By Rachel Torrent

Jack looked out over the playing field, but he wasn’t watching the game. He was restless. Not bored, really. Just abstracted. Slightly fettered, like a child in church who desperately wants to be elsewhere.

Oh, he liked baseball. That wasn’t the problem. And he enjoyed these male bonding afternoons with his buddies. But his heart, or rather his attention span, just wasn’t in this game today. And the social banter going on between Alan Matthews and Ben Farlow wasn’t penetrating his interest yet at all.

At least they weren’t down there in the bright, hot sunshine with “the crowd,” he thought as he distastefully scanned the sea of people below him. No, their seats were located in the stadium’s covered Club Level, courtesy of his boss Cliff. It wasn’t the air-conditioned private box Jack would have preferred, but it was far better than average. It was not an option for Jack to settle for “average.”

He stood up and stretched his legs. It was only the third inning. “Time for a beer run. Who needs one?” he asked.

Cliff, not much of a drinker, declined a refill. He’d probably nurse the cup in his hand for another hour. Ben and Alan, however, broke off their avid play-off speculations to say that yes, they could both absolutely go for another cold one. So Jack seized the opportunity to leave them, hoping that physical movement would relieve some of his nervous energy.

He had worn beige khaki pants and a new red Polo knit shirt for the occasion, and he was aware of catching an admiring glance or two as he strode confidently out into the less-populated Club Level concession area. He smiled for a second. Maybe that’s what I need, he mused. A little female company. A good lay. That would most assuredly cure his restlessness.

Then, as he stepped into the queue for the beverages, his eyes accidentally landed on the thing that was to alter the remainder of his day. It was such an arresting sight that his breathing ceased for a second or two as he unabashedly stared.

She was heart-stoppingly gorgeous, more gorgeous than any woman Jack had seen so far in his life. And had he almost caught her looking at him just then when he’d discovered her? Had he actually seen her glance away hurriedly, or was he just wishing he had?

She was in the line on the other side and appeared to be alone. His eyes roamed slowly and delightfully over her body.

She was tall, but not too tall – maybe 5’6”. And her long, full, light brown hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders; its blonde highlights randomly caught the lights. Her skin, the color of warm honey, seemed to glow. Jack licked his lips involuntarily, imagining the sweet taste.

She was probably in her late twenties and obviously treated her exquisite body well, he surmised. He, too, wanted to treat her exquisite body well. She wore a white v-neck T-shirt, cuffed denim shorts, and sandals. Naturally stunning, Jack thought. His mind was now completely focused.

As fate would have it, though, they did NOT conveniently arrive at registers simultaneously. She had already paid for her food and was walking off to the right as Jack watched helplessly from the queue. He couldn’t possibly catch up with her now. “Damn,” he whispered quietly.

But then Jack’s luck revamped itself in his favor. The object of his desire abruptly stopped in her tracks and turned around to head back in his direction. She couldn’t resist me, he thought jokingly, while paying for his beers.

He stepped away from the register directly and accidentally into her path, and they narrowly avoided a wet, messy collision.

“Whoa! Excuse me! Where’s the fire?” he asked, laughing.

She grinned, and Jack felt his insides melting. All he saw were huge brown eyes and perfect white teeth, both set in a honey-brown face of flawless complexion. She was more beautiful up close than he’d imagined.

“Oh, sorry………..I forgot the damn mustard,” she said, never taking those bottomless eyes off him.

Although slightly weakened, Jack was not off his game. “Ahhh, a lady who likes to spice up her life………It’s over here. I’ll show you.” He smiled sweetly.

As they moved over to the condiments, she said hastily, “Oh, this isn’t for ME. I don’t eat this shit. But Em would beat me senseless if I came back without the damn mustard.” And she slathered said mustard on the hot dog.

Anxious to keep the conversation alive, Jack said, “M?”

“Emily. My friend. We call her ‘Em’ or ‘Auntie Em.’” She didn’t glance up from her chores, but Jack watched her every move.

So maybe she wasn’t here with some guy, he thought. “Well, I’m sticking to the beer myself. It’s the safest bet,” he said.

“Same here……….And that means lots of peeing and missing most of the game…….But what the hell, right? It’s the national pastime!” She laughed and picked up the food. Then she turned to him and glanced down at what he held. “And your friends are gonna send a lynch mob for you if you don’t get back with their beers………Sorry I delayed ya.”

“They’ll wait…….I’m Jack, by the way………and the delay was nice.” He smiled a charming smile, one he’d practiced many times before.

Did she blush just a little? He was sure she did. “I’m Kaitlin.”

“Kaitlin,” he repeated quietly. “That’s lovely.”

“Thanks. My mother watched lotsa soaps.”

He laughed politely while studying her face. “Well, your mother did an outstanding job.”

Yet another slight pale blush on her cheeks. “I’d better get back……..and you too,” she said.

“Say, why don’t we—“

“Meet back out here later to pee? Now that's a safe bet! See ya, Jack. It was nice to meet ya.”

And she was gone. “Yeah, see ya,” Jack said to no one, sounding more than a little disappointed.

* * *

“What did ya havta do, Jack? Wait for the shit to brew?” Ben asked sarcastically when he finally returned with the beers.

“Kiss my tight ass, why don’tcha, Ben?” Jack replied. And Alan laughed out loud.

Jack drank the beer quickly before it got too warm and pretended to watch the baseball game. But his concentration was still in another place. All he could see was Kaitlin’s shining eyes as she looked at him; and all he could smell was the light perfume she’d been wearing; and all he could hear was her self-confident, lilting voice.

He was still distracted, but now he knew the reason for it. Ben, Alan, and Cliff didn’t seem to notice a change in him at all.

After an interminable two more innings, Jack jumped up to leave again. He had to try to see this lady once more. Some little voice inside him told him he should. Maybe something between his legs had a say in the matter also.

His hunch proved correct. As he emerged from the Men’s Room, he saw Kaitlin, again alone, in another queue line, purchasing popcorn this time. Bingo. He walked over just as she was finishing.

“Is this for you, or is Em still hungry?”

She looked up at him quickly, a little startled. But then she smiled pleasantly. “Oh, hi……….Jack, wasn’t it?”

There was some kind of aura about her, a warm and unearthly atmosphere that seemed to surround her and those in her presence. Jack couldn’t remember noticing this non-tangible quality about a female before.

“Correct………..How’s YOUR party fairing? I’m out for beer again.” He put forth his most alluring smile.

“Did they give you a time limit on this run?” She laughed and munched on popcorn.

“Hey, if they don’t like the way I fetch their alcohol, they can fetch their own,” he said.

God, she’s pretty, he was thinking. And what a body.

“Want some popcorn? It’s all mine.”

“No, thanks………..Are you here with……….a boyfriend?” He tried to sound shy and hesitant.

She stopped chewing and stared calmly at him. “Just Em and Sarah………Why?”

Jack performed another of his enchanting smiles. “Well…………I thought maybe we could go and get something DECENT to eat after the game………I’m not big on the stadium junk food either. Whadaya say?” Unconsciously, he held his breath.

Kaitlin smiled a bit bashfully but didn’t look away. “I dunno……..I rode here with them……..And I’m not dressed for—”

“You look marvelous. I was only considering that place across the freeway called The Seventh Inning Stretch. Nothing fancy……….And I’ll take ya home afterwards.” He raised his eyebrows in a question.

“But I hardly know you. You could be a Jeffrey Dahmer or something,” she said.

Jack laughed and shuddered at the same time. “No way, sweetheart. Chain saws give me the creeps. And you’re welcome to come and meet my friends if it’ll make ya feel more comfortable.”

She cut her interesting eyes to the side for the span of a heart beat and smiled. “You don’t know where I live. It could be a hundred miles from here.”

To this, Jack pursed his lips. “Ahhh, but I’m guessing you don’t…..…..I’ll get you home. Don’t worry ‘bout it. All problems solved.”

She grinned, all out of excuses. “This is weird, Jack.”

He thrilled inside to hear her speak his name. “No, Kaitlin, it’s perfectly normal. I won’t bite you……..not until you beg me to.” He winked, and she couldn’t resist laughing.

“Well………Lemme go and discuss it with Sarah and Em. I’ll meet ya right here after the game if I’ve decided you’re a safe bet. Okay?”

“And what if you decide I’m not?” Jack had turned his smile down to simmering. Now he attempted a dejected, forlorn look.

“I’m in the book. Kaitlin Hunter.”

“But I’m impatient,” he said quietly.

“I’m worth the wait,” she said and winked back at him. Then she turned and left him standing there staring lustfully after her as he watched her ass walk away from him. He knew he had the beginnings of a erection.

* * *

Looking back later, Jack didn’t know how he survived the last two and a half innings of that baseball game. He had thought he was restless and agitated before – but now he was anxious and eager beyond words, breathlessly awaiting his fate.

He had detected a flirtatious attitude about the lovely Kaitlin, a willingness, a sense of bravery and adventure. He had no doubt in his mind that she was interested in him as well. But the waiting, the not knowing for sure how events would turn out, was slowly driving him insane.

There were often situations when he enjoyed the anticipation, when he liked to build the tension in a potential sexual liaison. But this delay, this unsure feeling, was successfully getting under his skin. Something was definitely different about Kaitlin. Something he didn’t yet understand, but something he liked.

He told his cronies the whole story, of course. Kaitlin was only a possible conquest at the moment, but a favored one. Alan, Ben, and Cliff hadn’t been surprised in the least, considering Jack’s outgoing personality and notorious reputation. And it had been simple to persuade Cliff to ride home with the other two.

Finally, after the game, Jack strolled casually to the meeting point and searched for her, trying not to seem obvious or desperate. After a full five minutes, she appeared like a vision, sauntering out of the nearby Ladies’ Room and grinning at him. Still alone. His heart, as well as his penis, leapt. To neither his nor her knowledge, both sets of accompanying friends had been instructed/permitted to anonymously scope out the meeting just for a glimpse of “the other one.”

“I’m pretty damn hungry, Jack. I hope you’ve got some money,” Kaitlin said, breathily.

Hungry too, Jack said, “I’ve got whatever you want, my dear. Did you successfully ditch your friends?” He inhaled her perfume, invisibly overjoyed to see her.

“You don’t see ‘em, do ya? What about yours?”

Even her sarcasm turned Jack on. He smiled. “They’re history. Let’s go.”

So began the most intense, most exciting, most memorable afternoon/evening of Jack’s life to date. It seemed to be their mutual destiny to enjoy each other now that they’d happily met. The gods were certainly smiling on them, approving of this coming together.

Over a hearty meal, they laughed and talked – acting out the ritual first date dance of “sometimes I’ll tell you the real deal, and sometimes I won’t.” Jack gathered instantly that she was shrewd and very intelligent, not an easy pushover at all. Kaitlin, on the other hand, sensed immediately that he might be less than sincere with his affections, but that he was brutally honest with, and more than capable of fulfilling, his desires. And these qualities, surprisingly enough, they each admired in the other.

When his charcoal Range Rover pulled up in front of her condominium, only twenty minutes from Jack’s own house, he turned to her and said, “This had been a blast, Kaitlin.” His voice was soft and quiet in the semi-darkness.

“Oh, it’s over?” She whispered back. Her eyes lit up the inside of the vehicle.

His heart (and penis) did another pirouette. “Can ya come in for awhile, Jack? It’s only nine something. We could have an after-dinner drink.”

“I dunno, Kaitlin………I mean I just met you, and you could be a Lizzy Borden or something. I, uh—”

“Shut the hell up, Jack. Axes give me the creeps. Now, do ya havta rush off?”

He laughed a small laugh. “No. I guess not.”

“Then c’mon in and meet Rusty, my Golden Retriever.”

Jack did eventually leave that night, a little after midnight. They had made love for two hours, setting the bedroom ablaze with the built-up passion.

Kaitlin had been a dream-come-true for Jack, sufficiently satisfying all of his urges and appetites before he could even make them known. And she sounded out animalistic noises when she discovered that he knew instinctively where, when, and how to touch her.

“Oh, my God! You’re a damn expert!” she panted out in the dark as Jack licked and sucked her honey-colored flesh and then the pink, tender folds inside her private parts. It was as sweet-tasting as he’d dreamed, blended with a touch of saltiness that he gulped down hungrily. His firm, probing tongue darted back and forth over her tender, sensitive spots until her wetness covered his face and she writhed violently on the bed.

At one point, Jack was stretched out on the bed moaning as Kaitlin devoured his hardness with her greedy mouth. She seemed to relish the juicy act as she consumed him, swallowing him deeply into her throat. Then she straddled him and slowly lowered her swollen opening onto him and rode him rhythmically until they both were drenched with sweat and erupting fiercely in blinding orgasms.

Afterwards, they lay against each other and didn’t say much. They were exhausted. Spent passion.

When he left, Jack had asked if he could call her. “Of course,” she had responded. “I’m in the book.”

And that had been good enough for him. He slept more peacefully that night than he had in months.

* * *

At work the following day, completely refreshed, Jack’s thoughts still surrounded Kaitlin. Nasty, sexual thoughts. Caring, affectionate thoughts. Memories of the evening before. And the indulgence of lingering thoughts such as these was not typical behavior for Jack French. Usually, by this time, he had moved on to the next conquest.

But Kaitlin was neither typical nor usual. And the experience of her had touched Jack in some strange way, a moving way that was unfamiliar to him. Did he have coping mechanisms for this kind of thing once he sorted it out?

He sat behind his desk that afternoon replaying in his head Kaitlin’s soft little groaning noise that she made the night before after a ferocious orgasm had rocked her body. He hadn’t heard anyone walk into his office. So when she spoke, he almost jumped out of his skin.

“Afternoon, Mr. French. How are you today?”

Jack looked up directly into Kaitlin’s face, stunned. She, however, was composed and calm. She wore a nice dark blue business suit, and her brown hair was pulled back in a large barrette behind her. The warm aura still enveloped her. She had a wistful look on her pretty face as she eyed Jack now.

“Kaitlin………..what are you doing here?” He whispered although she’d closed the door when she entered his office. He could smell the same cologne she’d worn the day before.

“Just came by to say hello, Jack. I was in the neighborhood.” Her tone was matter-of-fact.

“But………how’d you know……” He trailed off. He didn’t remember telling her exactly where he was employed. It just hadn’t come up in their conversations.

“I work here, Jack. I’m a paralegal for one of the company attorneys……….Surprise.” Kaitlin smiled, with her tongue in her rosy cheek. She too had told him her profession, but not where she worked. Coincidentally.

“And you—oh, please sit down. I’m sorry,” he said, exasperated. She sat down facing him across the desk. He continued, still flabbergasted. “And you knew who I was yesterday, didn’t you?” The light was beginning to shine for Jack.

“Can’t say I didn’t, Jack. Sorry. Didn’t mean to burst your bubble……..But I couldn’t resist……..I’ve been watching you for quite some time, I must admit.”

He looked down and laughed a little, not knowing quite how to proceed. He was slightly off balance. “And what ELSE should you admit, Kaitlin? Was this all a big setup?”

She pretended to look offended. “A setup? Certainly not! You’re legendary ‘round here, Jack, darling………..the speed and efficiency with which you go through women………how you’ve treated some of them afterwards……. I just wanted some………confirmation……..my little piece of the pie, so to speak. So I decided to go for it.”

She didn’t sound angry to Jack, and he’d heard anger many times before. This one he couldn’t figure out. Instinctively, he felt a little trapped. He peered at her with puzzled, narrowed eyes. “So who was zooming who yesterday, Kaitlin?”

She laughed, and it was musical. “You’re sharp, Mr. French……….and I havta to tell ya that I planted myself in your presence………I wanted you, but I wanted you to think you were pursuing me………I wanted to play the game by your rules……….and it was fun.”

Jack sighed out loud. “So this was some big elaborate scheme for you to get payback for all womankind, Kaitlin? Is that it?” If this was a game, Jack was absolutely not enjoying it.

She looked appalled again. “No way, Jack! I loved every minute of it! Stalking you from afar and finally capturing you and bringing you to my lair was an ultimate victory for me, not to mention the fabulous fucking!………even if you did believe things were the other way around.”

He’d half-way expected her to say, “So how does it feel, Casanova, to be on the receiving end of the little hunt-and-snare game men and women play? How does it feel to be a conquest?” But she didn’t. And he couldn’t detect any bitterness or hostility in her voice at all. She was still whimsical and calm.

“Kaitlin,” he began slowly. “Are you saying that you were just making a point and that’s all?”

She snorted, sort of. “I guess that’s a way of wording it. Nobody else knows about last night, if that’s what’s bothering ya, Jack. And I really did have a damn good time.”

“What’s bothering me is your ulterior motives. I thought we had a great time too last night.”

She laughed smugly. “That’s a typical female reaction, Jack. We’re never sure of the man’s ulterior motives either. So, like I said………at least for once, the proverbial shoe was on the other foot.”

“Does this mean you don’t wanna see me again?” He was totally confused.

Kaitlin stood up quickly and raised her hands in the air. “Goddamn, Jack! You’re some piece of work! We’re having an almost deep conversation, and all you can think about is your dick! Unbelievable!”

“Don’t get upset, Kaitlin. I’m sorry. This is a new phenomenon for me……..YOU are a new sensation for me altogether,” he said quietly.

She smiled, settling back down. “That this is all new to you is very obvious, Jack……..Sorry……..Maybe I’ve been outta line………..Look, about seeing each other again socially………….let’s just see how the cards fall. Deal?”

He had no idea right then what she meant, but he agreed anyway. “Deal.”

“Good……Well, it was nice to see you again, Mr. French. You have a nice day.” She turned and started to leave. But then she stopped, like she had done at the stadium, and turned around again. “Oh, and……your mom certainly did an exceptional job.” She grinned and left.

Jack sat there for several minutes, more shaken and confused than he had been in a long time. What in the hell was happening? What had just taken place? Was this lady going to make him start questioning his whole perception of things in general? Did she like him or not? And why did he suddenly find her much more attractive than before she walked in his office?

Slowly, the restless mood came on him again. He felt agitated and unfocused. He had to get out of his office and do some thinking. Some soul-searching, maybe. Then he got an idea. He’d go to Renaissance. Julie would listen to his story and help him sift through it for answers. Julie would know how to handle this.

* * *

“So an alien has inhabited your body, right, Jack? This surely isn’t you I’m talking to,” Julie said in her office at her restaurant. She had listened to his saga, and he now awaited her analysis. “You sound like you might actually have feelings for this girl……….other than a hard-on.”

“C’mon, Jules. I’m not that much of a prick, am I?”

“It depends on the time of day, dearest………..…and who you happen to be talking to.” She smiled at him coyly.

He rolled his eyes. “Give me a fucking break. I just don’t mind taking a good lay when and where I can get it. That’s all.”

“And you’re always trying to get it, Jack. You never give it a rest.”

“Maybe I’ve met my match with this woman, huh?”

“Your match? Hell, you’ve met YOU! A picture of yourself, Jack. In female form. Smart, sassy, and sexy. And certainly not shy.”

Jack looked down, in deep thought. “I like her, Julie. She’s done something to me……..confused the hell outta me, yes, but something else too………..She’s grabbed onto something inside me and won’t let go……..This is strange.”

“It’s not strange, Jack. It happens every day. It’s called ‘caring ‘bout someone,’” Julie said dryly.

He stared at her, wide-eyed. “But I may not be equipped to handle that sort of thing!”

“Are you kidding me, Jack? Just because you never have doesn’t mean you can't. Give it a try.”

He closed his eyes for a second or two, exhausted. “I hate to admit it, but this thing is turning me inside out, Jules.”

“Matters of the heart are always tough for the novice.”

He opened his eyes now, a slow smile dawning across his face. “Fuck you.”

“Yeah, you wish………Always have……..C’mon. Let’s go have a drink in the bar. Roger won’t be here for another hour.”

“Ya think I got a chance with her, Julie?”

“Looks promising from this angle, Jack. Stop worrying ‘bout it so much and give it a shot……..But don’t rush it……..God, I can’t freaking believe I’m giving Jack French advice on women.” She laughed as she stood up.

“Not just women, babe. This one is a unique lady.”

“Yeah, yeah, Jack. I can’t wait to hear your tune in a week or so.”

* * *

The chat at Renaissance had taken place on Monday, late afternoon. Oddly enough, Jack did not see Kaitlin around in the building during the following days. But then, he remembered, he had never seen her around in the building before he met her.

Frettingly and anxiously, he had decided to wait until Thursday evening to call her at home. He felt as if he was in high school all over again, wondering if he’d appear over-eager by calling that soon.

So by Thursday afternoon, he’d talked himself into moving the intended phone call to the following Monday. Surely a full week was a decent length of time to wait. It would be hell on his nerves, like this entire experience had been so far. But he’d manage it somehow. He was Jack French.

On Friday afternoon, just before he left the office for the weekend, Jack’s secretary buzzed in a phone call.

“Myra Robinson from Mr. Kaufman’s office for you on line three, Jack.”

Jack knew no Mr. Kaufman and didn’t care to start now, late on Friday afternoon. But he sighed resignedly and picked up the phone anyway. The long day and week were almost over.

“Jack French. What can I do for you?”

“Oh, my, what a loaded question, Mr. French. I wasn’t expecting that. But since you asked……….how much time you got? I have a list.”

Jack almost laughed out loud at the sound of her voice, but he stopped himself with a silent grin. “Kaitlin.” Intense and unidentifiable warmth flowed through his body.

She giggled. “I lied to your dimwit secretary……….How’ve you been, Jack?”

“Thinking ‘bout you,” he almost whispered.

“Really now?”

“Absolutely…….What can I do for ya, sweetheart?”

“Well………You can meet me at Renaissance at seven. Ask for Myra Robinson’s table. She’s got pull in this town.” She giggled again.

“I’ll be there………Myra……..Can’t wait.”

“Oh, but I told you already………I’m worth the wait.”

“Ahh, I know you are, my dear………And I’m willing to wait.”

Jack put down the phone and sighed with much needed relief. And he smiled to himself. For a while at least, he felt peace inside. And he was also flushed with anticipation.

Yes, this was a different experience altogether, different but sensational. One he could get used to. Maybe. After all, he was Jack French.