You get the waitress's number

Julia Morgan is a charming dinner companion, smart, funny, a good listener. The conversation flows effortlessly and you manage to forget that this is the same woman who was the bane of your life before you found the Rulebook. You find out that she is the oldest of three children, having one brother and one sister. She grew up in a small industrial town and was the first woman in her family to attend higher education and the first person of either gender to obtain a postgraduate degree. After two years postdoctoral research, she received a lectorship from a large plate glass university, before moving to your college, originally as a lecturer, becoming a fellow at the age of thirty and the Tutor for Woman less than a year later. Quite a meteoric rise, although she is pleasingly complimentary about your own less impressive employment history.

The excellent company means that you scarcely notice the decidedly average meal which Amy serves you. She seems to have conquered her nerves and is everything you could want from a waitress, attentive without being intrusive. When she arrives to clear away your empty plates, you decide against dessert and order coffee, instead. Julia goes to powder her nose while you wait and so you're alone at the table when Amy returns. She really is quite lovely and you can't resist making a move as she delivers your drinks.

"You're very beautiful, Amy. Can I get your number?" You hold your breath to see how she reacts to your brazen advance, quite prepared to use the Rulebook to defuse the situation if necessary. It turns out, you needn't have worried.

"Ooh yes, certainly sir, I'd love to hear from you," she replies, with a radiant smile.

"You know that since you're not looking to read any of the schools offered by my department, I won't have any influence on whether you get offered a place, don't you?" you check as you copy her number into your smartphone.

"That never crossed my mind, sir! I'd just be honoured to have the chance to get to know a respected member of the academic community and provide whatever small service I can for you."

Satisfied that you don't suspect her of nefarious motives, the young head-turner hurries on to her next table and moments later, Julia returns. Putting the possibility of an assignation with the svelte waitress out of your mind, you turn your full attention to the woman sharing your table. While she's not exactly flirting with you, she seems very open and receptive, laughing at your poor jokes and barely-amusing anecdotes. She expresses no surprise at your lack of prior romantic attachments, suggesting that the easy availability of gorgeous young women at the university eager to hone their carnal skills, together with the time pressures associated with academic achievement, make anything more than casual encounters a relative luxury. She excuses her own spinsterhood by saying that most of the men she meets seem to think that her confidence and professional success mean that she wouldn't welcome lasting domination in her private life, which couldn't be further from the truth.

"Also, my twenty-eight year old sister is currently living with me until she saves enough for a place of her own or meets a potential husband, which does cramp my style a bit," she admits, wryly. "Helen's a technical secretary and I love her to bits, but she can't hold a meaningful conversation and our tastes in music and furnishings are completely different."

You express sympathy and wave away Julia's offer to pay the bill, pointing out that you invited her out. Besides, you have to do something with all the tip money you've been accumulating. You even feel Amy has done well enough to warrant a gratuity of her own. Given that every spanking she receives costs her the price of a meal, she probably needs all the extra she can get.

Walking outside, you are surprised by the chill in the air; you've spent over two hours in the restaurant, but it only seemed like a few minutes, so well have you been getting on. You put your arm round Julia's shoulder for warmth as the two of you wait for the taxi you ordered just before leaving. She leans into your body, resting her head on your shoulder and it's impossible that she can't feel your growing erection pressed against her side.