Written especially for Mina where ever I may find her
Chapters:
1~~Checking In
2~~Room Service
3~~More Towels Please
4~~Complimentary Chocolates
5~~Happy Trails
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Checking In
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Rain rolled over my windshield as lightening flashed overhead and the crackle of thunder echoed through the mountains. Traffic fishtailed in front of me on the steep downgrade of the narrow winding interstate as the headlights of approaching traffic flickered through the rapid repetition of my wipers. The state troopers were out, and emergency vehicles sped into the darkness through the slowing flow of cars. As dismal as the drive from Florida had been, my heart raced as I pulled off into the Tennessee hotel parking lot. This must be the place, I was sure of it.
As my car sputtered to a stop, I checked the map and directions one last time. "Map-quest can't always be wrong!" I muttered to myself through a snicker. I gripped the handle of my duffle bag that rested in the passenger seat and took a deep breath as I glanced into the lobby window. The place was not a total dive, but not the Hyatt Regency either. A quick glance around the premises revealed stables off to the side of one wing of rooms. Regardless of the amenities offered, my reservation was locked in weeks ago. The pinging of the alarm started as soon as I popped the door open and ceased as soon as I slammed it shut and made a dash through the raindrops falling on my head.
There was a hushed rush of air as I pushed in through the lobby door and stood for a moment brushing off what I could of the precipitation. A nice mellow atmosphere with a hint of musky sweetness I couldn't quite place. Spinning on my heel, I walked with my bulging duffle to the front desk. Other than the hiss of rain overhead only the sound of perhaps a radio or television could be heard behind the counter. My duffle landed with a thump upon the floor as I looked around for the bell to ring for service.
"No need for that, I heard you come in the door" said the voice.
Such a sweet female voice it was, with a touch of a crisp northern accent. I looked from side to side and did not zero in on her at first.
The voice giggled a bit before adding "I'm right here in front of you silly."
Quite the contrary, she was standing in the hallway directly behind me. Quite a stunner actually, she sported black short bangs with longer than shoulder length hair, stylish frames encircled her piercing eyes. A white, black and purple striped top hugged her petite frame and her curves were sweetly hugged by the fabric while a loose fitting belt looped through her full length jeans. One hand rested on her hip as she briefly leaned against the wall with her other.
"How was your drive from Florida?" she asked with a perky upbeat tone.
I was a bit baffled as to her extent of knowledge and my eyebrows raised as I must have had a look of being totally clueless on my face. One corner of her mouth curled in a smirk as she waved her thumb towards my car.
"I saw the plates when you pulled up and you're the only person registered to arrive this evening" she sighed, walking past me to behind the front desk.
Seconds after she passed, I caught the sensation of that musky sweetness again.
"Mmmm, Lovely isn't it..." I said, leaning forward onto both hands on the counter.
She fingered through some papers and started typing into the computer then looked up over the rim of her glasses, "It rains like this half the time here, I think it sucks, but we try to keep our customers happy."
"No honey... your perfume", I raised my nose slightly and took in a tester's whiff "...'Lovely'".
Her fingers stopped and her head rose from her work. She gave me a thorough once-over, as if searching my face for some sort of ulterior motive. As if she'd just solved the mystery, her eyes sparkled and her smile was most beautiful as her cheeks rounded flushed.
"Yes, it is my favorite" giving a single slight giggle in response "You like it... Mr. .. D.?"
She tapped her finger on the keyboard and gave me a half-squinted smile slightly wrinkling that pretty nose. The room had been fully paid for in advance by my company, requiring only my employee ID badge per corporate agreement. As I slipped out my wallet and protectively flashed my badge she leaned forward to match the numbers.
"We usually require a PHOTO ID at check in" she stated inquisitively while her head bobbed slightly up and back confirming each digit.
"I apologize for the anonymity but the company is a stickler on privacy and I will pay cash for anything extra during my stay."
"Mmhmm" she acknowledged while typing on the keyboard.