Blush

She sits at the dark mahogany bar,
warn down to a deep smooth finish.
Warm and comforting beneath her hands.
She tries to determine why this
can be addicting,
it was never that way for her
she could take it or leave it.
She was here now
because the lawyers thought they should meet
one last time,
make sure they were on the same page.
So he had
requested her company.
She wasn't at all surprised
that he was late,
she wondered if he even remembered
he was to meet her here.
It was getting quite crowded.
People milling around her,
reaching for their drinks.
Other men wondering
if she was alone.
She sensed his presence
before she saw him.
He had that way about him,
a dangerous confidence,
she had admired that about him,
once but that was a distant memory,
something she now found detesting.
He was suddenly next to her his hand
on her back his lips pressed against her cheek.
How are you my beautiful doll? he asked.
Then immediately snapped his fingers
at the bartender and ordered his regular,
Jamaican Rum on the rocks straight up.
The bartend placing his glass down,
pouring the golden liquid over square cubes
somehow made it seem luxuriously delicious,
although she didn't dare have anything quite that strong.
She preferred to be in control, keep her wits keen,
not muddled by the swoon of an alcohol buzz.
This was business after all.
I thought you were giving up the heavy stuff she quipped.
He gazed at her steadily.
Aren't you a sight for sore eyes,
voraciously taking her in.
She shifted uneasily in her chair.
I wish you wouldn't look at me
like I am nothing more than something to be devoured,
that is not the reason for our meeting.
Hmmmmm, he said,
I guess we are here for different reasons.
Our assignment is supposed to be working on
getting things cleared up, cleaned up,
no more messing about, she said a bit more firmly.
He reached his hand behind her neck,  
pressed his lips to her ear.
Oh baby, he said, YOU are my assignment,
don't you know?
Not sure what the lawyers  had in mind
putting us together, but make no mistake
I have plans within plans.
She could feel the color rising to her cheeks
but not because she was flattered by his gesture,
far from it. But he caught it as he pulled away.
Her gaze very direct.
Why doll, seems I struck a nerve or a chord,
either way bringing that color to your cheeks
does not dissuade me in the least. I rather like it.