I wake up to cloud softened sunlight beaming in through the windows, giant windows, covering one full wall of a posh hotel room. Through the windows I see the skyscrapers surrounding the building I'm in. I wonder if anyone saw what happened on that same window last night.
I hear the traffic far below me. The people bustling by, on their way to work or finish up holiday shopping. The city is awake and buzzing with activity. I've never been in such a place. Everything about this place is unbelievable.
As I stretch and turn over I feel the weight of another body in bed. My eyes adjust to to light and I realize you never left. I panic slightly:
"Oh. My. God. Jim! I thought you were leaving last night."
You yawn, stretch and grab your glasses off the night stand next to the bed.
"No. I decided to stay. I told her that I had a week long conference in the city. I've got you all to myself, if you'll stay longer." You say as you push your glasses up your nose and lay back in the plush covers.
I sit up, pulling the blankets around me. It's so cold in the room, and I'm not used to the chill. "Um, I guess. I'm not in any hurry. But on Monday, I've got to leave. I'm headed to Canada. Got it?"
"I understand. But I'm going to show you around while your here. During the day you're a tourist in my city, we'll just be two faces in a very large crowd. At night you're all mine. To do with what I please." You grin, and glance at me.
I give you a playful smack across your chest. And lean against the headboard, thinking about the possibilities.
"If I'm going to live in Canada, and walk around Chicago I will need a coat. I don't even own one. It's so cold here. Why did I think this was a good idea in December? It's just supposed to get colder to--"
You pull me down to you, stopping me midsentence, and wrap your arms around me and pull me close. I feel your warmth, and your strength. I smell you, us, together. I lay my head on your shoulder and snuggle in close to try to absorb any heat I can get.
"I can take you to get a coat, but first I think we'll need breakfast and coffee. Before that we should probably take a shower. But I'm not ready to get up yet." You place your hand on my face and gently kiss my forehead, your stubble gently scratching my face. "Lay here with me a bit longer."
I close my eyes, lay my hand on your chest and take in the bliss of the moment.
-----
Suddenly we're woken by the phone ringing.
You reach across me to the table where it sits. As you pick the receiver from its cradle you hold your body over mine. Despite the silence surrounding us, I can only hear you.
"Hello? Yes, this is him."
...
I rub my hands over your chest and back. Taking in the sight of you.
"Oh, I see. I apologize for that."
...
I continue my taunt, but start making soft moaning noises. Distracting you from the phone for a moment, you give me a playful dirty look, and try to shush me.
"Yes, sir. I will remedy the situation immediately." Putting the phone back on the base, you lower yourself to my side and start laughing.
"What's going on?" I question.
"That was the front desk. They got a lot of noise complaints last night, and asked us to keep it down."
Laughing I reply "Really?? Are you being serious?"
"Absolutely, would I joke about something like that? I guess today we'll just have to keep it quiet."
Tossing the blankets back, you get out of the bed, back to me and stretch again. I quickly grab the sheets and cover back up.
"How do you stand this cold? It's cold everywhere. I feel like it's seeping into my bones. I love the cold, but man, this is crazy cold!"
You start walking towards the bathroom, and glance over your shoulder "I'm used to it. It doesn't even bother me anymore. I'll get the shower warmed up. Will you join me?"
Still under the covers I shiver again. "Don't get lost in that shower, it's as big as my living room. I'll be in there in just a minute."
I hear the shower turn on, and wait for a few minutes.
Then I slip from my safe haven of warmth, and cross the floor. Peeking around the corner of the bathroom, I see you lathering the tiny hotel soap in your hands, your back to me.
I try to sneak up behind you, but I fail miserably when I reach the shower door. I fumble with it and can't open it. You turn to see me with my sheepish grin, and open the door from the inside.
"Are you always this clumsy?"
"Actually, yeah. And I talk funny. I don't have much going for me. But I'm pretty good between the sheets." I wink, and step into the steaming water.
Wrapping your arms around my waist you whisper in my ear "I like your accent. It's cute and endearing."
I blush and quickly grab the soap from your hands and begin lathering up the both of us. We stand with our arms entwined under the flow of hot water.
"So, what do you want for breakfast? We can get anything you like."
"Ok, so don't laugh at me. But I'm dying for pancakes that I don't have to cook." I mumble.
Grabbing my chin and lifting my face to yours, you gently kiss my face. "Anything for you dear."
We explore each other's bodies until the water starts to cool...
After running out of hot water, we step out of the shower and grab the fluffy robes provided by the hotel and slip them on.
Still dripping wet I make my way towards the thermostat in the room. "If I'm staying out of the bed, I need more heat. I'm freezing."
You've followed me from the bathroom, you take me by the shoulders and lead me back towards the bed.
"Who says we have to leave?" You push me on to the bed, my legs hanging over the edge. Kneeling down between my legs, you put a hand on each one and staring from my ankles you gently run your fingertips up my calves to my thighs. You lean towards me and grab my legs, pull them to your face, then bite the fleshy part of my upper thigh.
"That's enough for now. If we're going to make it for brunch, we'd better get dressed" You say as you squeeze my leg, and stand.
"Oh, are you kidding me? You're actually going to touch my legs then just leave me hangin? You can't do that to a girl."
I sit up on the bed. You take off your robe and toss it in my direction as you say "You'd better wear a lot of layers, it's really cold."
We get dressed in silence, as I pretend to be upset at you for being a tease. I grab my sweater, and put it on Then I stand by the door with my arms folded across my chest, a feigned look of irritation on my face. I'm trying hard to pretend to be mad.
"Come on, baby. Don't be upset. I promise after we've gotten you a coat, we can come back and I'll make you forget about that little tease." You lean in to kiss me, I pull away but only for a second.
"I'll forgive you, but only if you call me sweet names for the rest of my stay." I play, and lean back toward your mouth.
"As you wish, darling." We kiss for a moment, then leave the room for the maid to make the bed.
-----
We walk arm in arm into the neon lit cafe. We chose a booth near the back of the restaurant. Filling ourselves with energy for the day to come.
I drink my first cup of coffee so fast that I don't even taste the bitterness of the black sludge.
"I guess you were really cold." A look of astonishment flashes across your face.
The waitress shuffles by and refills my mug.
"We have cold in Oklahoma. But this is a whole new kinda cold for me. I'm pretty sure all the clothes I own wouldn't keep me warm. Maybe living in the Great White North was a bad idea for this Okie Gal."
I'm sipping a cup this time, filled to the brim with creamer and sugar.
You take me around the shops and we find a perfect wool coat, one that actually fits. I also pick up gloves and a hat. I put my new winter gear on, and you show me around your city.