The woman checked the labels on a slew of them and then held her hands out to show me which ones had fruity scents. I nodded and picked up four bottles from her hands. I paid for them and left the mall to head back to Vail. I finally made it back to my place and left the hand sanitizer in the car’s cupholders so I wouldn’t forget them tonight.
I hung my coat up and, as soon as I sat down, I received a text from Daniel. He was finally replying to the text I’d sent him this morning regarding a meeting with Michael.
I can come to Vail next week.
Good. How about Tuesday?
Yes, that works.
I’ll arrange your flight. What airport do you want me to book it out of?
Pulkovo.
I quickly looked up where the airport was because it didn’t sound familiar to me. Ah. He was in St. Petersburg.
Got it. I’ll get it booked and will send you the itinerary.
See you Tuesday.
Until I needed to start getting ready, I killed time by arranging the flight for Daniel and then giving Michael the details.
As I was getting out of the shower, the screen lit up on the counter with an incoming text. I dried off and then picked up the phone.
Odd question. What are you wearing tonight? Are you dressing similar to how you would for a party of Michael’s? I looked at the pictures online, and there’s a mix of attire styles. I don’t want to embarrass you any more than necessary.
“Who broke your confidence?” I muttered the question out loud as I began texting her back.
I’m wearing black pants, a white shirt, and a black jacket. No tie.
I started to set the phone down and then decided to poke at her a little.
Wear one of your cock-blocking sweaters. You know, the ones that show no skin between your head and hands.
Good suggestion. And make sure you button your shirt properly. I don’t want to have to stare at more of your flesh than necessary. Your obnoxious face will be enough.
I laughed and set the phone down and went through my routine to get ready. My phone stayed quiet while I got dressed, and I started to feel a little guilty for making fun of her sweaters. Really, there was nothing wrong with them. Like most sweaters, they left a lot to the imagination.
I’m leaving my place now and will be there in a few minutes.
I went to the coat closet and pulled out my gray wool peacoat. I slid it up my arms as I walked to the garage. It took no time at all to get to her place. I put the SUV in park and grabbed the hand sanitizers and put them in the pocket of my blazer.
As I walked to her door, I glanced at the exterior of her place. It was very much “Taylor.” The cabin boasted seclusion and minimalism. It was decently sized but nothing over the top. Her porch had a rustic bench swing that hung from the beams overhead. It was surrounded with planters and pots that were currently empty, probably from the winter weather. I stretched my arm out to knock on the door just as she opened it.
“Hey,” Taylor said as she shrugged her black coat on. She stepped over the threshold, forcing me to back up.
“Hey,” I replied. Taylor rummaged in her bag for her keys to lock the door while I admired her from behind.
I’d seen Taylor in hot dresses before at Michael’s parties, but tonight it felt a little different. Her coat went down to her mid-thigh, and the bottom of her dress fell just below her knees. She wore sheer black pantyhose, but I could still see her incredible calves. She dropped her keys into her bag as she turned to face me. She hadn’t buttoned her coat yet, and her cleavage peeked between the lapels of the coat.
“Hey, no cock-blocking sweater?”
She smiled smugly and reached out to touch the second from the top button on my shirt.
“You learned to button your shirt today.”
“Yeah, it’s that early bird dinner crowd,” I teased as I led her toward my car. I reached for the handle on the passenger door to open it for her.
“Whoa, we’re no longer Tim and Evelyn Chambers visiting Sweden,” she said.
