Just a Fling: A Heartthrob Hotel Novella

by Kiss, Tabatha

  “So was I,” I say.

  “It was simple,” she says. “Something I could count on even when everything else was… not simple.”

  “Exactly! That’s what I said. A simple, meaningless fling.”

  “Kinda saddens me to think it’s over.” She bites her cheek. “Now that I’m here, my secret annual getaway is no more.”

  I pause, letting it sink in. “I actually hadn’t thought about that until now.”

  “But I got Michelle out of it, so…” She raises her glass and smiles. “Fair trade. No offense to you, of course.”

  I tap my glass against hers. “None taken.”

  We each take a sip while we both try and pretend we’re not staring at each other. My eyes drift past her to scan the hotel restaurant, hopping from one suit jacket to the next while servers in deep blue vests wander between tables.

  I set my glass down and clear my throat. “So, what about your group?” I ask, shifting the subject. “You still talk to any of them?”

  Veronica licks her lips and nods. “We stayed together for a while after Burma,” she answers. “Hopped around the region for about another year or so but we all mostly lost touch once we came home. They all started getting married and having kids and I… didn’t.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  She pauses. “Uh…”

  “I just mean...” I wave a hand, “you know, you’re beautiful. Smart, clever. It’s a little surprising you’re still on the market at all.”

  “It wasn’t for lack of trying, I’ll say that,” she says as she looks down at her hands.

  I lean back. “I didn’t mean to offend you, V.”

  “You didn’t.”

  “Maybe this is why we never talked before,” I joke.

  She chuckles as she looks up. “No, it’s fine. Really. Honestly, I always thought me and serious relationships didn’t mix because...” She lets out a quiet breath. “I never told you this before because it wasn’t really any of your business, but I… Ironically, I was told my entire life that I couldn’t have children.”

  My chest tightens. “Really?”

  She smiles and points at my face. “And after seeing that expression from about a dozen guys, I stopped searching for one that was cool with it. Said to hell with it and decided to fulfill my destiny as the casual hook-up girl no one wanted to settle down with. Which was fine. I worked too much for a real relationship anyway.”

  “Then...” I shift forward, “how did you have Michelle?”

  “Good question.” She shrugs a shoulder. “After that last night with you, I went to my conference and then headed home. Life resumed as it does until one day about six weeks later, I passed out on the floor after a fourteen-hour shift. I had a blood test done and confirmed the impossible.”

  “That’s… intense.”

  “To say the least,” she says with a nod. “My doctor told me not to get my hopes up. It was just a fluke with a less than zero chance of making it to term.”

  “Your doctor’s an idiot,” I say.

  She snorts. “Statistically, his numbers were sound.” Her smile fades. “And that’s why I chose, without hesitation, to keep her for as long as I could. I knew I’d never get another chance to be a mother. Michelle’s my miracle.”

  “A miracle you weren’t going to tell me about?” I ask, though I instantly regret it.

  But Veronica’s smile returns as her eyes moisten. “Be honest, Ira,” she says. “If you saw a miracle, would you jinx it?”

  I shake my head once. “No,” I answer, truthfully.

  Veronica discreetly wipes her eyes and looks around. “You know, I wanted a night of adult conversation but now I can’t wait to get up there and hug her.”

  “I’ll race you,” I say.

  She laughs and looks down, her cheeks blushed with a touch of pink.

  I sit quietly, losing myself in her face, possibly for the first time. I’ve known Veronica for years, spent more collective alone time with her than any other woman except maybe my mother, but I’ve never really seen her this way before. Vulnerable, yet strong. Broken, yet still sitting upright regardless of everything.

  My heart skips in my chest. It’s never done that before.

  “When is Mr. Nanny expecting you back?” I ask.

  Veronica turns her head up. “Uh...” She pauses to think. “Nine. Why?”

  I tilt my wrist to check my watch. It’s not even eight yet. Good.

  “Because I want to skip dessert and take you upstairs,” I say.

  She bites her lip to smother the smile begging to come out. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” she says.

  “Why not?”

  Her eyes squint playfully. “Because I’ve been really looking forward to that cheesecake.”

  I laugh. “Hard to compete with good cheesecake.”

  “You’re a close second, Ira. Believe me.”

  I lay a hand on my chest, feigning a bullet as I rock backward.

  Our server, Kyra, appears over my shoulder, her hands folded over her lap as she smiles. “Hey, guys. Did we leave room for dessert?” she asks.

  I close my mouth and look at Veronica, gesturing with a simple nod to indicate the question is all hers. We can stay and finish out the night with a treat and a little more adult conversation. Or we can go and I can finally do what I’ve been aching to do since the moment I saw her again.

  Veronica takes a deep breath and smiles. “No,” she answers. “I think we’re full tonight.”

  I smile back. “Go ahead and charge my room, will you, Kyra?” I ask. “We need to get going.”

  “Sure,” she answers. “You two have a good night.”

  She walks off and I stand up, quickly buttoning my jacket before making my way toward her. Veronica moves with me as I slide out her chair and present my hand. She takes it and warm sparks instantly travel upward well beyond my elbows.

  The restaurant disappears behind us as we take a casual stroll across the lobby. Honestly, I wouldn’t say no to just tossing her over my shoulder like a damn caveman but something about this way just feels nicer. Anticipation mixes with adrenaline in my veins, making every step toward the elevator more exciting than the last.

  By the time we reach it and I strike the call button, my insides are on fire. I need this woman. Now. I can’t wait another moment to feel her smooth skin and taste her perfect flavor.

  I turn my head to admire her again to find her neck twisted around to the other side, her nervous gaze locked sharply on something at the other end of the lobby.

  I squeeze her hand. “V, you okay?” I ask.

  She twitches in my direction, her previously pink cheeks a pale white. “I’m fine,” she breathes. She takes a quick step closer to me as she turns to face the golden elevator doors.

  I study her expression as her chest rises and falls, gently piquing with the same anticipation I feel in my bones. She looks at my reflection in the doors and smiles directly at me, turning even more of my spine into a tangled, jelly mess.

  The elevator arrives and the doors slide open, revealing a perfect, empty car. Good.

  Because there’s no way I can wait to make it to my room before keeping my hands to myself.

  Seven

  Veronica

  I feel Ira’s hands on me before the elevator doors even close.

  I turn to face him and he easily guides me backward, gently pinning me to the golden wall as the lift begins its slow ascension to the 25th floor. My tongue twitches, fully expecting his lips to envelope mine but Ira holds back, his eyes undressing me as his hands roam my curves.

  My breath lurches in my lungs. My heart pounds against my ribs. My fingers move on their own, playfully latching onto the belt loops beneath his jacket. Shivers dance up my arms, sparked by the feel of his fingertips as they climb up my shoulder. Ira gazes into my eyes as he hooks the loose strap on my dress and pulls it down to reveal my neck.

  He kisses my exposed collarbone, making my breath catc
h in my throat. His beard tickles my skin and teases goosebumps as his other hand rounds my hip and pulls my body even closer to his. His kiss travels to my neck, quickly finding its way to my earlobe and I descend into a puddle in his arms.

  “V…” His lips graze my chin. “You’re so beautiful.”

  I open my mouth to respond but he cuts me off, stealing a firm kiss that silences me completely. I kiss him back instead, giving his belt loops another tug that brings a smile to his face. He presses me against the wall and I feel his erection pushing into my hip, making my mouth water and my senses explode with anticipation.

  The elevator comes to a stop. Ira turns his head and cringes at the number 14 illuminated on the display. He eases backward, unpinning me from the wall and we quickly compose ourselves before the doors slide open.

  A couple steps on, looking as in lust with each other as Ira and I are. The man glances at us with a disappointed glare and Ira shrugs, feeling his pain. The woman stands tall and giggles as she stumbles forward and presses 20. Just six floors. Not a long wait.

  The doors close and the elevator kickstarts upward again. We wait and wait, tensions building with every long second until we can touch each other again.

  Ira’s hand grazes my back and I close my eyes, focusing on his touch as it spiders up my back. My nerves scream, telling me to slow this down but also to embrace it as fast as possible. Jumping into this with Ira might not be wise, no matter how badly my body needs this. It’s not just about me and my needs anymore.

  His hand reaches my shoulder then falls away. I bite down, smothering the disappointed moan on my tongue.

  The elevator pauses on the 20th floor. The couple steps off into the hallway the moment the doors open without looking back. Ira and I stare forward and I brace myself for his inevitable pounce.

  The doors close and the mechanical rumble lifts us upward once again but Ira stands his ground beside me. He takes slow, deep breaths as he stares forward into our golden reflection. My hands twitch and my ankles tremble, my entire body aches for his touch again — a touch he suddenly seems rather uninterested in giving me.

  That bastard.

  He knows what he’s doing.

  His eyes meet mine in the mirror and he smirks.

  Dammit.

  We stop again, this time on the 25th floor. Ira clears his throat as the doors open and presents a simple hand to me. I take it and we step off, our legs instinctively turning in the direction of his room.

  Four times I’ve walked this path but none have them have been this exciting. My heart is always buzzing for a night with him but it’s never pounding quite like this.

  Ira reaches into his pocket and withdraws his wallet, quickly fishing inside for his room key. He slides it through the reader and I settle into a point of no return. If I go in, it’ll surely play out just like any other casual night with Ira, something I’m not sure I’m ready for.

  Though, perhaps I’m not giving him nearly enough credit. He’s more than shown his ability to be thoughtful and flexible already — and it’s only been one day.

  He walks in and holds the door open for me. I follow him inside and he reaches out to hang the Do Not Disturb sign on the outer knob before closing the door.

  As soon as the door latches, Ira turns to me. He holds his breath, locked behind his gritted teeth, as he steps forward and pins me to the nearest wall. My hands move on their own, slowly pushing his suit jacket off his shoulders. My entire body quivers beneath his rough kiss on my neck. My nipples bead beneath his roaming hands. My heart pounds, completely entranced by him.

  Ira reaches down and gently pulls up my dress. I stiffen with doubt but I can’t help but moan as his hands cup my rear and he lifts me up. His lips never leave my skin as he turns and carries me over to his bed. I can’t help but kiss him back, sinking even further into our usual routine.

  I always looked forward to my nights with Ira. They were simple and fun. A wonderful break from my busy daily life. When I flipped my calendar to September, my eyes would instantly lock on that second Tuesday and I’d smile. My little vacation was coming up. One night to shut down and give myself over to whatever primal urge wants to come out in the moment.

  This year, when I flipped my calendar and my eyes locked on that date, I felt a sense of dread. As much as I knew and respected Ira the Soldier, I hadn’t a clue how Ira the Man would react to Michelle.

  I almost backed out completely but that primal urge was still in me somewhere. I had to see him. I had to feel his hands on me like this. I had to hear his voice, taste his tongue, moan his name.

  I needed him.

  I’m glad I gave him the chance to surprise me.

  That moment downstairs. The way he said goodnight to her, with his kind smile and his gentle touch.

  Ira the Man reacted better than I ever thought he would.

  We reach the bed and he sets me down. I lie back, hooking his belt again to pull him down with me. Ira smiles and balances on his arms over me, kissing me as I unbutton his shirt and pull it free from his tight belt. He slips the shirt off and tosses it away. I bite my lip as I scan his body, still chiseled to perfection years after his military career. Another habit takes over and my finger twitches along his pec, tracing the scribbled ink that reads Semper Fi.

  Not sure why I’m so shocked by his loyalty. It was written over his heart this whole fucking time.

  Ira chuckles. “That tickles,” he says.

  I smile, quickly abandoning that tattoo to admire the other on his right arm. An anchor amongst ocean waves with a ribbon beneath it that says sink or swim.

  Do or die, as I heard him and his unit say almost daily out in the jungle. Not sure when he and Vincent and the others decided to give themselves a permanent reminder of it. I’ve never asked, either. Maybe I should.

  Ira deepens his kiss and I feel the desire on his breath as his hand pushes my dress up even further. I feel that hesitation again, my spine stiffening as his knee pushes my legs apart and he pulls at his belt.

  In his mind, we don’t have time to delay. Our usual nights last hours but I’m expected back downstairs by nine. He wants it fast and dirty. Hell, I do, too, but I’m not sure I…

  Fuck.

  “Ira,” I whisper. “Wait.”

  He stops, his belt hanging open. “What?” he asks, his eyes on mine.

  I look down our bodies, feeling torn in the worst of ways. I want this. I need this. But at the same time...

  “Can we...” I swallow hard. “Can we slow down for a second?”

  Ira nods and releases his zipper, planting his hands on either side of me instead. “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, yeah. I’m fine. I’m just...” I bite down as my cheeks flush.

  He shifts down to balance on his side next to me with soft, concerned eyes. “What’d I do?” he asks.

  “You didn’t do anything,” I say. “I... It’s me. I don’t think I’m ready for... that. Yet.”

  He nods. “All right...”

  I wince and turn away, too afraid to look into his face for rejection. “I pushed a person out of me recently so I’m feeling a little... I just need a minute to—”

  “It’s okay.” He takes hold of my chin, forcing me to look at him. I see no rejection in his eyes. Just the same warmth as before. “We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”

  “No, I want to. I want to, believe me.” I breathe a laugh. “Just... slowly.”

  His lips curl. “I can do slowly,” he says.

  “Yeah?”

  Ira kisses me on the lips, simple and chaste. “Whatever you need, V,” he says as he gazes at me.

  I kiss him back, smiling wide. “Thank you.”

  “Can I kiss you again?” he asks.

  I laugh. “Yes.”

  His seductive lips blend with mine as his fingertips graze my chin. “Can I touch you here?” he whispers.

  “Yes,” I say, leaning into his warm touch.

  He lays his palm fla
t along my cheek and takes me with an even deeper kiss. His other hand stays by his side, refusing to break the rules. I sigh and relax into the mattress, feeling a bit of my anxiety melt away beneath him.

  Ira touches my throat. “Here?” he asks, his voice quiet and warm.

  My skin tingles. Reflex turns my head, exposing more of my neck for him and he leaves a few rugged kisses there, too.

  “Yes,” I sigh.

  He doesn’t stop. His hand continues downward and hovers over my breast as his devious eyes hint at more.

  I bite my lip, completely seduced, as I touch his bare chest. “Yes,” I say, a moan beneath my voice.

  Ira cups my heaving breast and crushes his mouth on mine. We stay here, locked in each other’s arms; wanting to stay here forever, wanting to push even further. My body trembles with nerves but I submit to his safety. His chiseled chest and tattooed arm. His strength and utter restraint. I’ve felt his raw power inside of me before but it doesn’t compare to this... comfort.

  I lay my hand on his and his arm relaxes, letting me move him wherever I want. I guide his touch down to rest on my belly and I turn to get a little closer to him. His erection presses into my side and Ira breaks our kiss as a deep groan clenches his throat.

  Still, he shows restraint. Even a part of me screams in my ears, begging to let him strip me down and have his way, but this moment feels too precious to change. Ira’s kisses come harder as his hand slides behind me to touch the small of my back. Mine crawls up to his bearded face as I return every kiss he gives me.

  “Keep going,” I say. “I want you to.”

  Ira opens his eyes and looks down as his hand descends, quickly curling along my curve to cup my rear. I chuckle with his playful touch and raise one leg to rest on his hip. He feels up my thigh, hooking beneath my knee and pulling me even harder against his rock-hard bulge.

  He groans as I gasp. Pleasure sparks between us and I start to feel that intoxicating throb deep inside of me. Without thinking, my hips begin to rock and rub until I can’t help but moan for more.

  Ira rests his hand on my bare thigh. “Here?” he asks, his heat blending with mine.