Under the Sheets - Love Under Lockdown

I’m thinking that I kind of want the night to be romantic. That might make it easier for me to seduce her. I guess that is the word for what I am trying to do after all.

Wow, I never thought I would be doing that.

Usually women go after me, or there is not much pursuit involved one my end, at least. This leads me to wonder about Lisa, what she looks for in a man. Has she noticed anyone at the office, particularly me?

That’s silly to think about, but I feel like I need to know. If she’s already had feelings or thoughts about me that could help my situation out a great deal. I could look more favorable in her eyes or influence her to act on those feelings.

I get a little turned on when I imagine her thinking about me. I hope that doesn’t sound too conceited, but if someone notices you, it’s only natural to get excited.

I manage to keep myself professional on the plane, even though I wish I could hold her hand or stroke her hair. Once the plane lands, I linger a bit on my thoughts, wondering if I should ask her out to dinner.

Maybe I can later, but I know I shouldn’t tonight. It’s rather late, and we have to get up early tomorrow and prepare for work. Plus, it would be really forward.

Forlornly, I head off the plane, thinking how ironic it is that I can’t have the one person I want so badly.

But maybe we could at least talk a bit at the hotel restaurant or something before calling it a night, I tell myself.

Chapter 7

Lisa

When we get to the hotel, I can’t believe how luxurious it is. It’s almost like something from a Disney movie. But Mark looks casual about it, as if it’s no big deal. I guess he’s used to traveling all over for work.

“Checking in?” asks the bellboy, as soon as we walk into the place.

“Yes,” Mark says. Then he clears his throat and looks at me. “But not just yet. We might have a bite to eat at the restaurant first. If that’s okay with you?”

I nod, trying not to smile so obviously. I would love to hang out with him a little more before calling it a night.

“Okay, I can take your bags up to your room so that they’re ready for your arrival,” the bellboy says.

“Thank you,” Mark tells him, and then he adds, “Rooms.”

“Excuse me?” the bellboy asks.

“We’re not staying together,” Mark clarifies. “We have separate rooms.”

“Oh, yes, of course, sorry about that,” the bellboy says.

“No problem,” Mark responds, but I can’t help but notice that he looks a bit rueful about the fact.

“I got us rooms close together,” he tells me, as we walk down the hall to the hotel’s restaurant. “That way, if we need to meet and prepare or go over anything, it will be easy.”

“Great,” I tell him, trying not to let my mind wander into thinking about what I wish we could do if we had the same room.

“Let’s avoid the bar and sit in the dining area,” Mark says. “I don’t want there to be any questions about legal drinking age.”

“Good idea,” I tell him, as he checks in with the hostess.

I realize it’s the first time he’s mentioned our vast age difference. He’s old enough to be my father! But it doesn’t feel like I’m with my father. He’s fun and I have a crush on him. So, I push that thought out of my mind.

“Would you like some appetizers while looking over the menu?” our waiter asks, once we’re seated.

“Yes. In fact, I think all I’ll be having is an appetizer,” Mark says. “We ate on the plane.”

One of the many benefits of first class.

“But if you’re hungry, go ahead and order whatever you’d like,” he adds, nodding at me.

“No, an appetizer sounds great,” I tell him.

I wasn’t hungry; I just wanted to spend more time with him. And I’m beginning to suspect that the same is true for him. My heart races and my palms sweat as I think about what it could mean.

Does he have a crush on me, too? Does he find me fun to be with, even though I work for him and I’m a lot younger than him?

“How about the Chicago sampler platter?” he suggests, pointing to the Italian-loaded options on the menu.

It includes a mini deep-dish pizza, mozzarella sticks, and ravioli bites.

“Sure,” I tell him. “That sounds great.”

Once the waiter leaves, Mark leans back in his seat, as if he’s happy to relax after a long flight. He loosens his tie and I find it to be the sexiest gesture on the planet. His hair is a little messed up, since he’s so tall his head brushed up against the overhead bins on the plane.