like the entire place is staring at me."
"Why did you agree to wear it then." I asked.
"I wanted to look sexy for you. Not for some waiter!" she hissed.
"You are very beautiful. You should learn to enjoy teasing men. Especially me. In fact, I would like for you to tease me a bit now."
"What do you mean?"
"Raise your skirt so that your bare bottom is on the chair and spread your knees for me."
"No. Alan, I am very attracted to you but I'm not going to make a spectacle of myself. " She insisted quietly.
"No? As you please then. Try the bisque, it's excellent here." I said, dismissively.
I let the conversation die. The rest of meal was served and as always everything was delicious. I pretended to ignore her but noticed her picking at the meal, while I ate with silent enthusiasm. It was obvious that she was not enjoying herself. She declined dessert but I ordered a chocolate mousse. I took a spoonful and made a show of giving its rich texture my complete attention. Finally, she broke the silence.
"Alright." She whispered, "I've done it. Are you happy now?"
"Done what?" I inquired innocently.
"You've gotten your way again, I'm sitting here on my bare ass with my legs open!"
I acted as if it was no longer of interest to me and reached across the table with a spoonful of the mousse. She leaned forward and closed her mouth over the spoon. I drew it out and scraped a chocolate shadow from her lips with its edge, as one does when feeding a baby. Spoon by spoon, I silently fed her the rest of the dessert. I used my finger to collect the last of it from the plate and fed that to her as well. She sucked my finger until I pulled it from her. Her lips seemed reluctant to release it.
We were smiling at each other again. I signaled for the tab.