Mia sat sipping a drink at the bar
contemplating what to do as another lonely evening stretched out before
her. She had been on the run for so long
that she no longer had a home or friends to call her own. Having witnessed her ex-husband murder a man
in cold blood she had fled and was still running; trying to stay ahead of
him. She knew if he ever caught up with
her that he would kill her without a moment’s hesitation. But just for once she wished she could share
the company of another, to ease this aching loneliness inside her. She twisted in her seat to take the rest of
the bar in and noticed a man sitting at a table by himself reading a
newspaper. No companion, no wedding
ring. Mia wondered what about him; her
curiosity piqued. It wasn’t like she had
anything else to do, other than stare at this gorgeous man and create a fantasy
in her head about who he was and what he did; whether he was married, involved
or single. Why was he here on business? Or was he here for some personal
business? Maybe he was here on
holiday? As if feeling the weight of her
stare, the man looked up, straight at her.
For a moment he just looked at her; and then he smiled and took her
breath away. The man was absolutely
gorgeous but when he smiled, he was positively lethal. While maintaining eye contact, the man got up
from the table and walked towards her.
Kade was bored. He had a whole lot of hours on his hands and
nothing to do with them. As he sat
reading the evening paper he wondered if his being here was just a wild goose
chase or if his informant had actually gotten him solid Intel this time. He and his partner were due to relieve the
stake-out team at the warehouse in question at midnight. Unfortunately that was still hours away. His partner was out visiting with family that
lived in the area but Kade hadn’t been in the mood for sitting making idle chit
chat with strangers so he’d opted to stay at the hotel until it was time to get
to work. Suddenly Kade felt a familiar
prickle in the back of his neck that signalled he was being watched. Slowly he let his gaze wonder around the room
looking for the source, without lifting his head to make it obvious he was
looking. He noticed a beautiful woman
sitting at the bar facing him. He lifted
his head to get a better look at her. He
felt as if someone had sucker punched him when his made eye contact. She was, quite possibly, the most beautiful
woman he had ever seen and she was looking at him almost as if she wished he
would join her at the bar. And to be
honest, the idea appealed to him; far more than going back to the room to watch
some mind-numbing television. Who knew,
if he played his cards right, he might find some entertainment that would keep
him occupied for the next few hours?
Smiling, Kade picked up his drink and made his way toward the beauty at
the bar.
“Evening sugar. Mind if I join you?” Mia smiled shyly at Kade and gestured to the
chair next to her, “Make yourself at home.”
“So, at the risk of sounding clichéd, what’s a gorgeous lady like you doing
all alone in a hotel bar?” Kade asked Mia.
“I was passing through town on my way to visit family in the next town
when my car broke down,” Mia lied. “How
about you?” “Here on business for a few
days,” Kade replied. “Can I buy you a
drink?” “Thank you,” she smiled, “An
Apple Martini would be great.” Kade
ordered their drinks and settled back to chat up his new companion. Before he could utter a word, Mia turned
towards him and said, “I’ve got an unusual request.” “Ok, shoot.
Let’s hear it then,” Kade replied.
To his utter delight Mia blushed.
“I know this is going to sound really bizarre but I have always
fantasized about meeting a stranger and just talking without the usual
information exchange; just idle chitchat; and nothing more substantial. Just to be anonymous for a moment in
time. Are you game?” “Well now, that certainly sounds interesting. I guess I’m game if you are.”
Kade and Mia sat chatting at the bar until
their drinks were finished. “I know it’s
still fairly early in the evening but I was wondering if you would have dinner
with me in the hotel dining room?” Kade asked.
“That would be lovely, thank you.”
He slid off his chair and stood with his hand at Mia’s back to guide her
from her chair and across the room. At
the entrance to the dining room they were greeted by the hostess and they
requested a table for two out of the path of foot traffic. Seated in a quiet corner, Kade and Mia placed
their order and settled in to wait for their meal. Kade leaned toward Mia and asked, “So tell me
something about you that you wouldn’t normally share with someone who know
you.” Again, much to his delight, Mia
blushed and ducked her head. “Come
sugar, you got me intrigued now. What
could possibly be so bad that you’re blushing?
Which I find absolutely charming; by the way.” “Promise you won’t laugh or make fun of
me!” “Cross my heart,” Kade
grinned. The waiter chose that moment to
arrive with their food and he almost groaned out loud. She had been about to reveal what was on her
mind. Mia smiled her thanks at the
waiter and prepared to tuck in. Talk
about being saved by the bell, so to speak!
They ate in silence for a bit before Kade leaned forward and said, “Well
sugar, what’s on your mind. You have my
curiosity piqued.” Mia put her knife and
fork down, gathered her courage in her hands and blurted, “I was wondering if
you wanted to come up to my room after dinner?”
Kade’s jaw dropped. Surely he
couldn’t have heard her right. Surely it
couldn’t be that easy. Could it? Yes, he’d hoped that he’d be able to talk her
into coming up to his room this
evening but he had expected to have to work for it. Here was this drop dead gorgeous woman asking
him if he wanted to go up to her room.
For a split second he wondered if this was for real but then he looked
over as her and the blush staining her cheeks told him that not only was she
serious; but she was seriously out of her comfort zone. But not one to look a gift horse in the
mouth, Kade smiled, “Eat up sugar. You’re
going to need the energy.”
It seemed like an eternity but finally they
were finished with dinner. All that
remained was to sign the bill and head on upstairs. The anticipation had been building up over
the meal. Touches and looks, innuendoes
and subtle suggestions had been bandied back and forth and now the moment had
arrived. The waiter brought the bill to
the table and Kade put his hand out to take it.
“My treat,” he smiled. “Then,
again, thank you.” Mia replied. “I just
have to head up to my room for a moment but I won’t be long. What’s your room number?” The moment of reckoning had arrived and Mia
almost lost her nerve but she thought of how safe she felt in his company and
volunteered her room number before she did, indeed, lose her nerve. “I’ll be there in 10 sugar. Count on it!” Kade told Mia as he rose from
the table.
Letting herself into her room, Mia's heart
was beating so hard she thought it might literally come right out of her chest.
What had she done?
Giving out her room number to random
strangers was not something she would normally do but somehow she'd felt safe
around Mr Tall, dark & delectable. And safe was not something Mia was
used to feeling. Yet when he looked at her she felt like he was someone
she could trust not to hurt her. Shaking herself out of her momentary
panic, she raced into the bathroom to freshen up before her nameless visitor
arrived at her door.
She
brushed her raven tresses until they gleamed, rolled some lip
gloss on and went to the dresser to find something decadent to wear.
As Mia pulled the strap of her lace bra over her shoulder a knock at her
door told her time was up. Pulling a sheer negligee on she went to answer
the door.
To read the rest of
this short story follow the link:
Copyright © 2013 Angelé Wells
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