Out of The Blue (9 page)

My stomach complained again as I caught sight of the Cheerios cereal box out of the corner of my eye. It was almost 8.00pm, I’d spent the last few hours in my hotel room writing statements on habitat definitions and National Vegetation Classifications for the various areas of Bonnington Hall. Taking off my glasses, I rubbed my eyes as I contemplated another handful of cereal to stem my hunger. A knock at my door made me jump in my seat. Getting up from the makeshift workspace I had created on the tiny dining table, I took a quick squint through the spyhole. The tall figure on the other side of the door supported a suit and a face I didn’t recognise. I stood back, realising I’d need to put on some trousers if I wanted to find out who and what was on the other side of the door. 

“Delivery for Miss … Carson,” his voiced bellowed. The delay in saying my name made it sound like he was reading it off delivery paperwork. I hadn’t placed any orders and hoped it was one of James’s pranks. Rather that than something Lucy had cooked up after getting called back to Manchester. Grabbing a pair of jeans, I pulled them on over my bed shorts before cautiously opening the door. Although he looked even taller in real life, his face brightened as he offered his hand in my direction.

“You must be Robin. I’ve heard so much about you.”

My eyes widened in shock at his words as I detected a whiff of alcohol emanating from him.

“You have?” I said cautiously.   

He only smiled in reply. “I have something for you,” he continued.

“You do?” I said as my confusion grew.

He reached behind him and plucked out a rather inebriated and giggly Jamie.

“Good evening,” she managed before bursting into laughter.

“Hello there! Rough day?” I asked.

The tall figure quickly disappeared down the corridor towards the lift and I called after him, thanking him for his gift. His only reply was to lift his hand, giving us the thumbs-up as he walked away.

Taking Jamie’s arm to steady her, I led her into my room, closing the door. Normally I’d feel pretty uneasy inviting someone into my nest of the last two weeks. Even work colleagues knew better than to try and muscle their way in. I even went to the extent of staying at different hotels to the rest of them. On this occasion, however, I was so pleased to see Jamie it surpassed any uneasiness I may have had. Undoing my jeans, I slipped them off.

“Ooh! Stripping off are we? Should I be joining in?”

I turned to see her laughing as she leant against the wall while I roughly folded my jeans before placing them on the teetering pile on the chest of drawers.

“Be my guest. First one to get naked wins.”

Her reply was raucous laughter. “But what do they win? That’s the big question.”

I watched as Jamie tried to right herself, standing on her wobbly legs. There is nothing quite as awkward as watching someone who is pretty drunk trying to pretend they aren’t.

“So, I wasn’t expecting to see you tonight,” I said, resisting the urge to steady her again.

“Well, we decided we needed to celebrate after the last couple of days so we went to the pub. It’s only a few streets away so I thought I’d pop in to see you, but Steve didn’t trust me to find your room on my own so he said he’d escort me. I think he just wanted to get a look at you.”  

I mentally added up the time she had been drinking; almost three hours. She had developed the drunken, machine-gun speech, spouting out words at ten to the dozen.

“I see. Well, it’s a nice surprise,” I said, stepping closer.

“Is it?” she asked. “I wanted to see you.”

I pulled her into my arms, kissing her softly. “Of course it is. I wanted to see you, too.” I felt her hands on my hips, pulling us together. Her eyes had a bleary edge to them as she leant back. I led her further into my room, depositing her at the bottom of the bed while I went over to close my laptop and tidy away my array of paperwork and maps.  

“Sorry, were you working?” 

“No, I’ve just finished. I was just about to order some food. Have you eaten?”

“No. I’m starving. I haven’t really eaten since breakfast, hence my slightly wobbly state. What are you having?”

I picked up the room service book. Flipping to the menu pages, I scanned them for something decidedly unhealthy. “Umm, I think I’ll have the cheese burger and fries.”

“Me too,” she replied as she flopped back on the bed.

“Would you like anything to drink?”

“You’re kidding, right?”

I couldn’t contain my laughter. “What about a nice cup of tea?” 

“Umm, maybe.”

I used the direct line to place the order, adding a couple of diet cokes. I looked across the room as Jamie fumbled with her shoes before inching up the bed a little further.

“You got your report done okay?” I asked, putting the menu down.

“Yes. We worked on it most of last night and today after we found the information.”

That explained the blow out.

“Good. It’s no fun being under that kind of pressure.”

She responded with a groan.

“So, what have you been drinking?” I asked as I crawled on the bed, lying on my stomach next to her. Reaching up, I slowly stroked her forehead as she lay there.

“Urgh! Tequila slammers! It was all Steve’s big idea then some wine on top of that.” She turned her body sideways to look at me. “This is not how I expected it to be when we met up again.” She closed her eyes for a moment then seemed to regret that decision as she quickly opened them. I smiled at the slight pout that reappeared on her face.

“Why don’t you take a shower before our food arrives? I think you’ll feel a bit better when you’ve eaten.”

“You want me to stay … over?”

“Yes. I want you to stay …. over,” I said, copying her delay.

Her smile was wide as she took in a long breath. “Umm … I do stink like a brewery.” She got up, heading for the bathroom.

“I’ll get you something to put on after.”

Rummaging through my pile of clothes, I pulled out a t-shirt and spare pair of pyjama shorts. Following Jamie into the bathroom, I put them on the side. I turned to her as she began unbuttoning her shirt and said, “Don’t lock the door in case you fall or need some help.” Returning to the bed, I flicked through the TV channels, looking for something we could watch. I landed on a black and white gangster movie.

Our food arrived while Jamie was still in the bathroom and I arranged the food and furniture so we could both watch the film while we ate. Jamie reappeared a few minutes later. She looked a lot steadier.

“You look better,” I said with a smile.

“Thanks, I feel it. I like your shampoo.”

I could smell the fresh scent of coconut from across the room.

“This looks good,” she said as she took a seat at the table. “I am
ravenous
.”

“Tuck in,” I said, taking the seat next to her.

“What’s this?” Jamie asked, pointing a chip at the TV. Before I could even reply she blurted out. “Ooh, it’s
White Heat
! Great choice!”

I could only smile in reply as I looked at her profile, her eyes wide and bright as she multitasked devouring her food and watching the TV.

Bellies full, I deposited the tray of empty plates in the corridor. Cuddled up in bed, I felt Jamie’s breathing slowly becoming deeper and more rhythmical as she fell deeper into sleep.

***

I woke with a start as the bathroom door closed. It took me a few moments to remember I had a visitor instead of an intruder. I checked the time on my phone. It was just after 7.00 a.m., too early for breakfast. The bathroom door opened a few minutes later and I felt movement behind me as cool arms wrapped around me. Rubbing my hand along her arms, I wallowed in her warm embrace.

“How are you feeling?” I asked softly.

“Alright, I think.”

I could feel my bladder nagging at me. Why is it if someone else goes to the toilet you immediately need to go, too?

“That’s good,” I said as slipped out of bed, heading towards the bathroom. On my way back I stopped by the small fridge. “Would you like some water?”

“Yes, please.”

I could feel Jamie’s eyes on me as I pulled out two bottles. Walking to the side of the bed, I handed her one.

“Thanks. Do you always sleep naked?”

I couldn’t quite read her expression in the dim light of the room. “Uh, yeah. I can’t sleep in clothes. I get too hot. It’s too … restrictive,” I said, a little embarrassed as I got back in bed. I hunkered down, lying on my side, watching her take a long drink. Placing her bottle on the nightstand, she lay down on her side, facing me. Her cold hand found my arm, making me flinch a little as it ran up to my shoulder before slipping down my side and resting on my waist.        

“Thank you for looking after me last night.”

“No problem-o,” I said, casually.

The smile on her face reached her eyes at my reply.

“You have a lovely body.” Her eyes fixed on mine.

“I do?” I said innocently as her thumb caressed the flare of my hip.

“Yes, you do.” Her voice was deeper, raspier, as her hand tightened on my hip, pulling us together. Warm lips quickly found mine as I wrapped my arm around her waist. Our tongues battled as I slowly moved onto my back, edging her on top of me at the same time. Jamie growled her approval as she slipped her thigh between mine. Pulling at her t-shirt, I edged it up over her body, exposing her perfect breasts. Jamie arched her back, pressing her hips tighter to me, seeking more pressure as I caressed her breast, circling her hardened nipple with my thumb. Flipping Jamie over, I knelt between her thighs to remove her shorts. I could smell our mutual excitement as I crawled up her body, caressing her soft skin with my hand and mouth until I reached her lips. Pressing myself against her, we began rocking our hips in time. Jamie quickly topped me. Slipping a hand between us, she found my clit and began circling it before pressing against me again. The tension in my body grew with the weight of her thigh as it pressed and rubbed against me. I wanted Jamie to come with me. Pushing my hand under her hips, she slowed her movements as I found her wet, hardening nub. Resuming her position, my fingers slipped easily over her clit with every thrust.

I came with a quake as my orgasm tore through my body. Jamie trembled above me seconds later. I felt her whole centre throbbing along my fingers and up my arm as I kept my hand in place. She rested her forehead on my shoulder as we both struggled to catch our breath. She lifted her hips, releasing my hand as she settled alongside me, draping her leg across my thighs.        

Fully recovered, I reluctantly checked the time on my phone, releasing a groan as I realised it was time to make a move.

“I need to get showered,” I whispered as I deposited a kiss on the bare shoulder next to me and slipped out of bed.  

Jamie returned from the bathroom wrapped in a towel as I finished dressing in my usual site gear of black cargo trousers and Eco-Scape polo top. Tying my laces on my work boots, I saw her turn her nose up at the clothes she had deposited on the floor last night.

“Would you like to borrow something to wear home?”

“Yes, please … if that’s okay?”

“Of course. I’ll give you a lift home, save you doing the walk of shame.”

I felt the almost-empty water bottle bounce off my back in reply.

Pulling up in front of Jamie’s house, she slowly released her belt as a group of smartly dressed school boys passed by.

“Do you have time to pop in for a minute?”

I checked the time on the dash. “Sure.” Releasing my own belt, I followed her inside.

Dropping her bag of clothes on the floor, she reached for my hand before closing the door. She held it for a few seconds before intertwining our fingers.

“I just wanted to say goodbye properly and thank you for taking me in and looking after me.”

“No problem. I’m sure you would have done the same for me.”

I saw only kindness in her eyes as she spoke. “I wondered if you were free for dinner tomorrow night.” She stepped a little closer. “You could stay over?”

“Umm, I’d love to,” I said, remembering our earlier antics.

“Great.”

She edged closer, kissing me firmly. I slumped against the wall to keep my balance as she pushed herself against me. I pulled back to catch my breath.

“How are you getting to work?” I asked.

“Walking. It’s not far.”

“I’ll drop you off if you like?”

“Don’t you need to get to work?”

I couldn’t hide my grin. “What’s the point in being the boss if you can’t turn up late once in a while?”

“Are you sure?”

I nodded my head in reply.

“I’ll be really quick,” she said as she made her way up the stairs. “I just need to change.” 

My eyes fixed on her ass as she ran up the stairs. She looked better in my jeans than I did. Smiling to myself, I took a seat on the stairs as I pulled out my phone to text Mike, letting him know I was running a little late this morning.