The four of us, Marilyn, that's me, Justine, Justine's sister Helen, and Justine's friend Jasmine, had been out to a club and were in our hotel's bar for a last drink before heading to bed. I looked around the room while the others were chatting about plans for when they were back home.
I noticed him at the bar, sitting alone. Our eyes met and though I didn't want to stare I couldn't take my eyes off of his. He smiled slightly and with a small motion of his hand indicated the stool beside him. I got up and walked toward him as the conversation at the table died.
"Marilyn," Justine said. "Where are you going?"
I didn't answer and she didn't call out again. I heard Helen stifle a laugh. I walked to the bar and sat beside him. He didn't speak, nor did I. He took a business card from his pocket and pushed it across the bar toward me. He took my hand and placed it on the card. It was warm as if it held a bit of his heat trapped within the white cardboard. He put his other hand to my ear and I sighed at the warmth and did not think it odd to hear the sound of the sea.
In the elevator he pulled me to him and his hands moved over my back and down the swell of my hips. I tilted my head back. He kissed me and his lips were fire and honey.
Then we were in his room. He pushed the straps of my dress off my shoulders and the silky material fell to my feet like a circle of midnight.