lunch with benefits

her bare midriff rubbed along my arm
as she made her way between the tables
the over crowded family style dinning area
was packed more than usual
on a Friday afternoon
her sweet, ‘excuse me’ was in direct contrast
with the tabasco covered bowl of gumbo
I had laid out before me
her voice reminded me of the cornbread
I had split apart, widened enough
to slather a goodly amount of melting butter
between its gapped opening
the heat making it drizzle down
into a hot creamy pool
I lifted it to my lips
my tongue savoring its combined flavors
its textures
I was just about to drill deeper
into the heart of the matter when I heard
in the most mouth watering
southern belle drawl
‘usually a gentleman responds to a lady’
I apologized as soon as her bellybutton
cleared the ends of my fingertips
rising slowly
stiffly
meaningfully
I declared
you and your plate of stuffed crabs
are more than welcome
here on my table top
she made herself comfortable
on the bench opposite me
demanding, may I see your hand
I shoved the left one towards her
as she unscrewed the lid from the tabasco
coating my fingertips with the fiery red liquid
she proceeded to suck them completely dry
we made eye contact as she looked up and smiled
my right hand squeezing my cornbread
beyond recognition
finally managing a gentlemanly observation of
I hope you enjoy more than
just your crabs being stuffed