Dinner on the Rim

 Now where were we......

Backcountry camping permits in hand, Mistress, her Slave/Cuckold and Scott, her new "friend", headed back into the rain to our respective cars. Mistress noted we were staying the night at a cabin on the rim, part of the Bright Angel Lodge complex.

"I'm over at the El Tovar", Scott noted as he clicked the remote lock on a hunter green Range Rover with Texas plates, parked near our Subaru.  Mistress jumped on that. 

"Wow.  Beautiful place. Don't we have dinner reservations there tonight, Mick?"

I sensed where this was going.

"That's right.  7:45."

"I was planning dinner there too", Scott responded. 

Of course he was. 

"Why don't you join us.  I'm sure Mick can add one more to our reservation....."

I glanced at Mistress, noting the twinkle back in her eye. So much for our 'romantic' dinner for two before hitting the trail.  But clearly Mistress had something  more  in mind. Something that might simply titillate, or lead to something more.

"I'll take care of it....."

Dinner plans confirmed, we checked into our cabin, which was soon cluttered with all the detriitus of a multi-night camping trip: tent, sleeping bags and pad, food, snacks, water bottles, stove, outerwear, etc. As we got organized and loaded up our now heavy packs, the conversation drifted to dinner.

"So this Scott guy....he seems to have caught your eye Mistress. And if I wasn't mistaken he was eyeing you too."

"Oh Slave....you're getting ahead of ourselves again.  He seems like a nice guy, and his 'expertise' in the Canyon is bound to help, right?"

"I'm guessing that's not the only expertise you're wondering about Mistress."

She just gave me a look that combined both reproach and a hint of her open mind  about where things might lead with Scott.

 Mistress was primping for dinner. By now the sun was down, but the skies were still spitting a cold drizzle. Yet despite the cold and damp, she was  doing her best to make an impression.  Full make up. Blow drying her hair after a warm shower. And wearing a black dress she had brought for my conference. Coupled with some colorful Cowboy Boots, her outfit highlighted her fit and shapely legs.

I raised an eyebrow.

"A little overdressed for a walk in the cold and dark, Mistress?"

"It's a nice restaurant Slave.  I just want to look good for you....."

"I'm thinking it might not just be for me."

She just gave me that teasing look again. 

The El Tovar is a rambling, turn of the Century architectural masterpiece overlooking the vast Canyon. We found Scott waiting for us in the Lobby, dressed pretty much as before. Jeans, hiking boots, a blue denim shirt and leather jacket.  If he had shaved his half day beard, I sure couldn't tell.  I got the firm hand shake. Mistress went in for an enthusiastic hug, which, I suspected, lingered just a little longer than might be expected for a guy she'd met just that afternoon.

Over adult beverages and then an indulgent pre-hike dinner, we shared family and professional details. Scott was divorced, with two kids in College. He was a founder of one of those Austin, TX tech start-ups, with some funny stories about Matthew McConaughey in a drunken rage at some music bar during SXSW. At some point Slave began feeling like a third wheel, as Mistress and Scott went on about life and (remarkably) some shared acquaintances from her corporate career days.  Was there growing sexual tension in the air?  Hard to tell. But the Cuckold in me was saying "one can only hope".

As our dinner plates were cleared and desert orders taken, I excused myself for a trip to the Men's. I took the chance of texting Mistress for some clarity....."Where is this headed, Mistress?"

On my way back through the Hotel Lobby, I heard a ping from my I-phone. Mistress must have discretely read my text, no doubt explaining to Scott it came from a friend or family. 

"You're looking sleepy, Slave. Long day tomorrow.  Maybe you should head back to our cabin early?"

Oh...Kay.....

Over a scrumptious and filling dessert.....apple crisp with ice cream for me and Scott....flourless chocolate cake for Mistress, she made her "stick your neck out" move.....

"This is such a beautiful hotel".

(It is. Dark wood, blazing fireplaces, stuffed moose and elk heads, broad picture windows overlooking the now darkened canyon.)

"I've always wondered what the rooms are like...."

"Happy to show you mine", Scott said. (Really? Let's not be too subtle, Scott!) 

"Maybe we can get room service to bring up some night-caps?"

This apparently was my cue.

"I'm feeling a little tired myself.  But you two should go ahead.   I'm just worried about you walking back in the ice and snow in those boots....those sidewalks are pretty dark. and slippery"

"No worries, Mick.  I'd be happy to make sure she's back safe and sound....", Scott reassured, acting the noble gent. 

By now it seemed pretty obvious that I was the annoying third wheel who should make himself scarce, ASAP.

I asked for the check, but Scott was one step ahead of me.

"All  taken care of Mick."

Apparently Scott had covered the tab for all of us while I was out of the room. All I had left to do was act grateful, and make my exit, but only after a quick kiss for Mistress.  

"Be careful, sweets", I murmured into her ear.

"Don't worry .....get some rest for our big adventure tomorrow."

We parted in the lobby.  As Scott led Mistress up the broad staircase to the 2nd floor, I had to wonder whether Mistress's "adventure" was already starting.

To Be continiued....