Erotica

Shyla felt a blush creep up her neck. "Oh, just...Erotica. Nothing serious."

Dan's smile grew wider, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Erotica? That's pretty... adventurous."

Dan leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I'd love to read your stories, Shyla." His eyes searched hers, looking for permission to delve deeper into her hidden world. The sincerity in his voice was like a warm embrace, making her feel seen in a way she hadn't been in a long time.

"They're... steamy," she admitted, feeling the heat from her cheeks spread to her ears. "I write about things I wish would happen in real life."

"Like what?" asked Dan, his interest piqued.

Shyla took a deep breath, feeling a sudden rush of boldness. "Well, like... passionate encounters in places you wouldn't expect. Like a conference room."

Dan's eyes flashed excitement. "Really?" he said, his voice filled with interest. "Tell me more."

Shyla leaned closer, her voice a whisper. "I can't tell you more here," she teased, glancing around the crowded bar. Their conversation was thick with unspoken desires. "But I can send you one when I get home," she offered, her eyes glinting with mischief.

Dan's heart skipped a beat. "That would be... amazing," he replied, his tone filled with anticipation.

Shyla's phone buzzed in her purse, the sound cutting through the low hum of the bar. She reached for it, a message from Tom, her husband, asking if she needed anything from the trip. She felt a momentary twinge of guilt, but it was quickly swallowed by the thrill of the moment.

She pulled out her phone and sent a response. "A big dick," she texted with an eggplant emoji. The message was deliberately vague, but the implication was clear. She watched as the text was delivered, then read, and finally the three dots appeared, indicating Tom was typing back. Her heart raced, half-expecting a furious response. But what came was a simple, "LOL, okay, love you." He had no idea how close she was to getting exactly what she had asked for.

She slid the phone back into her purse, her thoughts racing faster than they had all day. She took another sip of her wine, her eyes never leaving Dan's. The tension of unspoken desires. The smell of his Light Blue Dolce & Gabana grew stronger, a seductive cologne that destroyed her defenses.

They talked about their weekends, their favorite movies, and their childhood pets. Yet, with every shared laugh and whispered secret, the electricity grew. It was as if their words were merely a prelude to a symphony of passion that was about to be composed. Shyla found herself leaning closer, their knees brushing against each other.

Her third glass of wine was now empty, and the room was spinning just a little. The words tumbled out of her mouth before she could catch them. "Remember what Carolyn said about you?"

Dan looked at her, puzzled. "What did she say?"

Shyla took a deep breath, the wine loosening her inhibitions. "She said... she said that you're, well, that you're... really well-endowed," she giggled, her cheeks blushing.

Dan's smirk on his lips becoming a full-fledged smile. "Did she now?" he asked, his voice playful.

Shyla nodded, her cheeks red. "But you know, I've noticed something about you, Dan," she said, her voice low and earnest. "You're not like those other guys. You don't throw your... assets around like they're trophies."

Dan took a moment to process her words. He shrugged, looking down into his glass. "It's just a part of me," he said. "Doesn't define me."

Shyla nodded. "That's what I mean," she said, her voice earnest. "You're different."

Dan took another sip of his Coke, his eyes never leaving hers. "Thank you," he said.

Her phone buzzed again, and she looked at it, her heart racing. "Sorry," she said, "I got to go." She paused, then added, "Tom is going to video call me at home. It's something fun we do when he's on a business trip." It was a lie that rolled off her tongue with surprising ease.

Dan nodded, understanding. "It's okay," he said, his eyes still locked on hers. "We can continue this conversation another time."

Shyla felt a mix of relief and disappointment. The desire was there, but she knew she had to leave before she did something she might regret. She slid off the stool, her legs feeling a bit wobbly from the wine. "Another time," she echoed, her voice a little shaky.

"Definitely," Dan said, standing up with her. His hand found the small of her back, steadying her. The touch was innocent enough, but it sent electricity through her body. She could feel him, all of him, so close to her. The promise of what might happen when they were alone was exciting.

Shyla nodded, her eyes locked on his. "I'll email it to you," she promised, her voice filled with anticipation. "You'll see."