by Avonlea Cole
We ended up back at the hotel around eleven. Neither of us could stay awake another second. The convention center was opening at nine the next morning. I said goodnight and headed to my bedroom. I wasn’t sure whether to shut the door, and I teetered on the feeling that I should somehow tuck her in.
Maybe another time. Hopefully soon.
BETH AND I HAD BEEN on our feet meeting and greeting and repeating the same lines over and over again for the last six hours. We had even had lunch delivered to our booth because so many people lined up to speak with us. My father would call that a success, but I called it the recipe for exhaustion.
We still had over an hour left of touring the plane, and then we had to haul ass back to the hotel to change for the catered dinner that evening at the convention center.
Graciously pointing out the oversized restroom with the warming toilet seats to the umpteenth person, Beth shot me a look that said 'shoot me now.' I put my finger to my temple pulled the trigger, letting her know I felt her pain.
"Mr. Sloane!" I turned quickly to find an elderly couple waiting expectantly behind me. "See, Alfred, I told you that was his son. You are Wyatt’s son, right? I have been telling my husband all day that you looked like him." I could barely squeeze in a nod before the couple started bickering between themselves.
"Well Margaret, I never said the boy didn’t look like his father. I said I couldn’t believe that Wyatt would miss the conference. He hasn’t missed one in the last decade." The old man’s dentures rocked when he talked, and you could tell by the way he was yelling that his hearing wasn’t the best.
"I had that same thought myself," I jolted in. "It shocked me very much when my father asked me to come in his place, but I am happy to be here and I hope you will consider doing business with us in the future." I shook both of their hands.
"Why yes, son! We have used your company many times in the last few years. I must say this plane is a beauty. I might just rent this to fly around sometime."
"We can certainly accommodate you. I must get back to the others, but it was a pleasure meeting you."
I joined Beth in the sitting area. She was slumped down in the recliner, and I fell into the one next to her. "I think that was the last of them."
Beth held up on limp hand and said, "High five, we did it." Our hands slapped together with our exhausted fingers entwining and resting together on the armrest. I had every intention of letting her hand go after our awkward handshake, high five thing, but this felt comfortable. "If I have to say the word luxury one more time I might die." She giggled.
"I feel ya," I said, huffing through the exhaustion. "Okay, pretty lady, we have to get back and get dressed before the ball this evening. Want me to help you up?" I felt for her. The sky-high heels had to be hurting her feet by now, and the form-fitting suit couldn’t be much better.
"Yes, sir," she said. I climbed out of the chair and extended my arm. She grabbed on tightly, and I pulled her up. Teetering on her feet, she rested her hand on my shoulder for support.
"Are you okay?" I said when she didn’t immediately step away.
"Yeah, I am good right here for a minute." I could smell the perfume scent rising up from her hair, and the soft skin around her wrist felt smooth under my fingers. She jiggled her foot around and laughed that her toes were asleep. She bent to take off the heels she had been in all day and proclaimed, "I think I’ll make the trip barefoot."
"Not a chance," I protested. "That runway is full of debris and rocks that might cut your feet . . . I’ll carry you." I hoisted her up into my arms to carry her outside.
"You don’t have to do this!"
"Yeah, but I want to. Do you have all your stuff?" I asked. She pointed to the counter where her small black handbag was laying. Her body molded so perfectly to mine that I could have carried her for miles just to avoid putting her down. But there was the ball and the hundreds of hands we had to shake. The ride back to the hotel was slow with afternoon traffic backed up for miles. Beth rested her head on my shoulder as I navigated the narrow streets leading to the hotel.
When we arrived, I made sure she was okay to walk inside. She wasn’t very happy about trading one set of heels for another, so I suggested that maybe a shower and a foot massage were in order. She headed into her room, and I retreated to mine. I got ready in record time. My tuxedo was perfect, and I had my shoes shined before I left. I slicked back my hair and sprayed on my favorite cologne before heading into the sitting area. I could see the steam pouring out of Beth’s bathroom, and I was worried that she wouldn’t make it out in time to leave.
I turned on the TV looking for some kind of distraction and about twenty minutes later, Beth appeared out of her room wearing the sexiest dress I had ever seen. It was an ivory colored dress with a black lace overlay. It had a low cut V-neck and a slit that left me wanting to rip it off her. She had a large set of dangly earrings and a chunky black necklace. Her shoes made her almost as tall as I was, and her blonde hair was wavy with thick curls. I vowed that she must want me as much as I wanted her to be wearing dresses like that.
"You look . . .” I tried to think of the best word to follow that up with like freaking sexy, hot, amazing, like a goddess. My mind rolled through all the descriptive words rolling around in my head. "You look exquisite, Beth."
She smiled and said, "So do you."
We had a limo pick us up to drive to the event that evening. Beth and I were starving by the time we sat for dinner. At our table were three sets of representatives, the Minshaws from Wisconsin, the managers from Carter Transport in Florida, and the Waylons from North Carolina. The Waylons were the first to introduce themselves as longtime clients of our company, as well as, personal friends of my parents.’ I was thankful that Beth knew them because I had no idea who they were. She managed to keep the conversation away from me by explaining why my parents weren’t able to make it. They asked me a few questions about my "position" in the company and if I was ready to take over when he retired.
"I don’t think my father will ever retire, he is practically immortal." The whole table erupted in laughter, and I checked that off as a dodged bullet. I hated the feeling that I may never live up to my dad’s expectations, and I didn’t know if I wanted to tie myself down to a field I didn’t love for the rest of my life.
Beth must have sensed my mood change because she reached under the table and squeezed my hand lightly. I held onto it for a moment too long and the Carter Transport representative caught on. "Oh, so are you a couple?" I had no doubt he wanted to know if Beth was available. I didn’t want to answer with anything other than "Yes, we are!" I wanted to stake my claim to this beautiful woman, but the truth was that she wasn’t mine and might not ever want to be. So I waited with my eyebrows raised looking at the guy like he had three heads.
Beth removed her hand from mine and said "No. But Drew and I are a force to be reckoned with, and we are here to promote Sloane Enterprises." Good answer, but not good enough to keep the wolves at bay.
"We can see that," the man responded. He and his partner who appeared to be his brother smiled with cat-like grins as if they had just acquired their next target. Thankfully, the Minshaws joined in to talk about the change in weather from their state to ours. They hated the super-hot weather and preferred to spend their time in the mountains or in Canada.
Dinner was served moments later. The transportation theme was very predictable. The first course of three was a tray of things you might find if you traveled by boat. There was an array of bite sized seafood dishes and a bubbling cup of seafood chowder. Beth and I dug into the food like we hadn’t eaten in days. I was grateful to be able to avert my attention to the food, instead of focusing on how badly I wanted to punch the other guy in the face for ogling that my, err . . . partner.
A speaker walked up and gave a very short, but sweet breakdown of the night’s events. They thanked everyone for coming and blah blah blah. Another four speakers came up and gave their personal accounts of trave
ling and how important it was to find a company you like and to stick with them.
Sloane Enterprises was named in the top ten list of private providers, and we both stood to be recognized when our company’s name was called. I could see the eyes popping out of the Carter boy’s face, and when I looked to see what had him so captivated, I could see that the slit in Beth’s skirt was flashing quite a bit of the tan flesh peeking out from the sequined material.
I shot him a disapproving glance and hoped that he would keep his eyes to himself. Seemingly completely oblivious to the attention, Beth sat back down and started in on her main course. The rather larger addition focused on what you might find if you traveled by car. They provided a thinly pounded skirt steak stuffed with sautéed vegetables and goat cheese rolled into a tight pinwheel. The sides included steamed vegetables and a stuffed baked potato.
The convention center had commissioned a string quartet to play during dinner. The soft rhythm was calming to my already confused inner dialogue. I had always enjoyed the violin and other classical music instruments. A few others were getting up to dance, and I could see the Carter boy adjusting his collar and smoothing his pants. I didn’t want to risk him asking her first and her being too nice to say no.
"Would you join me for a dance?" I spit out the words so quickly I think she almost choked on the food in her mouth. "When you are done, I mean," I recovered, hoping she wouldn’t find me rude for interrupting her meal.
"No," she said, wiping her mouth. "I’m finished, if you would like to dance?"
The abrasive Carter boy tossed his napkin on his plate and excused himself. Yeah, punk, move along. You won’t lay a hand on her if I can help it.
I led her to the dance floor, and we began spinning and gliding around the wooden stage in unison. At one point, a slower song came on and Beth laid her head on my shoulder. The inner struggle I was fighting was becoming unbearable. I no longer knew how to respond or what to say. I wanted to tell her how crazy she was making me, but I couldn’t let go of my father’s warning not to mess things up.
"I could stay like this for a long time," she said into my chest.
"Me too." It was a simple response, but the look she gave me was a look of yearning and passion. I forced my head to stay in place, not to kiss her or make any moves that we both might regret. Our feet continued to move in circles, but neither of us could break the stare. I wanted her permission. I needed it. "You are the prettiest woman here." I meant every word. All the charm and the easygoing comebacks had drifted away the moment she shared that blueberry bagel the day before, leaving only a passionate and consuming urge. I wanted to make her mine.
"Kiss me, Drew."
"Are you sure?" I only questioned her to make sure that she had actually said the words and it wasn’t just my imagination playing tricks on me.
She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth, but didn’t answer. Dropping her hands and rushing off the dance floor, she fled from the banquet hall into the corridor. Following her from the room, I didn’t know what to think. The corridor was not lit up, and although I could still hear the chatter from inside, the hallway was void of any people.
"Beth!" I yelled in a whispered voice. "Where are you going?" She was practically jogging in her heels as they clicked down the marble hallway. She abruptly stopped spotting a door to her left. She jiggled the handle which easily opened. I had no idea where this door led, but I was willing to follow this chick anywhere.
Once inside the pitch-black room, she reached for my hand and pulled me close. My mind was swirling, and I couldn’t quite grasp the reality of the situation until I felt her lips meet mine. I was leaned against a cold, steel wall and her body was pressed against mine.
The warm, sensual kiss seemed to go on for days, and I was happy to be lost in it. When she pulled back a little, I ran my hand through her silky hair. "I have wanted to do that for a while now," she whispered.
I rubbed my thumb across her swollen lips, and in the quiet darkness, I could hear her shallow breathing. I leaned in and the sweet smell of her hair crept into my nose. Pulling out my cell phone, I shined the light around looking for any furniture. There was a steel information desk sitting a few feet away with some leather chairs around it.
I picked her up on the tall desk bringing us face to face. "You look so beautiful tonight, Beth. I have been trying to hold back, but I don’t know if I can . . .” I ran my hand up the slit leading up her leg. "And this dress isn’t helping my self-control."
"Is that a good thing?" She giggled.
"Well, that depends . . . on your expectations for this evening."
"What do you mean?" All hint of laughter had left her throat; instead there was a raspy voice.
"It depends on whether you want me as much as I want you and all that comes with that."
"I do," she breathed.
I didn’t second guess her answer this time.
Our kiss lingered on my lips even when her lips had moved on to my neck. My hands caressed her lower back and butt. I pulled her closer to me, and I heard her breath exhale from her body. I was totally digging the soft biting and sucking she was doing on my neck. I could barely take much more of this teasing and the way she had been working me up for the last few days I was ready for some release.
"Beth, I want you right here," I said in a deep voice I barely recognized.
I couldn't see her face or whether she was nodding, but when she spoke, I could tell that she was mulling the idea over in her head. "I want you too."
That was all I needed to know. I spun her around and gently laid her down on the desk. She screeched out when her back touched the cold metal, but she quickly hushed herself. I was thankful for the high slit in her dress, which allowed me easy access to the smooth flesh beneath. I slipped her panties to the side and undid my pants. I ripped the foil packet I kept in my wallet and pulled her legs around my hips.
I leaned over her and kissed her deeply. "Are you ready?" I felt like a high school kid getting it on after a dance; it was exhilarating.
"Yes!" she breathed out. I slid inside her and let myself focus on the soft velvety skin. Beth let out the sexiest moan, and I struggled to keep my focus off the growing urge to explode. Her sequined dress scratched and scraped my arm giving me some sort of distraction, but even that seemed to exasperate the sensation flowing through me. I longed to see her face as I thrust my way to ecstasy.
Damn, she felt good.
I was getting so close, but I wanted to feel her go first. Her legs climbed higher and higher up my torso until they were neatly tucked beneath my arms. The soft moans had turned into focused ahhs, and then her body tensed up beneath me.
"Yes!" she yelled way too loud. I did the only thing I could think of to keep her quiet. I covered her mouth with my own. She arched and writhed towards me. Our lips smashed together, and I felt the slow burn rise up in my stomach. She wrapped her fingers around my arms and squeezed. When I finally let go, I could barely breathe through the waves of ecstasy. I held on to her shoulders, still buried inside her. I didn’t want to move. I didn’t want the connection between us to end, but we couldn’t risk being caught in a public place. I kissed her forehead, and we both got up to put ourselves together; proving to be a daunting task in the pitch black darkness. I snuck out of the room first, and Beth slowly followed. We made a mad dash to the restrooms on the other end of the hall.
I stood in the hallway outside the bathrooms and waited for her to come out. She was still adjusting her dress and the redness in her cheeks was a continuous reminder that it just happened. I hadn't dreamed it or imagined that. Only a few moments earlier I was buried deep inside her.
My smile was plastered on my face, although she seemed more relaxed and a bit dazed. People were beginning to leave the conference room, and we fell in line following them out.
I felt a tap on my shoulder as we ascended the concrete stairs. "Where did you two run off to?" Beth grasped onto my arm as I spun around ready to face the
arrogant prick from Carter Transportation.
"And why would you think that is any of your business?" I crossed my arms and watched as he tossed up his hands, stumbling over the stairs.
The smell of alcohol permeated with each word as he muttered, "This fine lady owes me a dance." Turning away from me, he set his smoldering eyes on Beth.
"I don’t think the lady owes you anything. You should go sleep it off. Have a good night, Carter." Beth and I turned to walk away hoping to avoid any more confrontation, but the sorely rejected Carter wasn’t planning to take no for an answer.
"Why don’t you stay out of it, pretty boy? Come on, honey, you should dance with a real man," Carter slurred, pulling Beth’s arm right out of mine. I spun around completely ready to punch him, but Beth beat me to it. Without a word of warning she turned, her hand connecting with his cheek in an epic slap. The stinging blow across his face echoed through the steel and concrete entranceway. A dozen or so patrons turned to witness the assault and a very stunned, very embarrassed Carter boy only shook his head before retreating to his SUV.
"Beth, are you all right?" I pulled her close. Okay, it was an excuse to pull her into my arms. She had already kicked ass, and I knew that she could handle herself.
"Yeah . . . let’s just get out of here." Our limousine pulled up, and we hurried inside.
Once in the safety of the car, we were free to snuggle up close together. With her forehead on my shoulder, I held her in my arms for a moment. "There is something about you, Beth. I would like to get to know you better. I want to know everything."
"I am just worried about how that would affect my job, Drew. What if it didn’t work out and you wanted me gone? I can’t risk losing my job."
"You know you are a bigger asset to that company than I will ever be. If anyone left, it would be me, but I don’t see that happening. We are both adults, and we could go into this with both eyes open. I feel something for you."
