I was three pages into my book when a man took the bar stool next to me. I recognised the cologne immediately, as did my body. Excited anticipation flooded my veins, as well as a sense of safety.
“What can I get you?” The bartender asked him.
“A negroni, thank you. And another for the lady next to me.”
“No problem.” She started on the cocktails, and I swivelled round to see him.
He was wearing his suit, a dark brown one that I’d seen on him in an advertisement in a glossy magazine. He didn’t wear a tie, the top two buttons of his suit were undone, and his hair was slightly mussed, as if he’d gotten ready in a rush.
He looked delicious.
“Thank you, but it’s okay, I’ll bill them to my room.”
He nodded, taking off his suit jacket and hanging it over the back of his chair. He undid his cuffs and rolled his sleeves up slightly, some of the dark hair on his arms exposed. I’d mentioned once how sexy I found that glimpse of skin, and he’d clearly banked that nugget to use it today.
“I’ll get the next round. What are you here for?”
“I’m meeting a man.”
“Oh,” he raised his eyebrows. “Anyone special?”
I nodded. “He is. He’s the man I’m in love with.”
His hand clutched the polished wood of the bar as if trying to stop himself from falling off his stool.
The bartender put our two cocktails in front of us and I handed her my key card to add the drinks to my room, giving Ryan a chance to catch his breath.
Half of his cocktail had gone by the time I turned back around. I laughed, any pretence at being strangers stripped away by his shock.
“You have some timing, woman!” He looked like he was trying to be angry. “I was expecting something more along the lines of you were waiting for a man to ply you with orgasms.”
“That too.”
He was smiling, a little like he was trying to hold in his happiness. I’d made him happy by telling him how I felt, and I didn’t think there was a much better feeling.
“Say it again.”
I found his hand with mine and entwined my fingers with his. “I love you.”
He nodded. “Good. Because I feel the same about you.”
The kiss that followed was tender, chaste enough to be suitable for the hotel bar, and full of promises, not just for tonight.
“Want to check out our room?” It was also a kiss that was enough to make between my legs start to heat up.
Ryan smiled. “Definitely. Lead the way, Pam.”
I smiled. Another hotel room, in another city. I had a feeling there would be several more over the next few years.
It was all going to be delicious.
Epilogue
RYAN
Every so often,for the last few months, Otter had asked me when I was going to ask her my last question. She’d asked her five, although there had been a lot more that hadn’t been counted, including but not limited to,what do you think of this sofa? Do you want this shade of teal or that one? I’ve booked a weekend in Paris for us, is that okay?
The answers to the above had included: I like it as much as the last one you showed me; I didn’t realise there was more than one shade of teal; and that’s fine.
