That small grin lifted the side of his mouth, and he kissed me lightly before straightening up and slipping the shirt back over his head. His hair was now in messy waves, and I wanted to run my fingers through them again. Instead, I stepped into my wedge stacks and took the hand he offered as he led me through the dark room and out the side door. He paused to lock it and then turned to face me.
“Shall I escort you back to your room?” he asked.
I shook my head no. I didn’t want him knowing my room number yet, although he could easily ask the front desk for it, I supposed.
“Then adieu,” he said, lifting my hand and kissing it. “Til tomorrow night.”
I watched until he released me, then I turned and walked as steadily as possible to the exit, to the spa side of the resort where we were staying.
Chapter 2 – Not Available in Any Way
The tenderness in my thigh muscles combined with a feeling of calm satisfaction deep inside me were the first indicators what happened last night was not a dream. The next was the scent of his woodsy cologne in my long, dark hair. I lifted a lock and pressed it to my nose, closing my eyes and enjoying his warm scent. It triggered a damp flicker of memory between my legs.
For several long moments, I lay in the soft hotel bed, replaying how last night even happened. Elaine and I had gone to the bar straight from checking in and dropping our bags in our room. We were tired after a long two-days of travel that started with me in Maryland and her in North Carolina. Our first night was spent in Atlanta, where we’d shared a room and stayed awake almost all night talking and catching up. Then we’d flown cross-country to Arizona, and even though it felt early, the day of switching airplanes, running through airports, and hauling bags after our late night had us both tired. I was doubly weighed-down by the problems I’d left at home. One drink, and Elaine wanted to sleep. But I’d wanted to have another. I needed the alcohol to deaden the nonstop pain of my shattered life.
And then he’d appeared.
Images of me pressed against the patio wall, his huge cock thrusting into me, both of us groaning loudly as we came flashed across my memory, and my eyes flew wide. I blinked at the ceiling, thinking about how insane that was. How stupid and potentially dangerous. Clearly the last year hadn’t only left me depressed, it also left me engaging in out-of-character and unbelievably risky behavior.
A shiver of longing moved through me at the memory of being held against his firm chest. I sighed. Risky, yes, but how incredibly hot and amazing he was. And he didn’t hurt me. He was actually very attentive. He held me all the way to the end, and he even thanked me. My nose wrinkled as a sneaky grin passed over my lips. I thanked him back. What was that about?
Then I thought about tonight. Him at the bar waiting. Would I go back? My immediate answer was yes, but was that smart? I had a hot memory of the most incredible sex of my life. Maybe it was best to preserve it and not tempt fate with something I’d only leave behind in one short week.
“What time did you get in last night?” Elaine stepped out of the bathroom interrupting my thoughts. She wore one of the thick, white terry robes, and she patted her damp, blonde hair with an equally plush towel.
“I don’t remember,” I said, rolling onto my stomach. “It wasn’t too late. Are we hitting the spa today?”
“I’ve got us scheduled for massages at eleven, then we’ll have lunch in the quiet room, then we can hang around the deck pool. I’ve heard the waiters there are panty-dropping hot.”
I smiled, thinking they’d have to be off the charts to top what I’d had last night. “Sound like the perfect, relaxing day.”
Elaine sat on the edge of the bed, drawing her brows together. “You look pretty relaxed right now. What’d you do after I left?”
“Just had another drink. People-watched.”
She pressed her lips together in disbelief, but she didn’t pursue it. “You’d better get moving if you’re going to shower first.”
“Don’t they just cover us in oil anyway?” I pushed myself to a sitting position.
“That’s part of the detoxification.”
“Then I’ll just do a quick rinse and shower after.” I hated the residue of oil on my skin all day, although in the desert, it would probably be a welcome relief from the dryness.
Elaine’s tone grew serious. “Have you heard anything?”
My troubles at home came threatening back, and I looked down at my hands as I shook my head. “I emailed everyone that we were out of town for the week. Taking a mental health break. It should be enough.”
She exhaled and patted the top of my hands. “You’re doing the right thing.”
My eyes flickered to hers, and tears threatened. She was the first person to voice support for me since the ordeal began, and it meant everything. I scooted forward to hug her, and she hugged me with a deep inhale. Instantly she jerked and pulled back, studying my face with narrowed eyes.
“What’s that smell?”
My face flushed bright red, and I pulled away. She caught my long hair and pulled it to her nose. “That’s a very nice man-scent if I’ve ever smelled one.”
I shook my head. “I don’t know what it is. Just some old cologne.”
“Not your old cologne. What else happened after you finished your drink?”