She stood with her back to me. She had shiny black hair cut in a stylish bob. A dark blue work shirt wrapped a slim torso. Black slacks covered a seriously shapely ass.

I took my place at the counter and looked around, waiting patiently. The tea shop was quiet, late-afternoon sunlight casting long shadows on the pavement. Distant notes of thumping music sounded as people made the most of the summer.

Knowing my burgeoning fondness for the leaf, my friend, Jimmy, had given the café the thumbs up. He’d also mentioned I should check out the waitresses. Newly single, I was ready for any romantic adventures that might come my way.

The waitress half turned and opened a drawer. She must have caught sight of me as she jumped to attention and favored me a dazzling smile, showing even, white teeth. She was of Oriental descent, Chinese maybe, and positively beautiful.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t see you there. What can I get you?” Her accent was cut-glass British.

I studied the board, then her and smiled back. “Well, since it’s my first time here, what would you recommend?”

“Our special tea this week’s a fifteen-year-old Pu-Erh. Quite earthy but with a good, aromatic twist. Or there’s the Jasmine Phoenix Eyes, very nice, very subtle.” She studied me with a faintly insouciant air.

“May I smell them?”

“Of course.” She poured the teas into two small glass dishes and pushed them toward me. “Take a good long breath. Take the scent inside.” Her accent added to her appeal.

I inhaled the Pu-Erh. The aroma crept into my nose. It had the allure of wet mud on a spring day. The more I indulged in it, the more I liked it. “Hmm. That’s strong.” I picked up the other dish. “What was this again?”

“Jasmine Phoenix Eyes. It’s a green tea from the Yunnan province.”

“Ah.” I took a sniff, pretending I knew what I was doing. “Very nice, very subtle.”

She leaned casually against the counter. Her breasts were high, firm and jutted out in attractive curves. She wore a silver necklace of some kind, half hidden by her cleavage.

“So then, what will it be?” she asked.

“The Pu-Erh.”

“Good choice. Take a seat, and I’ll bring your order over.”

I chose a table near the window. As she made my tea and also tended to a young mother with a child, I stole glances in her direction. My mind drifted to an erotic slideshow involving her and me in bed. I hadn’t been with anyone other than my ex-girlfriend in a long time, and I was ready to explore what new women might have to offer me—what pleasures I could offer in return.

I was lost in my contemplation when she came over. “Here’s your tea.” With deft, graceful movements, she arranged the cup and teapot on the table. She finished by placing a timer on the oak surface, red sand already pouring down. “Let the timer end before you pour. You’ll get the best flavors.”

“I will.”

She held my gaze longer than necessary, and desire swelled within me. The moment took on a strange, briefly intimate slant. Her dark eyes lit up with a bewitching carnal glow.

Then she turned to go.

She immediately turned back. “I’m so sorry. I forgot to ask if you wanted anything else.”

Her statement confused me, my mind racing to sultrier responses. “Sorry?”

She raised her dark eyebrows. “Did you want any cake?”

“Ah. Er, no. But thanks for asking.”

She smiled easily. “Enjoy your tea.” She returned to the counter, her movements graceful.

When the sand stilled, I poured myself a cup of tea, tasted it. Mmm. Wonderful. Earthy, strong yet cleansing. I savored the flavor—and her.

She bent over the counter and reached for something in the back. Unbidden, my mind filled with images of how wonderful it would be to grab onto those slender hips and fuck her from behind, her slacks and underwear around her ankles as I took her then and there.

Goddamn it, I had to get out of here. I needed to get home so I could do something about this erection.

She was wiping down the counter when I made for the door. “Thanks. Come again.”

I paused. “You know…I think I will.”