Night of Intrigue

Theo sat in the half-lidded light, hiding in the shadow of the vintage screen of the bar. A finger poised over the rim of a glass, tapping to the rhythm of some song drumming dimly in the background. Her eyes were fixated on a man across the room; her grandmother used to say that a woman's gaze never faltered, not when she truly wanted something. But her grandmother never prepared her for what captivated her tonight. A charming smile perhaps, but not eyes that warmed the room, a color like fine aged cognac, smooth and sultry, stirring like the liquor in a refined glass—the alluring gaze of an assured man, no doubt with a voice as husky as his presence.

The sizzling sound of a match striking drew her attention to the woman lighting a candle for a couple. The nervous energy that radiated between them struck her. Ah, to be young in love, she thought to herself. The young boy could barely keep his nerves in check as he scrutinized his menu, no doubt looking to impress his date with extensive knowledge. For a moment, she notices the young woman's eyes roll in exasperation, no doubt having agreed to this outing based on a slight inclination for the young man. He was sorely hampering his chances of another date by overthinking the matter, and in so doing, partly ignoring his date. She drew in a slow breath. The back of a server cut her view of the young couple as she shook her head; a scanty smirk twitched at the corner of her red lips. Her eyes scanned around once more and met the same powerful gaze of the man across the room. It was the third time this evening, and despite the crowd of over young professionals, he stood out as the most charismatic, no doubt highly pragmatic as well.

Not one to shy away, she held his gaze until a smile stroke across his face. He turned away to speak with the bartender as a moody song began its thrum, deepening the ambiance. She clicked her tongue against her cheek and raised the glass to her lips. The burn that followed the robust taste down her throat a warm welcome. Now empty, the glass sat in the low light as a sigh escaped her lips. Her body slipped back into the shadows of the booth; an arm draped casually on the edge of the back of the booth, fingers curled as her lips seemed to press upon them, her mind lost in thought. The ice in her glass clinked as the minutes passed. She divulged over a rather compelling assessment of a discussion with a colleague when the obscure presence of a man stepped before her table. Fitting, she thought, it would be as I mull over the debate on factions of power in history.

Her eyes drifted up to meet the same tempting gaze that had followed her throughout the night. "Normally, I would refrain from disturbing your evening, but I must admit you have me entranced."

"Only on mere entrancement brings you to my table then?" she questions as the corners of her lip curled. She dropped her hand and slipped over the booth slightly, the abrupt motion an invitation as she allowed him room beneath the canopy of shadow.

"Perhaps a poor choice of an introduction?" He extended a firm hand to her, "allow me to correct my mistake then. Most know me as Liam, and beyond basic intrigue, I am curious to know what makes a woman such as yourself smile to herself with such intrigue in her eyes."

"Theo," she took the hand and welcomed him beside her. The circular booth provided enough space for comfort but enough intimacy with the brush of their knees. "As for your curiosity, I'm afraid I can't give up my thoughts just yet."

"And what would earn me these inquisitive thoughts?"

"Perhaps once I understand your character after I have a chance to assess your faults."

"My faults?" he chuckled, "And what if I were to say I have none?"

"Pride is not always a virtue." She smiled and raised her hand for the server. The young woman strolled over, her eyes lingering on Liam that now sat beside her. Theo cleared her throat and spoke caringly, "could I bother you for a wine list?" The woman snapped her attention to her and nodded.

"Sorry, yes. Let me grab that real quick." The woman turned away. Theo noticed she stood a little taller.

Once more in their own privacy, Theo took a second to peek at Liam beside her. Now that he sat so close, she noticed she was right about the molten ambiance of his eyes. The rest of him suited her tastes as well, a powerful straight nose and dark hair that waved casually in a moderate length. But what captivated her was the attention in his gaze and the knowing smile he seemed unable to keep back. He continued to watch her as the young woman returned with the list. "Thank you," she breathed and scanned the contents.

Growing up around family members that enjoyed a deep red, her usual wine of choice lingered on robust and complex medleys, boarding, on occasion, with dense and plummy. Yet as she scanned the contents, she couldn't bring herself to decide.

"Might I suggest something?" Liam offered; she handed him the menu. After a glance, he returned the young woman the menu with an alluring smile. "A bottle of the Pahlmeyer Merlot and two glasses, please." She nodded and hurried away, no doubt holding her breath. "While I on many occasions favor a cab, this particular wine holds its own for a dusky evening."

Another server, a gruff older gentleman, appeared and presented the bottle to Liam before proceeding to pull the cork. The soft pop satisfying to hear, almost as satisfying as watching the deep amethyst fill the bottom of the glass. “Let her have the first taste.” The older man obliged and handed her the glass. Liam watched her as she thanked the man and turned the contents around in the glass. Long fingers subtly shifting in practiced movements.

She raised the glass and took a sip, "hmmm, a hint of Spanish cedar," her words were low. "Silky, dark, I must admit this is quite an amusing little merlot."

Liam lifted his and drew in a deep breath, eyes closed, an intimate expression as if savoring the sweetest moments. With a small sip, his face lit up once more. He watched her, "full-bodied, long and beautiful focus, quite an alluring companion for the evening."

"The wine, of course."

"Of course," he chuckled; she returned his smile as he took another sip. "May I ask you a somewhat intrusive question?" Her eyes met his, curious as she nodded. "Why is someone such as yourself here alone, when you could easily hold the attention of anyone."

"Perhaps I like my solitude."

"Perhaps, but then why allow someone such as me to intrude?"

"I'm not one to turn away favorable conversation." A chuckle escaped her lips as she ran a finger along the rim of her glass.

"Now there is an interesting thought. What defines favorable conversation?"

She laughed, "I say that is up to the party, but your company is kind, your gaze is inquiring, and your character is cunning. Those were enough for me to assume a good conversation." They sat in silence for a bit, the contents of her glass refilled without a word. She enjoyed his presence, and despite their discussion of favorable conversation, the silence was also satisfactory.

She glanced at him as his convincing contemplation warmed her skin. He sat forward, "another thought of mine then.” He fell silent and mulled over his choice of words, “a gaze like yours is developed in only two ways…" the song changed into a sort of velvet blues. "Through the hard experiences of love and loss–"her eyes slowly drifted to meet his gaze– "or through experienced desire, refined to read the world, perhaps an allure or trap, if you may, to reel in an entertaining thought. To which do I owe the tantalizing gaze you return when our eyes meet?"

"Is it customary for you to boldly assume something about a woman you just met?" He chuckled, the sound reverberating through his chest.

"No, perhaps not, but as I said, you have me entranced. Most that wander in here are looking for a select few things;" he raised his hand, four fingers up as he smiled, "romance, wanderlust, satisfaction, or intrigue. You, on the other hand, don't appear to search for anything, yet your eyes continuously roam, assessing the environment as if your mere gaze could diagnose the world."

"And which one of those do you fall into?"

"Intrigue, of course." His matter-of-fact tone made the corner of her lip twitch.

"Of course. Well then, Liam, now that you've found it, what will you do with it?"

It was his turn to smile. He brought up his glass. "It depends greatly on what the night should hold in store. Will this be a one-time event, or shall I call this a precedent for future encounters?"

"Sounds as if you mean to see me again."

"And what if I was?"

She smiled and tapped her finger, "hmm, perhaps I should decline, keep the suspense."

"A terrible thought," he reclined casually. Theo blinked, not realizing how close their bodies had gotten over the course of their conversation. She frowned.

"Won't you perceive me in a different light if I give up the chase so easily?"

"Who has time for games when they know what they want." The half-lidded gaze actually made her blush.

"Intrigue, indeed." She pushed a strand of black hair behind her ear. "Then no games, tell me what you want?"

"I would like to get to know you. I want to know what makes you crease your forehead in thought and why you tap your fingers before answering. What goes on behind the darkness of your eyes? How soft your whispers are when you confide in someone— to hear the breathy sound of my name on your lips." He sat forward, his face inches from her own. She drew in a deep breath, unaware she had been holding it. "Could I..." he pushed the same strand of hair back, his fingers caressing her cheek. "I'd love to know your breath with mine." Seconds passed as they gazed into each other. Despite the temptation to kiss him, she pulled away slightly. "Perhaps another time," he sighed and gave her a little more space.

"It's not that your offer does not tempt me, but in my experience, giving in too quickly only brings about the end all that much sooner."

“I am not one to let a good thing end.”

“We hardly know one another.”

"A valid point," he sighed, "then would you allow me the chance to know you?" She gave a slow nod; it wasn't that she didn't like his presence. She was only tired of false promises, fast love, and bitter ends. "I assure you, if you grow tired of my presence, I will not take it as an affront and will never intrude on your solitude again." He placed a hand over hers. Taking her slender fingers in his own, he brought them up to his lips. The quietest brush graced her skin. "Here’s to future conversation." He rose and left his card on the table. She watched as he sauntered over to the bar, took the bill in his hand, paid, and turned for the exit. His molten eyes meet her across the room as he donned his coat, tipped his head in goodbye, and left with the one-sided smile that had initially caught her attention.

“Most intriguing.” She smiled to herself as she took another sip of the merlot.