The Hotel
Thank you to
EditingAlix
for supporting me in the editing process of this story.
*
As Paul made his way through the warren of hallways in the hunt for his room, the hum of the band grew distant. The tempo had slowed just over an hour earlier, replacing the belting power ballads of the early evening with the honeyed tones of a lounge singer, purring the lyrics of Black Velvet into the mic. Paul was imbued with a hazy warmth, courtesy of the full-bodied Merlot that accompanied the nine-course extravaganza masquerading as a meal.
An evening of good food, excellent wine and exquisite company had left him with a mellow disposition and a murmur of anticipation. But as he slid his hotel key into the slot and heard the satisfying click accompanied by a flicker of green light, it was the delicate beauty by his side commanding his undivided attention.
As he pushed the door aside and stepped into the room, the ethereal Sarah relinquished her grasp of his waist, peeling away and making her excuses to 'freshen up'.
Paul sank into the easy chair by the window, undid the shoelaces of his highly polished brogues and kicked them to one side, delighting in the feel of the sumptuous carpet beneath his feet. Drawing air deep into his lungs, he removed the gold cufflinks from his dress shirt. They clinked onto the dresser as he released the shackles of the bow tie, leaving it to hang loose. With that, Paul tilted his head back, permitting himself to savour the tingle of arousal brought on by anticipation of what would come next.
This night had been a long time coming.
If only he had known. He had often quipped that men do not do signs and signals, hints and semiotics--but to have been so blind? Steep learning curve. All the time he had been looking in the wrong places, for the wrong things, when what he wanted been right under his very nose.
Sarah was, in many respects, a powerhouse: talented, resilient and intelligent--qualities he deeply admired. However, in other respects, there was a quietness, a devotion and a submissive air about her.
This evening she had spoken intelligently, with great passion and ferocity, about the charity they were there to support. Her work--running a network of shelters, providing women sanctuary from abusive relationships and violent backgrounds--had won her numerous awards and commendations. However, it took mere moments in her company to establish that it was her drive to lift the lid on domestic violence and raise awareness of the available support networks that brought her to these events, rather than any ambition for accolades and recognition.
In truth, Sarah preferred to shun the spotlight.
A quiet soul.
Guest speaker, Paul, used to being the loudest voice in the room, was bewitched by Sarah's quiet composure. Her respectful rebukes of her opponents and grace in navigating the most taboo aspects of her day to day endurances, well, they were beyond reproach.
However, beneath Sarah's composure, Paul had seen something else... vulnerability... desperation... sadness?
No.
She was haunted--by the secrets she knew, confidences she kept, problems she couldn't fix, horrors she couldn't un-see. No one could erase the evils she had borne witness to, nor right the wrongs of the past. But that didn't mean she could not herself be saved.
A click.
Paul heard the bathroom door swing open and watched as Sarah coquettishly approached.
He was not one for games.
However, despite the fact that they were well aware of why they had ended up in his room in the wee small hours, her coyness did not feel like the pretence of shyness.
'Hey,' she offered, feigning composure.
'Hey,' Paul lowered his chin, gazing up at her as he felt his mouth widen into a relaxed grin.