Teamwork by Lily Harlem

I’m doing there becoming blurred.”
    He pulled the car to a halt and treated me to one of his wonderful smiles. “Here’s Ciao’s, one of my most favorite places to eat in Orlando.”
    * * * * *
     
    The meal was wonderful, the restaurant small and unassuming and the service discreet but friendly. Though at our table the atmosphere was charged with a simmering sexual tension. Every moment I spent with Todd was a treat. He was a hopeless flirt, brimming with compliments but also charming and easy to chat with. I ended up telling him all about growing up in Mumbles and how my parents still ran a small seaside shop that sold everything from starfish ashtrays to lumps of glazed coal brought down from the valleys.
    Todd had spent his early childhood going between his divorced parents. Half his time on the west coast, the other spent on the east. Eventually he just lived with his father in New York City, having grown apart from his mother. He’d got good grades but was only ever really happy when he was playing hockey or, he added quickly, in the company of a beautiful woman.
    At first, I was reluctant when it was time to go. I was mellow with wine and content watching Todd’s sensual mouth move as he spoke. But then I started to think about the next part of the evening. About Todd’s newly decorated apartment and wondering what the color of his bedsheets would be. An image of us naked and tangled popped into my mind. I let it stay, embellishing it with thoughts of him sinking deep inside me, pummeling his hips until I cried out in ecstasy. I wondered what he would sound like when he came. Would he be a grunter, a sigher or would he become all religious and shout his pleasure right up to the heavens?
    “Here,” Todd said, “don’t forget your purse.”
    “Oh yes, thanks.” I pulled in a deep, calming breath and set my face into a smile.
    On our way through the restaurant, an elderly Italian lady with a wobbly gray bun pulled Todd down for a double-cheeked kiss. “You come back soon, Pretty,” she said. “You know my cooking keeps you winning.”
    Todd laughed. “It certainly does, and yep, I’ll be back soon.”
    “And what is the name of tonight’s beautiful lady?” She turned to me, her small eyes studying me with keen intelligence.
    “Fiona. Fiona this is Benita, she’s the owner of Ciao’s.”
    “Hi,” I said. “We had a lovely meal, thank you very much.”
    “Ah, it is my pleasure. Good food is what makes the world go ’round.” She tipped her head. “Where are you from? I cannot place your accent.”
    “I’m Welsh. Over here working for a while.”
    “Ah, and having some fun with the Vipers while you are here. Can’t say I blame you. If I was forty years younger…” She sighed wistfully and her eyes twinkled.
    Heat rose on my cheeks. Had she guessed the dirty thoughts going through my mind?
    “Come on,” Todd laughed. “I have to deliver this lovely lady home.”
    I bid Benita good night, thanked her once again and allowed Todd to lead me outside. Home? Surely he meant home to his place.
    We got in the car and he pulled into the darkness. The radio came on, a classical song that he quickly switched to a beaty dance track. “I’ve really enjoyed tonight,” he said, glancing my way then suppressing a yawn.
    “Me too.” We were heading back the route we’d come. “Er, whereabouts do you live?” I asked.
    “Downtown, not nearly as fancy as Raven’s place. But the decorators have nearly finished sprucing it up, which is a good thing.”
    “Yes, I guess it is.”
    “I’ll take you to see it when they’ve gone. I’d be glad of a female opinion. Don’t want too much of a bachelor pad. I’d kinda like a few soft edges. You know, keep it cozy.”
    “Of course.” My heart sank.
    We traveled a mile or so in silence. I watched my new surroundings whiz past in a blur of lights. Shopping malls, adverts for theme parks and not-to-be-missed shows, huge hotels. Eventually we pulled to