Starting from Zero (Starting from 1)

I grabbed his elbow just as he raised his fist. “Hang on. I’ll call the reception desk. We’ll do this the civilized way.”

“Civilized? We just fucked in a bathroom stall at a hotel bar. Somehow bangin’ on the door seems like the logical escape route, but hey…let’s hear you spin this.”

I shot him a dirty look before scrolling the hotel’s website and contact info. I found the number and pushed Call.

“Hello, can I speak to the reception desk?…Thank you.” I gave him a quick thumbs-up sign as I waited for the call to transfer. “Yes. I’m currently locked in the restroom outside of the Skybar. The one next to the elevators.…Men’s Room.…Yes, I’m not sure how it happened, but I’d appreciate it if you could send someone with a key.…Perfect. Thank you.”

I disconnected the call and slipped my phone into my pocket. “They’ll be here shortly.”

Justin regarded me with a thoughtful nod. “Are you famous?”

I chuckled and shook my head. “No. Why?”

“You know they’re gonna know what we did in here and if you’re famous, it could be a thing for you.”

“Well, I’m not. Why are you looking at me like that? Don’t you believe me?”

“Sure, I do. You just look important. Like someone I should know but don’t. I never recognize anyone, though. It used to be you could look at a People magazine and know the actors, models, and musicians on the covers. Now I have no fuckin’ clue.”

“You read People magazine?” I asked dubiously.

“Fuck, no. My mom does though, and she knows every so-called celebrity on the planet. ‘Oh, he’s from The Bachelor. She’s on the Food Network,’ ” he said in a woman’s falsetto. “I’ve never watched those shows. If you have, don’t tell me, ’cause I’m seriously infatuated with you right now. Don’t ruin my crush.”

I laughed. “So you like me, eh?”

“Oh, yeah. I’m totally hot for you. My ass hurts, my dick is sore, and my heart rate just returned to normal. I’m in that post-sex euphoric stage, planning a big romance.”

“I thought you were against love and romance,” I reminded him.

“I am. I’m thinking more along the lines of future sexcapades. Nothing too crazy. Change of location and position, that kind of thing. Bathroom sex wouldn’t be my first choice, but this was swanky. As far as position goes, I’d want to top next time…and I’d want to see your face. Missionary style, legs over my shoulders.” He grabbed his crotch and winked.

“Jesus, I’m getting hard again.” I adjusted my cock.

“Me too. Let’s try doggy-style…on the floor.”

“The floor’s filthy,” I said primly. I rolled my eyes when he chuckled.

“I’m kidding. I—hey, I think someone’s coming. I hear whistling.” Justin moved to the door and knocked before calling out, “Hello!”

“I don’t hear anything,” I said, squinting as though that would help.

“I do. Hola!”

Justin spoke Spanish to someone on the opposite side of the door and gave me a thumbs-up sign just as the lock clicked. A short Latino man pushed the door open and flipped the switch on a moment later. The sudden light was blinding. I blinked as my eyes adjusted to the glare and thanked our rescuer. He nodded in acknowledgment but thankfully didn’t ask questions when he relocked the restroom door and led the way to the elevator. He swiped a key card over the inside panel and pushed the Lobby button before exiting the elevator with a friendly wave.

We were silent on the way downstairs. I wondered what he was thinking, but I was afraid to ask. And the closer we came to saying a final good-bye, the more anxious I felt. I could chalk it up to dealing with real-life stuff, like getting my car from the valet in the middle of the night, but I knew it was something else entirely. I didn’t want to leave him. I smiled wanly when the elevator door opened.

“Let me take you home.”

“No, thanks.”

“Justin…” I wanted to argue, but I stopped in the middle of the empty lobby and motioned toward the front desk instead. “I have to get my keys and…let me give you my number. Please. You don’t have to call me, but if you want to, you’ll know how to reach me.”

Justin regarded me for a moment, then pulled out his cell and typed something quickly before handing it over. “Here you go.”

I smiled at the contact heading “Boyfriend.” I added my info and returned his phone. “Call me. Or don’t. But either way, write magical songs, do amazing things, conquer the world. I want to tell everyone I knew you when you were just starting out.”

“Starting from zero.”

I grinned. “Gotta start somewhere.”

He gave me a crooked smile, then headed for the wide glass door. I watched him until he disappeared into the shadows like a vampire returning to his lair or a fallen angel. He was unruly and wild and infinitely unique. And though I was grateful we met, tonight was an anomaly. We had no history and we had no future. This was a good place to say good-bye.