Encounter on the Southwest Chief (closed for wideeyedone)

Brian sat casually facing front in St. John's Episcopal Cathedral across the street from the USC campus. He was struck by the majesty of the historic building, but also by the thought that this is where the well-heeled and powerful got married and buried. Clearly, Alexa's family wasn't poor; Emory's son hadn't stepped down in marrying Alexa's sister.

To ensure that Alexa didn't spot him in advance and foil his small tease, he was careful to not turn around to get an advanced look at the processional before it started. He didn't need a visual cue. The pianist and the small chamber orchestra was playing modern classical music as the crowd entered and was seated. He wasn't well-schooled in classical music, but he recognized some of the music even if he couldn't name it. What he could tell, though, was that it was not the processional music that would accompany Alexa down the aisle.

Then came the tune that everybody has heard if they have ever listened to a classical music station on their car radio: Pachelbel's Canon in D, beautiful music, but also clearly a tune for bridesmaids to march smoothly to in advance of the more dramatic entrance of the bride herself, accompanied by the Mendelssohn's Wedding March composed for royalty. He didn't have to wait long before the first bridesmaid was at his side. Not Alexa. Turning very slightly and watching out of the corner of his eye, he could see the she was next.

As Alexa was just a couple of feet behind him Brian turned and looked up at her, this radiantly beautiful woman who had become his lover. He had planned to wink or to offer a very quiet teasing comment that only she could hear.

But, he couldn't. All he could do was smile as small tears trickled down his cheeks.

Alexa blushed a little as she felt so many eyes on her. She bit her lip, but kept stepping forward. And then she saw Brian. Her eyes met his and she lost all of her nervousness. She smiled. Her face lit up. She gasped just a little when she saw his reaction. She met his eyes for just a moment and then she was past him, and making her way to the dias.

The wedding was elegant and regal. Jenna wore a duchess satin custom gown. The groomsmen wore perfectly tailored tuxedo. The vows were sweet and well written. But all Alexa could think about was dancing with Brian at the reception.

Brian watched as the wedding ceremony preceded. Given how the bridesmaids were standing facing toward the alter on an angle, he couldn't catch Alexa's eye. He could see her, though, and the gown that she was wearing showed off her figure very well. He blushed slightly as he could feel himself becoming aroused.

He planned to make close contact with Alexa as the bridal party recessed but the recessional was arranged such that each bridesmaid was paired with a groomsman as they followed the bride and groom down the aisle. The grooms were on Brian's side of the central aisle, so he barely saw Alexa as she marched by.

Brian's chance came, though, as he and the other guests left the church to greet the bride and groom on the steps and their respective parents on the adjoining sidewalk. He politely made his way down the line, being careful, of course, to make a good impression on his boss. Following the parents was the rest of the wedding party. When he got to Alexa he tried with great effort to suppress an ear-to-ear grin. Taking her by the hand as though making a conventional handshake he used his right index finger to tickle her palm. "Let's see", he thought to himself, "who can hold their composure the longest."

Alexa was beaming when Brian took her hand. She was dressed and made up just like the other bridesmaids, but there was no mistaking that she felt beautiful. His finger toying with the palm of her hand sent a shiver down her spine. She bit her lip.

"I am so glad you could come to the wedding. I am looking forward to dancing with you tonight. I wish we could be at the same table." She offered with a sexy grin. A little giggle escaped her lips as he continued to toy with her skin.

Alexa had spoken just loud enough for Brian, but not others, to hear. By the time she had finished the next woman in line, completely unknown to him, was now close enough that she would be able to hear anything that Brian said to Alexa. Not daring to take a risk of embarrassing either the bride's or the groom's family, he just smiled and said, "This is a lovely wedding. I am pleased to be here and meet you and the other members of the bride's family."

But, when he said "meet you" he turned slightly away from the woman behind him and gave Alexa a big wink.

Alexa couldn't help but smile when he winked. The woman behind him in line was a family friend, and so Alexa had to play the part of a good hostess. It seemed there was a never ending line of guests to meet and greet.

Alexa was relieved that there were just a few formal photographs taken, since Jenna wanted a more journalistic style of wedding pictures. Everyone transitioned to the country club where the reception dinner dance was being held.

The band was already playing and waiters were ready with signature cocktails and canapes.

Alexa took her seat at the head table, and the bride and groom were announced and greeted with a round of applause. Jenna and Rob danced to "At Last". But Alexa found herself not watching the couple, but scanning the crowd for Brian.

Brian arrived just as the bride and groom were being welcomed with warm applause. He joined the crowd as they milled, looking for the tables to which they were assigned. Like most, he took a cocktail and some canapes as they were offered.

It didn't take long for Brian to find his assigned table #17, beautifully set for eight guests. He wasn't surprised to find that his table was peopled by Emory's staff and big investors. One of the firm's biggest investors and his wife were already seated, as was one of his workmates and her husband. He recognized the place cards by two of the empty seats as belonging to another work colleague and his girlfriend. That brought the count to seven, including himself.

Finding his own place card confirmed his fear. He, the only unescorted staff member from his office, was seated next to his new nemesis, Meaghan Quinn, who had not yet arrived. But, not for long. No sooner had he confirmed the seating arrangements, he felt a hand pressed against his back. Turning he saw Meaghan, grinning mischievously. Keeping her hand on his back and moving even closer, she made an exaggerated gesture of turning her head and whispering in his ear. "I hope you had a chance to rest up this afternoon from what apparently was a night where you didn't get much quiet rest. I'd like the opportunity to show you how great a night can truly be." Ending her whisper she abruptly kissed him quickly on his neck, the whole show clearly being designed to suggest to their table partners that they were a hot item.

As Meaghan turned to whisper in his ear Brian fought the urge to physically push her away or even chastise her publicly, but she was one of the firm's newest and potentially biggest clients. Meaghan's kiss on his neck caused him to twist just far enough to see the head table and catch Alexa's gaze.

None of Meghan's antics were lost on Alexa. She sought out eye contact with Brian and when she had it, she winked at him. She hoped this would let him know that she understood.

After the first dances, the guests were invited to join in on the dancing by the band leader. Alexa's brother Cal asked her to dance. She smiled as he lead her onto the dance floor.

The reception had a definite party feel. The music was fun and lively and the cocktails were flowing.

"So, the family gossip is that you didn't come home last night and you showed up for the bridemaids' spa experience in last night's dress." He said with a smirk. Alexa shook her head..

"Seriously? I am a grown woman." Alexa whispered with a roll of her eyes.

"We are just looking out for you." Cal offered. "I want to meet this guy and see what he is like."

Alexa shook her head. "Not tonight. No one deserves the big brother inquisition while enduring a Beverly Hills wedding."

Brian caught Alexa's wink as she, and her brother began to dance to the slow dance music. He pulled back from Meaghan without saying a word, took her by the hand and led her to the dance floor. Using his superior size and strength he held her at a respectful distance in the old-fashioned waltz-like form that one sees in old movies, his arm around her shoulder, their hands holding but out to one side. Skillfully, as they danced he guided them closer to the area where Alexa and Cal were dancing in a similar form.

Brian could read the confusion on Meaghan's face. He taken her to the dance floor which as she likely would have wanted, but he was holding her at a very discrete distance. As soon as he and Meaghan were within a few feet of Alexa and Cal, Brian let go of Meaghan, walked swiftly to Cal and tapped him gently on his shoulder. With a broad grin and firm resolve he said, "I'm cutting in, my friend, your sister is my date for the evening." He paused briefly, then nodding his head toward the stunned Meaghan, he continued, "There's a lonesome woman over there who needs a dance partner."

Pulling Alexa closely to him he whispered to her, "I should have said my date for the evening and the rest of the night." As he pulled her even tighter he realized that he was rapidly becoming fully erect. At first, he was slightly embarrassed; then, he hoped that she would notice.

Alexa fit herself into Brian's arms.

"My brothers are both married, don't sic Miss Quinn on them." She whispered against his ear. She left soft, feathery kisses on his ear and down his jaw and onto his throat. She rubbed herself against him. Almost purring when she felt his erection through their clothes.

"Are we going to spend the night at your hotel again?" She whispered softly, kissing his throat.

Alexa's body pressed tightly against his and her kisses sent electric sparks throughout Brian's body. In response to her question, he whispered back: "Yes. We're going to spend the night at my hotel again. But...we're not going to get much sleep."

Pulling back just a ways he added, "You have the lay of the land at your sister's wedding. How long we stay here is up to you. I'm fine with whatever decision you make."

A soft needy sound bubbled up in Alexa’s throat. She wanted to leave right then. She thought about the schedule of the wedding. She could not leave before the cake was cut. Her mother and sister would kill her.

One song faded into another and then there was a tap at his shoulder. Alexa’s father stood there ominous but smiling.

“I’d like a dance with my youngest daughter.” He held out his hand forAlexa and she laughed.

“I am beginning to feel like the belle of the ball at a southern cotillion.” She joked sarcastically. She couldn’t read her father’s face.

Brian didn't mind a bit when Alexa's dad cut in. In fact, watching father and daughter dance made him feel warm inside. It was so nice to see family being close. It was clear that Alexa was fond of both her parents and her siblings.

He wasn't sure what her dad may have thought of him. He was, after all, substantially older. And, his presence had come out of the blue. No one in Alexa's family would have expected her to have a date or an escort for the wedding.

When the band stopped playing Brian approached Alexa and her dad. "Father and daughter enjoying a dance at her sister's wedding - this is beautiful. I'm sure the wedding photographer has recorded this and it will make for a keepsake that you will both cherish."

Alexa was smiling at Brian. She introduced him to her father. "Brian Nowak, this is my father, Tom Baker. Dad, this is Brian. He works for Rob's dad." She offered a wink to Brian.

Tom offered Brian his hand and gave him a friendly handshake.

"A father isn't supposed to have favorites...." He said, letting his voice trail off. He met Brian's eyes and then looked over at Alexa. "But she is the youngest and she is a special girl."

Brian was heartened by Tom's apparent warmth, obviously toward Alexa, but also toward him. He decided to polish the apple a little.

Returning Tom's smile, he said, "We certainly agree that Alexa is a special woman. As you might guess, we have only met recently, as we were on the same train out here. It didn't take me long to realize what a gem your youngest daughter is. You and your wife must have been one great set of parents to raise someone as nice as Alexa."

Tom clapped Brian on the back.

“Let me but you a drink.” Tom offered with a laugh and ushered them over to the bar. He ordered a scotch for himself and looked to the young lovers to see what they wanted.

“Did Alexa tell you that she wouldn’t take a job in the family business? She worked for me through high school and college but she had to branch out on her own.”

Alexa rolled her eyes at her dad.

“Don’t let him fool you. He is proud that I am making my own way but he would love to have me move home.”

Brian eagerly accepted Tom's drink offer, and beamed at the repartee between father and daughter. He felt a little self-conscious though. He really had, in fact, just met Teri four days ago, and, notwithstanding that he was feeling more affectionate toward her, their relationship had largely been about sex. He felt almost as if he was defiling Tom's prized daughter.

After a few minutes Tom spotted someone whom he hadn't spoken to yet. As the father of the bride he had social obligations. Off he went, his gait showing some effects of the several scotches that Tom had already downed.

Brian turned to Alexa and spoke in a more serious tone than he had used with her before. "It's great to see how much you and your dad care for each other. I'm not sure that he would have approved of our escapades on the train and thereafter. You know...maybe I should have just asked you for a date when we both return to Chicago, where we could behave like something other than sex-starved people. I mean, you know, I'm feeling a little guilty."

Alexa couldn't help but smile at Brian. She stood on her tiptoes and brushed a soft kiss against his lips.

"Fathers don't approve of their daughters ever behaving like they are sex starved, but that doesn't mean we are doing anything wrong."

She kissed him again, this time with a little more passion.

"Dance with me again?" She asked softly. The music at the moment was slow and romantic.

Brian breathed a sigh of relief. His worries melted when Alexa assured him and invited him to dance.

As the slow, romantic music filled the ballroom he swept Alexa up in his arms and held her close. They danced slowly, subtly grinding their hips against one another. With the warmth of her body pressed against him, he whispered in Alexa's ear, "I hate to interrupt this lovely experience, but I think that we should finish this dance in a different venue and...perhaps...in a more horizontal position. What do you think?"

Alexa looked around the ballroom. Her sister, Jenna and Rob were cutting the cake. Alexa smiled up at Brian.

"My brothers and I promised my mother that we would stay at least through the cutting of the cake. Jenna and her friends will party late into the night."

Alexa lead him from the ballroom. Once they were in the hallway, she turned and kissed him deeply.

Brian returned Alexa's kiss just as deeply as she had offered it. He took her by the hand and said, "Um...I understand. Go get both of us a piece of cake. I need to quickly excuse myself. I'll meet you around the cake-cutting area in five minutes or less."

As promised, Brian returned to the ballroom in less than five minutes and sought out Alexa. Moving up to her, he took the plate with the piece of cake that had been cut for him. He intentionally spoke to her and others and made the physical movements that one might expect during the cake cutting - seeming to savor his cake, smiling at others and nodding, turning and smiling at Alexa as she ate her cake.

Turning slightly toward her so others couldn't see his hand, he spoke softly to her as he opened his hand to reveal a hotel room key. "I need to you much to wait for the trip across town to my hotel. I got us a room right here. Room service is delivering toothbrushes, toothpaste, and toiletries. We're in for the night, my sweet."

Alexa smiled when he showed her the key.

"I have fulfilled all of my obligations as bridesmaid." She leaned in and kissed his throat. She kissed up to his ear and whispered. "I am ready to fulfill my obligations as an attentive lover." Her voice was playful and sweet.

She pressed his body to his. "Thank you for tonight."

Brian kissed Alexa lightly, excused himself, and moved quickly to where his boss, Emory, was standing. He had no obligation to say "goodnight" to Alexa's family, given that he barely knew them, but good manners required him to say goodnight to Emory and his wife, and express his pleasure with the event and his invitation to attend. He did so politely but quickly.

Hurrying back to Alexa he took her by the hand and walked them briskly to the elevator, trying with only some success to make this look like a casual move to anyone who saw them. To his disappointment several other wedding guests joined them in the elevator. He and Alexa were never alone until they reached the floor of their new room.

Once out of the elevator and into the empty hallway he made no pretense of being casual. He nearly ran them to their room, whipping out his keycard like a man possessed. As they entered the room, Brian quickly flipped the privacy latch, threw his arms around Alexa, and pressed her against the wall.

"So," he said teasingly, "let's see how attentive a lover you can be."

Alexa reached back and unzipped her dress. She slithered out of the green satin and stood there in just her black lingerie and her sexy shoes.

She took Brian by the tie and lead him to the bed. She playfully pushed him so he was sitting on the edge of the bed. She wasn't sure why but she felt so very sexy and confident. She walked over to the night stand and turned on the radio.

She started moving to the music and began to slide back and forth in his lap. She looked at him over her shoulder.

"Do you feel attended to, love?"

Brian most definitely felt attended to; how could he not? The view of Alexa in her black lingerie and her come-fuck-me high heels was, indeed, quite a delicious and erotic sight.

As she began to slide back and forth in his lap, he began to slide his hands up and down her back and torso, keeping time with the music and the rhythm of her lap dance.

Kissing her briefly he said, "I do feel attended to. Now, if you want me to feel even more so, you might help me out of these wedding clothes that I am wearing, and let me join you in a more intimate way."