Chapter 15
786 Words
Michael
I enter the hotel dining room where, at the far side of the room, I can see James seated at a table with the girl.
Neither has seen me, and I don"t announce myself. I want first to see how she is, how she’s reacting to him. Certainly, on the face of it, it seems I have no cause to worry. She"s laughing and joking with him, with a huge plate of food in front of her.
Well, she’s not scared if she’s eating like that….
There’s an odd expression on her face.
What is it?
Admiration? Adoration? Worship?
She may have only just met him a day ago, but whatever happened last night, she’s not in fear of him….
Time to introduce myself….
Trying to seem casual, I walk up to the table and the girl turns to me, looks up into my face….
…. and I find myself lost in the emerald gaze of Charlotte.…
For the shortest of moments, words escape me, as I simply gaze into those eyes, then I really look at her
lookOh my God! She is stunning.
Oh my God! She is .She wears no make-up and needs none. Her skin is like alabaster and that hair…. even captured in a ponytail as it is, the colour glows in the subdued lighting of the dining room.
James looks up at me with the c**k of a brow and a ‘Told you!’ look to him, then, "May I introduce Michael. He will be joining us later today."
‘Told you!’She nods, her mouth full of bacon and eggs, then James’ meaning suddenly penetrates. Her gaze drops down and away, every inch the mien of the shy young girl.
"Michael and I know each other of old," says James. "We are long-time friends and we.... share.... things sometimes."
She doesn’t know where to look. I don’t think she’s distressed, but she doesn’t know how to react, what the correct response is.
Help her out here. Smooth things along….
I hold out my hand to her. "Lovely to meet you, Charlotte. I can see James here still has the knack of picking the lookers."
Oh God…. I sound like some fourteen-year-old with a book of guaranteed chat-up lines….
But it seems to break the ice. She stands, smiling, to take my hand and I hold her very lightly at the shoulders to kiss her on the cheek.
And as I do so, close to her, I scent her arousal.
Wow!
She flushes, looking away again. Sitting hastily, she hides behind her coffee cup.
"Are you joining us for breakfast, Michael?" asks James.
"Just a coffee for now. I"ll not overstay my welcome. I just wanted to introduce myself to Charlotte, so that she can get used to the idea of me."
She looks up, a little tentatively, first at me, then at James who drops her half a wink and she visibly relaxes, the tension easing from her muscles.
I’m impressed.
Didn’t think you had it in you, my friend….
She returns to her food, not joining the conversation, but clearly listening and apparently enjoying herself.
I scout around for some neutral topic of conversation.
“Don’t know if you knew, James, but Marcie"s got herself a new man, down at the Club.”
He snorts. “What, another one?”
“Yeah, a wannabe Dom.”
“Wannabe?”
“Yeah, Name of Steve. Just a loudmouth and bully actually. I don’t think he knows what it really takes. Most of the girls are wise to him and won’t go near him, but Marcie seems to be impressed by his charms.”
“She never changes, does she?”
I shrug. “I don"t care so long as it keeps her off me.”
“She being a nuisance again?” he chuckles.
“Oh, you have no idea.” I say. “Sometimes I think I can’t walk down the street without running into the woman. Then I discover she’s bought a gym membership and I can’t avoid her….”
He laughs. “Ever the huntress….”
“Well hopefully, Steve can keep her occupied elsewhere for a while.”
Steve Charlotte is looking a little vacant. Of course, she has no idea who these people are that we’re talking about. Conscious that I’ve done what I came to do, I decide that it’s time to move along for now.
"Gotta go. I"ll see you both later." I flash her a smile and a wink and leave. Looking back, I catch James’ eye, and nod an acknowledgement. I’ll be back.
Then, I call by the bathrooms to adjust my pants, which have become unaccountably tight.
- Writer
