Holiday Hotel Hookup (4 page)

“JJ, this is awesome. Thank you. I’d love to play with you.” I wrapped him in a big hug. “What an excellent Christmas present. I’d actually thought about trying to find somewhere open where I could buy a console today.” I kissed him.

“Now you don’t have to.” He grinned that magic grin. “You can play, and I can just take this back home whenever.” This time he kissed me. “Now get dressed so we can eat. Otherwise we’re going to end up getting into the pricey minibar.”

I chuckled at how the hotel manager was considering the expense of the minibar. I threw on some clothes and grabbed my wallet and phone. After finally running a comb through my hair, I was ready to go in less than five minutes.

“Where to this morning?”

“We can eat downstairs, or we can go back to the diner. I don’t think much else is open around here yet. Most restaurants won’t open until dinner because of the holiday.”

“One second,” I said, suddenly realizing it was, in fact, Christmas morning. “Do you have family you need to be with or something?”

“My family’s in Florida. They knew I wasn’t coming home because of work, so it’s good. I’ll give them a call in a couple hours to wish them a
Feliz Navidad
and whatnot. I called my brother earlier. I knew he’d be up because his son would be tearing through the presents under the tree.”

“Cool. I had to make sure I wasn’t keeping you.”

He grabbed my arm, pulling me toward the door so we could be on our way. “Well, even if I had something going on, I think I’d give that up. Hangin’ with you is pretty awesome.”

It didn’t feel like Christmas outside. Of course it wouldn’t in San Francisco, either, but it would be cooler than here. We made it to the diner quickly. He’d apparently made that decision for us because we didn’t even stop at the restaurant in the hotel, which did have a small line at its hostess station.

The diner was about half-full and, as he had last night, JJ greeted some of the people. I decided, in honor of the holiday, to go with a big breakfast of waffles, eggs, bacon, and sausage. JJ loaded up too, but went with pancakes again.

“So tell me about you, JJ. I feel like I kinda know you already because last night was so incredible, but tell me what I’d find out on a real first date.”

Whoa, that just slipped out. I hoped I wasn’t being too forward throwing around the word
date
. It wasn’t that long ago we were just two people who found each other on a hookup site.

“Okay. Well.” He folded his hands in front of him, and fixed his gaze on mine. “As you know, my older brother is married and has a four-year-old who’s awesome. My mom and dad live just outside of Miami. He’s a professor, and she’s a librarian and writer. I’ve lived in Dallas for about six months. I transferred here from Atlanta because the chance to be assistant manager in the flagship hotel was too good to pass up.”

I nodded, relieved that he didn’t seem to feel I was being too forward. “So you’ve been in hotels for a while?”

“I majored in hospitality business. I’d like to own a boutique hotel one day. If I can manage something giant like this, it’ll be good experience for that. I want to get out to the West Coast. The boutique hotels in places like San Francisco are what I have in mind.”

“So not a B&B?”

“Oh no. That’s not for me. I want a boutique place that I can make just right, but that feels like a hotel, with stunning service and amenities, but small. Maybe just a couple dozen rooms. Depends on the economics.”

“You’ve got plans. I like that.”

“Thanks. I’d like to be on the West Coast in a year or two. I want at least six more months here to learn. But within five years, I want to find my property.”

“How long have you been out of school?”

“Just a couple years. Well, two and a half now, if you want to be precise.”

“You’re moving right along.”

“I think so. There are sacrifices. The moving around. Working a lot because I’ll take any extra shifts that’re available. I’ve got friends I don’t see much. Dating can be a problem too.”

“I know how that goes,” I said. “It can be difficult when you’re pushing for career.”

“Sounds like you’ve been through it too?”

I shrugged. “Yes and no. I haven’t met anyone yet that I’d want to make an effort for. I’ve got good friends, though. I’ve lived in SF long enough that I’ve got a tight circle, and that’s always good.”

JJ nodded as our food arrived. “So what’s the rest of your story?”

“Well, I’m an only child. My mom was a nurse, passed away when I was seven. My dad never quite recovered from that. He left the States once I got out of college, and now he teaches English in Japan. He’s coped better since he went overseas.” JJ’s expression was somewhere between sadness and shock. “Sorry, you led with family, so I did too. Anyway, I’ve always been into computers. I studied computer science at MIT and dove into IT security. One of my profs was passionate about identity theft and protecting data, so that’s how I got into it.”

“You’re not like any computer geek I’ve met before,” JJ said. “I’ve always been led to believe they don’t play well with others.”

“There’s truth to the stereotype. I know plenty who’re happiest in front of a screen.” I took a couple bites, since I was very hungry, before continuing. “I didn’t want to interact with anyone in high school. I got out of my shell in college, mostly because I had an outgoing jock for a roommate, and he wouldn’t let me keep to myself.”

“That sounds like a bully story waiting to happen.”

“Not at all. Brian and I are still close. I’m his son’s godfather. I wouldn’t be in the job I am now, being able to split between being a programmer and being able to engage with clients, if he hadn’t pulled me into the world of the extroverts.”

“That’s really cool.”

“Brian said he couldn’t stand seeing me holed up in front of the computer all the time. He would get me out to parties or to games and such. Eventually you end up talking to people, and the more I did it, the more I enjoyed it.”

“But you’re still a gamer too?”

“Totally. I can’t wait to spend a significant portion of the day with a controller in my hand.”

JJ laughed. “What I didn’t tell you, when I brought that over, is that if we hadn’t connected, I’d be doing the very same thing today.”

“Excellent. Christmas gamers unite!” I raised my fist, not caring if those around us didn’t quite understand what the big deal was. “So tell me, besides
Halo
missions, what’s your ideal day off?”

“Some of it is work related, checking out small inns and such around here. I also like getting outside if the weather’s good. Maybe ride my bike. Or if the weather’s crap, I’m happy binging on some TV show.”

“Outside? I’m not totally familiar with that concept. Binging on TV I know well. I tend to stay on my computer. Just coding to solve problems is something I enjoy. A good book is also a favorite way to pass time.”

“No wonder you’re so pale. I know SF is foggy, but it’s possible to get some color through the clouds. I bet I could get you to like the outdoors.”

“Oh, a challenge, huh? My dad tried camping once, and I just didn’t get it. Buggy, outdoor bathroom, no climate control.”

“You need to come out here in the spring. I’ll show you a proper outdoor time. Tell me you at least know how to ride a bike.”

“Except for a spin bike, I haven’t done it since I was like ten or eleven.”

He shook his head as he put his forehead in his hand. “I’m takin’ this challenge. What about the beach?”

“All that sand. Not my favorite either. Now I am okay sitting on a deck and watching the waves come in. That’s a nice time, especially if the company’s good.”

“Okay, I can work with that. You willing to let me show you some stuff while you’re here the next couple weeks? Maybe I can do for the outdoors what Brian did for your personality?”

“Never say never, but I’m not sure it’s possible. I’m a lot older now than when Brian got me out of the room.”

“You’re not that old,” JJ countered.

“Care to take a guess?”

“I’m thinking you’re not thirty yet. I’ll go twenty-eight.”

“Well done. You nailed it. I’ll turn twenty-nine in February.”

I studied JJ. He smirked, seeming to know I was working on his age. When I started taking too long, which was on purpose to see what he’d do, he furrowed his brow.

“It can’t be that hard,” he said.

“It’s not. Your reaction made me draw it out.”

“Jerk.” He swatted at my hand on the table. “So how old am I?”

“I’m going to say twenty-five.” He didn’t offer a facial reaction to that. “Given how ambitious you sound, if you were any older, I’d think you’d be out West by now.”

“Good job. In two weeks you’ll be right.”

Nearly four years younger than me. That wasn’t bad. And I liked his ambition, even more so since he wasn’t in computers at all. We wouldn’t end up talking about the same work stuff.

Damn. My brain was moving fast, thinking of a future with this guy, and we weren’t even past a first date yet. I liked him, though. If nothing else, I suspected I was making a friend in Dallas.

I checked my watch. It was coming up on noon, which meant
Halo
time was just around the corner.

“We should get back,” I said. “
Halo
time starts in about fifteen minutes. Let me text them to let them know I’m actually in and that I’m bringing someone along.”

“You sure they won’t mind?” he asked, mouth full of food, which was adorable.

“Totally. People are brought in all the time.”

“Sweet.”

We wolfed down the rest of our food and made it back to the hotel just as it was time to log in and get down to business.

“S
ERIOUSLY
? Y
OU
weren’t kidding about a marathon,” JJ said as he came into the room at eleven thirty.

“You said you’d done your share of marathon gaming.” It wasn’t even that long; it was just coming up on twelve hours. Less if you didn’t count the food break we’d taken a few hours back.

He laughed. “The funny part is that it doesn’t look like you’ve moved from that spot since I left for my shift.” He jumped onto the bed and sat down next to me. “Are you winning?”

“Yeah, we ended up playing some friends from Denver, and we’re kicking their asses.”

“That’s what I like to hear.”

“You want to get back in?” JJ’s controller was still on the nightstand.

“Nah. Watching your eyes dart across the screen is sexy, especially when you get all intense and wrinkle your brow or stick your tongue out as you’re pressing buttons.”

I stole a quick look in his direction and rolled my eyes.

He stood up, shrugged off his blazer, took off his tie, and laid them both on the back of the desk chair. He watched me, which I was getting used to and kinda liking. I saw it out of the corner of my eye as I battled the insurgence on the screen.

When he started unbuttoning his shirt, the simulated battle became a lot less interesting. He did a slow skin reveal like last night.

“Let me sign off if you’re going to get all naked,” I said, keying on my mic so I could talk to my team. “Hey, guys….” JJ put a finger over his mouth. “Umm… sorry. Hang on a sec.” I waited to see what he was going to say as I kept firing, trying to take out some Denverites.

“You should keep playing.”

He tossed off the shirt as he said that. What was he doing? He quickly lost the rest of his clothes, revealing a rock-hard cock between his legs. My avatar was grazed by a bullet as my focus pulled to JJ and my earpiece roared with my teammates telling me to watch out.

“Be careful,” he said, looking at the screen as a medic attended to my shoulder. “Get shot again, I might have to put this away.” He cupped his hardness.

He sat back on the credenza, very much like I’d done last night, and positioned himself so he was next to the TV. He bent one leg so I could easily see his cock, balls, and hole clearly while seeing the screen too. I didn’t know where to look. He began stroking his cock as my character was headed back into battle.

He smirked, knowing the predicament he’d put me in. “As long as you’re winning,” he said, stroking himself gently, “I’ll be right here. Get shot again, and I’ll need to get dressed so I can pick up a controller and help you.”

This was agony. His hot body was just a few feet away. He got harder as he stroked. I could see the slickness of the head. I wanted to taste. Yet he insisted I play the game. It was brutal and crazy hot. My sweats tented in no time. Meanwhile I was having a surge in the game, taking out a couple enemies who had my team pinned down.

“Nice shot,” he said as he stole a look at the screen. He swirled a finger over his cock head, moistening it with his precum. Then he slowly licked the finger.

“No fair.” I squirmed on the bed, seeing his smile as he tasted his juice. “I want some of that.”

“Really?”

I focused on the game, being vigilant to not get shot.

“Yes, please,” I finally said.

He repeated the action of wetting his finger before he came over to me. He slinked across the bed carefully, so as to not lose my reward while also not blocking my view. When he was close enough, he extended the finger so I could run my tongue over it. He was delicious.

“Oh fuck, JJ. This is torture. Let me stop. Please.”

“Nope.” He ran a hand over my erection. “You’re key to your team’s success. I heard them rave about you this morning.” I squirmed in response and accidentally caused a wild rain of bullets across the battlefield. Again my teammates asked what was going on, but I couldn’t open my mic for fear they’d hear more than they should.

JJ dropped his mouth down to the bulge and nuzzled it. Once again JJ was making me moan and shudder without even touching my skin.

He angled himself so one eye looked up at me. The expression was a mix of amusement and passion. I suspected he was going to push this as far as he could go.

I had to key my mic on to respond to a question. “Yeah,” I said, out of breath like I’d been running. “We should split up and….” I swallowed a moan and hoped they couldn’t hear the muffled laugh JJ made as he teased my cock. “Two at a time, try to pick off their guys quickly. I think it’s the—” Another forced pause as he tweaked a nipple through my tee. “—best way to end this.”