At some point during the ride I do doze, but I don’t realize it until I wake with a start as Scott pulls up the handbrake. “We’re here,” he says.
“Here” is a concrete parking deck, awash with golden light that holds back the darkness pushing against the railing in front of the car. This must be the hotel. I see city lights beyond the guardrails and, as I stretch myself awake, Scott unsnaps my seat belt. It eases across my chest like a lover’s lingering touch, and I can’t help but wish the strap were his hand rubbing over me instead.
My voice sounds groggy when I ask, “How long have I been out?”
I can’t wait until we get to our room—I’m going to curl up with the pillows and fall back asleep. Despite the little nap I just had, I’m still exhausted, my whole body sore from sleeping in th
