I was at the airport, stalking through the baggage claim area wondering what the hell happened to my luggage, when a stranger walked up to me and asked if I knew anything about where his luggage had gone. Frustrated, I shook my head; it seemed that half of the passengers from our flight had lost their luggage. I looked at him for a second longer, wondering for a brief moment if I could remember him from the plane, decided I couldn't because I'd slept for too much of the flight, and then headed over to the luggage office with about fifty other people.
He was out of my mind until we were on the curb and cabs were few and far between. I suddenly became aware of a presence behind me...and jumped when a voice said in my ear, "Looks like we might have to share a cab."
I whirled and found myself staring into eyes that I couldn't quite put the name of a color to. Funny how I hadn't noticed that before...in the airport... I had trouble tearing my gaze away from his, and stammered out, "L-looks like." Damn! I was SO awkward around men! My mother said I was a terrible flirt when I was in high school but I didn't, and still don't, believe her. I forced a smile to cover the awkwardness and turned to face the street again. A cab was coming and we both flagged it down, threw what luggage we had into the trunk and climbed inside, sitting on either end of the seat.
We headed to his hotel first, where he offered to walk me to my condo from there. I accepted, feeling inexplicably drawn to him. We made small talk for the rest of the cab ride, and after dropping his stuff off at the hotel, we walked slowly back to my place, my hand on his elbow.
When we got close, I asked, "Would you like to come up and see the view?"
He hesitated. I stopped walking and looked at him expectantly. His face was serious as he said, "I'm not exactly single."
I nodded. "Neither am I, I'm married. The invitation's open anyway."
"I shouldn't, it's not right. What if your husband should come home and find us there?"
I glanced at my watch. Tom wouldn't be home for hours yet, especially since it was a weekend. "He won't be home for a long time. By the time he does get home, you'll be long gone, I'm sure."
He shook his head and said, "I really shouldn't...I- oh what the hell. Lead on." He seemed very nervous.
We walked the rest of the way in silence. I was afraid he'd change his mind at the door, but he didn't. He did seem...reluctant? I hoped he didn't feel like he was being pushed into something he didn't want to do. When we got inside my condo, I asked him if I could fix him a drink.
"Water's fine," he said distractedly.
I wondered what was going on inside his head. I got him a glass of ice water and fixed myself a soda, and we stared out at my floor-to-ceiling view of the lake, not speaking. I was getting both nervous and frustrated; it seemed like he was placating me by coming up and I wondered if he was going to bolt the minute he was done with his water. I hate it when people do that, I really really hate it. Especially when I want to get to know someone who doesn't want to get to know me.
When he finished his water he set the glass on the floor and moved behind me. I kept staring out over the lake, hoping he wasn't making his exit but trying to make it clear that if he wanted to leave, I wasn't going to stop him. So I was surprised when I felt him put his arms around my waist and pull me tight against him.
My heart was pounding, and I felt his breath on my shoulder as he whispered, "You smell so good."
I shivered with excitement and wrapped my fingers around his, squeezing and leaning into him. He placed a couple of light kisses on my shoulder and asked, "Where's the bedroom?"