"Hi, I'm just leaving now, what time will you get in?"
"Probably around 6 o'clock. I have rental waiting and should be at the hotel by 6:30. What time will you be getting in?"
"About 4. I am so excited I can't even stand it. I hope I don't crash the car driving like a maniac. But I should go now...call my room as soon as you get in ok?"
"Ok...I can't wait to see you either. Drive safely."
"I will." After a long silence Anne said "Bye Carl, see you soon." and hung up. She already had her stuff together. She had said her goodbyes the night before and nobody was home now to say goodbye to. She hopped in her car and headed for coffee and gas as the corner before hitting the highway for what would seem like the longest drive she would ever take.
Anne had been thinking about this trip for about a year now. She was anticipating the meeting and every time she thought about it her body would heat up sending the feeling of fire ants from her core out to the tip of every extremity. Her body wanted Carl in the worst way and had for a very long time. He had seduced her mind and everything about this man was pulling her toward this meeting.
Anne had made arrangements to attend an annual convention in New York for 4 days. She had also made arrangements with Carl to meet him there. They'd been communicating online for over a year now and had become very close. This meeting was the wildly anticipated next step in their relationship. Although they were curious about each other it was more than that that they looked forward to. They both needed to touch, feel, smell the person they had been craving and dreaming about for so long.
Just like clockwork Anne arrived at 4 o'clock. She would've been later if she bothered to stop for anything other then one fill-up of gas. After checking in, she went straight to her room. The other girls hadn't arrived yet. So she picked her bed and started to put her stuff away.
After completely unpacking Anne hopped in the shower. The heat from the rainfall of water was cleansing more than her body. She had felt so tense for the past week, but now it was beginning to ebb. She was relaxing, finally.
After drying herself off Anne got dressed. Her outfit was typical. She thought about trying to get all dressed up for their first encounter but decided that Carl should meet her the way she really is. Not all made up and fake. So on went the black pants and black t-shirt, a little bit of makeup and one squirt of perfume. She sat on the edge of the bed waiting, twisting her hair.
It was 5:50 when Jessica arrived and 6:00 when the other two women she would be sharing her room with arrived.
"So Anne, what are your plans for tonight? We're going to go over to the Marx for dinner - wanna come?" They were all grabbing their purses and keys.
"No thanks, I think I'll just eat down in the restaurant here or go over to the strip and eat. Don't worry about me, I'm good." Anne smiled her best and they seemed to buy it. They left with no fuss. Now she had to call her husband and tell him she was there safe and sound.
"Yes the drive went well. We're all going to dinner now so I'll say good bye and goodnight. After dinner we'll be going back to the other hotel to visit with some of the other girls. I'll call you tomorrow morning. Tell the kids I love them and goodnight. Love you too. Bye"
Again very smooth, no fuss. And then the phone rang. Anne assumed it was her husband and that he had forgotten something.
"Hello?" Anne said very casually.
"Hi, I'm here." Carl was quiet. There was a long silence before Anne spoke.
"How long do you need before I can see you?" Anne spoke with a confidence and strength she never knew was hidden inside of her. She didn't feel nervous at all. Her heart was pounding and her legs were trembling but she didn't feel scared or nervous, just anxious.
"Can you give me half an hour? I want to shower. Did you eat?" Carl was still quiet. He seemed timid. Now Anne was beginning to get nervous.
"Half an hour is fine and no I didn't eat. I'll come to your room when you're ready and then we can go for dinner if you want."
"Okay I'll call you in a bit."
"K, bye" and Anne hung up the phone. Her over-analytical mind was about to pick their conversation apart but she stopped herself. She calmed down and sat back on the edge of the bed. Trying to control her breathing she sat very still with her legs crossed, her eyes closed and her hands in her lap. It felt like only a minute had passed when she was again startled by the phone.
"Hello?"
"Ok, I'm in room 605."
"Ok do me a favour? When I come to the door could you please keep your eyes closed? I'll close mine too but I would like to see you see me at the same time. Does that sound weird?"
"Not at all. Whatever you wish. Just get up here." Carl's tone was somewhat lighter now and that put Anne at ease. She checked herself out one more time and grabbed her purse and key and turned off the lights. She slowly padded her way to the elevator. She was breathing slowly as she got on and pushed the number 6 button. When the elevator doors opened she took a deep breath and forced herself to step off. She turned and read the sign for which direction his room was in. Slowly she walked toward his room. The hall seemed so long. Standing to one side so he couldn't see her through the peep hole she knocked lightly on his door.
Carl started to open the door. "Wait, Carl. Close your eyes."
"They are closed, baby. Come in here." He reached for her hand.
Anne took it and stepped in the door with her eyes closed and moved to let it close again behind her. She reached out for Carl's other hand and he for hers. Now she was nervous. She was trembling.
"Carl, are your eyes still closed?"
"Yes, are yours?"
"Yes."
Anne said nothing but dropped her purse out of the way. She wanted to see Carl and keeping her eyes closed was killing her. She took both of his hands and put them on either side of her face. She stepped close enough to feel the heat from his body but did not make contact.
"I want you to feel what I look like so don't open your eyes until I say. Can you do that?"